Contents
- 1 Great Ocean Road - Breathtaking views from Australia's most beautiful road
- 1.1 Australia's Great Ocean Road has stunning views
- 1.2 Top sights & highlights on the Great Ocean Road
- 1.2.1 Torquay - Bells Beach
- 1.2.2 Split Point Lighthouse
- 1.2.3 Great Ocean Road, Memorial Arch
- 1.2.4 Great Otway National Park - Erskine Falls
- 1.2.5 Angahook-Lorne State Park - Teddy's Lookout & Lower Landing
- 1.2.6 Kennet River
- 1.2.7 Cape Patton Lookout
- 1.2.8 Marriners Lookout
- 1.2.9 Great Otway National Park - Maits Rest Rainforest Walk
- 1.2.10 See a koala bear on the road to Cape Otway
- 1.2.11 Great Otway National Park - Castle Cove
- 1.2.12 Port Campbell National Park - Gibson Steps
- 1.2.13 Port Campbell National Park - Twelve Apostles
- 1.2.14 Port Campbell National Park - The Arch
- 1.2.15 Port Campbell National Park - London Bridge
- 1.2.16 Port Campbell National Park - The Grotto
- 1.2.17 Bay of Islands Coastal Park - Bay of Martyrs
- 1.2.18 Bay of Islands Coastal Park - Bay of Islands Viewpoint
- 1.2.19 Bay of Islands Coastal Park - Bay of Islands Beach and Lookout
Great Ocean Road - Breathtaking views from Australia's most beautiful road
Azure blue ocean as far as the eye can see. Waves are carried towards the coast with their white, foamy sea spray. Steep, jagged cliffs against which they break. Waterfalls. Rainforest. Peaceful dream bays. The Great Ocean Road awaits you with all these beautiful gifts of nature. No wonder it’s Australia’s most pristine tourist road. It is the most stunning coastal road in Australia. Even internationally, the Great Ocean Road is recognised as one of the most beautiful roads in the world.
Table of Contents
Australia's Great Ocean Road has stunning views
Only about 105 kilometres from Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road is a beautiful destination. It is sure to stay in your memory. On the route from Melbourne to Adelaide and vice versa, the Great Ocean Road is an absolute highlight and a top attraction. It takes you along large sections of the spectacular coastline. The famous road winds past jungle-green mountains and offers endless ocean views. You will also find one of the best spots in Australia to meet koala bears in the wild.
Located on the Australian coast, the Great Ocean Road is 243 kilometres long and connects the coastal towns of Torquay and Allansford. As with all other attractions to the south, the most popular time to visit is November to March. This is when the sun shines over the Great Ocean Road, ensuring the best weather. However, a chill spreads across the southern regions in the colder months (May – September). However, if you want to enjoy the famous road away from the primary season and defy the cold and wet climate, you are in good hands on this magnificent road now.
One thing is sure: The Great Ocean Road scores across Australia. It is also home to many beautiful spots away from the world-famous Twelve Apostles.
Top sights & highlights on the Great Ocean Road
Torquay - Bells Beach
Although the small town of Bells Beach is located outside the ‘official entrance’ to ‘the Great Ocean Road, its beach is unofficially the first top spot on the route. Coming from Melbourne, the famous Bells Beach is a fantastic start to your trip on Australia’s beautiful coastal road and whets your appetite for more.
Coming from Adelaide, it provides a fitting end to your trip on Australia’s beautiful road. There, you will witness masterful surfer waves. The beach is one of the most popular surfing beaches in the country. At times when the waves break particularly well, Bells Beach even hosts the World Pro Surf Competition.
An absolute must-do for surf lovers. But even if you don’t want to throw yourself into the waves, the beautiful beach is worth a visit. It invites you to enjoy the breathtaking nature or watch the surfing spectacle in the water.
Split Point Lighthouse
The bright red ‘hat’’of ‘the Split Point Lighthouse can be seen afar. The otherwise snow-white lighthouse was built in 1891 and is now in automatic mode. Together with Eagle Rock, it is a worthwhile stop at the Great Ocean Road’s eastern end (or start). Eagle Rock is a brown-ochre-coloured limestone rock that rises out of the sea just off the coast.
