One of Australia’s most iconic road trips, the Great Ocean Road is a scenic and winding coastal drive in the state of Victoria and is home to the well-known 12 Apostles but it’s not the only highlight. Think beautiful sun-drenched beaches, rugged coastlines, dense rainforest and waterfalls of the Great Otway National Park and of course the cute little seaside towns you visit along the way.
Like most, we hired a car and head on a 4 day road-trip of this beautiful region starting from Avalon airport, down to Torquay, along the coast to Port Campbell, up to Timboon and back to Melbourne.
Above left: Bells Beach / Memorial Arch
Day 1. Melbourne to Apollo Bay via Torquay
Distance: 157 km or 2 hrs 47 min drive from Avalon Airport
The road trip starts with the drive south from Avalon airport through farm land to the surf town of Torquay then on to Bells Beach, the world famous surf capital of Australia. Memorial Arch is the iconic photo stop that indicates you’re on the Great Ocean Road. We checked out Split Point Lighthouse, the iconic film location of the 90’s Aussie TV series ‘Round The Twist’. The next town is Lorne. Pull into Teddy’s lookout for a short walk to a beautiful view of the drive ahead. If you’d like to see Koala’s in the wild, stop at Kennett River and wander along the Kennett River Nature Walk where you’ll see Koala’s sitting cutely up in the tree.
When in Apollo Bay, check out the Fishermans Co-op for the best southern rock lobster followed by desert at Dooley’s Ice-cream shop where they even had Vegemite flavoured ice cream! and a beer from the Ocean Road Brewhouse.
Day 2. Apollo Bay to Port Campbell
Distance: 155 km for 2 hr 53 min drive
Our morning started with a small detour to explore the Redwood Forest; home to the giant California Redwood Trees and a 20-minute return walk to check out Hopetoun Falls.
Next was the Great Otway National Park. On the drive in we spotted so many Koala’s lounging in trees. We explored the National Park, Cape Otway and the light station which is the oldest working lighthouse in Victoria.
Our last stop for the day was Gibson Steps and Gibson Beach, the beginning of the Twelve Apostles coastline. Pending the tides, you can walk along the sand and see just how small these giant rock formations make you feel.
We made a quick stop at the Twelve Apostles lookout before heading into Port Campbell where we scoped out the town, chose where we’d go for dinner then checked into our cute little air BnB on the outskirts of town. We were greeted by the warming fireplace that awaited us.
Day 3. Port Campbell National Park & Surrounds
Distance: approx. 28 km Port Campbell return
Today was dedicated to Port Campbell National Park. We visited the many rock formations that occupied the coastline including the Twelve Apostles. We head to Loch Ard Gorge carpark where you can easily walk between the lookouts to see the Razorback, Tom and Eva lookout, Loch Ard Gorge, and the Thunder Caves. We stopped to see the Bakers Oven on our drive back to Port Campbell.
Back in Port Campbell, we spent the afternoon hanging by the foreshore, checking out the scenic lookout that overlooks the town and finishing off with a tasting paddle at Sow & Piglets Brewery. Because Port Campbell is so close to the sights, we head down to watch the beautiful sunset.
Day 4. Port Campbell to Melbourne via Timboon
Distance: 208 km or 3 hour drive
After an awesome breakfast at Forage on the Foreshore where I had the best French toast ever, we set to explore the rest of the highlights nearby before heading back to Avalon airport for our flight home.
Above: the lookout over Port Campbell
Today the seas were rough and the skies were angry but we still visited the Arch, London Bridge and the Grotto. By the time we got to the Bay of Martyrs and the Bay of Islands the drizzly clouds had set in so we decided to head for the warmths of the Schulz Organic Dairy for cheese tasting en-route to Timboon.
Timboon is a great little town to stop on your way back to Melbourne for lunch, the ice creamery for desert and a whiskey tasting at the Timboon distillery.
ONLY HAPPY WHEN I TRAVEL 