Great Ocean Road - Victoria

There is so much to see and do on the Great Ocean Road! Choose a town from the list and you'll soon find what wonderful possibilities are in the Great Ocean Road Region of Victoria!

The Great Ocean Road is Victoria's coastal jewel, from east of Geelong on the Bellarine Peninsula to Port Campbell in the west. The main route through the Great Ocean Road Region follows the coastal cliffs, mostly with the forest covered Otway Ranges on the landward side, and as you get further west the ranges drop away leaving coastal heathland and volcanic flats inland of the exposed sandy limestone cliffs and stacks of the Port Campbell National Park.

The Great Ocean Road is coastal scenery at its best, with sheltered beaches and inlets for a swim or a stroll along the beach, and open surf beaches like those at the world famous Bells and Apollo Bay for the avid surfer, all types of water sports are catered for. Beyond the coastal strip, infact encroaching it is beautiful southern rainforest.

The ancient basalt landscape of the Bellarine Peninsula east of Geelong juts into Port Phillip Bay and Corio Bay and has its southern coastline on the ocean of Bass Strait. The Rip between Port Phillip Heads and Point Napean on Mornington Peninsula, is known as one of Australia's more dangerous and notorious seaways, although it is also the only entrance to Port Phillip Bay which is Australia's busiest Port. Well worth visiting are the towns of Port Arlington, Queenscliff, Port Lonsdale,Ocean Grove, and Barwon Heads.

Geelong is the largest city in the region and although only an hours drive from Melbourne, has its own feel and pace. Much time can be spent in this lovely city with its many beautiful old buildings and open parklands. Geelong is a great base to stay to sample the many wonderful places of interest in the area.

From Geelong heading west there a multitude of options, most travellers follow The Great Ocean Road, but there are other choices that will stir the traveling bug in most of us. The Hamilton Highway to Mortlake crosses the open basaltic plains of the ancient volcanic areas, with farmland and beautiful vistas. Through small towns like Cressy, Lismore and Derrinallum. The Princes Highway (Highway One), skirts the northern edge of the Otway Ranges, through scenic towns like Winchelsea, Colac, Camperdown, and Terang.

Following the Great Ocean Road fom Geelong leads first to the premier surfing town of Torquay, and not far down the road to Bells Beach , home of the Easter Surfing Classic. The Coast is dottedwith Villages and towns worth stopping in, each with its own flavour. Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell are all largish communities with plenty of facilities, while Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven, Wye River), Kennett River, Wongarra, Skenes Creek, Glenaire, Lavers Hill, Lower Gellibrand, Princetown, and Peterborough though small are all excellent places to stop, stay and enjoy..

Along the Great Ocean Road are many magical and wonderful sightseeing opportunities, including Angahook Lorne State Park, Erskine Falls , Cinema Point, Carisbrook Falls, Great Otway National Park, Cape Otway, Otway Fly Tree Top Walk, Carlisle State Park,Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell National Park, The Arch, and Bay Of Islands.

For the Sports person most major sports are catered for in The Great Ocean Road Region. There are Golf Courses and Lawn Bowls Clubs, as well as most other sporting activities, at Apollo Bay, Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne, Port Campbell,Port Arlington, Queenscliff, Geelong, Mortlake, Cressy, Lismore and Derrinallum, Winchelsea, Colac, Camperdown, and Terang.

Accommodation

There are so many places to stay along the Great Ocean Road and all types of accommodation, from Bed & Breakfast, Resorts, Retreats, Hotels, Motels, Guesthouses, Self Catered, Camping, Cabins and Caravan Parks are available.

Whatever your style, you'll find a great place to stay on the Great Ocean Road

Tours in Victoria

There are many Tours in and to the Great Ocean Road, whether its to visit the beautiful southern coastline, the forests or the ranges. There is so much on offer, opportunity knocks at every turn to experience new and wonderful things.

Local Tour Operators have a great knowledge of their area, So why not experience it with people who know all the best spots.

Whatever your style, you'll find a great Tour in Victoria

Things To See and Do

There are so many Things To See and Do on the Great Ocean Road

Start with a visit to the various Visitor Centres along the way, where they can help you with your holiday plans.

Geelong Otway Tourism

Visitor Information Centre, Market Square Shopping Centre
Moorabool St
Geelong
Victoria, 3220
Phone (03) 5222 6126
or 1800 620 888

Geelong Otway Tourism

Brougham St
Geelong
Victoria, 3220
Phone (03) 5223 2588

Geelong Otway Tourism

Cnr Princes Hwy & St Georges Rd
Corio
Victoria, 3214
Phone (03) 5275 5797

Colac Visitor Information Centre

Cnr Murray & Queen Sts
Colac
Victoria, 3250
Phone 132842
or 03 96589658

Lorne Visitor Information Centre

144 Mountjoy Pde
Lorne
Victoria, 3232
Phone (03) 5289 1152

Torquay Visitor Information Centre

Beach Rd
Torquay
Victoria, 3228
Phone (03) 5261 4219

Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre

26 Morris St
Port Campbell
Victoria, 3269
Phone (03) 5598 6053

Warrnambool Tourist Information Centre

600 Raglan Pde
Warrnambool
Victoria, 3280
Phone (03) 5564 7837

Bellarine Peninsula Visitor Information

Victoria
Phone 1800 723 220

Queenscliff Visitor Information Centre

55 Hesse St
Queenscliff
Victoria, 3225
Phone (03) 5258 4843

Dining Out

There are many Great Restaurants, Cafes, Hotels and other Dining Options throughout the Great Ocean Road region giving so many dining possibilities, often the hardest thing is deciding where to eat. Whatever your favourite foods, you'll find plenty of options.

National Parks of the Great Ocean Road Region

There are several National Parks in the Graet Ocean Road Region

• Port Campbell National Park

• Great Otway National Park

• Angahook Lorne State Park

• Carlisle State Park

The Victoria Events Calendar

The Great Ocean Road Region Plays Host to Many Great Events during each Year.

Great Ocean Road Region Events Calendar for 2007

Great Ocean Road Region Events Calendar for 2008

Choose A Town or Location

• Bellarine Peninsula

• The Rip

• Port Phillip Heads

• Port Arlington

• Queenscliff

• Port Lonsdale

• Ocean Grove

• Barwon Heads

• Geelong

• Hamilton Highway

• Mortlake

• Cressy

• Lismore

• Derrinallum

• Princes Highway

• Otway Ranges

• Winchelsea

• Colac

• Camperdown

• Terang

• Torquay

• Bells Beach

• Anglesea

• Lorne

• Apollo Bay

• Peterborough

• Port Campbell

• Aireys Inlet

• Fairhaven

• Wye River

• Kennett River

• Wongarra

• Skenes Creek

• Glenaire

• Lavers Hill

• Lower Gellibrand

• Princetown

• Angahook Lorne State Park

• Erskine Falls

• Cinema Point

• Carisbrook Falls

• Otway National Park

• Cape Otway

• Carlisle State Park

• Twelve Apostles

• Loch Ard Gorge

• Port Campbell National Park

• The Arch

• Bay Of Islands