The Great Ocean Road is undoubtedly one of the main reasons people will travel to Victoria to see it. There are plenty of places and attractions you can visit along the 243-kilometre coastal road.

The best time to visit the Great Ocean Road is during summer for the clear skies and sun. But you can visit throughout the year with winter having fewer crowds and a chance to do some whale spotting!

Across one day

It’s very possible to see the Great Ocean Road in a day and if you plan well enough, you can see a lot in the day. You will want to aim to leave early in the morning to beat the traffic and to have more of the day to see everything.

The drive from Melbourne to Torquay, the start of the Great Ocean Road, is just over an hour.

Across multiple days

The more time you have, the more things you will be able to see and enjoy. Ideally, you will want to spend about two to four days to do the scenic coastal drive.

Going across multiple days means you can stop by more seaside towns, do some walks, and relax a bit more.

There are many great accommodation options suiting everyone’s budget including hostels, motels, and camping options.

What to see

There is a lot you can see, so we’ll list some of our favourite spots and attractions to see.

• Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles is the main highlight of the Great Ocean Road, and it sits right towards the end by Port Campbell.

Nearby the Twelve Apostles is Gibson Steps, which are 86 steps to get to the beach to view the two 70-metre limestone stacks.

• Loch Ard Gorge
Loch Ard Gorge is known for the famous 1878 shipwreck of Loch Ard. The ship crashed at Murton Island and two people survived and swam to the beach of Loch Ard Gorge.

From Loch Ard Gorge, you can see The Razorback, or you can make a quick stop to see it up close. The Razorback is a series of rock formations and is a stunning site to see.

• London Arch
London Arch, also known as London Bridge, is limestone stacks where over time erosion created the arch we see today.

In 1990, the formation became an arch when the bridge that connected the arch to the mainland crumbled.

Close to London Bridge is also The Grotto, which are interesting rock formation that makes a cave, archway, and sinkhole.

• Seaside towns
The Great Ocean Road has some spectacular seaside towns that you’ll drive through and may want to make a stop to do some exploring or to get a bite to eat. Whether you’re on limited time or unsure which towns to visit, we recommend Apollo Bay, Lorne, Torquay, and Anglesea.

These towns are also some of the best places where you can go surfing or just walk along the sandy beaches.

• Otway Rainforest
The Otway Rainforest has a range of plants, wildlife, and waterfalls you can see on multiple different walks. Popular waterfalls you can see include Erskine Falls, Hopetoun Falls, and Triplet Falls.

Keep an eye out for koalas, echidnas, platypuses, kangaroos, and so much more as you’re exploring the rainforest!

Don’t have a car to travel the Great Ocean Road? You can either hire one for your trip or book a one-day tour or a two-day tour and get the best out of your trip.