The Great Ocean Road - one of the world's most scenic coastal drives

"One of the world's most iconic road trips hugging the coast of Australia's southern ocean. A 'must do' for Australians and visitors alike with dramatic views on a wild section of Australia's coastline"

It was 33 years since our last trip along this absolutely stunning coastline and it's no wonder it has become such a sought after iconic destination. Every traveller seems to have this adventure included in their past or planned expeditions.

The road is only about 200 km long yet there is a lot to explore. We spent 1.5 weeks exploring the area thoroughly. The most practical approach is to stay at a number of logical towns for a few days and explore each area. The base camps we chose were:

1. Our first base camp the Big 4 Bellarine Holiday Park (near Barwon Heads & Queenscliff) where the highlights included the whole Bellarine Peninsula down as far as Bells Beach & Point Addis;

2. Our second base camp was Apollo Bay where the highlights included the giant Californian redwood plantation, Cape Otway Lighthouse Station and the Otway Fly with its amazing tree top walk;

3. Our third base camp was Port Campbell where the highlights included the 12 Apostles, the Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, Thunder Cave, Childers Cove, the Razorback and the London Bridge;

4. Our final stop was Warrnambool.

   
   

Our purpose with this post is to give you just enough insight to spark your curiosity and enable you to plan your own expedition of discovery. Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.

This iconic photo marks the start of the Great Ocean Road being16km south of Anglesea

The old pier at Queenscliff

Point Lonsdale Jetty

The giant Californian redwoods, planted in 1936, at the Aire Valley Plantation in the Otways

The town of Lorne being one of the many picturesque and interesting small towns along this adventure trail

Cape Otway Lighthouse, built in 1848, with an excellent cafe on the site that bakes fresh scones every hour. This lighthouse is Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse and sits 90m above the ocean

A section of the 600m long, 30m high, elevated walkway at the Otway Fly. They also have amazing zip line tours

Eerie Loch Ard Gorge with its rich history of Victoria's most famous shipwreck in 1878

The Razorback.

This section of coast, known as the shipwreck trail, has more than 200 shipwrecks with 25 signposted sites.

The 12 Apostles, with spectacular limestone pillars up to 45m tall, is the the most iconic scenery on the Great Ocean Road.

You can park on the north side of the highway, at the Visitor Information Centre, and walk across to the 12 Apostles lookout via a tunnel under the highway

Gog & Magog rock stacks on the beach at the Gibson Steps. This is a really surreal walk along this beach and a definite 'must do'

The Gibson Steps are 86 steps carved into the face of the cliff giving access to the beach. Try and pick low tide for this very popular short walk

Beach at base of Gibson Steps

Picturesque Port Campbell inlet

The London Bridge which collapsed in 1990. In fact, this section collapsed the day after our visit in 1990 that left 2 people stranded on the remaining section necessitating rescue by helicopter

Beach at the London Bridge

The Bay of Islands being a 32km long coastal reserve

Logans Beach whale watching platform Warrnambool. Southern Right Whales pass through here between May & October. This protected bay is where the whales give birth to their calves

'Super fast slide' at Lake Pertobe adventure playground Warrnambool

David & Rosemary Allan – the faces behind:

May adventure & discovery be your constant companions.

Reflection:

For me, a trip is memorable when I am enriched by a deeper sense of connection to a place which triggers an emotional or spiritual response. This comes from feelings of awe and wonder when I feel part of something bigger. Such as, seeing dramatic landscapes, being caught up in the history and sensing the passion of the human spirit.

A memorable experience will cause me to daydream about the next trip even more than the last trip.

Remember: Your adventure begins the moment you decide to go.