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EAST AND WESTBOUND
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AUSTRALIA, GREAT OCEAN ROAD TOUR

  • Location: Victoria, AUS
  • Audio Points: 260+
  • Valid: No expiry
  • Download: ~89Mb
  • Start: Torquay or Warrnambool
  • Direction: West + East

FLEXIBLE TOUR

This tour is designed to be flexible, so you can road trip the way you want. Use our suggested itineraries in the app tour plan, or divide the commentary to create your own half, full or multi day sightseeing trips. 

Tour Route Map

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Highlights Include

  • 12 Apostles
  • Apollo Bay
  • Bay of Islands
  • Bells Beach
  • Cape Otway Lightstation
  • Erskine Falls
  • Kennett River Koalas
  • Loch Ard Gorge
  • London Arch
  • Lorne
  • Memorial Arch
  • Port Campbell
  • Split Point Lighthouse
  • The Grotto
  • Torquay

What to Expect

Today, millions of international visitors and Australians alike, admire this outstanding scenic drive with its towering limestone structures and cliffs along the Southern Ocean.

There are several excellent lookouts to the 12 Apostles area with viewing platforms to London Arch and access to Loch Ard Gorge, the Grotto and the Gibson Steps.

Seeing koalas in the wild is becoming harder as their habitat is reduced. However one of the best spots in the country to see these furry favourites is at Kennett River.

Cape Otway Lightstation, as well as at the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre near Torquay, are excellent places to learn more about the original aboriginal occupants of the region and their deep connection to the land.

You’ll get a taste of Australia’s long love of beach culture by viewing the break at Bells Beach or visiting the National Surfing Museum at Torquay.

The story of the creation of the road is a fascinating one and we’ll share the stories of the returning WW1 soldiers who provided the brute force labour to cut a path through rock and sea cliffs.

We’ll pay tribute to those thousands of Anzacs and their remarkable achievement at Memorial Arch.

One of the best surprises is the sheer variety of experiences and places to visit and we will make sure you know where all those places are as we drive – so you don’t miss a thing.

Suggested Start Location

Melbourne side: Start in Torquay. Warrnambool side: Start at Allansford or Peterborough.

Suggested Time

It is possible to drive the Great Ocean Road in a long day, but expect it to take 10-12 hours.  To fully enjoy this classic road trip, it’s ideal to split the trip over 2 days – or more is even better.

Driving Distance

243km or 4+ hours driving time without stops.

FAQ

WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD?

Always high on the list of the world’s most scenic drives, the Great Ocean Road is well-known for its towering limestone cliffs along the south western coast of Victoria. Plus, the seaside area is also one of the most diverse places in the country, with world-class surf beaches, dense rainforests, flowing waterfalls and pretty coastal towns.

WHERE DOES THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD BEGIN AND END?

Officially the Great Ocean Road runs 240km from Torquay to Allansford and is accessible from Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria. You can fly into Melbourne International Airport at Tullamarine from any other city in Australia, as well as from overseas.

CAN YOU DO THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD IN ONE DAY?

The Great Ocean Road spans 240km from Torquay to Allansford and can take around five hours to drive one way, with a few brief stops. This means it’s possible to do the Great Ocean Road in one long day, but it’s certainly more enjoyable if you can spare two or more days.

DOES IT MATTER WHICH DIRECTION I DRIVE THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD?

Although you can tour the Great Ocean Road in either direction, we personally feel east to west from Melbourne is better. This way you’ll be on the left side of the road, on the same side as the ocean, with easy access to viewpoints. You can either return to the city the same way or take a different route on the way back to Melbourne.

IF I'M STAYING OVERNIGHT ON THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD, WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

If you are breaking the Great Ocean Road journey into 2 days or more, the classic beachside towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay make perfect halfway points, with shopping, cafes and restaurants and easy hikes through rainforest and bushwalks to stunning waterfalls.

If spending more than 2 day on the Great Ocean Road, then a night in Port Campbell will allow you to easily access the viewpoints to see the fairy penguins return to the beach after sunset, or even to get up early and enjoy the sunrise at the 12 Apostles.

HOW MANY APOSTLES ARE LEFT ON THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD?

Although there are many more than 12 limestone stacks stretched along the coastline, there are 8 visable from the viewing areas along the Great Ocean Road.

HOW FAR ARE THE 12 APOSTLES FROM MELBOURNE?

The 12 Apostles are 272 km/167 miles west of Melbourne, approximately a 4-5 hour drive along the scenic Great Ocean Road.  Return back via the faster M1, Princes Hwy which is 226km / 140 miles returning in around 3 hours.

Trip Planning

GyPSy Guide Narrated Driving Tour App for Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Road Trip Planner

Always high on the list of the world's most scenic drives, the Great Ocean Road is well-known for its towering limestone cliffs along the south western coast of Victoria.
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