GREAT OCEAN ROAD
The Great Ocean Road region stretches westwards from the regional city of Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula to the South Australian border. Along with striking ocean views, the region contains laidback coastal towns and maritime villages.
There are plenty of opportunities for bushwalking, swimming, surfing, fishing and whale watching. The Great Ocean Road hugs the contours of Victoria's rugged south west coast, taking visitors on one of Australia's greatest and most spectacular coastal drives. From Torquay to Nelson, almost 300 kilometres to the west, the road snakes past cliffs, scenic lookouts, waterfalls, rainforests and sunken ships.
One of the most visited stretches of the road is Port Campbell National Park, home to significant areas of native bushland and fauna. Buffeted by wild seas and fierce winds, the coastline has been sculpted over millions of years to form a series of striking natural features. Wander the boardwalks and paths at the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge, Bay of Islands and Loch Ard Gorge.
The Great Ocean Road has a rich maritime past. Historic towns such as Port Fairy and Portland allow you to enjoy seafaring village life, with their fishing wharves, old pubs and beautifully preserved colonial buildings. As well, a number of ships from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have foundered off the rugged shipwreck coast, and their histories are recounted in many of the museums in the region.
Restaurants in lively coastal communities offer freshly caught seafood or a latte fix. Surfing is a major draw. The resort town of Torquay is widely regarded as Australia's surfing capital and nearby Bells Beach hosts the Rip Curl Pro, part of the surfing World Professional Tour, attracting many of the world's best board riders each Easter.
Torquay is one of the most popular beach resorts on the Surf Coast. It is a great place for surf-related products. Major manufacturers are based here, making surfboards, wetsuits, clothing, sunglasses and accessories,as well as the Surfworld Museum and Hall of Fame. Surfing carnivals are held throughout summer, as well as the Australian Strongman Triathlon in February and the High Tide Festival in December.
You don't have to be a surfer to enjoy Torquay. A holiday resort since the late 19th century, Torquay's beaches are modelled on English seaside resorts with immaculate grassed foreshore reserves, shady trees and picnic areas. A number of protected beaches offer safe swimming and are ideal for families. Sailing, diving, fishing and windsurfing are just some of the other favourite pursuits around Torquay.
In winter, the Great Ocean Road becomes a viewing spot for southern right whales as they migrate to give birth. One of the best vantage points is a viewing platform on Logan's Beach, Warrnambool Foreshore, where you may also see bottlenose dolphins. Australian fur seals are best seen from Cape Bridgewater's viewing platform. On the land, koalas and kangaroos are often seen, and for birdwatchers, Griffiths Island at Port Fairy has a large colony of short-tailed shearwaters.
The road winds along the coastline towards Apollo Bay, a town on the edge of the Otway Ranges. Walk through breathtaking wilderness, explore secluded beaches or the forest canopy via the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk in the Otway National Park.
The Twelve Apostles, ancient limestone stacks that rise from the ocean. Erosion has created spectacular shapes in the nearby cliffs, including Loch Ard Gorge, the Arch, the Blowhole and London Bridge. Join a scenic flight and take in the scenery from the air, or follow the boardwalks to lookouts and great views of the coastline. The brave can try abseiling and rock climbing, while those who like to get their feet wet can enjoy surfing canoeing and kayaking.
