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Luxury Escapes Guide to the Great Ocean Road
Introduction - Great Ocean Road
The start of this world-famous route is just an hour and a half from Melbourne, making it an appealing and accessible weekend escape for city dwellers. A short distance yet a world away from the urban metropolis of Victoria’s capital, what unfurls along the route is a unique and raw brand of beauty; a collision of dramatic rock formations, sandy coves, verdant forest and cresting waves as far as the eye can see.
The history of this stretch of road becomes especially poignant as you gaze out across the seemingly endless ocean. This heritage-listed drive is, in fact, the world’s largest war memorial, constructed by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 as a tribute to those who lost their lives during World War I.
Today, the scenic route has become the beloved site of many a family vacation, surf trip and weekend away. Its enduring popularity is thanks not only to its awe-inspiring scenery, but an alluring combination of attractions that appeal to every type of traveler, whether gourmand, surfer, wine connoisseur, spa devotee or nature lover.
Charming seaside towns are dotted like jewels along the route, providing welcome pit stops for dining, shopping and beach-lounging. Along its fringe are numerous vineyards and national parks, teeming with native wildlife, from koalas lazing amid the eucalyptus canopies to brightly colored cockatoos flashing their feathers.
As the neighbor of Australia’s gourmet capital, it’s only natural that Melbourne’s culinary prowess overspills onto the Great Ocean Road, where restaurants and tasting rooms make best use of the farming region’s glorious produce.
Please note that due to current restrictions some operators may be temporarily closed. Check their websites for the most up-to-date information
Featured escape
Things to see and do
Go surfing on Bells Beach
The Great Ocean Road is a magnet for surfers, whose colorful vans trail the coast like lines of ants in search of the most tantalizing world-class crests. Fun fact: Torquay is the birthplace of world-renowned surf brands Quiksilver and Rip Curl. Bells Beach is by far the most famous surf spot along the route and has been home to the international Rip Curl Pro event for almost 60 years thanks to its huge swells. Not at pro level yet? Dip your toe in the water with lessons amid some of the less intimidating waves further along the coast.
Taste the region’s finest on a gourmet trail
The farmland and wineries of the Shipwreck Coast produce bountiful fare, dotted around the region like truffles waiting to be unearthed. Follow the 12 Apostles Food Artisans ‘trail map’ to hunt down the most delicious bites. We commend allowing at least five hours to explore this 88km trail, where you can sample everything from freshly grown strawberries and olives to delicate chocolates and beloved Timboon ice cream. Be sure to stop at Sow & Piglets Breweries around lunchtime, when you can sample their range of craft beers with a side of pizza.
Go whale watching on Logans Beach
There’s something truly awe-inspiring about watching the gentle giants of the sea soaring through the waves – modern life seems to melt away as you observe them migrating toward the Australian shore from the sub-Antarctic. A specially built viewing platform among the sand dunes of Logans Beach in Warrnambool is the optimum whale-spotting position, where every year, between June and September, spectators gather for a precious glimpse of female southern right whales moving in to calve.
Get Instagram shots of Port Fairy Lighthouse
The coastal town of Port Fairy, a short distance from the end of the route but well worth a visit. It sounds as charming as it is, and it has a picturesque lighthouse to boot – a remnant of the town’s past days as a trading port. Grab some gorgeous shots of this Victorian-era landmark, best captured at sunset as the sky is daubed with burnt orange and lilac and the waters of the ocean stippled with gold. Built in 1859, this tiny lighthouse was once only reachable by boat: you can almost imagine yourself back in time with the oil lamp-light flickering, beckoning boats to shore.
See the 12 Apostles (and its lesser-known counterparts)
The 12 Apostles, in Port Campbell National Park, is one of the Great Ocean Road’s most sought-after attractions. This imposing collection of limestone stacks just off the coast, adjacent to the soaring cliff face, rises majestically from the choppy waves of the Southern Ocean, towering 45 meters above the waters. The result of millions of years of erosion, these rock islands were once part of the mainland. While the 12 Apostles draws coachloads of spectators, there are other rock formations that are well worth a stop, too: the Grotto, where the fierce spray of the ocean blasts through the rock archway, the limestone stacks of the Bay of Islands, the London Arch, Loch Ard Gorge and the Bay of Martyrs.
