Great Ocean Road
Travel Guide > Oceania > Australia > Victoria > Great Ocean Road
Introduction
One of the world's most stunning coastal drives winds its way along Australia's southern coast. The undisputed highlight of the drive are the Twelve Apostles, but the Great Ocean Road winds its way past many more sights of interest.
Geography
Towns
Dotted along the Great Ocean Road are several small to medium sized towns that are well worth staying the night or spending some time in.
Torquay
The official start of the Great Ocean Road, 22 km south of Geelong, is the surfing town of Torquay. This town is most famous for Bells Beach, which is just outside of town. Every Easter, the Bells Beach Surf Classic, the world's longest running surfing competition takes place, attracting top surfers from around the world. To learn more about Torquay's surfing history you can visit the Surfworld Australia Surfing Museum, which houses a collection of surfing memorabilia.[1]
Non-surfers can enjoy the many excellent walking tracks around Torquay.
Anglesea
A popular family destination, Anglesea offers some pleasant beaches, nice walks and an 18 hole golf course that is equally as popular with kangaroos as it is with humans.
Lorne
A population of 1300 calls Lorne home, but this popular holiday destination swells with visitors during summer. Many Victorians have holiday homes here and for good reason. The town has easy access to beaches on the one side and the Otway Ranges on the other. Erskine Falls is well worth a visit and there are many excellent rainforest walks to keep visitors occupied.
Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay's beautiful crescent shaped beach makes this one of the most attractive towns along the Great Ocean Road.
Warrnambool
Every June to September, Southern Right Wales pay this small city of 31,000 a visit and can often be seen off shore. They aren't the only ones who enjoy a stop-off in Warrnambool.
Sights and Activities
The Twelve Apostles
Just east of Port Campbell, you will find the star attraction of the Great Ocean Road; The Twelve Apostles.
These impressive limestone stacks have been formed over millions of years through erosion. The erosion continues to this day and as recently as 2005, one of the apostles succumbed to the force of the ocean. The 8 remaining apostles still form a magnificent site though and continue to draw visitors in large numbers.
The Apostles can be seen at any time of the day, but the best is to visit them at sunset or sunrise, when the colours add particular drama to the scene. If you can, plan your Great Ocean Road trip to make sure you see them during these golden hours!
The Otway Ranges
As a backdrop to the stunning coast-line, the Otway Ranges are themselves also a significant draw card. Waterfalls and rainforest walks are a pleasant escape on a summer day and ensure a diverse trip.
Otway Fly
Rope ladders are strung high up in the rainforest allowing visitors a unique perspective.
Cape Otway Lightstation
The Cape Otway Lightstation is the oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia and has been in continuous operation since 1848. If that isn't enough reason to pay it a visit, another attraction is the numerous koalas that roam the trees near the lighthouse. You are virtually guaranteed to spot one along the way to the lighthouse - just keep a close eye on the trees.
Events and Festivals
- The Falls Festival is held in Lorne every New Year's Eve, attracting tens of thousands of music fans from around Australia.
- Also in Lorne, The Pub to Pier swim, Australia's largest ocean swim, attracts thousands of swimmers each January and is likely one of the most popular ocean swims in the world.[2]
- The Apollo Bay Music Festival
Weather
Eat
Drink
Sleep
References
- 1 http://www.surfworld.org.au/
- 2 Source: http://www.oceanswims.com/vic/lornerep07.html
This is version 10. Last edited at 12:07 on Aug 12, 08 by Peter (+13). 8 articles link to this page.
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