Maryborough Castlemaine 20 min Stawell Avoca Halls Gap GRAMPIANS Ararat Smeaton 3 hrs Daylesford 45 min 1 hr 30 min Creswick BALLARAT 1 hr 30 min GOLDFIELDS 1 hr 30 min Ballarat Ballan Dunkeld Hamilton Melbourne 30 min Werribee Penshurst 30 min Lismore 1 hr 30 min GEELONG & Mortlake 2 hours Geelong 30 min THE BELLARINE Heywood Camperdown 20 min 45 min Queenscliff Searoad Vehicle Ferry Torquay Port Fairy Sorrento Colac 40 min Portland Warrnambool Anglesea 20 min Timboon Lorne 1 hr 45 min Port Campbell Princetown Lavers Hill Twelve Apostles Apollo Bay Port Campbell BASS STRAIT Naonal Park 1 hr 30 min Cape Otway GREAT OCEAN ROAD VICTORIA · AUSTRALIA GeelonG • Great ocean r oad • Grampians • ballarat GSDM11674 GrEATSOUTHErNTOURING.COM.AU An energetic, sophisticated city with a laid-back, foodie fantasy in its backyard. Geelong is a regional hub preened for the A couple of blocks uptown in the Arts and Culture Poke around the Bellarine’s villages – 21st century with a ‘can’t miss’ list longer precinct, the Geelong Gallery and Geelong Portarlington, Ocean Grove, Queenscliff, Drysdale, than your imagination. Just beyond, the Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) are at the heart of Point Lonsdale and Barwon Heads – and you’ll beautiful Bellarine beckons with beaches, a vibrant regional arts community. Free admission unearth unforgettable experiences. Quiet beaches, villages and legendary restaurants. at the gallery lets the whole family delve into harbour-side cafés, antique shops, book stores. the diverse collection before taking in a live Queenscliff is renowned for its November music A leisurely hour’s drive from Melbourne, Geelong performance at GPAC. festival, heritage streetscapes and ferry terminal. boasts a brilliant bay and a vibrant waterfront The region’s fascinating indigenous culture, Why not get aboard and cruise across the bay to precinct that’s perfect for strolling and letting the stretching back thousands of years, is on show Sorrento? Tour operators offer a range of eco- kids run free. Explore the Baywalk Bollard Trail at Narana Creations Aboriginal cultural centre. adventures, fishing charters, dive trips and cruise and its whimsical characters that breathe life into tours out of the modern Queenscliff Harbour, the city’s heritage. Then choose from an array of If wine is your tipple or your passion, you’ll where you can also climb a tower for a 360 degree restaurants, cafés, bars and eateries overlooking love sampling the delights of the Geelong Wine view or savour fresh-off-the-boat seafood. the stunning waterfront. Region. Wineries, many with cellar doors, are dotted around the three sub-regions and offer Five of Australia’s top 50 rated public access golf Wander shore-side past parkland and the yacht award-winning vintages, boutique intimacy and courses are located in this region – a great reason marina to a vintage carousel and boardwalks, sumptuous regional food. to pack your clubs and plan for a golfing getaway. all against a backdrop of boat cruises, chopper rides and seaplane joyrides. In the distance the The Bellarine is Geelong’s not-so-secret hidden Geelong & The Bellarine brims with everybody’s granite peaks of the You Yangs entice with picnic treasure – a semi-rural community that punches favourite things: sandy beaches, inspiring grounds, mountain bike trails, walking tracks and well above its size for fabulous gourmet food, fine walking trails, art spaces, unique shopping, tours, abundant wildlife. restaurants and laid-back eateries. adventures and food that’s to sigh for. It’s where You’ll find celebrity chefs, foragers, artisan the best of city, country and coast merge. growers and slow food buffs. Drool over award- winning craft beer lists and organic wineries. Don’t miss a thing – follow the Bellarine Taste Trail and choose from around 60 operators throwing out their welcome shingle. Where a life-changing road journey is just a drop in the ocean of thrills and adventures on offer. Showcasing some of the world’s most The all-season resort town of Lorne is your go-to The seaside village of Port Campbell, nestling dramatic scenery, the Great Ocean Road place for lunch. It’s where cosmopolitan meets on a horseshoe-shaped bay, is famous for fresh region is much more than a road trip coastal retreat – a funky shopping and café strip seafood, ocean views and a relaxed pace of – it’s a coast-hugging experience you’ll clustered in a picture-perfect setting of sublime shopping and dining. beach and glorious rainforest. Perfect for beach never forget. And never want to leave. The regional centre of Warrnambool is steeped strolling, alfresco dining, whale spotting and in seafaring heritage. Put your anchor down for a Kick off your adventure at Torquay on the people watching. day or two and explore the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Surf Coast, the cradle of Aussie surf culture. Apollo Bay