Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road hugs sandstone and limestone cliffs for about 240 km between Torquay and Allansford. It starts with surf beaches, climbs through the Otway ranges and rainforest near Lorne and Apollo Bay, then drops to the limestone stacks around Port Campbell. It is slow, bendy and busy in summer, so it suits people who want to stop often rather than cover distance.

The stops

1. Start

   Torquay

2. Beach

   Bells Beach

   Well-known surf break, short walk from the car park

3. Landmark

   Split Point Lighthouse

   White lighthouse above Aireys Inlet; tours run on set days

4. Town

   Lorne

   Cafes and beach, base for the rainforest waterfalls behind town

5. Waterfall

   Erskine Falls

   Short drive inland from Lorne with a lookout and a track to the base

6. Wildlife

   Kennett River koala walk

   Wild koalas and parrots along Grey River Road

7. Town · Overnight

   Apollo Bay

   Harbour town between the sea and the Otways

8. Landmark

   Cape Otway Lightstation

   Mainland Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse; detour down Lighthouse Road

9. Viewpoint

   Twelve Apostles

   Limestone stacks off the coast; go early or late to miss the crowds

10. Viewpoint

    Loch Ard Gorge

    Sheltered cove with a shipwreck story and short walks

11. Town · Overnight

    Port Campbell

    Small town with a beach and the last good dinner stop

12. Viewpoint

    London Arch

    Rock arch whose bridge collapsed in 1990

13. Town

    Warrnambool

    Whale-watching platform at Logans Beach in winter

14. Finish

    Warrnambool

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Lorne

  Foreshore caravan parks · Motels and holiday houses in town

• Night 2

  Apollo Bay

  Holiday parks near the beach · Otway Lighthouse Station cottages

• Night 3

  Port Campbell

  Port Campbell caravan park · Motels near the Twelve Apostles

When to go

Year round; Oct to Apr is warmest, Apr to Jun is quieter, and winter swells and storms are rough

On the road

Two-lane road with sheer drops and rockfall signs on the seaward side; speed limits drop through coastal towns. Landslides and bushfire have closed sections before, so check VicTraffic before you set off. Very busy on summer weekends.