Map and Itinerary Planner Our Great Ocean Road map (on the website) highlights 50 amazing places to see, suggested stops, and things to do on a drive along the Victorian coastline to the 12 Apostles and into the Great Otway National Park. Beaches, forest, wildlife, waterfalls, and so much more. Planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary can be daunting if you do not know what to expect. 1. How long do you need to see everything? Read our 1,2, and 6 day Great Ocean Road itineraries to decide which road trip will suit you best, perhaps you only have time for a day trip or can extend it once you know how much there is to see? 2. Are you wondering where to stay? Reading our itineraries can help. There are luxury resorts, motels, hotels, cottages, backpackers, cabins and camping grounds. 3. If you are from overseas do you feel comfortable to self drive on the left hand side of the road? If not, perhaps an organized tour from Melbourne would be a good choice? We can show you the best tours. 4. What is the Great Ocean Road weather like? We cover that in our FAQ’s. 5. What are the best attractions, things to see and where to stop along the way? We know the Great Ocean Road tour route really well and have detailed highlights on the map below. 6. What else is there to do? There is so much more to do! We have listed a load more things such as gourmet food places, micro breweries, suf schools and tree climbing parks at the end of the page. At the bottom of the page is a link to download a free PDF of this list of attractions along the Great Ocean Road. 50 OF THE BEST THINGS TO SEE ON A GREAT OCEAN ROAD TRIP Beginning in Melbourne and going along the Great Ocean Road in order of towns, attractions and things to do. 1. Melbourne – This is usually the starting point of a tour or road trip down the Great Ocean Road. Discover some of the best things to do in Melbourne – Fun Things To Do In Melbourne. 2. Geelong – The second largest city in Victoria, it is about 30 mins from the beginning of the ocean road trip and worth visiting if you have time. The esplanade is a fun place for families with an old fashioned carousel, swimming pool with a high dive board and painted bollards to giggle at. If you wanted to stay in Geelong there is plenty of good accommodation. 3. Torquay – This is where the fun starts! A popular little holiday town with surf shop outlets and the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre nearby. 4. Bells Beach – Famous for the Rip Curl Pro surfing challenge that is held every Easter weekend since the 1960s. It is also well known for featuring in the movie ‘Point Break’. 5. Anglesea is a really sweet little town with safe beaches where you can learn to surf, hire a kayak perhaps and visit kangaroos on the local golf course (you have to go to the clubhouse and book a tour of the course). You can also stay in the local caravan parkand see kangaroos there! 6. Point Addis, the beach here is just amazing! On the way down to the point, there is a walk called the ‘Koori Cultural Walk’ which is well worth doing. You can walk to a lookout point and return or continue on a number of tracks, one leads down to the beach. 7. Aireys Inlet is another sweet little seaside town with great beaches, cafes and a relaxed vibe. Visit the Split Point Lighthouse and follow walking trails along the beaches. 8. Great Ocean Road Sign. A definite ‘must stop’ on your journey! Pose for a photo, walk on the long, long, beach and read the historical plaques. 9. Lorne: The largest town along the Great Ocean Road and definitely the busiest. There is so much to do here, great beaches, playgrounds, cafes, and restaurants as well as fabulous shops. Walk to Erskine Falls from the town or relax… 10. Erskine Falls: The most popular waterfall in the Otways and a short drive from Lorne or do the 7.5 km hike (each way) from Lorne! The road in is steep and parking limited, not advisable to take a caravan down here! 11. Allenvale Mill Free Campground – This is a free campground which is walk-in only so you need to be prepared to carry camping gear in, it’s only a 5-minute walk and a great spot with ‘long drop’ loos. A number of walking tracks lead off from here. You can walk to the coast and the Cumberland River or visit more waterfalls, which is why this spot is included in our top 50 things to do. 12. Teddy’s Lookout, Lorne – A fab photo opportunity and a view that is often used in advertising for the Ocean Road. Drive or walk from Lorne, other walking tracks lead off from the lookout point, making Lorne an ideal base for full-day hikes, or even overnight if you wanted to carry a pack and camp at Allenvale Mill free-camp perhaps! Lorne is an excellent town to Find great accommodation choices for Lorne here. 13. Beach stop with parking for longer vehicles – So close to Lorne, this lovely beach has a large parking area so it is good for caravans etc. Walking tracks opposite lead up to Teddy’s Lookout and beyond. 14. Sheoak Falls – The falls are worth stopping for as the walk is quite pretty and the views good. Best seen in the winter or after heavy rains. Chasing waterfalls? Find all of them listed here. 15. Cumberland River – A super popular camping site with cabins to rent as well. The walks from the Cumberland River reserve are superb, climbing up into the Otways to Waterfalls alongside the river. The beach opposite is perfect for families. Find out prices to rent a cabin or camp. Or stay nearby in Lorne. 16. Artillery Rocks – This is a really interesting spot to stop. No signage, it is 12.5km/18 mins from Lorne. The rocks are eroded and stand up like ‘cannonballs’ hence the name. It is a very popular fishing spot. Be careful on the rocks as waves can come crashing in without warning. 17. Mt Defiance Lookout – A small car park area with good views along the coast and information plaque. 18. Shipwreck Memorial – The W.B. Godfrey, built in Greenock, Scotland, was shipwrecked at this site in 1891. Some remnants of the iron hull can still be seen at low tide. Worth stopping to read more of this fascinating history. 19. Wye River – A good beach stop to break up the journey and a popular pub with views. ‘Wye Not’ stop for a cuppa, book accommodation or camp overnight in the Big 4 Holiday Park. Lots of the properties here are named with a ‘wye…’ Wye Worry, etc… 20. Koalas in the wild at Kennett River – One of the best places to see Koalas in the wild! Kennett River is a tiny little village with a cafe and it gets super busy as everyone wants to see koalas! Drive along Grey River Road a few km’s and look out for the cuddly critters in the trees. If you stay in the area overnight, you can visit glowworms up in the forest too! 21. Cape Patton Lookout – Another good spot to stop and stretch your legs after driving the winding Ocean Road! Fantastic views along to Apollo Bay in the distance. 22. Carisbrook Waterfall – If you fancy another stop, this waterfall is a nice walk, uphill, with some good views. Best seen in winter/spring and after heavy rains. 23. Rocks and Cairns @ Carisbrook Creek – People started making cairns from the rocks on the beach here a few years ago and it has really caught on! After heavy seas, they tend to get knocked over, but people keep building them again. A good bit of fun, especially if you have kids in the car. 24. Apollo Bay – The second largest town on the Great Ocean Road but still a laid back and lovely place to stop. Plenty of parking, loads of accommodation and a safe beach that stretches for miles, plus free to use BBQs on the foreshore a skate park and playground!! This is a really good base to stay a few days and relax, hike or may do the waterfalls circuit drive up in the Otways. 25. Marriners Lookout – Spectacular views over Apollo Bay and a top spot to take a picnic perhaps. You can walk from the town or drive to the car park and then walk a short way. The road is quite steep and the parking limited, but worth a visit. 26. Elliot River – If you have time, this is a nice diversion and usually a quiet area to explore. The ‘Great Ocean Walk’ which is a 7-day hike to the 12 Apostles from Apollo Bay passes by here. You could even stay in Apollo Bay for the night and do some hiking? 27. Maits Rest Rainforest Walk – Stop here and walk! It is a must-see spot, even if you are only doing the Great Ocean Road in a day, add it to your itinerary. The wonderful old Myrtle Beech Trees and tall tree ferns are stunning. It only takes about 20 minutes, no to do. Small day tour buses usually always stop in here too, so you could always book a tour from Melbourne? 28.