AU · Victoria · 38.73°S 143.69°E

great ocean road

Limestone sea stacks, surf towns and forest walks along Victoria's coast.

Best time
November–April has long days and the best beach weather, though hot days bring bushfire warnings. June–August is cold, wet and windy, but the sea is dramatic and the road is quieter.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
Fly direct from KL to Melbourne (about 8 hours), then it's about 1.5 hours' drive to Torquay, where the road begins. Victoria is 2 hours ahead of KL, 3 during daylight saving (October to early April).
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AU · Victoriagreat ocean road38.73°S 143.69°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Limestone sea stacks, surf towns and forest walks along Victoria's coast.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingGreat Ocean RoadAU, Victoria
KLgreat ocean road
≈ 6,338 km from KL, as the crow flies
The curves of the Great Ocean Road as viewed from Teddy's Lookout south of Lorne in Victoria, Australia. Taken as a four segment panorama with a Canon 5D and 17-40mm lens.

Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0

1 / 4

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

The Great Ocean Road winds along Victoria's coast past surf towns, rainforest and limestone cliffs. Give it two or three nights so the Twelve Apostles are a highlight, not the turnaround point of a 12-hour day trip from Melbourne.

Makan

  1. Fish and chipsLorne and Apollo Bay both do them on the waterfront.Map ↗
  2. Local cheese and ice creamThe dairy country inland from the Twelve Apostles makes both, and they're worth the detour.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Twelve ApostlesLimestone stacks rising out of the Southern Ocean, best at sunset from the clifftop boardwalks.Map ↗
  2. Loch Ard GorgeA sheltered cove named after a famous shipwreck. The beach steps are closed because of unstable cliffs, but the lookouts give you the view.Map ↗
  3. Great Otway National ParkTree ferns and rainforest walks a short detour from the road, and the Cape Otway lighthouse.Map ↗
  4. Kennett RiverWild koalas sleep in the gum trees along Grey River Road, and king parrots and cockatoos are everywhere.Map ↗
  5. Lorne and Apollo BaySurf towns for a beach walk and an overnight stop.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Halal choice is thin in the coastal towns, so stock up in Melbourne before you go.
  • Australians drive on the left, like us. Allow twice the time the map says: the road is slow and twisty and you'll stop a lot.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.