The best way to take in this spectacular stretch of road is by car or coach. Most Great Ocean Road tours leave from Melbourne and include a tour guide and round-trip transportation with a small group of fellow travelers. Tours typically stop at the Twelve Apostles, a cluster of limestone stacks on the Southern Ocean coast.
Activities along the way may include wine tastings in Apollo Bay or wild koala–spotting in Kennett River. Hiking along the shipwreck coast to take in stunning views of the Loch Ard Gorge or pulling over to watch the sunset are also great options. It's worth considering a stop at Phillip Island for the famous penguin parade.
Tours along the Great Ocean Road tend to run upwards of 12 hours due to all of the driving.
Renting a car and driving the Great Ocean Road is a great way to get to know the area independently.
Many attractions along the Great Ocean Road are accessible to wheelchair users, including the Twelve Apostles and the Loch Ard Gorge.
The Great Ocean Road is located 150 miles (240 kilometers) southwest of Melbourne and 100 miles (165 kilometers) from Geelong. It takes about 3 hours to arrive from Melbourne by road. Buses from these cities stop in major Great Ocean Road towns such as Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne, and Apollo Bay, but a car is essential to take a road trip on the full 151-mile (243-kilometer) route.
In December and January, the road's small coastal towns are especially popular among Australians from New South Wales and South Australia cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Crowds can often dampen the tranquil atmosphere of the route. Consider an off-season visit to avoid both traffic and the scorching summer sun.
The waves off the Great Ocean Road are a paradise for surfers, who flock here from Melbourne, while seaside towns such as Geelong, Lorne, and Torquay offer whale watching and maritime history. Don't miss Port Campbell National Park and the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park. Wildlife fans should make a stop at Great Otway National Park, home to kangaroos, wallabies, and fairy penguins.
