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.
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.
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.
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.
It takes 3 to 4 days to drive through the entire Great Ocean Road.
The Great Ocean Road Trip takes you through pristine beaches, natural landmarks, geological marvels and lush forests making it an unmissable trip.
The Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and ends in Allansford.