Great Ocean Road Travelers Recommend

Often hailed as Australia’s greatest road trip, a drive along the Great Ocean Road serves up photo-worthy panoramas from every angle. One day is enough time to take in the highlights, but plan your itinerary carefully to maximize your time and avoid the inevitable crowds. Here’s how to spend one day on the Great Ocean Road.

Morning: Torquay to Apollo Bay

If you’re on a time budget, a tour that includes round-trip transport is the best bet; letting someone else drive and navigate allows you to focus on the ever-changing scenery. Most day tours leave from Melbourne and range from private tours—which offer greater flexibility and the chance to tweak you itinerary—and reverse itinerary tours, which are designed to reduce your exposure to crowds.

Most tours begin at the surf town of Torquay Beach and then follow the coastal road to Anglesea, Split Point Lighthouse and Lorne, where the best views are from Teddy’s Lookout. Nearby, a short walk along the Kennet River offers a chance to spot wild koalas in their natural environment. 

Afternoon: Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles

Arrive in Apollo Bay in time for lunch at one of the oceanfront restaurants, then walk it off with a leisurely stroll through part of the Otway National Park—the popular 1-hour hiking route that leads to Triplet Falls. Continue along the Shipwreck Coast to reach one of the most photographed landmarks on the Great Ocean Road, the rock formations known as the Twelve Apostles. 

For the ultimate sightseeing experience, opt for a helicopter tour. Most take off from the Twelve Apostles and soar a little further down the coast; many day tours offer a 15-minute helicopter flight as an optional upgrade. 

Night: Sunsets and Sundowners

Arrive at Loch Ard Gorge in time to watch the sunset. Home to sandy beaches and sea cliffs, it’s the ideal place to end your road trip. Take a stroll along the cliff top trail for views of the Island Archway, Razorback, and the Salt and Pepper Shaker rock formations, then climb down to the beachside for sunset. 

Most day-trippers head straight back to the city, but if you fancy a nightcap, the nearby town of Port Campbell is a lively spot to grab a drink or spend the night. 

Two days on the Great Ocean Road allows you to take your time and explore further afield; opting for an overnight tour from Melbourne lets you to focus all of your attention on sightseeing, Even if you do opt to go it alone, consider booking tours and activities along the way to add variety to your itinerary. Here’s how to spend two days on the Great Ocean Road.

Day 1: Torquay to Apollo Bay

**Morning:**Kick off your road trip at the town of Torquay Beach, where you can sign up for a surf class at Bells Beach, go mountain biking along the coast, or hire a trike to explore independently. Adventurous travelers can challenge themselves to a skydive for aerial views of the Great Ocean Road beaches. 

**Afternoon:**Continue along the coast, stopping for a tour of the Split Point Lighthouse—book your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line—and visit Lorne to take in views from Teddy’s Lookout. A guided bush walk along the banks of the nearby Kennet River offers the chance to spot wild koalas in their natural environment. 

**Night:**Arrive in Apollo Bay in time to watch the sunset; Marriners Lookout offers panoramic views of the bay. Afterwards, head to one of the oceanfront restaurants to sample fresh fish and seafood, then walk it off with a moonlit stroll around the marina. 

Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Campbell

**Morning:**The Great Otway National Park has plenty of options for hiking and bushwalking, and it’s even possible to hike part of the Great Ocean Walk, one of Australia’s most renowned long-distance hiking trails. Alternatively, scenic short trails run to Triplet Falls, the Redwoods, or the Red Rock Lookout. 

**Afternoon:**This afternoon, follow the Shipwreck Coast to the Twelve Apostles, one of the most-photographed sights in Australia. For incredible aerial views, opt for a helicopter flight over the ocean. Nearby, Loch Ard Gorge, with its sandy beach framed by dramatic limestone sea cliffs, is a must-see for nature lovers. 

**Night:**Continue along the coast to the London Arch in the Port Campbell National Park—the striking rock formation is even more atmospheric at sunset and draws fewer crowds than Apollo Bay and Loch Ard Gorge. Nearby, the seafront town of Port Campbell is the traditional end point of Great Ocean Road trips and has a number of bars, restaurants, and hotels to choose from. 

Three days on the Great Ocean Road allows you to take your time and explore beyond the highlights. For the best value, make the most of Super Saver and combo deals or choose a multi-day tour that includes little-known viewpoints and off-the-beaten-track attractions. Here are some ideas.

Day 1: Surfing and Sightseeing

The surf town of Torquay, the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, is popular with lovers of the outdoors. Learn to surf on one of Australia’s best beaches during a surf class or join a mountain bike excursion to see the Great Ocean Road from a different angle. For the ultimate thrill, opt for a skydive over the coast. 

Continue along the coast to Anglesea, where beachfront restaurants serve excellent seafood. Spend the afternoon stopping at sights along the road to Apollo Bay, such as the Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet—book tickets to avoid lining up—and the Memorial Arch. Lorne boasts a lively beachfront and Teddy’s Lookout, while the bushwalking trails along Kennet River are a great place to spot wild koalas.

Time your arrival in Apollo Bay to watch the sunset from Marriners Lookout, then spend the evening hours relaxing at a bar overlooking the marina. 

Day 2: Hike the Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk, hailed as one of the Great Walks of Australia, runs for 62 miles (100 kilometers) from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles but you don’t have to trek the whole route. Instead, enjoy a half-day hike along a section in the Great Otway National Park, and add on a detour to either Triplet Falls, the Redwoods, or the Red Rock Lookout. 

In the afternoon, visit Cape Otway, home to the historic Cape Otway Lightstation. Nearby, the Twelve Apostles—named for the dozen limestone towers that peek out from the ocean—is one of the most photographed viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road and a staple of most sightseeing tours. Make a final stop at Loch Ard Gorge for sunset.

Day 3: Discover the Shipwreck Coast

Most day-trippers only follow the Great Ocean Road as far as Port Campbell but with three days, you’ll have time to drive along the Shipwreck Coast all the way to Port Fairy. Jump out to visit coastal landmarks such as The Grotto and the London Arch, and relish a lack of crowds. 

Next up is the coastal town of Warrnambool, where winter visitors can spot Southern Right whales. Other highlights include the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, which offers an insight into the history of the notorious Shipwreck Coast—book your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line. 

End your Great Ocean Road adventure in Port Fairy, where you can follow the coastal trails down to the beachside and dive in for a final swim in the ocean.