is laid-back and lovely - a great Village, an interactive 1870s streetscape and Explore the Surf World Museum or watch stop-over within easy reach of the region’s top museum. Don’t miss ‘Shipwrecked” – a stunning world-class waves roll in at iconic Bells Beach attractions. Discover the Cape Otway Lightstation sound and laser show. where international surfers ride out the annual perched high on the seacliffs at the coastline’s Rip Curl Pro. Treat the kids to a surf lesson or Just west of Warrnambool, the Tower Hill Wildlife most southerly point. Head inland and elevate shop your heart out in the birthplace of iconic Reserve boasts prehistoric volcanic landforms and your spirits with a treetop walk or zip line through surf brands. native creatures aplenty. the rainforest near the timber town of Beech The Great Otway National Park straddles the Forest. If walking is more your pace, tackle a The delightful fishing village of Port Fairy rounds coast and hinterland from Torquay to Princetown. little or a lot of the 104km Great Ocean Walk out the western reaches of this region of Think: cool temperate rainforest, ancient tall embracing the coast from Apollo Bay. incredible contrasts. From rugged coast to rural timber, cascading waterfalls and abundant wildlife. hinterland, it’s an eye-popper and show-stopper From Princetown, the Port Campbell National Park With 103,000 hectares of nature to cycle, walk at every turn. wraps up one of Australia’s most famous stretches or drive, you’re assured an awesome enviro of coast including London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge experience and a trail less travelled. and the legendary Twelve Apostles. Take in the Pause a while at the Memorial Arch at Eastern beauty of these nature-sculpted rock forms from a View to reflect on our fallen soldiers of World chopper, a cliff-top viewing deck or clamber down War I and the returned servicemen who built Gibson Steps for a brilliant beach vantage point. the Great Ocean Road between 1918 and 1932. Soul-stirring, spiritual and adventurous – the Grampians will rock your world. There are more than 400 million There are a number of waterfalls, the best known Many of the walks are designed to take in the years of history in the Grampians, the MacKenzie Falls, one of four in the MacKenzie views and also the Aboriginal rock art sites found verdant mountains rising from the vast River Gorge. Spring, when it is framed by in the area. There are a number of strategically landscapes of the Western District plains. wildflowers, is the best time to visit Beehive Falls, placed lookout platforms on the Mt Victory Road, They are the setting for the largest an easy walk from Roses Gap. the main road leading to the most accessible viewing areas of the National Park. collection of Aboriginal rock art Other natural features in the region include in Australia. the Kanawinka Geopark. Highlights include A walk at twilight, or even at night offers the Mt Rouse, Mt Eccles and Nigretta Falls. chance to see some of the nocturnal native animals including owls, possums and koalas. The Aboriginal history of the region dates back Visitors have little trouble finding great food more than 10,000 years. Brambuk, the National and wine to go with the brilliant scenery of the More than 200 bird species live in the Grampians Park and Cultural Centre in the Grampians Grampians. Vines were first planted in the region and kangaroos abound throughout. National Park, is a ‘must do’ for visitors keen to in the 19th Century. Today they produce sparkling There are a number of towns and villages within learn about local Aboriginal culture and pick up wines, crisp whites and classic reds. A ‘must do’ is the Grampians region offering travellers excellent the best information and interpretation of the a wander through the kilometres of underground accommodation and fine dining opportunities national park. cellars at Seppelts - Great Western. Wines can be including Dunkeld, Hamilton, Ararat, Stawell and purchased at the cellar door. The Grampians offer many adventure activities Halls Gap which is located in the heart of the including rock-climbing, walking, or just enjoying The Grampians National Park has many excellent National Park. the view from the many lookouts perched on walks, some easy, some demanding like climbs to craggy mountain tops. the top of Mt Sturgeon, the Pinnacle, Mt Abrupt and Mt William – the highest peak in the National Park. A gold-tinged region that glistens with history and blissful indulgence. Ballarat is the gateway to the Goldfields Blood on the Southern Cross, a dramatic and Daylesford and Hepburn Springs combine under region. The city’s classic colonial fiery sound and light show, retells the story of the the title of Australia’s Spa Capital - places to really architecture stretched out along broad, bloody uprising each night at Sovereign Hill, one stay in the lap of luxury.