The Great Ocean Road is an incredibly scenic drive from Torquay to Allansford along the southeast coast of Australia. It took 25 years to complete the curvy road along the Southern Ocean and now it is a popular activity for locals and tourists alike.

How to explore the great ocean road

It totals 151 miles, so it is a long but easy one day round trip drive from Melbourne, which is just over an hour from where the road starts in Torquay.

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You can either rent a car yourself or do an organized tour, of which there are a plethora to choose from depending on what you want to see.

I decided to do an organized tour because I had no interest in renting a car and driving on the opposite side of the road than what I am accustomed to. I went with Go West and enjoyed my experience overall, though I always prefer to do things on my own than with a tour group.

Torquay

The surf capital of Australia! The surf coast is full of beaches with surfers and their dogs searching for the perfect wave. Bell’s Beach is the most famous option.

Lorne

A cool little beach town worth stopping at. Every year they do a pier to pub race that ends at the local bar, what more do you need to know?

Kennet River

A super touristy stop, but there are koalas so it’s a must. Heads up, koalas sleep 20 hours a day (what a life!) so you probably won’t see them move whatsoever but they are super cute!

Apollo Bay

A semi-larger town to stop in for lunch or dinner. The Great Ocean Road Brewhouse is located here with a solid beer list and full food menu. Dooley’s Ice Cream is super popular and for good reason, it is incredibly delicious! They have won a plethora of awards so I’d recommend grabbing a cone before hitting the road.

Great Otway National Park

There are some good hiking options in the park, Mait’s Rest is super quick and touristy but if you have limited time it is a good option to admire the huge trees and serene space.

Shipwreck Coast

This section of shoreline gets its name for a reason—there have been 560 shipwrecks in the last 150 years in this stretch of coast!

There are several beautiful areas to explore in Port Campbell National Park: The 12 Apostles (fun fact, there are only 8!), Loch Ard Gorge, Shipwreck Trail, The Razorback, and The Gibson Steps.

Each are not too far apart on the coast, the entrance center at the 12 Apostles has maps and can answer any questions, but the signs are very easy to follow to see each site.

The park can be quite packed with tourists and selfie-sticks, but it is worth it to see the beautiful sandstone! If you’ve ever visited the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, Port Campbell National Park has similar vibes to that.

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