From the Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell National Park to Apollo Bay, Loch Ard Gorge, and wild beaches galore, a Great Ocean Road trip is an adventure that everyone should go on. With a seaside town and beautiful beaches around every corner, the Great Ocean Road region is one of the best places to visit in South Australia. Today, we're here to talk about the most popular things to do on the Great Ocean Road that you certainly don't want to miss out on.
The best things to do along the great ocean road include:
- The Twelve Apostles
- Apollo Bay
- Great Otway National Park
- Bells Beach
- Great Ocean Walk
- Beech Forest
- Hopetoun Falls
- Griffiths Island
- Erskine Falls
- Explore Wineries and Fine Restaurants
The Twelve Apostles
If you're visiting the Great Ocean Road, you absolutely have to visit the Great Apostles, also known as the 12 Apostles, towering limestone stacks standing on Victoria's coastline, jutting right out of the sea. These are rock formations that have been shaped by thousands of years of erosion, creating what has to be one of the most iconic sights in all of Australia.
You can view the great apostles from a variety of designated lookout points or even take a walk along the boardwalk. Some of the best times to visit include sunrise and sunset, because the changing light casts dramatic shadows across the cliffs and the ocean below. It definitely makes for a great photography opportunity.
If you're looking for a more adversative and adventure filled experience, taking a 12 Apostles helicopter tour with Rotor One is the way to go. It's all about getting a bird's eye view of the limestone stacks and the surrounding coastline.
There's just nothing like getting a top-down view of this iconic landmark, and you'll get to see plenty of other attractions as well. Whether you're into coastal walks, photography, or sightseeing, this is one of the absolute best must-see locations on the Great Ocean Road.
Apollo Bay
If you're looking to visit a beautiful coastal town along the Great Ocean Road, then Apollo Bay is the place to be, which is known for its laid back atmosphere, scenic beaches, and best of all, fresh seafood. It's found in the hills of the Otway Ranges, and it provides a mix of natural beauty and small town charm. This is all about relaxing.
Here, you'll find beaches that are great for fishing, surfing, and swimming alike, while the Apollo Bay harbor is a fantastic spot to watch local boats bring in the day's catch. If you're into sampling fresh fish and seafood, this is certainly a great place to be.
Moreover, you might also be able to get a bit of whale watching done from this location as well. This location is also known as the gateway to the great Ottway National Park, making it a great place to stay if you plan on exploring a variety of coastal trails, rainforests, and waterfalls.
There's also a nearby rainforest walk, known as Maits Rest Rainforest Walk, which is just a short trail through lush greenery and ancient trees, although it's one of the most beautiful walks you'll ever go on.
Great Otway National Park
If you're looking for a scenic and diverse park, the Great Otway National Park is an excellent place to visit near the great ocean road. It features everything from dense rainforests to rugged coastal cliffs.
There are many outdoor activities available here, including waterfall visits, wildlife spotting, and hiking. This park is also home to a variety of lush ferns, unique native wildlife, and ancient trees, therefore making it an excellent location for nature lovers.
Triplet falls is one of the most visited spots in the park, where water cascades down over many tiers of rocks. Another attraction here is the Cape Otway Lightstation, which is officially the oldest surviving lighthouse on Australia’s mainland, providing great ocean views. For anybody who loves koala bears, this park is known for them.
Bells Beach
If you'd like to try your hand at surfing, then Bells Beach is one of the most famous locations in Australia. It's right at the start of the great ocean road, so you don't have to travel too far from Melbourne.
This location features stunning cliffs and very powerful waves, making it an ideal sightseeing and surfing location.
The Rip Curl Pro is one of the oldest surfing competitions in the world, and it's hosted right here every Easter. What sightseers will also enjoy here are the huge limestone cliffs in the background, making for some truly stunning scenery.
For people who are extremely interested in surfing history and culture, the Australian National Surfing Museum is close by. It provides some great insights into what Australian surfing is all about, along with some awesome memorabilia from past Australian surfing legends.
Great Ocean Walk
If you'd rather keep your feet on dry ground instead of in the water, then you should probably go on the great ocean walk. This is a multi-day hiking trail that covers over 110 kilometers, and it goes all the way from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles.
