The name itself explains it. Now that I think about it, the name doesn’t fully describe the situation. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is an amazing road trip and one of the most stunning in the country. Read on for the top itinerary for a Great Ocean Road trip.
The coastal road from Torquay to Allansford is 243 kilometers long and has many beautiful sights to see. You can see dramatic cliffs, windswept beaches, lush rainforests, abundant wildlife, and amazing views of the Southern Ocean. Allansford is a small town near Warrnambool.
Here is a plan to make you even more excited.
Day 1: Torquay to Apollo Bay
Time and Distance: 1 Hour, 50 Minutes/92 Kilometres
Torquay is the official starting point of the Great Ocean Road and is located just a little over 100 kilometers away from Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport. Take your time, there’s no hurry.
Start by getting some fuel at Café Moby. It’s a charming weatherboard house that has been converted into a café. You can enjoy the scenic views of the foreshore while you’re there. I got my coffee and now I’m going to the beaches in Torquay, which are the main attraction. If you want to go for a swim, you can go to Front Beach or Jan Juc. If you want to see Bells Beach, where the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition happens every year, go south.
The Surf Coast Walk is a 44-kilometer path that goes from Torquay to Aireys Inlet. It’s a great way to see the beautiful area. The trail can be divided into 12 sections for those who don’t want to complete the entire marathon distance at once. Use this map to find the route you prefer.
You have two options for lunch: seafood or Spanish cuisine. Both are delicious, but you need to choose one. Fish by Moonlite is a seafood restaurant located in Anglesea, which is just a 12-minute drive from Bells. The restaurant is inspired by Chef Matt Germanchis’ time in Greece and offers the freshest seafood available. You can also choose to drive for an additional 30 minutes to get to Lorne, which is another beautiful seaside town. It is also where you can find the latest MoVida restaurant by renowned chef Frank Camorra.
The road to Apollo Bay is a beautiful part of this famous route. You’ll see wild beaches below you as you drive along the cliff.
HINT: If you want a relaxed lunch, you can get fish and chips and eat them by the beach in Lorne.
MUST TO SEE: Pole House is an amazing architectural structure located about 15 minutes south of Anglesea, perched 40 meters above Fairhaven Beach. Stop your vehicle to take a quick look or, even better, extend your trip by one day and spend the night.
WHERE TO STAY:
Stay at Seafarers Getaway and enjoy stylish studios, units, and lodges located right on the beach.
After dining at the acclaimed restaurant, Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant and Villas is a sophisticated and convenient choice.
Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Campbell
Time and Distance: 2 Hours, 5 Minutes/123 Kilometres
Before starting Day 2, visit the lush Otway National Park and the Cape Otway Lightstation. Grab breakfast in Apollo Bay to start your day off right. The lighthouse was built in 1848 and is the oldest one in mainland Australia. It’s located at the top of a 90-meter climb and provides great views of the Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.
We’re back on the Great Ocean Road and now we can see the Twelve Apostles. It’s an exciting moment! These rocky limestone formations are sticking out of the ocean and have been shaped by wind and waves for 20 million years. They are very impressive to look at! Today, we can only see seven apostles, but it is still an impressive sight. There are many places to get a good view, and the Gibson Steps will take you down to the beach and near the tall rock formations.
To the west, you can find Loch Ard Gorge which has walking trails to explore the coastal wilderness. It only takes a few minutes to get there.
Have a discussion while having dinner and drinks at Forage on the Foreshore, which is located in the nearby town of Port Campbell.
MUST SEE: The 12 Apostles is a beautiful sight to see at any time, but it’s especially amazing during sunrise or sunset.
WHERE TO STAY:
Anchors is a group of three villas that offer a peaceful rural retreat with luxurious amenities.
Sea Foam Villas offer cozy apartments that are located very close to the beach. They are bright and comfortable.
Day 3: Port Campbell to Warrnambool
Time and Distance: NA and 62 KM
A road trip isn’t complete without a great playlist. What’s a great playlist without some Beyoncé? On Day 3, we suggest listening to Queen Bey’s song “Formation” as you visit some of nature’s impressive rock formations like The Arch, London Bridge, and The Grotto.
Next, we’ll visit the Bay of Islands Coastal Park. It’s a stunning 32-kilometer-long park that begins just past Port Campbell in Peterborough. The Bay of Islands and the Bay of Martyrs have impressive limestone stacks, even though they are not as well-known as their famous neighbor.
You can extend your drive on the Great Ocean Road by just 12 minutes to reach Warrnambool, which has brighter lights than Allansford, the official end of the road. If you’re traveling from June to September, visit the viewing platforms at Logans Beach. You might see migrating southern right and blue whales there.
If you want to enjoy a beautiful view and take some great pictures for Instagram, you should have dinner at Simon’s Waterfront. You can also raise a glass to the amazing coastline.
HINT:
If you have time, consider taking a small side trip to Timboon. Food lovers in your group will really enjoy it. Visit Timboon Distillery for lunch or dinner on the deck of a small distillery.
We serve modern Australian cuisine and daytime cafe food at our boutique distillery, where you can enjoy your meal on our outdoor deck.
WHERE TO STAY:
Stay at Lady Bay Resort for modern lodging on a beautiful bay.
Quest Warrnambool is a hotel with comfortable apartments located conveniently on the main street of Warrnambool.
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