The Great Ocean Road begins at Torquay and ends near Warrnambool in Victoria’s south west. It is an amazing drive and if you have the opportunity you have to experience the Great Ocean Road. With amazing beaches, cliffs and temperate rainforests, it encompasses a variety of scenery and views that are difficult to describe and a must to see with your own eyes!
There are also a number of towns you drive through on the Great Ocean Road.
Torquay
Torquay is the surfing capital of Victoria and it attracts all types of people. It is located where the Great Ocean Road starts (or ends, depending on where you begin).
Torquay is a popular destination year round, located about 100 kilometres from Melbourne. Torquay is especially famous for its amazing beaches. There are a range of beaches - from calm family spots to the extremely experienced surfers’ breaks such as Bells Beach.
Every Easter Bells Beach is the location for the Rip Curl Pro, part of the World Championship Tour, where the top surfers from all over the world participate.
Besides the famous beaches, Torquay has some great coastal walks. One of them is the Surfcoast walk that starts in Jan Juc, Torquay and ends in Moggs Creek, past Anglesea. A 35km walk with amazing local wildlife, there are other shorter walks which can also offer some great wildlife and scenery.
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Anglesea
Anglesea is located along the Great Ocean Road, and is a perfect place to relax while enjoying the nature.
Anglesea is the first town southwest on the Great Ocean Road after Torquay, where the road officially starts.
Anglesea has some lovely beaches and is surrounded by forest. Is the perfect place for relaxing and there are several water-based activities like surfing and swimming down at the beach.
There are also some great lookouts, like the Rocky Point Roadknight on Harvey Street.
The main surfing beach is Government Beach which is just west of Anglesea.
North-east of Anglesea is Point Addis. With its rugged sandstone cliffs it is a popular place for hang gliders and with steps down to the beach it is also an ideal surfing beach.
Anglesea is also known for their local annual Riverbank markets, taking place by the river along the Great Ocean Road.
The peak season is around Christmas and New Year, with many Melbourne residents arriving for a holiday from the city.
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Lorne
Lorne is a beautiful little town, down the south coastline on the Great Ocean Road.
Lorne is located 75 kilometres from the city of Geelong, and is a popular destination for tourists when they go by the Great Ocean Road route.
Lorne has a charm that is hard to describe, but with some great cafes big on culture, you can sit and enjoy the beautiful beach.
With shops, galleries, the Otway forests surrounding and much more, it is not difficult to understand why it proves to be such a popular destination. As such, especially during the holidays and summertime, Lorne can become overcrowded with tourists.
There are a lot of different activities to do around Lorne like fishing, swimming and surfing on the beach. At the end of George Street you can find Teddy’s Lookout, where you can get a beautiful view of the Lorne township, the coastline and the Great Ocean Road.
Lorne is also host to the Falls Festival from Dec 28 – Jan 1st each year. Providing three days of music, activities and camping to bring in the New Year, it is held at the same time as a sister events in Tasmania. Both are very popular and you will have to book well in advance to get a ticket. You need to be aware that you are not allowed to bring your own alcohol, and if you do so, it is at your own risk.
Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is a nice little town and a popular tourist destination, especially during the summer time.
With less than 2,000 inhabitants, Apollo Bay is a small town that relies on tourism for most of its income.
There are plenty of things to do all year around at Apollo Bay, so if you want to explore without a lot of other tourists, that is possible as well.
Inland you can explore the nearby Otway Rainforest and enjoy the beautiful waterfall walks.
If you are interested in water activities you can swim, kayak with seals, learn how to surf or take a horseback ride along the beach.
Fishing is an important industry in Apollo Bay, and the main menus in the cafés and restaurants specialise mainly in seafood.
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Port Campbell
Port Campbell is another popular tourist destination located towards the western end of the Great Ocean Road.
Port Campbell has a reputation for some of Victoria’s most incredible coastlines and views - you just have to see for yourself to understand of how amazing it is.
Besides the spectacular coastline, excellent fishing and diving opportunities, a two-mile bay with some of Australia’s best big wave breaks for surfers, boat tours and much more, Port Campbell offers a bit more for you to explore.
Within only a short drive from Port Campbell are such noted landmarks as the platform of London Bridge, the Loch Ard Gorge, and the Gibsons Steps, and most recognisable of all are the Twelve Apostles.
The Twelve Apostles are a series of famous and dramatically shaped rock formations that can be seen from the coastline. Eroded by millennia of exposure to wind and water, they stand tall and proud just off the shore with excellent visibility in practically all conditions, although wind can sometimes prove a difficulty. Easily accessible via Port Campbell, the Twelve Apostles are a true Australian landmark.
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Port Fairy
Explore the charming old fishing town Port Fairy on the famous Great Ocean Road.
Port Fairy is located at the western end of the Great Ocean Road and some 300 kilometres from Melbourne. A charming little town, Port Fairy has managed to keep many of its old historical buildings intact, such as the old stone church. There are more than 50 buildings classified by the National Trust.
In addition to the lovely heritage buildings Port Fairy is a great fishing spot, where you can take fishing tours or perhaps a cruise to Lady Julia Percy Island, which is home to one of the largest colonies of seals on mainland Australia.
Warrnambool
Warrnambool is located 265 kilometres from Melbourne, and is at the end of the Great Ocean Road.
Warrnambool is a major town located along the southwest coast and with a population of about 26,000. Although mainly an industrial town it does also have a relaxing seaside, with some great beaches where you can swim and surf surrounding the town.
From May to October you can be lucky enough to see Southern Right Whales migrating, as the massive mammals are regular visitors during this period.
Warrnambool also offers some great walking tracks near the town, where you can explore the beautiful beaches and wildlife, including penguin colonies and much more.
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