Great Ocean Road
It’s time to discover or rediscover the breath-taking coastline of south-west Victoria, Australia. Travel one of the world’s most scenic roads through an extended area that includes the world-famous Twelve Apostles, the Otways rainforest, Bells Beach, on the Surf Coast, and the Great Ocean Road itself. Experience resort towns like Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay, the coastal cities of Geelong and Warrnambool, and the historic villages of Queenscliff, Port Campbell, Port Fairy and Portland. Geelong City is the second largest city in the state of Victoria, Australia. It is a port city with an urban population of 240,000 people. Geelong is located on Corio Bay, 75 kilometres south-west of the state’s capital, Melbourne. Geelong is renowned for its shopping, dynamic growth, the AFL Football Club Geelong Cats, its beautiful waterfront and stately historic buildings. The Bellarine features safe bay and ocean beaches, wineries, golf courses, theme parks, great eateries, shops, galleries and beautiful countryside. Explore its villages – Drysdale, Portarlington, Indented Head, Queenscliff, Leopold, Clifton Springs, St Leonards, Point Lonsdale, Wallington, Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads.
The Ottoways region includes the popular coastal resort town of Apollo Bay, lush Otways Ranges rainforest and waterfalls; the fertile volcanic lakes country and the major inland town of Colac; and stunning coastal scenary including Cape Otway. Explore fascinating historic townships and bush-walk the beautiful Otway Ranges. Sample a range of fresh and delicious local produce. Sip on local wines at the cellar door, pick your fill of seasonal berries, or dine on home baked breads, biodynamic ice cream or homemade cakes and desserts. Glorious at dusk and dawn the Twelve Apostles giant rock stacks are a central feature of the spectacular Port Campbell National Park. The forces of nature gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs which became arches and when they collapsed, rock islands as high as 45 metres were left isolated from the shore. The sea air and the sun on the river make Port Fairy a beautiful town to walk around.
Wide streets are lined by various historical buildings and many fine restaurants, cafes and tea rooms make this charming old town a relaxing destination. The wharf supplies restaurants and passers by with fresh seafood in season and fine fish all year round. Located in the south west corner of Victoria, Portland is just over 285 kilometres west of Geelong, 99 kilometres past Warrnambool on Victoria’s south west coast. Nearby is spectacular Cape Bridgewater and is close to the South Australia border. Portland is surrounded by magnificent natural attractions from coast to country. The Barwon Country roughly follows the direction of the Barwon River, west of Geelong. Towns set in this rural district include Bannockburn, Inverleigh, Modewarre, Moriac, and Winchelsea. The main road is the Princes Hwy travelling from Geelong on to Winchelsea, Colac and Camperdown.
Accommodation
Activities
Scenic Highlights
12 Apostles
The mighty Twelve Apostles are world-recognised icons of the Great Ocean Road. These giant rock stacks soar from the swirling waters of the Southern Ocean and are a central feature of the spectacular Port Campbell National Park that extends from Princetown to Peterborough. The dramatic and imposing limestone cliffs that are the backdrop to the Apostles tower up to 70 metres, while the tallest of the rock stacks is around 45 metres high.
The Whale Nursery
Warrnambool, on the Great Ocean Road, is commonly accepted as “Victoria’s Southern Right Whale Nursery”. Almost every year, between June and September, female Southern Right Whales return to the waters of Warrnambool’s Logans Beach to calve. The whales often swim within a hundred metres of the shore and can be viewed from a specially constructed platform in the sand dunes or from the beach.
Great South West Walk
You don’t have to walk the whole circuit to enjoy one of Victoria’s premium trails. Twenty shorter walking tracks will take you to most of the major attractions of the Great South West Walk.
Bells Beach
Bells Beach is a long, generous, well known surf break in Victoria. It has a lot of history and a lot of character. There isn’t much “Beach” at Bells. Mainly its a beautiful rocky cliff, with rolling farmland to the north, and the nearby Torquay, home to Rip Curl and Quiksilver.
Geelong Wineries
Areas within the Geelong region have varying microclimates inlfuencing the depth of colour, bouquet and flavour of the wines. The Bellarine has a maritime climate with bay breeezes and spectacular views, whilst the hills and valleys of the Moorabool Valley areas have a warm, continental style climate..
Scenery of the Great Ocean Road
Hugging tightly to the coast, the Great Ocean Road offers spectacular views of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean, and is “a- must see” Australian attraction. Surf beaches, charming coastal townships, the Great Otway National Park and the 12 Apostles at Port Campbell National Park are just some of the many attractions along the road.
Activities
- Enjoy a private gourmet winery tour through Geelong
- Learn to surf at the world famous Bells Beach
See Cape Ottaway and the magnificent views - Take a hike along the Great Ocean Walk
- Visit the 12 Apostles
View the 12 Apostles from the air via helicopter - Be marvelled by the Whales at the Whale Nursery
Simply Relax on one of the many beaches - Enjoy a tour through one of the many towns along the coastline that makes up the Great Ocean Road
- Take a walk to one of the many waterfalls
- Soak up the view from your car as you take one of the best road trips in the world!
Any other questions?
Please get in touch here