If you like being outdoors and exploring everything that natural Australia has to offer, then this is the hike for you.
It takes you through forests, beaches, coastal cliffs, and various other scenic locations. That said, there are shorter sections that can be done as day hikes in case you don't want to do the full walk.
One of the best sightseeing locations along this hiking trail is breck beach, where a large shipwrecked in DC at low tide.
For anybody wondering, the trail also passes right through the Great Otway National Park, therefore tying in nicely with the other activities on this list. Moreover, if you're lucky, you might just spot a whale offshore, along with some kangaroos, echidnas, and various sea birds. Talk about an amazing view!
Beech Forest
If you want to seeing waterfalls and towering trees, then Beech Forest is a great place to visit along the Great Ocean Road. It's located just a little bit inland from the great ocean road, and it's a great way to experience the temperate rainforests found in the Great Otway National Park.
In this park, you'll be able to walk along the ancient mountain ash trees, which are officially some of the tallest flowering plants in the whole world.
For those who like a bit of adventure, the Otway Fly Treetop Walk is located just outside of beach forest, and it provides you with a 47-metre-high tower with panoramic views, along with the great little tree top hike. It's one of the best treetop adventures out there and it certainly provides for some incredible views!
Hopetoun Falls
Also found within the great archway National Park, we have the Hopetoun Falls. This is a 30 metre-high waterfall that drops down into a gorge covered by ferns, which creates both a serene and dramatic landscape.
It's a great location for tourists because it features well maintained walking paths that lead down to the viewing platform. There's also an upper viewing platform that's just a short walk from the parking area, or you can take a 200-step staircase right to the base of the falls, where you can see them up close.
It's a refreshing spot even on the warmest of days, all thanks to the cooling mist that comes off of the cascading water. This also happens to be one of the most photographed waterfalls in all of Victoria, as it's one of the most beautiful locations you'll ever see. With various viewpoints, you can get plenty of awesome shots with your camera!
Griffiths Island
If you happen to be at the western end of the great ocean road, visiting Griffiths Island near Port Fairy is yet another great activity. There's a short walking path that connects the mainland to the island, and there you'll find a variety of wildlife, a rugged coastline, and secluded beaches.
If you want to take in some coastal scenery and go on a nice hike, it's a great area to visit and a must-add destination for your road trip.
One of the most famous features here is the Griffiths Island lighthouse, an old stone lighthouse that is still in operation today. Due to its location, it also has smaller crowds than some other coastal spots, making it ideal for those who don't exactly do well with large groups of people.
Erskine Falls
If you like seeing natural beauty, then viewing Erskine falls is definitely recommended. This is one of the easiest waterfalls that you can visit along the great ocean road, and there's both a lower and upper lookout platform.
If you feel like taking a bit of a walk, go down to the lower platform where you'll find yourself right in the heart of the rainforest, where the waterfall falls down into a cool rock pool that is surrounded by large boulders covered with moss.
Explore Wineries and Fine Restaurants
Although scenic hikes and amazing coastal views are at the forefront of what the great ocean road has to offer, there are also some excellent wineries and restaurants in the area. There are plenty of local vineyards and dining spots for you to explore.
For instance, Mt Duneed Estate is a popular winery known for its fantastic varietals and house made wines. There's live music on Sundays, a selection of artisan breads and platters, and even the Barrel Hall Restaurant, that is known for its shared styled dining menu that focuses on fresh produce and locally sourced meats.
Venturing a little further, you can visit the Jack Rabbit Vineyard on the Bellarine Peninsula, which is known for its great selection of cool climate wines and its fine dining restaurant.
The restaurant is extremely creative in its approach to food, with dishes that highlight local in ingredients and push culinary boundaries. It's all about a carefully crafted menu that features premium meats, fresh seafood, and seasonal produce. Along with sweeping views of the Bay, it’s a great location to enjoy some award-winning wines.
You might also visit Terindah Estate, another fantastic winery that has stunning views, excellent wines, and even better food. The in-house restaurant features floor to ceiling glass windows for some of the best vineyard views in all of Australia. The cellar door is open Thursday to Monday, and allows visitors to sample a variety of wines.
