*History:* The Great Ocean Road was built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932. It was dedicated as a war memorial for soldiers killed during World War I. Officially opened in 1932, it was initially built as a means to connect isolated communities and as a tourist attraction.
*Route Details:*
- *Starting Point:* Torquay, Victoria
- *Ending Point:* Allansford, Victoria
- The road stretches for approximately 243 kilometers (151 miles) along the southeastern coast of Australia.
*Travel tips to Great Ocean Road:*
- Do your grocery shopping in larger towns like Melbourne before hitting the road.
- Must-try food along the Great Ocean Road: scallop pie in Apollo Bay and seafood chowder in Warrnambool.
- Plan your route: map out your stops and attractions in advance to make the most of your time. The link below provides useful maps from the Victoria Parks official website.
- Drive carefully: watch for wildlife on the road, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Stay overnight: consider staying in towns like Lorne, Apollo Bay, or Port Campbell for a more relaxed experience.
- Flies are common; consider wearing a hat with a fly net or using insect repellent to keep them at bay.
- If you want to avoid the crowds at the Twelve Apostles, there's a secret lookout. Check out the chapter below for details.
*Video Chapters:*
📅 *DAY 1*
00:00 Preview & Route Overview
01:07 Day 1 Lilydale to Great Ocean Road
01:23 Breakfast at Round Bird Food & Wine, Lilydale
02:00 Geelong Waterfront
03:00 Lunch at Queenscliff Harbour
03:22 Queenscliff Harbour Observation Tower
04:23 Torquay Beginning of Great Ocean Road
04:53 Anglesea Beach
05:29 Memorial Arch at Eastern View
06:39 Stay two nights at Waterfront Motor Inn, Apollo Bay
07:21 Dinner at Sandy Feet Cafe & Health Foods, Apollo Bay
📅 *DAY 2*
07:43 Day 2 Apollo Bay & Lorne
08:35 Erskine Falls, Lorne
09:13 Lunch at Ipsos Restaurant & Bar, Lorne
09:50 Lorne Beach
10:32 Sheoak Picnic Area, Lorne
10:48 Teddy’s Lookout, Lorne
11:16 St Georges River Lookout, Lorne
12:08 Marriners Lookout, Apollo Bay
📅 *DAY 3*
12:51 Day 3 Cape Otway & Port Campbell
13:04 Apollo Bay Bakery, Home of The Scallop Pie on the Great Ocean Road
13:35 Day 3 driving route & Great Otway National Park Map
13:53 Maits Rest Rainforest Walk, Cape Otway
14:41 Cape Otway Lightstation & coffee break at Lightkeeper’s Cafe
15:38 Castle Cove Lookout, Glenaire
16:03 The Redwoods Otways, Beech Forest
16:56 Hopetoun Falls, Great Otway National Park
17:47 Beauchamp Falls, Beech Forest
18:12 Princetown Wetlands Boardwalk, Princetown
18:26 Port Campell National Park (East) Map
18:37 Secret Apostles Lookout
19:19 Twelve Apostles, Princetown
20:22 Port Campbell National Park (Island Archway, Tom and Eva, The Razorback, The Wreck)
21:42 Dinner at 12 Rocks Beach Bar Cafe, Port Campbell
22:25 Port Campbell Beach & Jetty
23:08 Stay overnight at Loch Ard Motor Inn, Port Campbell
📅 *DAY 4*
23:34 Day 4 Warrnambool & Port Fairy
23:47 Gibson Steps, Port Campbell
24:23 Twelve Apostles in the cloudy morning
24:44 The Bakers Oven, Port Campbell
24:57 Port Campell National Park (West) Map
25:18 Scenic Lookout, Port Campbell
25:27 London Bridge, Peterborough
25:45 The Grotto, Peterborough
26:01 Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands, Peterborough
26:28 Day 4 driving route
26:37 Childers Cove, Bay of Islands Coastal Park
27:10 Lunch at Simon’s Waterfront, Warrnambool
27:28 Breakwater Rock Pier, Warrnambool
27:58 Pickering Point Lookout, Warrnambool
28:22 Thunder Point, Warrnambool
28:29 Grocery Shopping at Woolworths Warrnambool
28:41 Port Fairy
29:05 Drive to Grampians National Park
Useful official map from Victoria parks website:
_Port Campbell National Park_
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/documents/visitor-guides-and-publications/port-campbell-national-park/port-campbell-national-park-and-bay-of-islands-coastal-park-visitor-guide.pdf?rev=628d1bb9c3644837b19a52571bb97c63
_Great Otway National Park (Apollo Bay & Cape Otway)_
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/documents/visitor-guides-and-publications/great-otway-national-park/greatotwaynp-apollobaycapeotwayvisitorguide_v01.pdf?rev=2ac9867c25f9427d9158bcc496d642ac