9 Free Things On The Great Ocean Road Not To Miss
They say the best things in life are free, and the Great Ocean Road is no exception. Renowned as one of the world’s most spectacular drives, for many, a road trip along this hallowed stretch of bitumen is considered a rite of passage, and rightly so. It’s a highway of spectacular views and hidden gems.
Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is a 240km stretch of sealed road that winds its way from Torquay to Allansford. Most people don’t know that the road itself is a war memorial built by soldiers returning from WW1 to honour those who lost their lives in the war. It is famous for its coastal views, soaring limestone cliffs, stunning beaches, surf breaks, incredible marine and ecological diversity teeming with culture and history, and more waterfalls and hikes than you can poke a stick at.
How long will you need?
Asking how long you need is like asking “how long is a piece of string?’’ In our opinion, you need a two-night minimum, but the longer you have, the more you’ll be able to see. We spent eight nights exploring this stunning coastline. Here are our top nine favourite destinations to help you plan your adventure:
1. Maits Rest Rainforest
Part of the Otway Ranges National Park and a 15-minute drive from Apollo Bay is Maits Rest Rainforest. This easy 800m loop (30 minutes) trail weaves its way through tree-fern gullies and over moss-covered roots as you explore the 300-year-old rainforest. It’s a great one for the kids, with plenty to explore as you make your way along the easy trail and well-maintained boardwalk. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can do this walk at night. Take your torch and keep an eye out for glow worms.
2. Lorne
Famous for hosting the Falls Music Festival each New Year, this beach town has a beautiful beach ideal for swimming and surfing with a conveniently located cafe and a fantastic grassed foreshore playground area. The main street shops mix surf shops, trendy cafes, art galleries, and homewares. Spend some time wandering around before making your way into the hills to camp for the night.
3. Californian Redwood Forest
At first, the idea of seeing some tall trees that aren’t native to Australia might not sound that exciting. As soon as you take one step inside this forest, your opinion will change drastically. It instantly made its way onto both of our highlights lists. There is something serene and reverent about these gigantic Californian Redwood Trees. The species claims the title of the tallest trees in the world, and they are certainly a sight to behold. They were planted for experimental purposes by Victorian foresters back in 1936. While this forest is still considered young, these trees may one day be the tallest in the world due to the excellent soil and growing conditions. This is a photographer’s paradise and the perfect place to perch yourself on some moss and kick back with a book while the kids run through fairyland.
4. Apollo Bay
Voted as a Top Tourism Town in 2021. It is a great place to get your hands on some fresh seafood and set up base camp in the hills. Apollo Bay provides everything you need to explore the surrounding region. The town is a quiet fishing village, with swimming beaches, playgrounds, a foreshore, and markets every weekend. It’s also the starting point of the Great Ocean Walk. There’s something about this town that’s hard to put your finger on that makes it difficult to leave. Perhaps it’s the friendly locals, the incredible scenery or the slower pace compared to the more eastern towns on the Great Ocean Road.
5. The Twelve Apostles
It wouldn’t be a trip on the Great Ocean Road without stopping at the famous Twelve Apostles. Sunrise or sunset is the best time to view these iconic, majestic formations to avoid the crowds and get the best lighting for your photos. 10-20 million years ago, they were once part of the mainland, and through erosion, these gigantic pillars are all that remain. Although there were once twelve, the southern ocean has claimed several and only eight remain. It’s a short paved walk from the car park and is wheelchair and pram friendly. There is a small gift shop and toilets available near the car park. If your budget allows, we’ve been told the helicopter flights that run here are incredible.
6. Loch Ard Gorge
After watching the sunrise at the Twelve Apostles, jump back in the car for the short drive to Loch Ard Gorge. Stunning beaches, hikes, lookouts, caves, cliffs, and an epic story of survival await you. A set of stairs leads down to a tear-shaped chasm and beach where you can admire the sheer power of the Southern Ocean and the scale of the cliffs. There are several short walks and lookouts to explore, including the famous Thunder Cave.
Loch Ard Gorge is named after the ship that sailed from England and beached on nearby Muttonbird Island on the 1st of June 1878. Only two of the fifty-four passengers survived. One of the survivors was 19-year-old apprentice Tom Pearce, washed ashore by clinging to some debris. After hearing cries for help, he returned to the treacherous water for over an hour to rescue a wealthy Irish teenage girl named Ava Carmicheal. Together they took shelter in the caves of Loch Ard Gorge, drinking rum that had washed ashore. After regaining his strength, Tom scaled the cliffs and found help from nearby Glenample station.
7. Erskine Falls
This one is popular for a reason. It’s a short but rewarding walk down to a majestic waterfall. There are two viewing platforms with the upper lookout only five minutes from the car park. According to our son, Harrison, there were 243 steps to reach the lower lookout. These steps can be notoriously muddy, and thongs are not recommended (just ask Liz). At the bottom, you are rewarded with a 30-metre waterfall surrounded by fern gullies which are quite picturesque, but we found the best place to hang out was just off to the right, where you can enjoy the view and the bubbling stream away from the crowds.
Erskine Falls is a 9km drive from Lorne, or for the keen hiker, take the 7.5-kilometre Erskine River Track that leads from the falls to Lorne along the river, passing Straw Falls and Splitter Falls along the way.
8. The Great Ocean Walk
Grab a mate, strap your hiking boots on, and have a crack at the Great Ocean Walk. It’s a multi-day east to west 100km trail from Apollo Bay to The Twelve Apostles. The terrain is varied, with some sections being wet, muddy, and slippery. It’s classed as a grade 4. If you want to travel light and have a support crew, several campsites are well set up for hikers and caravans alike. While we didn’t complete the 100km hike with our kids, we did a few sections of it from various campsites that we stayed in, and we can’t wait to get back and do it with mates. Head to https://www.thegreatoceanwalk.com/ for more details, including recommended shorter one-day hikes.
9. Hopeton Falls
If a 30m waterfall cascading into a rock pool surrounded by tree ferns covered in water droplets is your thing, this one’s for you. Allow at least 30 minutes to complete the 1km return walk. An upper viewing platform is an easy 20-metre walk from the car park. Be aware the car park is tiny, and there is very limited parking, really only room for ten or so cars. We were lucky enough to jag one, but otherwise, there is more parking at the turn-off with a 200m walk down to the trailhead.
Bonus Destination
While this stop isn’t free, we thought it deserved mention. Cape Otway Lighthouse and the Shipwreck Coast. There are believed to be over 700 Shipwrecks between Torque and Port Fairy, giving it the treacherous name of The Shipwreck Coast. Fierce Antarctic winds, massive swells, dense fogs, and a jagged coastline have led to many captains making fatal errors in navigation. This resulted in the building of the historic Cape Otway Lighthouse. Hold onto your hat as you tour inside the oldest working lighthouse in Australia. It’s the perfect vantage point to look out over the Shipwreck Coast and discover the fascinating Indigenous and European history of the lighthouse keeper and surrounding historical buildings.
