Great Ocean Road Drive: How to Get Around

Rent a car if you don’t already have one – it’s simply the most convenient and flexible way of moving from one attraction to the next at your own pace. It’s a 244km long stretch of road packed with a whole heap of sights, picturesque towns and gorgeous beaches. Believe me, you’ll want to make stops at your own accord. To find the most competitive price and car suited to your needs, take a look at Rentalcars – the platform we personally use to hire cars wherever we go.

Take a day tour if you don’t have the option to drive. Do bear in mind that the drive to the main attraction – Twelve Apostles – takes 3 hours from Melbourne. Most day tours will only have enough time to stop at 2-3 attractions before turning back. If you want to experience an unforgettable sunset at the Twelve Apostles, take a look at this popular tour that will allow you to get all the drool-worthy golden hour shots.

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The Twelve Apostles. An iconic sight within Victoria, kind of like what Ayers Rock is the Northern Territory – this is one of the main places to visit in Great Ocean Road and, most likely, your prime reason for visiting. Don’t get your hopes up, but there are only 8 Apostles left – with the rapid rate of erosion, this number will diminish even further as time passes and the limestone formations continue to face the constant pummeling of gargantuan waves. Throw this on your bucket list because much like Venice, one day, all of these will disappear. Of course, being the feature attraction also makes this sight the busiest of them all. Prepare thyself for mobs and train yourself on how to dodge selfie stick-wielding tourists.

The most picturesque time to visit is during sunrise (if you truly can get up before the crack of dawn and make your way down – you have my utmost respect) or sunset. Take a look at this Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour to discover what it’s like to experience this stunner during golden hour.

This is also the perfect spot to recharge on snacks – the Visitor Centre features public bathrooms and a kiosk where you can buy drinks, sandwiches and a staple Aussie meat pie or sausage roll.

Gibson Steps is literally a one minute drive west of the Twelve Apostles and 100% worth a visit if you’re down for a little low-intensity cardio with views to kill for. It takes 86 steps to descend to the wide beach below with captivating views of towering cliffs and more limestone formations in the sea.

Cape Otway sits at the southern tip of the Great Ocean Road drive and it’s enveloped by the Great Otway National Park where you’ll find lush rainforests and epic waterfalls. If spotting a koala in its natural habitat tops your Aussie bucket list, then this is where you’ll find them snoozing their lives away amongst the branches. A must-do activity is the Otway Fly Treetop Walk where you’ll find yourself 30 metres above the ground surrounded by native rainforest canopy spotting wildlife and… trying not to look down. If heights don’t make your knees go weak, then the hugely popular Zipline Tour might just be your cuppa tea. Tarzan your way through the treetops and maybe even hi-five a koala.

Bells Beach. A quick final stop before hitting the road back to Melbourne – this is a must-do for any surf fanatics or if you simply want to catch some last rays of sun and work that tan of yours. Home to the longest running annual Rip Curl Pro competition, this is a beautiful bay where you can swim, surf or hike along the rocky coast.

Other Great Ocean Road Highlights 

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum & Village in Warrnambool is a must-see when in town (if you have the time to spare). This replica early 19th century fishing village houses Australia’s largest collection of maritime shipwrecks which will throw you back into what everyday life was like in those times. It’s basically a coastal version Sovereign Hill Ballarat, minus the gold digging. By all means, don’t miss the Sound and Light Show that brings the village to life through immersive projections onto a 9-metre wall. This is an interactive learning experience that the whole family is guaranteed to enjoy.

Port Fairy. A charming and picturesque fishing village a 25-minute drive from Warrnambool. You’ll find broad streets lined with 19th century cottages, old stone churches, and pine trees that reach into the skies. A leisurely stroll through the town centre will have you stumbling upon craft shops, antique stores and boutique retailers – if that’s not your cuppa tea, then a hike along one of the historic walking trails might just tickle your fancy.

Warrnambool

The very first time we visited this charming town, we stayed at Mid City Warrnambool and bunked ourselves up in a cosy Family Studio which included a single and double bed to squeeze all the kiddos into. Comfy and centrally located, it was the perfect place to kick up our legs and rest for a night before an action-packed day filled with sight hopping and coastal hikes.

We actually returned to Warrnambool a second time around because we fell in love with the town and wanted to spend more time exploring the local region. I coerced my parents into coming along (it really didn’t take much convincing) and we booked this amazing Airbnb home that I, legit, never wanted to leave. If you’re visiting as a group or with more family members, then this is your dream home away from home.

Psst.. Get $40 travel credit when you sign up to Airbnb today!

Cape Otway

Like the idea of camping but don’t actually own a tent? Well, you don’t need one at Bimbi Park. For a sliiiightly more glamorous option (yet budget AF), you can stay the night inside a Camping Pod. I don’t know about you, but it brings me peace knowing that a bear can’t run down your tent in the middle of the night (not that we have bears in Australia).

But, did you know that you can also stay at Cape Otway Lightstation? Technically, not inside the lighthouse, but rather in a cosy B&B suite or studio on the grounds of one of the region’s most famous attraction. It won’t even cost you an arm and a leg.

Apollo Bay

If you’ve ever dreamed about waking up to the sun rise over the horizon, then you need to stay at one of these breathtaking lodges, because that’s how you wake up feeling like a million bucks. Better yet, throw a steak on the barbie and wine and dine on your porch overlooking the Pacific.

For budget-conscious travellers, the Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn has the works. From standard rooms to family apartments and villas – this is a wonderful place to rest after a long day of driving and exploring.

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Tips to make the most out of your Trip

• Don’t try to squeeze everything into one day. Pace it out and bear in mind that you will probably spend at least 30 minutes at each attraction. As hard as you try, you won’t get to see it all. We feel like we barely scraped the surface in our 2 days.
• Pack clothes suited for all seasons. It’s Melbourne, folks. We are notorious for bad weather and what locals like to call “experiencing four seasons in one day.” It can feel like 30°C under the sun, 20°C in the shade, and 10°C when the wind hits. Then it might rain, hail or tsunami when Mother Melbourne feels like it.
• Pay attention to the speed limit. We got blitzed somewhere along the road to Apollo Bay and it threw us a whopping $190 out of pocket, plus 2 demerit points. Not the most memorable part of our trip.
• Get up early and hit the road, Jack. Do come back though, we’d love to have you return. But, if you’re not a fan of crowds and selfie stick-wielding tourists, then it’s best to avoid peak times (11am onwards) which is usually when tourists buses start arriving from Melbourne.