Great Ocean Road Attractions, Places to Visit & Travel Guide

The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometer stretch of road along the southeastern coast of Australia, running between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford. Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932, it serves as the world's largest war memorial. The route hugs the coastline, providing direct views of the Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. Visitors drive past surf beaches, temperate rainforests, coastal towns, and towering limestone cliff formations. Major stops along the route include Bells Beach, known for professional surfing, and the Great Otway National Park, where the road winds through tall eucalyptus forests and fern gullies. The most recognized section is the Port Campbell National Park, home to the Twelve Apostles. These massive limestone pillars rise abruptly from the ocean. Other notable geological formations nearby include Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, and The Grotto. The road operates as a major public highway with numerous designated lookout points, parking areas, and short walking trails. Travelers typically stop at coastal towns like Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell for accommodation, food, and fuel. The drive requires navigating winding, two-lane roads with varying speed limits and changing coastal weather conditions.