Exploring Great Ocean Road, Australia
Note: This post has been updated on March 27, 2024.
The Great Ocean Road Tour is one of those unforgettable experiences that once you have had it in your life, you’re urging everyone else to go experience it in their lifetime, too. It’s surreal to look at a map, while standing at the end of the continent, realizing Antartica isn’t “that” far. It was, by far, one of the best days of my life.
Below, I’ve included the exact route you take, as well as tour options, though I STRONGLY recommend renting a car for the day to take your time.
Driving to the Ocean
It's about a 1 1/2 hour drive, from Melbourne, to the beginning of the Great Ocean Road (which is mostly rolling hills, ports, and farmland), which lands you in Torquay first. This town is known for it's surfing beaches, beckoning professional surfers from all over the world.
take note OF WHERE TO SIT
Sit on the LEFT side of the bus/automobile for the best viewing on the way there and through the tour!
Anglesea
About twenty minutes into the drive, you could see the ocean peeking out from over the rolling hills, on into our first stop at Anglesea - a sleepy beach town in the winter, which turns into a hot spot in the summer. This stop allowed us to stretch our legs, walk around the shops and cafes, and gather in the picnic area for some Australian favorites: crackers and vegemite, limingtons, and Billy Tea. The history behind this tea is related to the old mining days, where large tin cans of meat were shipped from France. When the cans were empty, they'd fill them with water, boil them over a fire, and make their tea. If you take this tour, try it. If not, head to Oaks Bakery Cafe, where a large Cappuccino is $4.50 AUD (they also have an amazing assortment of freshly baked goods too).
Aireys Inlet
Our next stop was to Aireys Inlet to take a peek over the Urquhart Bluff at Fairhaven Beach - one of many pristine, panoramic views of the coast line, and the first that made me realize I was at the edge of the continent, very near Tasmania and after that, Antarctica.
Eastern View
Our next stop at Eastern View (which also holds the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch), allowed us time to step foot on the beach. Even in the winter, it’s beautiful.
1 1/2 Hour Drive From EasterN View to Apollo Bay
From Eastern View, we had about a 1 1/2 hour drive to Apollo Bay, which allowed for some of the most beautiful views along the way. It's the reason why it is so important to sit on the left-hand side of the bus! We saw kangaroos, koalas, fishermen, rock fishing (some of the most dangerous fishing in the world); dogs running off-leash on private beaches, and miles and miles of beach.
Apollo Bay
When we arrived into Apollo Bay (named after a famous British ship that was docked there), I immediately headed for the Apollo Bay Hotel lunch. It's a good restaurant with outdoor seating and a three-course lunch menu, most of which I couldn't eat, due to my allergy. (They were as accommodating as they could be with it, but given how busy the place was, they weren't all that friendly.) My meal consisted of pumpkin soup, chicken curry, and a cappuccino.
NOTE: Unless you can eat super large meals and/or don't care about food quality, do not get the combo package with the tour and instead, opt to find somewhere else to dine - there are plenty of other places there.
With the hour we had there, I had about 20 minutes left to walk to the bay and then walk over to the shops. I grabbed some Blackberry ice cream, in a gluten-free waffle cone (imagine my delight at this), at The Ice Cream Tub (Dooley's Ice Cream) - one of the best ice cream shops I've been to in the world!
12 Apostles
After another sizable drive, we landed at 12 Apostles. The "12 Apostles" are (supposedly) 12 sandstone rock structures that jut out from the ocean (we all only counted nine). It's a very busy stop, with a lot of narrow walkways and a lot of tourists. Patience is needed, but it pays off when you take your time to take in the views, and get in some amazing pictures!
NOTE: You can take a helicopter over this area, which has a far better vantage point (if you have the time to do so).
Loch Ard Gorge
Our second to last stop was at Loch Ard Gorge, proving that sometimes, you do need to save the best for last.
The gorge is named after the clipper Loch Ard that was shipwrecked on June 1, 1878 near the end of a three-month journey from England to Melbourne. Of 54 passengers and crew, only two survived: Thomas Pearce - one of the ship's apprentices; and Eva Carmichael - an Irishwoman emigrating with her family. Pearce and Carmichael were each 19 years old.
According to memorials at the site, Pearce was washed ashore and rescued Carmichael from the water after hearing her cries for help. Pearce then climbed out of the gorge to raise the alarm to local pastoralists, who quickly came to Carmichael's rescue. Three months after the disaster, which claimed the lives of seven members of her family, Carmichael returned to Ireland. Pearce was hailed a hero and the Victorian Humane Society awarded him its first Gold Medal. He died aged 49 and is buried in Southampton Old Cemetery, England.
At least four of Loch Ard's passengers are buried nearby: Reginald Jones, Arthur Mitchell, Eva Carmichael's elder sister, Raby, and their mother Rebecca. The bodies of many of the other passengers and crew were never found.
The arch of the nearby Island Archway collapsed in June 2009. The feature now appears as two unconnected rock pillars. They have since been officially named Tom and Eva after the two survivors of the Loch Ard wreck
As with Mt. Etna, Mt. Stromboli, and the Taj Mahal, the emotion this beach evoked from me can only be described as pure elation. With such an incredible story and the intimate feel of this beach, it made the entire day’s journey absolutely worth it.
A Beautiful Ending to a Perfect Day
To cap off our tour, we headed to Port Campbell to purchase snacks and drinks for our 2 1/2 hour ride home. It was there we were able to watch the sun begin to set, over another private beach.
TOURS
If you are more comfortable taking a tour from Melbourne than renting a car, here is a great list of tours to take:
Great Ocean Road Small-Group Ecotour from Melbourne
Take in breathtaking sights of long sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs on this guided, full-day tour of Australia’s Great Ocean Road. See some of the most spectacular coastal scenery on Earth, including the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and Gibson's Steps, site of historic cliff lines. Bushwalk in Great Otway National Park and try out your koala-spotting skills. Travel in a deluxe mini-coach with a small group for a relaxing, personalized experience.
Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 People
Experience the Great Ocean Road’s top attractions on this guided excursion that follows the iconic road in reverse. Embark on your journey and beat the crowds while learning about the region’s scenic landscapes and pretty coastal towns from an informative guide. Visit sites including the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell, London Bridge, and Great Otway National Park Rainforest.
TIP: This is recommended if you want to avoid tour bus crowds as it starts in the early morning.
Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour from Melbourne
Spend a full day exploring the landmarks of the Great Ocean Road. Watch the sunset at the famous Twelve Apostles rock formation, pass the Otway Ranges and spot koalas, explore landmarks in Port Campbell National Park and Loch Ard Gorge, and more. Known as one of Australia's most beautiful drives and one of Victoria's most popular destinations, the Great Ocean Road offers great photo ops of coastal scenery, picturesque seaside towns and pristine wilderness—a must-do excursion from Melbourne.
TIP: This is the best tour in the most comfortable of motor coaches - it’s a long day!