One of Melbourne's most popular day trips offers various tour options to see all the main highlights in just one day. You can visit these towns on our Great Ocean road day trip.
Great Ocean Road towns
The Great Ocean Road is a famous coastal drive in Australia, just an hour's drive from Melbourne.
Many coastal towns can be found along the road, offering a variety of attractions such as surf beaches, fresh seafood, and iconic sites like the Twelve Apostles.
Torquay
Torquay is known for its beaches, surf culture, and surf shops, earning it the title of Australia's surf capital.
The Surf Beach in Torquay is known for its waves and offers good photo opportunities. Walking up the hill, you'll be greeted with a grassy hilltop overlooking the beach. The sandy shore leads into the ocean, where surfers are positioned behind the brakes, waiting to catch waves.
Torquay is home to several surf and outdoor brands and is where the famous road begins. Additionally, it is recognized for its variety of surf breaks and as the birthplace of the surf brand Rip Curl.
Rip Curl started in the 60's with two friends making surfboards together. The brand has always been based in Torquay and has a history of designing surfboards and wetsuits. They started in garages and small workshops before becoming a well-known name in designing surf gear and sponsoring competitions.
Aireys Inlet
In 1983, the Ash Wednesday bushfires devastated two small towns along the Great Ocean Road. These bushfires were fueled by drought, hot weather, and strong winds in Victoria and South Australia. They were the second most severe bushfires in Australia's history, resulting in loss of lives and destruction of homes and properties. Airey's Inlet and Fairhaven on the Great Ocean Road suffered significant damage, with many buildings almost destroyed.
Recently, homes have been reconstructed, and the natural surroundings of the towns have recovered. It is difficult to believe that there were once devastating bushfires in the area while driving through.
Airey's Inlet is known for its Split Point Lighthouse. Photographers and walkers on the Surf Coast Trail frequent the area. The lighthouse is a popular tourist attraction and can be seen from different vantage points along the road. While once a working lighthouse, it now serves as a tourist attraction.
Fairhaven
Fairhaven is known for the iconic Pole House, built in 1979. The house is perched on a concrete pole, giving it the appearance of floating above the trees. It offers panoramic views of the coast, road, and beach below. The Pole House has undergone renovations and is now available as a holiday rental for the public.
The Memorial Arch near Fairhaven commemorates the 3000 service members who worked on and built the road from 1919 to 1932. The project involved carving a road into the rocky coastline and provided employment opportunities for returned service members after the First World War.
Visitors can currently access the Memorial Arch viewing area beside the road to see the memorial statue of soldiers building the road. Information boards, a memorial statue, and plaques provide details on the construction of the Great Ocean Road.
Lorne
Lorne is a famous seaside town known for its iconic status. It was one of the earliest towns on the Great Ocean Road to attract tourists and vacationers. Before the road was constructed, people would travel by boat to reach Lorne for their summer holidays and enjoy the beach.
Lorne is a popular holiday destination, especially for people from Melbourne. It offers a beach in the town and a national park in the hills behind it. The beach is suitable for swimming and learning to surf, with protection from big waves by a headland. The Pier to Pub Race is a famous ocean swimming event in the summer, drawing over 5,000 swimmers. The pier is a short walk from the town centre and is a good spot for fishing and enjoying coastal views.
You can enter the Great Otway National Park in the hills behind Lorne. Visitors have the opportunity to explore bush walks through native shrubs and tall eucalyptus trees. You can also explore areas of cool climate rainforest. Popular walks include Teddy's Lookout for coastal views and Erskine Falls for waterfalls and rainforests.
Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is a coastal town with a moderate population that remains relatively quiet due to its distance from Melbourne. However, during the summer holidays, it experiences an influx of visitors who come to enjoy the beach and sunny weather.
Apollo Bay is known for its fresh local seafood, with a marina in town where fishing boats bring in the day's catch. Visitors can enjoy seafood in various forms, such as fish and chips and scallop pie, from the bakery or at local restaurants and cafes.
Apollo Bay's beach stretches from the marina through the town and along the coast. The bay is relatively sheltered, ideal for swimming during the warmer months. The city is also near the Otway National Park, offering opportunities for various walks. These walks include paths through the rainforest, visits to waterfalls, and views of the towering Mountain Ash eucalyptus trees.
Port Campbell
Port Campbell is the nearest town to the well-known Twelve Apostles, iconic rock formations that are famous worldwide. The Great Ocean Road offers the opportunity to admire these limestone stacks by walking out to the Lookout on the cliff edge for a stunning view.
Port Campbell is a well-known destination for visitors exploring the Port Campbell National Park. This area, called the Shipwreck Coast, offers various lookouts, beaches, and rock formations. Learn more about the Twelve Apostles and other rock formations in our guide.
Port Campbell is a tranquil coastal town with various dining options, including restaurants and cafes. Visitors can enjoy locally sourced seafood. There are also numerous lodging choices, such as camping sites, hotels, motels, backpacker accommodations, and resorts.