Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road region hugs the contours of Victoria's rugged south west coast and offers one of Australia's greatest and most spectacular coastal drives with a glimpse of the famous 12 Apostles. Start your journey in Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula and discover beautiful beaches, great eateries, a fascinating heritage and an enormous range of recreational opportunities, from fishing and golfing to diving and surfing. Take in the colourful and lively ambience of bayside Geelong, Victoria's second largest city, or discover quaint Queenscliff's rich maritime history and heritage hotels. Follow the coast to the seaside resort towns of Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay for stunning beaches and water sports as well as incredible rainforest scenery in the nearby Otway Ranges. One of the most visited stretches of the Great Ocean Road is around Port Campbell. Buffeted by wild seas and fierce winds, Port Campbell's coastline has been sculpted over millions of years to form a series of striking rock stacks that rise majestically out of the Southern Ocean. Known as the 12 Apostles, they are one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Victoria. A helicopter ride to get a bird's eye view of these famous natural wonders is the ultimate Great Ocean Road experience. The Great Ocean Road is characterised by its rich maritime past. The historic towns of Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland give you a taste of seafaring village life, with their fishing wharves, preserved colonial buildings and maritime museums recounting the stories of ships that have foundered off the rugged shipwreck coast. The Great Ocean Road is a two-hour drive from the heart of Melbourne. The Great Ocean Road itself stretches for over 400 kilometres from Torquay to the South Australian border. Alternatively, take the inland route along the Princes Highway from Geelong to Warrnambool.