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S243 km south of Victoria, between Torquay and Warrnambool, the B100, known as the “Great Ocean Road”, stretches its long sea serpent, between jagged cliffs, isolated beaches and national parks. Sold as one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world , it is home to varied treasures and is a delight for surfers.
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The surf capital, a rock festival and holidays
“Welcome to the Surf Coast. This sign at the entrance to Torquay immediately sets the mood for the Great Ocean Road. On the main street, the big brand stores follow one another. Rip Curl, Billabong, Globe, the international brands have huge boutiques, a paradise for surfing and style: surf, skate, snowboard, longboard, etc. At Quiksilver, a giant poster with the brand’s icon, Kelly Slater, ten times world surfing champion, decorates the entrance. In the street, the benches are shaped like surfboards, and skaters around ten years old go to get their ice cream at the McDonald’s in the center.
Then there is this legendary beach, Bells Beach, known by surfers from all over the world for its impressive waves and its world championships at Easter, etc. Like perhaps nowhere else in Australia, Torquay, the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, celebrates the vertigo of the board.
On the road to Apollo Bay, it is good to take the Great Ocean Road as it is: a succession of beaches, barbecues, parks, etc. A peaceful holiday atmosphere, without worries, without constraints. Anglesea and Lorne are two small, quiet and pleasant seaside resorts . Lorne hosts four days, around New Year, the Falls Festival – which also has a site in Marion Bay in Tasmania – for rather rock concerts in the heart of a cultural village.
Apollo Bay has something for everyone: a cute beach, green spaces with skateparks, surf shops, cafes and restaurants. It’s also the only point before the end of the Great Ocean Road where you can stock up on cheap food and alcohol.
Great Ocean Road: Twelve Apostles, Koalas and $500 Million
LThe section to Port Campbell winds between the Great Otway National Park and the coast, between unspoiled beaches and steep cliffs. The road offers a fabulous panorama. We then enter the most touristic , the most popular, but also the most incredible section of the Great Ocean Road.
Taking the Gibson Steps down to the beach, the first “Apostles” appear in the vastness of the ocean. Rocks detached from the cliffs by erosion, formerly twelve in number – hence their name – their beauty is palpable, lyrical and mysterious. A viewpoint allows you to admire them a few kilometers further. From the footbridge, the Apostles proudly extend above the ocean (up to 45 m high), the waves crashing against the rock. At the same time, the cliff seems to continue to display itself for kilometers.
The Great Ocean Road can offer much more than its dreamy landscapes along the ocean. The road then becomes a real tourist attraction. The brown signs, the color which indicates that there is a photo to be taken, are legion. No need to stop at every indicator, but some points like the gorge of Loch Ard or the London Bridge , which saw its stone bridge detached from the continent in 1990, are really worth the detour.
Jagged cliffs, small coves and waves swept by the ocean become a habit, and the beauty is almost commonplace. If it weren’t for these cohorts of tourists with their cameras, we would happily settle down here for the day, with a book or simply in our thoughts.
The Great Ocean Road ends after Warrnambool, a student town, and the Princess Highway takes over. From Port Campbell, and with a view to returning to Torquay or Melbourne , the last section which passes through the small town of Peterborough, although pleasant, is not essential.
On the way back, the Great Ocean Road has much more to offer than its dreamy ocean views. Off the beaten track, the Great Otway National Park , a few kilometres from the road, offers superb waterfalls, the Erskine Falls, with a natural swimming pool . Short hikes are possible in the area: the Erskine Falls Walk (7.5 km), the Kalimna Falls Walk (9 km) or the Sheoak Falls Walk (9 km).
More athletic, the Great Ocean Walk allows you to cover the distance between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles in six days (104 km). On the Lighthouse Road after Apollo Bay, Cape Otway is home to Australia’s oldest lighthouse, which offers superb views of the ocean.
As for the section of the Great Ocean Road between Lorne and Apollo Bay, it offers the best chance of spotting one of the many koalas perched on the eucalyptus trees along the road. The easiest way is to watch for cars stopped on the side of the road.
Damaged by severe weather in January 2011, the Great Ocean Road was closed for four days. To prevent this significant loss of tourism money, the state of Victoria reportedly invested more than $500 million and fortified the cliffs to minimize the risk of landslides. Because each year, reports The Age , the Great Ocean Road attracts more than 8 million tourists, for an annual income of $1.5 billion.
For those who would like to take a specialist tour, day trips are available from Melbourne to discover the main points of the Great Ocean Road.
Go further
- Torquay: official website
- Twelve Apostles
- Great Ocean Walk
Our accommodation tips from low prices to favorites
A hotel with excellent value for money
For those looking to unplug, this is the place to be! Located in the heart of nature, just a few minutes’ drive from the Twelve Apostle Visitor Centre, this comfortable and quiet country cottage offers a wonderful break en route. Each cottage has a private terrace, kitchen and bathroom. A games room is also available for guests. Learn more
Our favorite
This stunning apartment in Warrnambool features several spacious and elegant bedrooms with all the necessary comforts, a fully equipped living room and kitchen, as well as two bathrooms. Visitors will also have the opportunity to relax in the small garden and park their vehicle in the private garage provided. The opportunity to settle in for a few days and enjoy the surroundings. Learn more
Our choice of low-cost accommodation
Large bay windows, modern architecture, wooden roof terrace: this youth hostel surrounded by nature and located a few steps from the beach is ideal for small budgets. You will find private rooms as well as dormitories, but also 2 communal kitchens, dining areas, a reading room with games and DVDs, a barbecue and a garden of aromatic plants. Learn more
