12 Things To See On The Great Ocean Road

Known as one of the world’s most awe-inspiring driving routes, the Great Ocean Road is an iconic Australian road trip destination.

This 248-kilometre road winds its way from Torquay to Allansford, passing by rugged cliffs, scenic viewpoints, magnificent rock formations, stunning beaches, seaside villages, lush forests, and of course the world famous Twelve Apostles.

With so many things to see on the Great Ocean Road it can be hard to decide where to start. So, to make things a little easier for you we’ve created this list of the best places to see along the Great Ocean Road.

There’s no doubt you’ll discover plenty of amazing sights for yourself, but this list gives you a good place to start.

Torquay

If you’re travelling from Melbourne, the town of Torquay will be your first stop on the Great Ocean Road.

It’s considered to be the birthplace of Australian surfing (as any Victorian will proudly tell you!) and it’s where the surf brands Rip Curl and Billabong originate from. 

There are heaps of surf shops as well as cheap factory outlets, so if you’re in the market for some surf gear this is the place for you.

The town is known for its fabulous beaches and it’s a popular holiday spot for locals. It also boasts great restaurants and cafes, night festivals, markets, a brewery, and even a winery.

If you have any spare time up your sleave then check out the Australian National Surfing Museum while you’re here to learn about the history and culture of surfing. 

Bells Beach

Bells Beach is one of the surfing world’s most famous beaches. Simply called “Bells” it’s home to the world’s longest running surfing competition, the Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro.

The surf competition is held every Easter and attracts huge crowds from all over Australia and across the globe as well as the world’s best surfers.

Besides the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach is known for the striking cliffs that form a natural amphitheatre of the beach below. 

You can get a good view from the cliff top car park where you can take a selfie before heading down the steps to the beach. 

The swell here is too strong for swimming so it’s best to just walk along the beach and stretch your legs. You’ll also have the honour of being able to say “I’ve been to Bells”!  

Fun Fact: Bells Beach featured in the 1991 movie Point Break starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves.

Anglesea

The seaside village of Anglesea is not as well known as other towns along this coastline, but it should be included on any list of things to see on the Great Ocean Road.

It has a relaxed laid-back vibe, pristine beaches, riverside paths, amazing scenery, and loads of nature to explore.

Anglesea is also home to many wild kangaroos, and you’ll most likely see them as you’re wandering around the town. 

However, if you want a guaranteed sighting book a tour at the Anglesea Golf Club. Yes, you read that right, the golf club. 

The golf course is home to around 300 Eastern Grey Kangaroos who happily live alongside the local golfers.

Guided tours in golf carts are offered as a way to raise money for the club and to stop countless tourists from walking onto the greens in search of roos.  

Anglesea has a number of great restaurants and cafes and it makes a great overnight stop on your Great Ocean Road trip.

Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch

The iconic Memorial Arch, along with the 12 Apostles, is easily the most photographed tourist attraction along the Great Ocean Road. Pretty much every tourist travelling the Great Ocean Road stops to have their picture taken with it.

This simple wooden arch was built on the site of the original toll gates in honour of the 3,000 returned soldiers who worked tirelessly to build the road.

A sculpture of two men performing the back breaking work sits beside the arch and there are commemorative plaques dotted around the area providing more information.

Split Point Lighthouse

Nicknamed the ‘White Lady’, Split Point Lighthouse is easy to spot sitting high on a hill overlooking the ocean.

It’s fondly remembered by locals as the filming location for the Australian 90’s kids television show ‘Round The Twist’. However, the lighthouse serves a much more important purpose.

This stretch of coastline is the site of hundreds of shipwrecks, and the lighthouse has stood sentinel helping ships navigate these treacherous waters since 1891.

It remains a vital signal for shipping vessels operating every night by an automated system.

Split Point Lighthouse is open daily for tours a highlight of which is the lookout that has jaw dropping views up and down the coast.

Lorne

One of the most beautiful (if not the most beautiful) towns on the Great Ocean Road Lorne is known for its hiking, nature, and out-of-this-world beach.

Its beautiful rolling waves and ideal surf conditions make it perfect for beginner surfers. If you always wanted to learn how to surf now is your opportunity to have a lesson.

Lorne is small but busy and it is full of boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, galleries, and a cellar door where you can try some local wine tasting.

