Great Ocean Road, Victoria: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips

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Great Ocean Road Overview

One of the most beautiful and scenic drives in the whole of the world; The Great Ocean Road is a 243 Kilometres long self-drive long stretch in Victoria. This iconic stretch starts from the surfing capital of the world, Torquay, and ends at the historic fishing village of Port Fairy and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

This road trip takes you through some of the most beautiful rainforests and surfing beaches. You may even get a chance to spot Koalas, Kngaroos, and even whales on the go! You can also try your hands out on zip linings, cliff climbing and enjoy your meals atop cliff beaches and make the best out of your drive across the Great Ocean Road.

People usually bag in 3 days to cover all the beautiful spots on the way. The journey to cover up the Great Ocean Road starts off from Melbourne and ends off at the same place. From dense rainforests to deep clean rivers, from volcanoes to the endless coastline, the Great Ocean Road has a lot to offer to all its visitors.

Thrill seekers to nature lovers, this route has something to offer to each and every one. From tasting some of the best quality seafood to relishing varieties of freshly brewed beers from local breweries, a trip around the Great Ocean Road will land you up with a whole lot of special memories to remember by all throughout your life.

How To Reach

If you are traveling from Melbourne Airport to the Great Ocean Road, you can choose either of the below-mentioned modes of transportation:

- By Public Transport: If you wish to travel by Public Transport, you shall have to take a train from Southern Cross Station, Melbourne to Geelong. From Geelong, you can choose from multiple buses heading off to different destinations on the Great Ocean Road. Torquay is just 40 Kms. From Geelong.

- By Private Vehicle: You can travel to Torquay, which marks the start of the Great Ocean Road and is just 100 Kms. from Melbourne.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit the Great Ocean Road is from the Month of December to February (Summers) or from September to November (Springs). The summers come along with minimal rainfall in the region and ample sunshine, allowing you to enjoy the water activities to the fullest.

However, it comes along with a heavy tourist crowd and overpriced accommodations. Springs are best for exploring natural abodes and waterfalls along the coastline. Sunsets and the green covers all around are also at their best during this season.

Other Essential Information

Location: The Great Ocean Road lies on the southwestern coast of Victoria in Australia. It starts at Torquay, 100 Kilometers from Melbourne and finishes at Allansford, near Warrnambool, the biggest city on the whole route.

Entry Fee: The Entry to this beautiful coastal road is open to one and all without any entry fee or tolls on the way. However, you might be charged an entry fee at several spots for entry throughout your trip.

Public Toilet: Public toilets are very common throughout Victoria. You shall find neat and clean public toilets all throughout your journey on the Great Ocean Road, within the cities, as well on the beaches. You can also refer to the National Public Toilet Map issued by the government to locate your nearest public toilet.

Mobile Connectivity: While traveling on the Great Ocean Road, Telstra shall provide you with the best network coverage. Vodafone and Optus shall only get good coverage within the cities along your way.

Nearby ATMs: You shall find plenty of ATMs in the cities along the way. You may only find a few on the external coastal road.

History of the Great Ocean Road

The Construction of the Great Ocean Road was initially planned towards the end of World War I. Its construction began on September 19, 1919, with the help of 3000 servicemen who returned safely to their homes after the War. It was built as a memorial to fellow servicemen who lost their lives during the war.

The complete construction was done by hand, using explosives, shovels, and other small scale machinery. On March 18, 1922, the route from Eastern View to Lorne was completed and made open to the public. However, it was closed from May 10, 1922, to further construction and reopened on December 21, 1922, with tolls to regain the construction and maintenance costs.

In November 1932, the route from Lorne to Apollo Bay was finally completed, marking an official completion of the Great Ocean Road. During its initial stage, the road was considered to be highly dangerous with dangerous cliffs and only one wagon being capable of passing by at once.

In October 1936, the road was handed over to the state, post which all the tolls were removed and the road conditions were also improved. The Tourist Development Authority deemed the road as one of the most scenic roads in the world in 1962.

Road Trip from Melbourne to Great Ocean Road

If you are planning a quick trip across the Great Ocean Road from the city of Melbourne, here are a few spots that are a must-visit for you to enjoy the true essence of this great coastal area in Victoria.

- Torquay: You must try out surfing in this surfing capital and visit the Australian National Surfing Museum to learn more about Australia’s surfing history.

- The Bells Beach: It is the most famous beach throughout the Great Ocean Road. Do take a stroll through the beach and visit the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery to witness the delicious art of chocolate making.

- Aireys Inlet: The coastal area of Aireys Inlet is where the twists and turns of the Great Ocean Road actually start. Stop by at the Split Point Lighthouse to know about the legendary “White Queen”.

- Lorne: Search through an empty slot for a picnic from the 6 picnic spots in Lorne or just enjoy a great seafood lunch and local wines at the restaurants. Hit up the Erskine Falls to witness nature’s beauty.

- Apollo Bay: Entering the Apollo Bay is actually the most interesting area of the Great Ocean Road. Pass through the several silent settlements with amazing beaches and waterfalls on the way and at the Apollo Bay too.

Tips for Visiting Great Ocean Road

Here are a few tips for anybody and everybody looking forward to heading off to the Great Ocean Road for a wonderful experience:

1. Do not visit this place in a rush; always take your time to admire the beautiful views around you.

2. Stop by the towns on your way. Every town has a history to tell and a lot more to explore.

3. Don’t just visit the touristy places. Do visit and explore the national parks as well as the raw nature all around you. Catch up with natives and try to indulge in some local experiences.

4. Always be cautious on the roads. The twists and turns are quite tricky and turn out to be dangerous.

5. Do carry not forget to carry along the basic medicines and the first aid kit as you may not find instant medicare at some places.

6. Try to visit the local breweries and restaurants serving the local cuisines to indulge completely in the vibes of the south east coast.

Great Ocean Road FAQs

How long does it take to drive the Great Ocean Road?

The Great Ocean Road is 243 kilometers long and it takes only 9.5 hours to drive the whole stretch in one go. However, we recommend you to spread it evenly over a period of at least 3 days to cover up all the major attractions on the way. You may even extend your trip to explore the local towns as well as the hidden gems of the Great Ocean Road.

Is the Great Ocean Road dangerous?

The Great Ocean Road does have some quite tricky turns on the road. However, if you are an experienced driver and are a bit cautious while driving, it should not turn out to be that problematic.

Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish?

The Great Ocean Road Starts from Torquay, the worldwide surfing capital, and ends at Port Fairy, a Historical fishing village.

How long does it take to drive from Melbourne to Warrnambool via Great Ocean Road?

If you are driving straight from Melbourne to Warrnambool, skipping all the other attractions on the way, it should not take you more than 3 hours to drive from Melbourne to Warrnambool.

How do I get to the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne?

If you are self-driving from Melbourne, you can enter the Great Ocean Road from Torquay which is just 100 kilometers away from Melbourne. However, if you are considering traveling from public transport you can take a train to Geelong from Melbourne. You shall find plenty of buses from Geelong going to Torquay, Warrnambool and other major destinations on the Great Ocean Road.