The Great Ocean Road is one of the best road trips in Australia! The drive is 243km long, starting in Torquay, which is 105km from Melbourne, and continuing westward along the coast to finish at Allansford near Warrnambool.
Many people visit the Great Ocean Road as a very long day trip from Melbourne on a bus tour, but we recommend you hire a car from Everything Fleet and go at your own pace, stopping whenever you want. It’s a good, smooth road, with plenty of signage and no potholes. No need for a 4WD – a small, compact car will be fine.
To help plan your itinerary, here are the highlights we recommend:
12 Apostles
The limestone stacks have been carved over millions of years and is an iconic sight that draws many visitors to the region. Entry to the 12 Apostles is free. Time your visit for early morning or later in the day during the peak season (December to February).
Loch Ard Gorge
A little further down the road from the 12 Apostles is Loch Ard Gorge. This formation is named for the Loch Ard shipwreck which ran aground in 1878. Only two people survived – Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael – and the two limestone monoliths that you see are named after them.
Chase Waterfalls
Tucked away off the Great Ocean Road’s main road are some of Victoria’s prettiest waterfalls, and definitely worth the detour into the Great Otway National Park.
Treat yourself to icecream, chocolate or whisky
The 12 Apostles Gourmet Trail meanders through lush farmland, which means there is lots of fresh produce grown and manufactured throughout the region.
Check out GORGE chocolates or the free tastings of delicious homemade fudge at Dairylicious Farm.
Feel like a whisky or lunch? Drop by Timboon Railway Shed Distillery or Sow & Piglets Brewery.
Snap a picture at Cape Otway’s oldest surviving lighthouse
The Cape Otway lighthouse has been in operation since 1848, protecting ships from crashing into the treacherous shore below. It is possible to climb 78 steps to the top, as well as checking out the station that housed Australia’s first submarine telegraph cable, relics from shipwrecks and dinosaur fossils.
Accommodation on the Great Ocean Road
There’s plenty of accommodation on the Great Ocean Road. Just make sure to book ahead if you’re travelling during the school holidays.
What’s next?
Grab your Everything Fleet car and a sense of adventure, and let’s go! The Great Ocean Road is about a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Melbourne, so it’s best to start your day trip early to have enough time to take in the breathtaking scenery and explore the attractions along the way.
