Renowned as the greatest scenic drive in Australia, the Great Ocean Road is an attraction within itself. However, stretching from Geelong all the way to Nelson on the South Australian border, there are a wide range of attractions to be found throughout the picturesque route of the Great Ocean Road. A rugged coastline pounded by the rough seas of the Bass Strait, the Great Ocean Road is also home to the Historic Shipwreck Trail that stretches from Torquay all the way to Nelson and is well-signed.
Also in Torquay is famous Bells Beach, while west along the Great Ocean Road you’ll reach the small coastal town of Anglesea before passing through Aireys Inlet and the seaside resort town of Lorne. Here you’ll find the lush vegetation and 50km walking tracks of the Angahook-Lorne State Park and the Otway National Park, west of popular Apollo Bay.
Continuing along the Great Ocean Road you’ll pass through Princetown and Port Campbell before reaching Peterborough, home to perhaps the most famous Great Ocean Road attractions, the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles. These unique natural attractions have been created by erosive wave action over millions of years. Other nearby natural attractions include Port Campbell National Park, Glenample Station and Loch Ard Gorge.
Further along is Warrnambool which is a popular stopover along the Great Ocean Road, home to a number of historic attractions including the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum which features a collection of vessels, 2 functioning lighthouses and a small passenger steamer all designed to reflect early fortified coastal towns. The region is also a breeding ground for Southern Right Whales during May to September, which makes for some exciting whale watching opportunities.
As the Great Ocean Road comes to an end, Port Fairy offers a sheltered harbour and fishing fleet as well as an historic town scattered with stone and timber buildings but is most famous for the country’s largest folk music festival held their every March. Right on the South Australian border, Portland and Nelson boast heritage buildings, including some 200 restored to their original glory as well as panoramic views from Battery Point and the huge Cape Nelson Lighthouse.