It almost looks like the lost little brother of the Twelve Apostles. You’ll see what I mean as soon as you stand before them. But until then, it’s it’s savouring the beautiful scenery at Split Point Lighthouse, including the fantastic view of the Australian Ocean.
Great Ocean Road, Memorial Arch
Great Otway National Park - Erskine Falls
Picturesque idyll in the interior of the Great Ocean Road. Near the coastal town of Lorne, the short detour to Erskine Falls is worthwhile. A short path leads you from the car park to the upper lookout of the pretty waterfall.
Embedded in the colourful green of the forest, the ice-cold water makes its way down into the natural water basin. Pure nature and a real change from the coastal landscape!
Angahook-Lorne State Park - Teddy's Lookout & Lower Landing
Once you have reached the coastal town of Lorne, it is only a stone’s throw from there to two breathtaking lookouts. Both Teddys Lookout and Lower Landing are located not far from the town of 1000 inhabitants. At lofty heights, above the rooftops of the Great Ocean Road, you are treated to a beautiful view.
Embraced by forest-green hills lies a peaceful, pretty bay. The waves of the turquoise ocean are carried into Half Moon Bay and end in shallow, crystal-clear water. A great stop worth seeing!
Kennet River
What a place! My eyes were amazed when I first stood on Grey River Road in the village of Kennet River. Because one thing is for sure: the birds are on the loose! Whether cockatoos or parakeets. Countless funny animals flutter around and don’t ignore human contact. So it wasn’t before something heavy pressed down on my head, and tiny claws dug into my hair.
The first bird sat on my head and gave the starting signal for its mates. Soon, my arms and shoulders were also taken. At Kafe Koala, which I have linked to in the location, you can buy bird food to feed the winged fellows. One of the absolute highlights on the Great Ocean Road – fun factor included!
Cape Patton Lookout
The Cape Patton Lookout is located on the most beautiful section of the Great Ocean Road, which runs along narrow, winding roads. Here, you have the opportunity to soak up the magic of the ocean on the south coast of Australia. Suppose you were previously only able to enjoy the view from the car window. In that case, you will experience a spectacular view of the azure blue water at Cape Patton Lookout – without a cloudy window in between. The short stopover is worth it!
Marriners Lookout
Marriners Lookout is somewhat hidden in the lush green hills behind the village of Apollo Bay. A short path leads you from the car park to this beautiful spot. From there, you have a fantastic view of the azure blue crescent of Apollo Bay.
As this idyllic spot of nature is less well-known, you may well have it all to yourself. Its colourful shades of green and blue offer a change from the dense, jungle-green mountains on other route sections. A pretty must-see for a stopover and an accurate insider tip!
Great Otway National Park - Maits Rest Rainforest Walk
Marriners Lookout is somewhat hidden in the lush green hills behind the village of Apollo Bay. A short path leads you from the car park to this beautiful spot. From there, you have a fantastic view of the azure blue crescent of Apollo Bay.
As this idyllic spot of nature is less well-known, you may well have it all to yourself. Its colourful shades of green and blue offer a change from the dense, jungle-green mountains on other route sections. A pretty must-see for a stopover and an accurate insider tip!
See a koala bear on the road to Cape Otway
Want to see a koala bear in the wild? For many travellers to Australia, this is a dream come true. Yours too? Then I have good news for you. On the Great Ocean Road, the chances are excellent. The road to Cape Otway leads through a forest full of eucalyptus trees, home to Australian animals.
If you’re you, you’ll come across one of these cute animals in the tall trees at the side of the road. So keep your eyes peeled, spy out the green treetops and finally, enjoy!? This road is one of the best spots in Australia to meet koala bears in the wild.
Location: There is no ‘one’’spo’. Keep your eyes peeled for koalas all along the road to Cape Otway, especially when travelling through dense eucalypt forests.
Great Otway National Park - Castle Cove
One thing is sure: countless beautiful dream coves are on Australia’s most beautiful road. The fascinating Castle Cove is one of them! It would be best to avoid missing out on this little cove when travelling along the Great Ocean Road. A real must-see!
