Route Overview
About this Tour
The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is Australia's most famous coastal road and ranks among the world's most beautiful road trips. Rock formations shaped by wind and waves, lush rainforests, endless surf beaches, and rich wildlife make this route an unforgettable experience. For campervan travelers, it's especially appealing: numerous campsites with ocean views and the opportunity to experience Australia's unique nature up close.
Your Journey in Detail
🌊Surf Coast & Torquay
The Great Ocean Road officially begins at the Memorial Arch in Torquay, but the journey starts in Melbourne, one of the world's most livable cities. Melbourne is a culinary and cultural paradise: hidden bars in the 'Laneways', world-famous coffee scene (here coffee is religion!), street art on every corner, and Federation Square as a meeting point. Torquay is Australia's surf capital – Rip Curl and Quicksilver were founded here. Bells Beach, venue of the world's oldest surf contest, is magical even for non-surfers: the waves, the atmosphere, the energy. The Surf World Museum tells the story of Australian surf culture. Along the Surf Coast, beaches line up one after another: Jan Juc, Anglesea (with kangaroos on the golf course!), Aireys Inlet with its photogenic Split Point lighthouse.
🪨The Twelve Apostles – Australia's Icons
The Twelve Apostles are the Great Ocean Road's landmark and one of Australia's most photographed motifs. These imposing limestone stacks (originally nine, now eight – erosion continues!) rise up to 45 meters from the Southern Ocean. Sunrise and sunset are magical when light turns the rocks gold and orange. The viewing platforms offer spectacular views, and helicopter flights over the formation are available for the ultimate experience. But the 'Shipwreck Coast' offers more: Loch Ard Gorge, named after a tragic 1878 shipwreck, impresses with narrow gorges and a moving history. London Arch (formerly London Bridge, until a section collapsed in 1990) and The Grotto are further natural wonders.
🐨Rainforest & Wildlife
Between coast and inland lies the Great Otway National Park, a contrast to the cliffs: ancient rainforests with giant ferns, eucalyptus giants, and a mix of Australian and Antarctic flora (a remnant from when the continents were connected). The Otway Fly Treetop Walk leads 25 meters high into the treetops – a whole new perspective on the 'Gondwana' rainforest. Hopetoun Falls and Triplet Falls are spectacular waterfalls, reachable via short hiking trails. Wildlife is everywhere: koalas along Lighthouse Road near Kennett River are almost guaranteed – look for eucalyptus trees and look up! Kangaroos and wallabies graze at dusk, possums become active at night.
💡Practical Tips
- ✓The Great Ocean Road means driving on the LEFT! Take time to adjust to oncoming traffic.
- ✓Koalas are most commonly seen at Kennett River – Lighthouse Road is the hotspot!
- ✓Spring (Sep-Nov) and fall (March-May) are ideal – summer can be very crowded.
At a Glance
Duration
5-7 Tage
Distance
400 km
Difficulty
Easy
Highlights
- ⭐Twelve Apostles
- ⭐Apollo Bay
- ⭐Koalas
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