Your Guide To An Adventurous Drive Along The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is one of the most famous road trips in Australia – but what makes this journey so amazing? The spectacular road winds along the scenic south coast of Australia, parallel to the windswept Southern Ocean. The road starts just 90 minutes out of Melbourne city, and extends with over 400 kilometres of scenic coastal views and landmarks. There’s so much to do and see along the Great Ocean Road, so it’s best enjoyed as a self-drive road trip over a period of 3 or more days. On the way, you will see the famous Twelve Apostles, world-class surf beaches, lush rainforests, misty waterfalls, and native wildlife. Here’s your guide to some amazing things to do along the way, guaranteed to feed your sense of adventure!

Image via Tourism Australia

Image via Drive

Bells Beach

Start your journey in Melbourne and take the freeway an hour and a south-west west to the picturesque holiday town of Torquay. The town is located at the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, and home to plenty of fantastic surf beaches.

Located on the southern outskirts of Torquay, Bells Beach is a must stop for surfers and adventure seekers. With a reputation as one of Australia’s best surf beaches, Bells Beach is home to many great international surf carnivals. There’s also plenty of great fishing spots around Torquay’s beaches, and fish and chips by the water are a must!

Image via Visit Melbourne

Great Otway National Park

The Great Otway National Park stretches from Torquay all the way through to Princetown, covering a total of 103 square kilometres. You can immerse yourself in some of Australia’s best rain forest scenery, rugged coastlines, and magnificent waterfalls. If you’re an adventure seeker, check out the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures. The perfect adrenaline fuelled activity in which you can climb and zip line through the trees and experience the forest from a bird’s eye view.

The national park also contains several amazing campsite locations where you can settle in amongst nature for a few nights. One of the best things about the national park is the wildlife. There’s no shortage of beautiful Australian birds, and you might even see a koala if you’re lucky. Don’t forget your camera to snap those memories along the way!

Image via Visit Victoria

Image via Visit Victoria

12 Apostles

The 12 Apostles are probably what comes to mind when most people think of the Great Ocean Road. The stunning collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Victoria are the heart of the drive, located 275 kilometres west of Melbourne. Take your time enjoying the dramatic coastline, which has been gradually eroded into the pillar formations by years of ocean thrust.

Admire the 50-metre-tall rocks from the viewing platforms, or enjoy a panoramic view from a helicopter if you’d really like a treat! You can also take the picturesque Great Ocean Walk to arrive at some of the best viewpoints of the 12 Apostles. On the way, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, birds, and even whales off the coast!

Image via 12 Apostles Gourmet Trail

Image via Visit Melbourne

The best way to see the Great Ocean Road is slowly – take your time to enjoy the activities and soak in the sights. Take a different route inland back to Melbourne, or just make it part of your epic Australia-wide road trip! The drive is perfect for campervan travellers, with plenty of places along the way to stop for the night. Get a quote on a campervan from Travellers Autobarn here!

Why book with Travellers Autobarn? We offer FREE 24/7 roadside assistance, access to free camping grounds and discounted rates on campervan hire in Melbourne.