Whether you want to enjoy Castle Cove from the lookout or walk barefoot along the sandy beach is up to you. I hope you have a great time at this idyllic and peaceful spot.
Port Campbell National Park - Gibson Steps
The Twelve Apostles are the world’s famous highlight on the Great Ocean Road. Numerous Australian calendars and postcards feature a photo of the famous limestone cliffs, which rise to 60 metres from the sea. Funnily enough, there were never 12 rocks, but 9, and now only eight breathtaking cliffs still adorn the coast. One of them collapsed. That aside, it is hardly surprising that they are one of the most photographed motifs in Australia.
At the Gibson Steps, you’ll be able to catch your first glimpse of some of the fascinating rock formations. From the sandy Gibson Beach, which can be reached via numerous steps, you also have the unique opportunity to stand up close to the gigantic limestone cliffs. In short, it is a fantastic sight on the Great Ocean Road!
Port Campbell National Park - Twelve Apostles
So there it is the lookout of one of the most famous Australian motifs at the Twelve Apostles. Tourists – mainly from Melbourne – go to the 12 Apostles in droves. The view is super impressive. Be it the cliffs along the coast or the fascinating rock formations in the middle of the ocean. The Australian attraction is so popular that an extra car park has even been built on the opposite side of the road.
A signposted path leads from there directly to the fantastic viewing platforms. Views from different perspectives allow you to discover the other ‘apostles’. Fu’ fact: the impressive limestone cliffs used to be called ‘Sow ‘and Piglet’. They were only renamed the ’12 A’12tles’ when’ the number of tourists on the Great Ocean Road increased in the 1920s.
Port Campbell National Park - The Arch
One impressive limestone formation follows the next. The Arch is waiting for you. Like its rock brothers and sisters, the natural rock arch offers a beautiful photo opportunity. Two different viewing platforms provide various views of the natural work of art.
The photo above was taken from the upper lookout. At the lower lookout, the rock arch presents itself in splendour. It is also a beautiful highlight on the Great Ocean Road and worth a visit.
Port Campbell National Park - London Bridge
Port Campbell National Park - The Grotto
An idyllic rock grotto invites you to daydream. Like many other beautiful rock formations on the Great Ocean Road, the Grotto was created by natural erosion. Flowing water moulds the limestone. At The Grotto, it left behind a beautiful rock cave in the brown-grey rock off the coast. Today, many visitors enjoy this marvel of nature.
Bay of Islands Coastal Park - Bay of Martyrs
The coastal dream continues. Jagged limestone formations await you at the Bay of Martyrs – just like in Port Campbell National Park. However, there is a clear difference in the variety of colours. The cliffs and rock formations shimmer in an enchanting brown-red colour. Especially when the sun is shining, the colours are in a class of their own.
For example, at Halladale Point, located south of the Bay of Martyrs, on the edge of a cliff. The plants’ light and dark green meets the water’s turquoise blue. Meanwhile, the red cliffs on the south coast of Australia glow. Simply magical!
Bay of Islands Coastal Park - Bay of Islands Viewpoint
Welcome to the Bay of Islands! The sister bay of the Bay of Martyrs scores with its very light-coloured, almost white, pillar-like limestone cliffs. Although the remarkable rock formations adorn the coast for kilometres, they are special and unique in every bay. So there’s a dull moment!
Two lookouts await you at the Bay of Islands Viewpoint. The blue ocean will also spread before you, revealing a view of the wild, rugged cliff landscape. A great spot!
Bay of Islands Coastal Park - Bay of Islands Beach and Lookout
If you travel along the Great Ocean Road from the west, for example, from Adelaide, the enchanting Bay of Islands is one of the first sights you will see. If, on the other hand, you are travelling east from Melbourne, it’s it’s to say goodbye to your Great Ocean Road tour.
The last few kilometres of the breathtaking road are approaching. The Bay of Islands is a fitting place to start and end this incredible trip. The Bay of Islands Beach lacks the famous view of the endless expanse of azure blue ocean. However, the quiet bay is a tranquil, idyllic spot without many tourists.
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