Best Things to Do on the Great Ocean Road, Australia
After an incredible city stop in vibrant Melbourne, we hopped back into our 4×4 camper van to drive what is arguably the most famous coastal road trip on the planet: The Great Ocean Road. Stretching for 243 kilometers along the rugged south coast of Victoria, this scenic route winds all the way from the surf town of Torquay to historic Warrnambool.
Did you know that this epic highway was built by soldiers returning from World War I between 1919 and 1932? That makes the entire stretch of the road officially the largest war memorial in the world! Today, over 2 million travelers drive this route every year to marvel at towering sea stacks, wild koalas, lush rainforests, and dramatic coastal cliffs.
If you are wondering what the best things to do on the Great Ocean Road are and where you should stop, here is our ultimate breakdown and itinerary!
📍 Quick Guide: The Highlights You Can't Miss
Short on time? Make sure these iconic sights are at the top of your road trip checklist:
🏄 Torquay & Bells Beach: The surfing capital of Australia and the official gateway to the drive.
📸 Memorial Arch: The historic wooden archway marking the symbolic start of the Great Ocean Road.
🔭 Teddy’s Lookout (Lorne): The absolute highest panoramic viewpoint over the winding ocean road.
🐨 Kennett River: Hét prime spot to encounter wild koalas and colorful native parrots.
🪨 The Twelve Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge: World-famous limestone sea stacks rising straight out of the ocean.
✈️ Planning your trip to Australia? Start your journey in Melbourne! Compare and book the best flight deals to Melbourne here.
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🚗 The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Itinerary
1. Experience Surf Culture in Torquay
Our road trip begins in Torquay, a relaxed coastal town famous worldwide as the birthplace of legendary surf brands like Quiksilver and Rip Curl. The main town beach is ideal for beginners taking surf lessons, while nearby Bells Beach hosts world-championship surfing competitions. Torquay is also the best place to stock up your camper van with groceries before heading further west.
2. Scenic Overlooks, Memorial Arch & Teddy’s Lookout
As soon as you start driving, the road connects one breathtaking bay after another. Stop at Anglesea for a sweeping 360-degree panoramic view of the coastline.
A bit further down, you will pass the famous Memorial Arch, an iconic wooden structure built over the road that makes for a perfect photo stop. Next, you’ll arrive in Lorne, the liveliest town on the route packed with great pubs and cafes. Drive up to Teddy’s Lookout—the highest viewpoint along the coastline—for a spectacular birds-eye view of the road winding along the cliffs below.
3. Spot Wild Koalas at Kennett River
For one of the best wildlife experiences along the drive, turn off the main highway at Kennett River onto Grey River Road. Almost immediately, you’ll be greeted by friendly Australian King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas landing on your shoulders. Look up into the eucalyptus trees, and you are almost guaranteed to spot wild koalas sleeping peacefully in the branches!
4. Hike & Free Camp at Beauchamp Falls (Great Otway National Park)
The Great Ocean Road isn’t just about beaches; it also cuts through the dense, subtropical rainforest of Great Otway National Park. Using the WikiCamps app, we found our favorite free campsite in all of Australia here, located right at the trailhead of Beauchamp Falls.
A peaceful 30-to-45-minute hike through giant mountain ash trees and prehistoric ferns leads you down steep stone steps to a majestic waterfall. If you go early in the morning, you’ll have this private paradise entirely to yourself!
💡 Car Rental Tip: Prefer exploring Victoria by car and staying in hotels rather than a 4×4 camper? You can compare the best car rental deals via Discover Cars.
5. The Iconic Twelve Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge
As you enter Port Campbell National Park, you’ll arrive at the absolute headline attraction: The Twelve Apostles. Despite the name, there were never actually 12 stacks (currently, 8 remain standing). The constant pounding of the Southern Ocean continuously carves away at the soft limestone, collapsing old pillars and slowly forming new ones over centuries.
