Great Ocean Road
One of the world’s greatest drives, the Great Ocean Road winds its way for more than 200 kilometres alongside jaw-dropping sheer cliffs buffeted by the Southern Ocean.
Part of a major plan to create employment for soldiers returning from the First World War, this massive feat in engineering is part of Australia’s National Heritage list. Many shipwrecks dot this wild Victorian coastline, telling dramatic tales of Australia’s early settlers trying to start a new life.
Discover something new around every turn of this dramatic drive
Gaze in awe at the big waves of world-famous Bell’s Beach near Torquay, then have a surfing lesson with the experts. Take a helicopter flight over the giant Twelve Apostles; or visit them from the shore in the Port Campbell National Park. Swing a club at the Anglesea Golf Club, where kangaroos casually graze. At the Cape Otway Light Station, the oldest on the Australian mainland, you can spend the night in the restored light-keeper’s cottage. Wind down your car windows and breathe in the perfume of gum trees and fresh air, and plan on regular stops to photograph the vista.
Venture through the Great Otway National Park to Cape Otway and Warrnambool, the southernmost point of the Great Ocean Road. See some of Victoria's most remote and beautiful rainforest, coastal scenery. Visit wild Johanna Beach where towering cliffs frame the pristine sandy beach; or the isolated and incredibly beautiful Blanket Bay. On the Great Ocean Road nature puts on a show at every turn.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Get outdoors in the Great Ocean Road region and enjoy a wealth of things to do, from adventure activities on the ocean such as surfing, kayaking or deep sea diving to horse riding, cycling or walking on the region's sandy beaches, rugged coastal tracks or rainforest trails. Take to the skies to witness the scenic beauty of the 12 Apostles on a helicopter flight, or skydive for a truly exhilarating experience.
WALKING & HIKING
Walk the Great Ocean Road region's stunning coastal tracks and ancient rainforest trails and see breathtaking ocean views or dramatic waterfalls. Visit a national park or state reserve for a range of walking tracks and trails to suit all levels of fitness. Find a picnic spot or watch for native wildlife amongst lush trees or on pristine sandy beaches.
CYCLING
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Ride the spectacular Great Ocean Road with its wild coastal scenery, sheer limestone cliffs and beach resort towns or head inland to cycle through lush fern gullies, rainforest and local rail trails.
GOLF
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Boasting three of Australia's top ten courses according to Ausgolf magazine, the Great Ocean Road region is the perfect place to work on your swing. Revel in stunning coastal views and test your skills on one of the renowned links courses at Barwon Heads. Head south and tee off at The Sands in Torquay, an 18-hole championship course designed by Australian golfer Stuart Appleby and premium golf resort accommodation.
Along the coast
Play a round at Anglesea with its resident kangaroo population, a must for anyone from abroad. These iconic Australian native animals live in the nearby forest and spend their days as unofficial greenkeepers lounging on the fairways. Further west, Warrnambool is another challenging round, set amidst undulating terrain with greens that test the short game. Port Fairy offers coastal views in historic links style, built around sand dunes and often likened to the coastal courses of Scotland and Ireland.
Play a round at Anglesea with its resident kangaroo population, a must for anyone from abroad. These iconic Australian native animals live in the nearby forest and spend their days as unofficial greenkeepers lounging on the fairways. Further west, Warrnambool is another challenging round, set amidst undulating terrain with greens that test the short game. Port Fairy offers coastal views in historic links style, built around sand dunes and often likened to the coastal courses of Scotland and Ireland.
Links on the Bellarine
For the finest courses in the region, make a beeline for the Bellarine Peninsula to enjoy breathtaking ocean views, sea air and friendly wildlife. Peppered with five-star courses, Barwon Heads is home to three of the top 50 Australian public access courses as ranked by Ausgolf. Tee off at Thirteenth Beach on Nick Faldo's Creek Course or trust your day to the design by Tony Cashmore at the Beach Course. The heritage listed Barwon Heads Golf Club is a much-lauded favourite and known for its ambience and old world charm. There are also courses at Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.
For the finest courses in the region, make a beeline for the Bellarine Peninsula to enjoy breathtaking ocean views, sea air and friendly wildlife. Peppered with five-star courses, Barwon Heads is home to three of the top 50 Australian public access courses as ranked by Ausgolf. Tee off at Thirteenth Beach on Nick Faldo's Creek Course or trust your day to the design by Tony Cashmore at the Beach Course. The heritage listed Barwon Heads Golf Club is a much-lauded favourite and known for its ambience and old world charm. There are also courses at Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.
WATER SPORTS
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Paddle, swim, surf and sail across the pristine waters of the Great Ocean Road region and make the most of this incredible part of the world. Get active out in the ocean or explore the inland lakes, rivers and estuaries. Hire a kayak and head out to sea, paddle down a gentle river or join a tour and learn to sail. Take surf lessons, catch the ultimate wave at Bells, or sit back and relax on one of the region's many swimming beaches.
FISHING & CAMPING
Feel the freedom of walk in, walk off camping along the Great Ocean Walk route with eight tent pads catering for 2-3 person tents (up to 4 people per tents) at each site. Target snapper, tuna and kingfish at ocean fishing grounds up and down the Great Ocean Road or cast a line in fresh waters for river bream and whiting.
SCENIC FLIGHTS
Take to the skies in a chopper, seaplane or even an old Tigermoth for a bird's eye view of the stunning south west coastline. Flights can be taken from various points at the 12 Apostles and will take you over the ocean and along the shipwreck coast – a truly stunning sight from the air. Watch blue whales from the sky also off the coast of Portland for an unforgettable experience.
HORSE RIDING
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Ride along pristine beaches and take in some of Australia's most beautiful coastal scenery. Sunset rides are particularly special. Enjoy the exhilarating feeling of galloping along the sand with the wind in your hair or ride along coastal cliff tops in beautiful bushland settings.
Choose trails for the complete novice of a couple of hours where all you have to do is sit back take in the fresh air and the scenery and enjoy the ride or a more challenging trek over several days.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVING
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Get off the beaten track of the Great Ocean Road and head deep into the Great Otway National Park for either easy or challenging four-wheel driving and some great camping and bush scenery. Just an hour's drive from Geelong, the Otways have a lot to offer for all four-wheel driving skill levels. Roads and tracks in the Otways are driveable in a standard four-wheel drive when it is dry, but mud tyres and a winch are necessary when it is wet.
Base yourself in Forrest for a weekend of four-wheel driving. Tracks of interest around the area are Cowley track, Goat track, Noonday track, Number One Spur track, West Barwon track, Turtons track, Delaney's Road and Curtis Road. Alternatively, the area around Lavers Hill provides further opportunities to explore the Otways and its star attractions. Tracks in the area include Egan track, Mount McKenzie Road, Number Nine Ridge track, Holy Water track, Bennets track and Heffernan track.
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