The Great Ocean Road, a renowned coastal drive in Australia, stretches along the stunning southeastern coast of the continent, offering a breathtaking blend of natural beauty and engineering marvels. Extending almost 250km between Torquay and Allansford, this iconic road winds its way through diverse landscapes, featuring rugged cliffs, lush rainforests, and pristine beaches. One of its most famous attractions is the Twelve Apostles, a collection of majestic limestone stacks rising dramatically from the Southern Ocean.
Our gang of travellers set off from Melbourne Airport and settled in for a quiet first night in Torquay. This lovely town on Victoria’s Surf Coast was the perfect place for a relaxed first night and a chance to get some more diverse food offerings than we would see for the rest of the week. We had a delicious Japanese meal!
Bells Beach is internationally renowned as a premier surfing destination. Famed for its powerful waves and hosting the annual Rip Curl Pro surfing competition, Bells Beach attracts surf enthusiasts from around the globe who come to ride its challenging swells and experience the unique coastal beauty that surrounds this surf haven. Having a few massive sports fans in our group meant a trip to Bells was somewhat of a pilgrimage to see the iconic break and adjacent Winky Pop.
Stopping for lunch at the lovely coastal town of Lorne, we then pushed on to Kennet River and were lucky enough to see some local residents. Cute Koalas call this stretch of coast home and we managed to spot 2 of them including one that was on the move.
We woke on Wednesday to a torrent of wind and rain. A little rejig of the itinerary saw us visit some of the rainforests in the Great Otway National Park. The California Redwoods near Beech Forrest were a highlight. It was great weather for ducks, as they say – luckily we had one of them riding with us.
Thursday was the big one – all the iconic big ticket attractions of the coast in one day including London Bridge, the Grotto, Loch Ard Gorge and, of course, The Twelve Apostles. Loch Ard Gorge was a surprising highlight but The Tweleve Apostles were the undoubted winner of the day.
What an unbelievable trip to a truly spectacular corner of Australia! We will absolutely be back to this greatest of Australian coastal drives.