Great Ocean Road Tours

Hugging Victoria’s southeast coast, The Great Ocean Road Melbourne Tour is arguably the most famous in Australia, and it’s easy to see why. Look one way, and a foamy blue shoreline along white-sand beaches stretches as far as the eye can see. Look at the other, and deep green hinterlands and mighty mountains continue for kilometers. A popular attraction among travelers and locals alike, a drive along the Great Ocean Road Trip from Melbourne offers a rare moment when the journey, rather than the destination, matters most.
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Our tips for Great Ocean Road

  • Tread carefully. Formed some 20 million years ago, these rock stacks are precarious at best and are known to crumble and collapse, with only eight of the twelve stacks remaining today. In 1990, another nearby site, a rock formation dubbed the London Bridge, collapsed leaving two travelers stranded. They were later rescued by helicopter.
  • Detour Phillip Island and see the penguins’ parade. Make time to cruise from Queenscliffe to Sorrento and take in the awe-inspiring wildlife and scenery at legendary Phillip Island. Penguins, seals and many other Australian animals call this isolated island home.
  • Take your time. Airey’s Inlet, the Great Otway National Park, copious beautiful beaches, and charming seaside towns, there’s no end of things to do and see on The Great Ocean Road. Take a few days to do the Great Ocean Road trip justice, and enjoy as many pit stops as you like.
  • Save those pennies. A great way to keep a hold on your spending while visiting the Great Ocean Road is by planning ahead. Bringing your own lunch and snacks for the drive rather than eating in restaurants saves significant funds

Good to know

Beyond magnificent views, the Cape Otway lighthouse, famous surf spot Bells Beach, the epic Twelve Apostles, and many other note-worthy pit stops ensure there is a lot to see and do along this seaside drive. It is this sublime merging of the Great Otway National Park and the ocean beyond that makes this drive so spectacular.

The 1991 action film, Point Break, starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves, was set on The Great Ocean Road’s Bells Beach. Despite this, the Bells Beach scene was actually filmed at Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA.

Alongside the Great Ocean Road is a particularly rough ocean, with dangerous sea swells claiming more than 180 shipwrecks over the years. One of the most famous shipwreck sites is the Lorch Ard Gorge, which saw a ship wrecked after an arduous three-month journey from England to Melbourne in 1878. Of the 54 passengers aboard, only two survived the disaster.

The Great Ocean Road was built as a permanent memorial to soldiers who died during World War 1. Built by returned service members following the war’s end in 1918, the site was a remarkable feat of engineering, with workers using only picks, shovels, and horse-drawn carts to build the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: What is the best time to visit The Great Ocean Road in Melbourne?
    A:

    The Australian summer months see this coastal paradise truly come alive, although Great Ocean Road tours have much to offer year-round. Australia’s mild winters promise a quieter drive, while surfers should organise their Great Ocean Road trips to coincide with the famous surf championships, the Rip Curl Pro, in late March to early April, at Bells Beach.

  • Q: How do I get there?
    A:

    Just two hours from Melbourne, Great Ocean Road tours are the perfect add-on to your city visit, easily reached by bus or car. Start your journey from stunning surf town Torquay, and follow the 151-mile route to Allansford to see the site in all its glory. Be sure to make time for plenty of pit stops along the way, the many epic sights on this drive will have you pulling over much more than planned.

  • Q: What are the top things to do on the Great Ocean Road Trip?
    A:

    You can cover a good portion of the Great Ocean Road by visiting key landmarks like Loch Ard Gorge, 12 Apostles, London Bridge, The Grotto, Gibson Steps, and Memorial Arch.

  • Q: How long does it take to cover the entire Great Ocean Road?
    A:

    It takes 3 to 4 days to drive through the entire Great Ocean Road.

  • Q: Is the Great Ocean Road Trip worth it?
    A:

    The Great Ocean Road Trip takes you through pristine beaches, natural landmarks, geological marvels and lush forests making it an unmissable trip.

  • Q: Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish?
    A:

    The Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and ends in Allansford.

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