🌊 Victoria, Australia
Things to do in Great Ocean Road
A wild coastal drive to the Twelve Apostles
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s great coastal drives — a winding road southwest of Melbourne past surf beaches, rainforest and the towering limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles. It’s the classic Melbourne day trip (or a relaxed two-day road trip), built by returned WWI soldiers as a war memorial.
Time needed
1 long day (or 2 days at a relaxed pace)
Best time
Year-round, but spring and summer (Oct–Mar) bring the best weather
Region
Victoria, Australia
Don’t miss
The Twelve Apostles
The road’s showpiece: limestone pillars rising from the Southern Ocean, best at sunrise or sunset when the light turns them gold. The boardwalks and lookouts are right off the road; a helicopter flight gives the aerial view.
Check availability on GetYourGuideTop things to do in Great Ocean Road
- Loch Ard Gorge, a dramatic cove beside the Apostles.Find tours
- Surf-famous Bells Beach and the seaside town of Lorne.Find tours
- Koalas and rainforest walks in the Otway Ranges (Cape Otway).Find tours
- A scenic helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles.Find tours
- A full-day Great Ocean Road coach tour from Melbourne.Find tours
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How to get to Great Ocean Road
It begins about 1.5 hours southwest of Melbourne at Torquay. Self-driving gives the most freedom (allow a long full day, or stay overnight); coach day tours from Melbourne cover the highlights without the driving.
Best time to visit
Year-round, but spring and summer (Oct–Mar) bring the best weather. Visit the Twelve Apostles at sunrise or sunset for the light and fewer coaches; summer weekends are busiest.
Great Ocean Road tips
- Drive it from Melbourne and aim to reach the Twelve Apostles for afternoon or sunset light.
- It’s a long round-trip day — start early, or stay overnight in Apollo Bay or Port Campbell.
- Watch for wildlife on the road at dawn and dusk, and fuel up in the bigger towns.
Fit Great Ocean Road into a real trip — free
Wavvia builds a day-by-day plan around Great Ocean Road and Melbourne — tuned to your dates, pace and how you travel, with real places and safety built in.
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Opening hours, prices, transport and entry rules change — always verify before you go, and check your government’s current travel advice. Some links are affiliate links; Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.