We’ve never been to Australia. I know, how remiss of us. It goes without saying that we’ve considered it many times. You need more than two weeks to explore though, and that’s about as much as Huw can take off in any single annual leave block. We will get there (I’ve been watching Neighbours since 1986 – how can I not go?!) We’ll just have to cover small areas at a time, and visit frequently. As a blogger I follow lots of travel blogs, and I often read about the Great Ocean Road in Australia. Two years ago I posted a series of collaborations on PackThePJs on the best slices of cakes around the world. One submission was a café along the Great Ocean Road that served amazing lamingtons … I’ve wanted to drive the Great Ocean Road ever since!
This week’s armchair travel post highlights some of the attractions along the Great Ocean Road. As before, I’ve asked for expert advice from my travel blogging friends. They’ve each suggested a single ‘must do’ experience along the route. They’ve already helped us build itineraries for Hawaii, Hong Kong, Cape Town, Bali, Sri Lanka, Vancouver, Iceland, Tokyo and Paris.
Loch Ard Gorge
A must see along the magnificent Great Ocean Road is the picturesque Loch Ard Gorge. The gorge offers stunning views from above, looking down into the beautiful gorge. To truly immerse yourself into its beauty, follow the stairs leading down to soft sand, explore the cave formations and see the beauty of the pristine, blue clear waters surrounded by yellow cliff faces.
A visit to Loch Ard Gorge would not be complete without taking advantage of the various walking tracks that explore the local geology, including rock formations and blowholes. Look out over Thunder Cave to view how dynamic and dramatic our oceans can be! Explore the history of this famous site: the 1878 shipwreck on the nearby Mutton Island where fifty-two people were lost at sea with two teenage survivors being washed into the safety of the gorge.
Exploring the Great Ocean Road would not be complete without a visit to this breath-taking ocean landscape, a great spot for nature and history buffs.
Submitted by Kelly, Roaming Free – Tales of Wanderlust by Kelley
Bay of Islands
Located between Port Campbell and Warrnambool, Bay of Islands Coastal Park is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes on the Great Ocean Road.
The most popular spot is Bay of Martyr. It’s quite similar to the 12 Apostles but you can get to do more things there. Firstly, there are several walking trails. You can go for walks around the Bay and catch some spectacular views. You can also walk down to the beach and go swimming or kayaking.
If you are looking for a more secluded beach and rock pools, Wild Dog Cove will be the perfect place for you.
Finally, don’t forget to stop, on the way, at the Grotto. This beautiful sinkhole is one of the most stunning natural landmarks on the Great Ocean Road.
For lunch, head to Peterborough. This fishing village is home to a few amazing cafes.
Whether you decide to spend a few days on the Great Ocean Road or just go on a day trip from Melbourne, Bay of Islands is a must do!
Submitted by Pauline, BeeLoved City
Helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles
The 12 Apostles are beautiful from every lookout point along the national park walkway. But to get a true sense of scale you need to see them from above. Taking off in the tiny cockpit and looking down at the people below as they quickly turn into dots, you get to see what this amazing piece of coastline is all about. Vast, wild and totally mesmerising.
12 Apostles Helicopters take off right beside the visitor centre and offer three different flight options. There are 15-minute flights, 25-minute flights or a 1 hour flight that goes all the way to Cape Otway souring above the Great Ocean Road and campsites below. Note that the 15-minute flight is in a bigger helicopter and takes full groups, whereas the 25minute and 1-hour flights are smaller, more private.
We’d recommend the 25-minute flight. This allows you to avoid the biggest waiting line (for the 15-minute flight), it also means you get to see more of the coastline. The flight staff are very knowledgeable and are happy to answer any questions about the different sites below.
Apart from the amazing views, you will get a real insight into the natural history of the area and appreciate the lookouts even more once you have landed.
Submitted by Vivien and Aaron, The Dharma Trails
Gibson Steps
While touring the Great Ocean Road you’ll be treated to Victoria’s stunning coastline, panoramic ocean views and a variety of limestone stacks standing proud in and at the water’s edge. And one of the most impressive are the giant stacks at Gibson Steps.
Just 1km away from their much more famous cousin – the 12 Apostles – Gibson Steps mark the first lookout point in Port Campbell National Park (when arriving along the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne); but unlike the 12 Apostles, the stacks can be accessed from the beach allowing visitors to get a unique perspective by standing practically underneath this incredible monolith.
Steep wooden steps hug the cliff face, allowing visitors to descend from the Great Ocean Road down to the expanse of beautiful sandy beach below and we would highly recommend to still be here at sunrise or sunset for an extra special view. And remember to take water and snacks – the climb back up will certainly get your heart racing!
Submitted by Vicki, GreatOceanRoadGuide
Kennett River Road
One of the top experiences people often hope to have when they visit Australia is to see koala in the wild. And this is something you can add into your Great Ocean Road drive if you stop at the Kennett River Road and take the Kennett River Koala Walk.
Kennett River is located half way between Lorne and Apollo Bay. This stretch of the Great Ocean Road is perfect for spotting many of Australia’s native species as well as dolphins, seals and whales.
There is parking at the Kafe Koala near the Kennett River (15 Great Ocean Road) or you can drive your car up the dirt road (it is quite steep) and park further along. This may be the best idea on a hot day (the temperatures were in the 40s when we visited). Keep an eye out for the koala perched high in the trees. We saw about 6 koalas on the day we visited and even had one playing peek a boo with my husband!
As well as koala keep an eye out for kangaroo, pademelon, parrots and rosellas who also frequent the area.
