Backpack Victoria

GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Winding 300 kilometres past cliffs, rainforests and old shipwrecks, the Great Ocean Road is unquestionably one of Australia’s most impressive stretches of road.

From Geelong to the South Australia border, the road winds its way along Victoria’s rugged coastline, with ocean beaches on one side and the forests and mountains of the Otway Ranges on the other.

The rock formations rise from the Southern Ocean in one of the most spectacular natural wonders you're likely ever to see.

There's plenty for you to do and see along the Great Ocean Road, including:

• Learn to surf at patrolled beaches, including the famous Bells Beach
• Go bushwalking in the Angahook-Lorne State Park
• Wander through the tree tops at the Otway Fly
• See if you can glimpse a whale in Warrnambool
• Find a spot with a view and linger of fresh coffee in the beach-front towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay
• Dive into the ocean to cool off, whenever the mood takes you
• Drop a fishing line into the water and snare a catch of the day
• And you can even go hang-gliding!

How to get there
By car:
The trip along the Great Ocean Road can be as long as you want to make it. Make a (long) day-trip to see the Twelve Apostles or spend a few days winding along the road and stopping at any of the welcoming coastal towns and beaches.

The Great Ocean Road is a two hour drive from the heart of Melbourne with dual lane highway conditions for most of the journey and excellent signposting.

Travel via the Princes Highway over the West Gate Bridge to the bayside city of Geelong. From here road signs will take you south along the Surf Coast Highway to the famous surf town of Torquay.

At Torquay the Surf Coast Highway becomes the Great Ocean Road, which, for the next 400 kilometres to Nelson on the South Australian border, provides some of the most impressive coastal scenery in Australia.

Alternatively, take the inland route by following the Princes Highway from Geelong to Warrnambool.

Public transport:
V/Line trains travel daily from Southern Cross Station to Geelong and Warrnambool. V/Line coaches run from Geelong to Apollo Bay, Anglesea and Lorne every day. For more information call V/Line on 136 196 (Australia only) or visit www.vline.com.au.

On a tour:
Tours to the Great Ocean Road and its attractions run frequently - check out the links below or enquire at your hostel.

Where to stay
Accommodation along the Great Ocean Road is often a stone's throw from a beach or national park - especially if you decide to camp. Wake up to the sound of waves crashing on the beach, enjoy stunning ocean views, or try and guess what native animal is making those sounds from a secluded location in the bush.

Choose from hostels, caravan parks, camping grounds and farm stays. If you've got a bit of cash to spend there's a range of apartments, hotels and B&Bs. Contact an accredited information centre for more information.