Spot koalas at Cape Otway
Where nature lives and breathes, wildlife follows — and the area surrounding the Great Ocean Road is a thriving haven for it. Just outside of Apollo Bay is Cape Otway, one of the most reliable areas for spotting these most famous of Australian animals, thanks to its abundance of Manna gum trees. Head down Lighthouse Road and see how many koalas you can spot lingering in the canopies. At the very least you’ll be on the road to the Cape Otway Lightstation and its spectacular views over Bass Strait.
Go surfing on Bells Beach
The Great Ocean Road is a magnet for surfers, whose colorful vans trail the coast like lines of ants in search of the most tantalizing world-class crests. Fun fact: Torquay is the birthplace of world-renowned surf brands Quiksilver and Rip Curl. Bells Beach is by far the most famous surf spot along the route and has been home to the international Rip Curl Pro event for almost 60 years thanks to its huge swells. Not at pro level yet? Dip your toe in the water with lessons amid some of the less intimidating waves further along the coast.
Taste the region’s finest on a gourmet trail
The farmland and wineries of the Shipwreck Coast produce bountiful fare, dotted around the region like truffles waiting to be unearthed. Follow the 12 Apostles Food Artisans ‘trail map’ to hunt down the most delicious bites. We commend allowing at least five hours to explore this 88km trail, where you can sample everything from freshly grown strawberries and olives to delicate chocolates and beloved Timboon ice cream. Be sure to stop at Sow & Piglets Breweries around lunchtime, when you can sample their range of craft beers with a side of pizza.
Go whale watching on Logans Beach
There’s something truly awe-inspiring about watching the gentle giants of the sea soaring through the waves – modern life seems to melt away as you observe them migrating toward the Australian shore from the sub-Antarctic. A specially built viewing platform among the sand dunes of Logans Beach in Warrnambool is the optimum whale-spotting position, where every year, between June and September, spectators gather for a precious glimpse of female southern right whales moving in to calve.
Get Instagram shots of Port Fairy Lighthouse
The coastal town of Port Fairy, a short distance from the end of the route but well worth a visit. It sounds as charming as it is, and it has a picturesque lighthouse to boot – a remnant of the town’s past days as a trading port. Grab some gorgeous shots of this Victorian-era landmark, best captured at sunset as the sky is daubed with burnt orange and lilac and the waters of the ocean stippled with gold. Built in 1859, this tiny lighthouse was once only reachable by boat: you can almost imagine yourself back in time with the oil lamp-light flickering, beckoning boats to shore.
See the 12 Apostles (and its lesser-known counterparts)
The 12 Apostles, in Port Campbell National Park, is one of the Great Ocean Road’s most sought-after attractions. This imposing collection of limestone stacks just off the coast, adjacent to the soaring cliff face, rises majestically from the choppy waves of the Southern Ocean, towering 45 meters above the waters. The result of millions of years of erosion, these rock islands were once part of the mainland. While the 12 Apostles draws coachloads of spectators, there are other rock formations that are well worth a stop, too: the Grotto, where the fierce spray of the ocean blasts through the rock archway, the limestone stacks of the Bay of Islands, the London Arch, Loch Ard Gorge and the Bay of Martyrs.
Spot koalas at Cape Otway
Where nature lives and breathes, wildlife follows — and the area surrounding the Great Ocean Road is a thriving haven for it. Just outside of Apollo Bay is Cape Otway, one of the most reliable areas for spotting these most famous of Australian animals, thanks to its abundance of Manna gum trees. Head down Lighthouse Road and see how many koalas you can spot lingering in the canopies. At the very least you’ll be on the road to the Cape Otway Lightstation and its spectacular views over Bass Strait.
Top places to eat and drink
Blakes Restaurant
Port Fairy has a diverse foodie scene. If you’re a seafood lover you’ll be in your element at the Irish-owned __Blakes Restaurant__, where dishes such as steamed black mussels with fennel and sauvignon blanc, Coffin Bay oysters with chorizo, and the restaurant’s signature seafood platter keep locals coming back again and again. If you're staying in town, be sure to enjoy a few drinks at __Conlan's Wine Store__ and book in for a relaxed fine-dining experience at __Gladioli__.
Blakes Restaurant
Port Fairy has a diverse foodie scene. If you’re a seafood lover you’ll be in your element at the Irish-owned __Blakes Restaurant__, where dishes such as steamed black mussels with fennel and sauvignon blanc, Coffin Bay oysters with chorizo, and the restaurant’s signature seafood platter keep locals coming back again and again. If you're staying in town, be sure to enjoy a few drinks at __Conlan's Wine Store__ and book in for a relaxed fine-dining experience at __Gladioli__.
Lux moments