Submitted by Tracy, Tracy’s Travels in Time
Port Fairy
Port Fairy, on Gunditjmara land, is a seaside town on the mouth of Moyne River where it runs into the Southern Ocean. On the road towards Mount Gambier, 25 minutes drive from the western end of the Great Ocean Road, Port Fairy is perfect for a day trip or as stop over.
With more than 50 heritage listed buildings from the 1800s, a wharf with luxury yachts and fishing boats, boutique shops and lots of natural beauty, Port Fairy looks like it stepped out of the pages of a storybook. When the sun is shining and the air is warm you will struggle to find somewhere more picturesque.
The must do’s are swimming or surfing at East Beach and the rock pool as well as the one hour loop track out on Griffith Island Reserve to see the Port Fairy Lighthouse and the bird life. Also if time permits check out Battery Hill and the old canons or even take a boat ride out to Julia Island to see the seals.
For a town you’ve probably never heard of Port Fairy leaves a lasting good impression. We hope you love it as much as we did.
Submitted by Emma, Our Wayfaring Life
Anglesea Golf Club
Driving the beautiful Great Ocean Road you will see many amazing views but visiting Anglesea Golf Club will be a unique and quirky sightseeing experience.
Unless you intend to play golf you wouldn’t normally visit a golf club. However, this particular golf club has been overrun by kangaroos!
Over the years the kangaroos starting grazing the grass at the club and eventually grew in numbers. It was acknowledged that it was so much effort and costly to try to get rid of them that they decided to just leave the kangaroos as they are.
Golfers have adapted to playing in and around kangaroos as they bask in the sun. Anglesea Golf Club has also decided to run tours in which you can learn more history of the club and about the kangaroos on the golf course.
It is a real up close and personal experience which is a nice stop during your Great Ocean Road adventure.
Submitted by Kerrie and Woody, Just Go Travelling
Cape Otway Lightstation
The Great Ocean Road is one of the most spectacular places to visit in Australia. We’re lucky to live right on its doorstep in Geelong, and we’ve spent countless days exploring everything the region has to offer.
A highlight we recommend to all visitors is the Cape Otway Lightstation. Known as the “Beacon Of Hope” it sits on towering cliffs 90 metres above the wild Southern Ocean. Hundreds of lives were lost in shipwrecks before the lighthouse was built in 1848, and for thousands of migrants, Cape Otway was their first view of Australia.
Visitors can learn about its fascinating history from local guides. A highlight of the tour is the Lighthouse Balcony that offers unparalleled coastal views. There’s also an historic telegraph station on site, and an Aboriginal Meeting Hut with storytelling and bush tucker sessions.
Walking around the site you can feel the remoteness of the area and you can’t help but wonder at how isolating it must have been for the Lightkeepers. If you’d like to experience this in a more real way, it’s possible to stay overnight in the Lightkeeper’s Cottage.
It’s a short drive through native bushland to get to the Lightstation. Along the way you’re almost guaranteed to see Koalas!
Submitted by Audrey, See Geelong
Platypus Spotting on Lake Elizabeth
Less than 90 minutes from the Great Ocean Road are the Otway Ranges; a dense cool weather rainforest. Nestled deep in the forest is Lake Elizabeth, home to one of Australia’s most elusive animals – the platypus.
The best way to see a platypus is on a guided canoe tour. Run at dawn and dusk, not only will your guide soon have you watching a platypus dart along the surface of the water, it is also the best time to see the lake.
Surrounded by forest and with tall grey tree trunks poking out of the water, it is a picture of tranquillity. At either end of the day the air is filled with the sound of birds. The colour of the forest and sky changes as the sun rises or falls behind the surrounding hills.
There is a 5 kilometre walking trail around the lake. It is a 1 -2 hour walk depending on how long you stop for platypus spotting. The walk is lovely, but if you want to see a platypus get onto the water. Canoeing on Lake Elizabeth at twilight is an experience you will never forget.
Submitted by Natalie and Steve, Curious Campers
Erskin Falls, Lorne
Erskin Falls is a popular stop along the Great Ocean Road and one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Melbourne. Located in the stunning Otway Ranges just inland from Lorne, these waterfalls are easily accessible for any traveller. Just a 5 minute walk from the car park will take you to the viewpoint where you can admire the 30 metre cascades, or if you are keen, you can head down to the lower look out which is 240 steps below.
For those who have time and are up for a challenge, there is also a 7.5-kilometre walking track through the lush rainforest which leads from the falls to Lorne along the river. The backdrop of these beautiful waterfalls provides ample photo opportunities and will be one of your highlights of your drive down the Great Ocean Road. Make sure to also check out Lorne while you are nearby for some stunning beach views.
Submitted by Chontelle, Mum’s Little Explorers
Surfing along the Great Ocean Road
One thing you absolutely must do when in Australia is to hit some waves! It doesn’t matter whether you are a complete beginner or a pro, the beaches around the Great Ocean Road are sublime for surfing. One such place is the main beach of Anglesea located just one and a half hours outside of Melbourne.
Here you can park your car at the local surf shop, rent a board, and jump straight into the waves just a few minutes later. It’s a great way to take a break from all the driving, get a bit of fresh air, and have some serious fun. Once you’ve learned to stand up on the board, riding the surf, it’ll be near impossible getting you back down again! Good thing that Australia is packed with surf spots then, from the famous ‘Bells Beach’ of the Great Ocean Road, to the Gold Coast, and even all the way down to Tasmania. No matter where you go, you’ll never be far from the waves!
You can buy an inexpensive board, or rent one, to bring with you in the car for the whole trip. You never know when a great beach presents itself, but when it does, you’ll wish you had a surfboard handy!
Submitted by Nick, The Danish Nomads
