The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s great coastal drives — 243 kilometres of cliff-top road from Torquay to Allansford, built by returned soldiers after World War I. The Twelve Apostles are the famous drawcard, but the road offers far more than one limestone stack photo opportunity.
Here’s how to actually do it well.
How Long You Need
Day trip from Melbourne: Doable but rushed. You’ll see the main highlights and spend more time in the car than not.
Two days: The right amount for the coastal section. Stay in Apollo Bay or Lorne overnight.
Three to four days: The way to do it if you want to see the hinterland rainforest, the Otway National Park, and the quieter western stretches beyond Port Campbell.
The Route
The classic drive runs west from Torquay. The road begins properly at the Memorial Arch near Anglesea — from here you’re hugging the cliff edge for the next 100 kilometres.
Lorne is the first major stop worth making. Good food, excellent surf beach, and the Erskine Falls is a 30-minute walk that most day-trippers skip entirely. Worth it.
Apollo Bay is the natural overnight stop at the halfway point. Smaller and less crowded than Lorne, with better fish and chips. The farmers’ market on Saturday mornings is excellent.
Cape Otway Lightstation — a detour off the main road but one of the best stops on the trip. The lighthouse is Australia’s oldest mainland lighthouse and the views are dramatic. Koalas in the eucalypts above the car park are nearly guaranteed.
The Twelve Apostles peak crowd time is 10am–2pm in school holidays. Go at sunrise or sunset. There are eight remaining stacks (the name was always more marketing than geography) and the viewing platforms are good, but the Port Campbell National Park extends well beyond this single viewpoint.
The Section Most People Miss
Between Port Campbell and Peterborough, the road passes the Bay of Islands and Bay of Martyrs — less visited than the Apostles but arguably more photogenic. The rock stacks here are more varied and you’ll have the viewpoints almost to yourself.
London Bridge (now London Arch — the middle section collapsed in 1990) is worth the short walk, especially in late afternoon light.
Where to Stay
Lorne: The Cumberland Lorne Resort is the most complete option — pool, spa, good location. Book months ahead for peak season.
Apollo Bay: Comfort Inn Bay Village is reliable mid-range. There are also some excellent Airbnb properties if you’re willing to plan ahead.
Port Campbell: Small town with limited options. The Port Campbell Motor Inn is straightforward and perfectly located for early morning Apostles access.
Practical Notes
- Drive the road west to east if you’re starting from Melbourne — you’ll be on the ocean side of the car for the best views
- The road is two lanes and winding — allow more time than Google Maps suggests
- Fuel up at Lorne and Apollo Bay — the western section has limited options
- Check Parks Victoria for any road closures before you leave
Book accommodation along the Great Ocean Road: Booking.com has properties in Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell — the three key overnight stops.
Find Great Ocean Road AccommodationThe Bottom Line
The Twelve Apostles justify the trip, but the road itself is the experience. Two days, stay in Apollo Bay, do Cape Otway and the Bay of Islands. That’s the version most people wish they’d done instead of the day trip.
