Australia's most spectacular coastal drive
The Great Ocean Road, also know as the "12 Apostels" is one of the world's most famous coastal road. It stretches for about 300 km and opens up a dramatic coastline with spectacular rock formations.
Of the "12 apostels", 4 of them collapsed during the last decades, due to water erosion. So, only 8 pillars continue to withstand the onslaught of the stormy ocean and only 7 of them are visible from the ground, from viewing points.
If you want to take a gorgeous view over the "twelve apostels" you shall go on a helicopter tour! I myself did not venture on this, unfourtunately, some fellow travelers came back enthusiastic. I think this is a great option.
But why not taking a virtual tour right now over the gorgeous Great Ocean Road Coastal drive !
Watch the video below:
How to get there
You can drive along the the Great Ocean Road either starting from Melbourne, which I recommend. If you are on a tight schedule you can drive the GOR back to Melbourne or in a loop via the Grampians National Park, which is really worth visiting even for short visit. If instead your travel itinerary takes you to Adelaide, you can drive farther along the coast and stop to different places of interest.
Hiring a car is the best way to visit the Great Ocean Road, but if you are alone and do not fancy driving there are heaps of local tours you can choose from ranging from 1-4 days. Wayward Bus and Groovy Grape are the ones I personally know. I also went on a 3,5 tour with a small group with Wayward Bus leaving from Melbourne to Adelaide. Great Ocean Road Adventure Tours offers also bushwalking and cycling tours. For more information about all options visit the the Great Ocean Road website.
The Great Ocean Road - Accommodation
If you wish to stay overnight check out this great site for hotel accommodation on the Great Ocean Road.
Where to stop along the Great Ocean Road
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Geelong Here visit the Art Gallery and take a stroll on waterfront
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Torquay Famous for its
surfing schools, it's one of the best spots in Australia for surfing.
Just 7km south of Torquay you must stop at
Bells Beach and visit Bells Beach Recreation Reserve, famous for the
world-championship surfing contest, which takes place every year on Easter.
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Anglesa it's a family resort and is known for the Anglesa Golf Club with its large population of kangaroos!
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Lorne It's an attractive and most fashionable place of the Great Ocean Road.
Here you can stop a stroll and for shopping.
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Apollo Bay it's a little fishing town with nice beaches.
From the Marriners Lookout Road you have a nice view of the coast.
Apollo Bay is a gateway to the Otway National Park.
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Warrnambool it's big attraction is the Whale-watching between June and September
here you can visit the Warrnambool Art Gallery or The Perfoming Arts Centre.
If you like walking you can undertake the Mahogany Walking Trail, 22 km coastal walk to Port Fairy. For more information visit Warrnambool visitor centre.
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Port Fairy It's a seaside town with 2 Hystory Walks. There is also a
Shipwreck WalkBattery Hill. The
Port Fairy Folk Festival is one of the most known music festivals of the country.
If you stay overnight along the Great Ocean Road check out this great site for hotel accommodation on the Great Ocean Road. Here you can compare the best hotel deals from over 30 specialized travel sites.
The Great Ocean Road - National Parks
- Otway National Park
With untouched rainforest, fern gullies, huge areas of mountain ash. 17 Km past Apollo Bay you meet Maits Rest Rainforest Boardwalk, a nice 20min walk through a rain forest gully.
- Port Campbell National Park
Is the most stunning landscape of the Great Ocean Road, with dramatic limestone cliffs, gorges, arches and blowholes. Here you will see the Loch Ard Gorge, where Loch Ard ran ashore in 1878. West of Port Campell you will see the Arch and the London Bridge, which was a rock platform linking a stack to the mainland. There is a car park for viewing the 12 apostles or better 7 of them! For more information you can visit the Port Campbell visitor centre where you can also book trips and acommodation.
- The Grampians
does not belong to the GOR but I am listing it here because you could include this wonderful National Park on your way back to Melbourne, if you itinerary allows it. It is the major National Park in Victoria and offers a diversity of flora, fauna, rocks, to cater for all activities climbing, bushwalking, Aboriginal rock art and much more.The GNP is situated west of Ararat and stretch for 90km in the south. Halls Gap is the most central town in the Grampians which offers all kind of facilities: from supermarket, restaurants, café, to accommodation. If you wish more Info about the Grampians & Hall Gap click on the Visitors Centre.
The Great Ocean Road - Beaches
Driving along the great ocean Road you will be stunning at some beautiful beaches. Click here if you want to learn more and see some gorgeous
pictures about the prettiest beach spots.
Reading about The Great Ocean Road
If you want to learn more about The Great Ocean Road you can download your FREE Victoria Pick & Mix Chapter directly from Lonely Planets website or if you wish you can choose which individual chapters or travel guide you want to buy. Take a look at Lonely Planet Publications.
More Info about the Great Ocean Road
For more information you can also visit the Great Ocean Road official site
For any questions or quiries you have about The Great Ocean Road you can contact me
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