Great Ocean Road
for locals by locals

Geelong stern Mr, Mrs Bollard

A favourite is the waterfront Bollard Trail. Reclaimed timber pier supports were repurposed into wooden sculpture bollards telling the story of Australia’s association with the beach. Over 100 carved bollards establish a narrative that is humorous, a message about water safety or a story about Geelong’s seafaring heritage or a reminder of the importance of the coast.

The promenade includes a historic bathing complex with its extensive changing and toilet facilities. A range of cafes, mobile food vendors and purpose built shade. The sloping grassed banks give visitors a bird’s eye view of the harbour, the pools and seaside activities.

DURATION ½  HOUR

Bells Beach surfers Torquay

Lunch and a chance to find your inner surfer. Torquay is part and parcel of Bells Beach & Rip Curl Pro where world’s best surfers compete, riding the waves at Bells Beach.

Your stop will include a peek at Bells Beach and its surf culture. The Australian National Surf Museum. Is an introduction to all things surf and board. The museum celebrates surf culture. There is a gift shop where you can acquire your authentic made in Australia board shorts.

Torquay is the official start of the Great Ocean Road and your inner surfer might divert you, from the Great Ocean Road to a local surf school. I look forward to hearing that you are now enrolled in a surf school. Please keep us up to date.

For a family group there are lessons for children, beginners all the way up to experienced pros looking for the next best tip. Perhaps you are not going to ever leave Torquay, I am sure you will not be the first person to feel like this. I love the hippy / surfer / burger bar / wind, sun and water feel to Torquay. It is a shame the atmosphere can’t be bottled and taken with us on the road trip.

DETOUR

Surf Coast Walk

A walk for all fitness levels with numerous exit and entry points. While the total walk is 44km from Torquay to Aireys Inlet a short stroll introduces you to the dramatic scenery of the Great Ocean Road. And, importantly for some, an ability to post their walk experience on the Surf Coast Walk’s instagram public feed. Check out the Surf Coast Walk website for up to date information around track conditions, for instance consider  Torquay, Wadawurrung Country walk. Remember to send us comments if this information is helpful.

DURATION 1 HOUR

TIP: Forward bookings essential for events such as Rip Curl Pro and Surf Coast Events

Iconic Bells Beach

From Torquay to Lorne you can stop, explore and photograph the coast. Your photograph locations include:

• Bells Beach and watch the surfers from the lookout platforms at the Bells Beach Surfing Reserve
  Point Addis gives you the first glimpses of ocean, beach and sandstone cliff landscapes. The views are of Bells Beach in the distance and Anglesea, a small coastal community.
• Anglesea memorial lookout was built by Bertha in memory of her husband’s favourite viewing location to observe the Bass Strait. The Anglesea Aircraft Observers Memorial was erected in 1997. It is dedicated to the 56 volunteers, during World War II who were aircraft spotters.
• Aireys Inlet is where Split Point Lighthouse is located with its panoramic view of Eagle and Table Rocks. For lighthouse fans a must do stop.
• Cinema Point offers great views and is one of the highest vantage points you can compare Cinema Point with the next stop which has the better perspective.
• Teddy’s Lookout has some of the most popular views along the Great Ocean Road. The lookout point is perched high above the coastline providing a birds eye view of the St George River mouth as it enters the Indian Ocean. Yet another instagram photo moment.

The famous landmark of Lorne Pier at sunset in Lorne, Viictoria

Lorne is a well-known pit stop for tour buses. Gift shops, cafes and accommodation will encourage visitors to take the slow lane and stay awhile longer. Lorne is a convenient stop for a meal where our visitor dollars will assist with supporting the local tourism economy. In Lorne you can stroll along a pier (built 2007), chat to the local anglers and   children can spend time exploring the Lorne playground adjacent to the pier. You can visit the Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre, located in the Lorne Visitor Centre with its interactive displays about the area’s history.

Lorne Swing Bridge and Boathouse on Erskine river

Kennett River is a popular local swimming and surfing beach with lifeguards during the summer months. The town is a typical coastal community with a general store, a cafe and not much else. The camping ground and holiday park is clean, friendly and willing to assist with directions and helpful hints on what to do and where to go.

Overnight Kennett River Holiday Park is a great place for wildlife lovers.

Lorne to Kennett River Holiday Park: 30 minutes, 23km

An afternoon pottering around nineteenth sites where early settlers farmed, harvested the forest for wood with visible pier remnants and old tram rails are reminders that nature is busy reclaiming the land. You are walking in the footsteps of people who have inhabited this area for thousands of years. Check the attached PDF brochure for details.
 Travel Pack. Wye River Heritage Trail

Wye River, Victoria

Bends of the famous Great Ocean Road

Rejoin the road for your journey to Apollo Bay. Three nights Apollo Bay, in the foothills of the Otways. Apollo Bay is your hub for exploring the coast, lighthouses and the Otway National Park.

Accommodation choices galore from luxury to holiday parks. Take your pick to suit your budget, Apollo Bay accommodation.

For a short easy walk consider 2km Shelly Beach walk, 10 minutes drive from Apollo Bay is Shelly Beach.

Walk starts at Shelly Beach picnic area and finishes at Shelly Beach picnic area.

You will get to view Cape Otway Lighthouse and Wreck Beach. It is an excellent short walk as it tracks through the fern gullies, coastal vegetation and across coastal rock platforms to the Elliot River. It is a loop track returning through mature blue gums of significant height with the possibility of wildlife viewing.

Duration 45 minutes to 1 hour.

 Travel Pack. Otway National Park walking trails

DETOUR

Otway Flytree Platform

Elevated platform and zipline offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal with the forest canopy.  There is a cafe on site as well as toilet facilities.  Admission fees apply.

DETOUR

Let’s get our walking boots on for LAKE ELIZABETH WALK and a highlight is Otway Eco-Tours guided platypus tours by canoe to maximise viewing potential of platypus. Contact Otway Eco Tours for details. Fees apply. This walk is half a day in duration.

Overnight Apollo Bay. Apollo Bay Accommodation & Where To Stay, with over seventy options from luxury resorts to holiday camps there is plenty of choice to suit your budget.

Otway National Park ferns, boardwalks

Apollo Bay accommodation @marengobeac OKhstudios

The afternoon is free to explore Apollo Bay, the beaches, walks, heritage trails and artisan stores. View our travel pack information for inspiration. Your local accommodation provider will have up to date information about what is open and what is closed.

Overnight Apollo Bay

Great Ocean Road Loch ard Gorge view

Loch Gorge is named after a ship that was wrecked here. To get a very different perspective on this stretch of coast, take the long flight of stairs down to the beach to view the towering rock formations from another angle. Bird-lovers will want to come here at dusk, when flocks of short-tailed shearwaters circle overhead looking for their roosting spots.

The beautiful scenery of Loch Ard Gorge

Shipwreck Cove was well worth the journey down and up the stairs. The steps are very uneven and can be steep in places. There is a handrail with approximately 45 steps. I counted the steps for you, hmm I might have missed one or two because I was definitely puffing.

Overnight Warrnambool. Accommodation choices aplenty, check Warrnambool accommodation website for details.

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village with its focus on shipwrecks and the story of navigation.  It is an interactive museum that will interest all age groups.

The Flagstaff Hill

The South West coast of Victoria, Warrnambool

Explore Warrnambool, check out attractions on Itineraries for What to See & Do in Warrnambool.  A half day of whale watching, browsing through the local galleries, walks, or chilling out in a local cafe.

Overnight Warrnambool.