Just minutes down the road lies Loch Ard Gorge, named after a clipper ship that tragically sank here in 1878. Of the 54 passengers on board, only two young survivors managed to scramble ashore. It’s an awe-inspiring, somber reminder of why this stretch is known as the Shipwreck Coast.
6. London Bridge, The Grotto & Bay of Islands
The spectacular geology continues past Loch Ard Gorge:
London Bridge: A massive natural offshore archway (one of its two spans famously collapsed in 1990).
The Grotto: A colorful, quiet sinkhole and natural ocean pool right next to the pounding surf.
Bay of Islands & Bay of Martyrs: Stunning, quieter coastal parks filled with scattered limestone formations rising out of the sea. (Keep an eye out near the parking areas—we even spotted a venomous tiger snake here!).
Our epic journey along the Great Ocean Road officially wraps up on the beach at Warrnambool, setting the stage for our drive further west into South Australia!
🛏️ Practical Tips & Where to Stay
Drive East to West: Starting in Torquay and driving west toward Warrnambool puts your vehicle on the ocean side of the road. This makes pulling into viewpoints significantly easier and safer!
Pack Layers: Weather in coastal Victoria is notoriously unpredictable. Temperatures can drop quickly, so bring warm jackets for chilly morning walks.
Hotels & Stays: If you’re not camping, towns like Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell offer excellent boutique hotels and seaside stays. You can search and compare the best Great Ocean Road hotel prices here.
Looking to take a scenic helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles or book a day tour from Melbourne? You can explore and book top-rated Great Ocean Road tours online here. Don’t forget to use code WOUTOFTHEWORLD5 on the GetYourGuide app for a 5% discount!
🎧 Road Trip Entertainment: Keep the whole family entertained during long driving days with unlimited audiobooks! Grab a free 30-day Storytel trial right here.
TRAVEL TIP! 🚐🇦🇺
Rent a 4×4 camper for the full experience! Use code WOUTOFTHEWORLD
Planning your dream road trip in Australia? To help you map out your adventure, you can use Dutchies Travel. Depending on how you like to travel, you can choose exactly how much guidance you want:
Choose your travel style:
DIY Travel Plan (Free): Perfect if you love to plan and book independently. You’ll receive a strong baseline route packed with highlights, travel times, and transport suggestions to build your own trip.
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Good to know: Booking separate campervans, cars, tours, or activities is also completely possible if you already know what you want!
How to lock in your discount:
Many travelers assume that using a travel agency costs more — but that’s not true here. Thanks to their strong partnerships, Dutchies Travel receives exclusive discounts from local providers. That means you often pay the same price (or even less!) than booking directly.
To activate your exclusive discounts and support our channel, simply follow these steps on their request form:
Under “How did you hear about us?” select Influencer from the dropdown menu.
Mention our code WOUTOFTHEWORLD in your message to secure extra discounts on your bookings or when buying gear in their online shop.
🧭 Whether you want to build it yourself or have them handle the heavy lifting — all you need to do is enjoy the adventure!
🎥 Watch Our Great Ocean Road Travel Video
The BIG LAP of Australia
We did it – completed the entire Big Lap of Australia! Our BIG LAP journey took us along the North, East, South, and West coasts of this incredible continent, covering over 25,000 kilometers of diverse landscapes and unforgettable experiences.
From tropical rainforests in Queensland to the most beautiful natural wonders, from the endless Outback to the white beaches of Western Australia – we’ve documented it all.
Watch the complete Australia Big Lap Video Playlist!
What you’ll find in our complete Australia guide:
- Detailed route information for every state and territory
- Comprehensive budget breakdowns and money-saving tips
- Camping recommendations and wild camping spots
- Must-see attractions and hidden gems off the beaten path
- Practical planning advice for families and solo travelers
- Seasonal recommendations and weather considerations
- Vehicle preparation and maintenance tips
- Border crossing information and permit requirements
Use our complete Australia travel guide as your personal route planner and discover why the BIG LAP is the ultimate Australian experience that will change your perspective on travel forever!
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