The Great Ocean Road ranks as one of the world’s most scenic drives and touring routes. Officially, the eastern end of the road begins at the Surf Coast town Torquay and follows the contours of the coast to the Shipwreck Coast city of Warrnambool. As a touring route, the road extends from Geelong in the east, to Nelson in the west. The Surf Coast section of this mighty road contains some the coast’s best scenery.
The Great Ocean Road is almost one continuous lookout, with ever-changing coast and bush vistas. But there are many special places where you can stop and savour stunning views. You’ll be well rewarded.Click on the map for a larger view
Lookouts along the way
Bells Beach: Ocean and beach views from lookout platforms at Bells Beach Surfing Reserve. Access from Torquay via Bells Boulevard, or Great Ocean Road.
Point Addis: Impressive ocean, beach and sandstone cliff views toward Bells Beach and Anglesea. Point Addis Road, off the Great Ocean Road, between Torquay and Anglesea.
Anglesea: Breath-taking coastal views from elevated memorial lookout. Just up from Great Ocean Road, via Harvey Street.
Aireys Inlet: Drive/walk up to Split Point lighthouse. Ocean views over Eagle and
Table rocks. There is another lookout at the end of Boundary Road, off the Great Ocean Road.
Cinema Point: Spectacular views back towards Eastern View, Fairhaven and Aireys Inlet from one of the road’s highest vantage points. There is a sign posted turnout on the Great Ocean Road about 8km west of Aireys Inlet.
Lorne: Teddy’s lookout is one of the best along the road. It provides stunning vistas from its platform high above the coast where the St George River empties into a small cove. Off the Great Ocean Road, at the end of George Street, it is a short walk through the bush from the car park.
Mt Defiance: Panoramic ocean views toward Artillery Rocks. Turn out just off the Great Ocean Road, between Lorne and Wye River.
The Great Ocean Road
You're going to be a little tired today from your late night so if you can try to catch up on a bit of sleep while on the plane, that could be a bonus.
I suggest that we leave Melbourne around 9am or just after so we can beat the main rush hour. Remember that in Australia, businesses and shops open at 08.30 - 09.00...None of this 10.00 opening time lark..hehe but what this means is that traffic has usually eased off by this time.
Melbourne to Torquay - Approx 101 Kms (60 miles)
We will make our way to Torquay and I'd love to see the look on Dan, Chloe and Beth’s faces right now. Its home of Billabong and Quicksilver clothing and surfing stores.. They're huge and I reckon that there has to be a stop there...
Torquay
Torquay is 8 km. north-east of Bells Beach which we can also stop and have a brief look at. The coast line in this region has numerous surfing locations. The Bells Beach Easter Surfing Festival was first held in 1961, and Torquay has become the commercial centre for surfing along the coastline. The manufacture of wetsuits, surfboards and related accessories is Torquay's main source of employment. As some of the best surfing conditions occur in Spring and Autumn, Torquay's economy is not solely reliant on Summer holiday-makers so it should be a little quieter there.
Bells Beach
The beach is named after the family that took up the first pastoral run hereabouts in the 1840s. It is claimed the surfing potential of the site was first recognised in 1949 by Vic Tantau, Peter Troy and Owen Yateman. Access was a considerable problem. An old road led to within 45 minutes walk of the beach, but the heavy 5-metre boards then in fashion proved too difficult to drag through the bush, necessitating rubber mats. However, when shorter boards went into production in 1957 the beach was more heavily frequented.The first surfing contest was organised by Vic Tantau and Peter Troy and held on the Australia Day weekend in January 1962. The competition was subsequently changed to Easter in 1963, thereby opening it up to interstate competition. This makes it the longest-running professional surfing event in Australia and the world and one of Victoria's six "Hallmark International Sporting Events".
Torquay to Lorne
After stopping at Bells Beach, we can make our way to Anglesea and then onto Lorne. I expect that we would arrive in Lorne around 2pm giving you time to have a look around, maybe a BBQ lunch on the beach as there are always free BBQ's available in Australia.
Anglesea
Anglesea has a golf course that is usually inundated with Eastern Grey Kangaroos. They seem to mind their own business, that is until...A stray golf ball knock on the head and then tend to get a bit toey. A vital link in the Great Ocean Road chain of seaside towns which adorn the Bass Strait coastline, Anglesea is 110km south-west of Melbourne.Anglesea is beautifully framed between ocean and the Otway Ranges and offers safe swimming, challenging surfing and battery-charging walking trails through the Angahook-Lorne State Park and the Coogoorah Park bushland reserve. Anglesea also has a great Bakery. If it's still there we must stop and have an original Aussie baked Pie. Hey Dan...Better get used to pies mate....If you're not already...That's the main morning smoko meal. Yum Yum...
Lorne
Set between the sparkling waters of Loutit Bay and beautiful forests of the Otway Ranges, Lorne has a special charm. Add mild weather, the cafe culture and fascinating shops, and it's no wonder Lorne is one of the region's most popular holiday destinations.
Lorne to Apollo Bay
Great coastal views and the spectacular Twelve Apostles are the highlights of this drive. It can include side trips to Cape Otway light station, the rainforest and waterfalls. Most of the third day we could spend cruising along the Great Ocean Rd to Apollo Bay. Several short to medium stops can be made along the way, including the Shelley Beach. The brush along the road and foreshore reserves was a good place for the New Holland Honeyeaters and different types of Parrots.
Later that day we could visit Shelley Beach in the Otway’s. The track down to the beach is a little rugged but it was being worked on the last time I went. There should be loads of King Parrots feeding in the branches around the path and it's a nice rainforest walk. See how we go for time.
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