One of the unique features of Lorne is that it’s nestled between the ocean and the mountains of the Otway National Park making it a great base for exploring the forest trails. 

Great Otway National Park

Drag yourself away from the gorgeous coastline and head into the Otways National Park. I promise it will be worth it!

A world away from the limestone cliffs and wild ocean the impossibly green forests of this national park is home to a myriad of hidden treasures. 

Inside this gigantic 100,000-plus hectare national park you’ll find dense rainforests, fern-filled gullies, lakes, steep forested ridges, sparkling waterfalls, and an abundance of native wildlife.

The waterfalls are a highlight of The Otways, and Erskine Falls, Beauchamp Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hopeton Falls are considered to be the most beautiful cascades in the park. The pretty-as-a-picture Lower Kalimna Falls is a personal favourite and well worth a visit.

There are many well-maintained hiking trails within the park that are suitable for all fitness levels, some are as short as 20 minutes while others take as long as week to walk.

Kennett River Koalas

If seeing a koala in the wild is high on your bucket list you’ve come to the right place.

Around 30 minutes from Lorne is the tiny hamlet of Kennett River which has a reputation for being a koala spotting hot spot.

This is due to the large number of koalas that make their home in the blue gums that line the road here.

All you need to do is take a stroll along the Koala Walk keeping your eyes peeled in the trees to spot one, two, or even three of these furry cuties.

Californian Redwood Forest

The Californian Redwood Forest was planted as part of a logging experiment back in the 1930s and the trees have now grown to a staggering 60 metres high.

It’s a magical place where you feel all your cares melt away the moment you step foot beneath the canopy.

With the Aire River meandering alongside it, a dense forest floor carpeted in red vegetation, and giant green ferns throughout, the plantation is an enchanting wonderland you’ll want to spend hours soaking up.

Port Campbell National Park

Part of the Shipwreck Coast Port Campbell National Park is a 30 kilometre stretch of coast along the Great Ocean Road that will take your breath away. 

It’s made up of huge cliffs that are constantly pounded by the ocean, eroding the stone to create incredible rock formations.

No matter where you stop, you’ll be treated to amazing views of some of the wildest coastline in the country showcasing the majestic limestone formations everyone comes to see.

The tiny seaside village of Port Campbell is a great place to base yourself while you explore the region. It has great eateries, many accommodation options and it’s just a few minutes’ drive to all the top Great Ocean Road attractions. 

See London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge, the Grotto, Gibson Steps, the Bay of Islands and the world renowned Twelve Apostles. 

Twelve Apostles

Once connected to the crumbling cliffs of the Port Campbell National Park, the Twelve Apostles have been carved out over thousands of years by the relentless pounding of the waves.

Only 7 of the 12 Apostles remain after a stack collapsed in 2005. A stark reminder that this coastline is ever changing.

The limestone stacks rise 50 metres out of the raging Southern Ocean and are truly an incredible sight to see. 

A boardwalk takes you to various viewpoints and lookouts where you can take that iconic photograph.

If you stay in Port Campbell you can easily visit at different times of day including sunrise for the soft morning light, and sunset when you can see the Fairy Penguins come ashore.

For that once-in-a-lifetime experience book yourself in for a Scenic Helicopter Flight where you’ll be able to see the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, The Arch, and London Bridge from high in the sky.

Warrnambool Whales

The Great Ocean Road ends at Allansford but if you drive further west for about another 15 minutes you’ll reach the city of Warrnambool.

If you’re travelling in the area between June and September you’ll definitely want to make a side trip here.

In the winter months (this is the southern hemisphere) Southern Right Whales migrate from the sub-antarctic to the warmer waters of southern Australia to calf.

Female whales give birth in the waters around Logans Beach in Warrnambool. It’s known as a whale nursery as the whales remain in the area with their young for several months.

And they can be seen frolicking in the water from the shore.  

There’s a specially built whale watching platform that offers good views or you can just walk along the beach. Boat tours are not available or allowed to protect birthing whale mums.

Final Words

Located in Southern Australia the Great Ocean Road twists and turns its way along the Victorian coastline.

With an abundance of things to see on the Great Ocean Road, and incredible natural attractions it manages to lure both travellers and locals from across the globe.

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