Great Ocean Road: route guide

The road runs west from Torquay through Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay, then turns inland through the Otway rainforest to Princetown, Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles. From there it continues to Warrnambool and joins the Princes Highway.

Heading west keeps the ocean on your left, which is why most drivers do the route in that direction. The section between Anglesea and Apollo Bay is the slowest: expect tight curves, cyclists and few overtaking lanes. Distances and drive times below are estimates for a car without stops; check current figures before you plan fuel and daylight.

Most drivers start from Melbourne and reach the road via Geelong and Torquay. Trains run from Southern Cross station to Geelong, with buses continuing closer to Torquay, so you can rent a car outside the city and avoid Melbourne traffic and hook turns.

Torquay to Lorne is the warm-up. Torquay has surf shops and Bells Beach nearby; Anglesea is a small town with a river mouth and golf course kangaroos. Lorne is the first place worth a proper stop: a beach, a pier and a short walk to the Erskine Falls in the hills behind town.

Lorne to Apollo Bay is the scenic highlight of the drive. The road hugs the cliffs, with lookouts at Cape Patton and a string of small beaches. Apollo Bay is the natural overnight stop: a working fishing town with a long beach and enough places to eat and sleep.

Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles crosses the Otways. You can stay on the coast road through Princetown or detour inland to the tall trees and waterfalls around Cape Otway. Allow extra time for wildlife on the road at dusk. The Twelve Apostles viewing platforms are the busiest single stop on the route; go early or late to avoid the coach crowds.

Port Campbell to Warrnambool covers the rest of the highlights: Loch Ard Gorge, the Arch, London Bridge and the Bay of Islands. Warrnambool is a large town with train connections back to Melbourne, which makes it a sensible place to end a one-way drive.

Summer (December to February) is the warmest and busiest stretch, especially between Christmas and New Year. Book accommodation weeks ahead and start driving early if you want quieter lookouts.

Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are the sweet spot: milder days, fewer people and cheaper rooms. Winter (June to August) is wet, windy and cool, but the coast looks dramatic and the Twelve Apostles are far quieter. Rain is possible in any month, so pack a waterproof layer.

Whatever the season, the drive is best done in daylight. Wildlife is active at dawn and dusk, and the coastal road has no lighting. Check the forecast and local conditions before you set out (check).

Apollo Bay is the most practical overnight stop: it sits roughly halfway, has motels, holiday parks, hostels and self-catering houses, and restaurants open late enough for a driving day. Lorne is the other main option, with a wider range of hotels and a livelier town centre, but it is closer to Melbourne, which makes the second day longer.

Port Campbell is small but well placed for sunrise at the Twelve Apostles; book early in summer because beds are limited. Warrnambool at the western end has the largest choice of accommodation and a train station. Campers have several holiday parks and bush camps along the route, some of which need bookings.

You need a car, a campervan or a seat on an organised tour. Melbourne rental desks often close around 6pm, so a same-day return from the city is tight; renting in Geelong after a train from Southern Cross station avoids city traffic and hook turns. Fuel is scarce and pricier on the coast, so fill up in a larger town before the coastal stretch (check).

Mobile reception is patchy in the Otways (check). Carry water, sun protection and a warm layer even in summer, and check fire danger ratings on hot, windy days before setting out. If you plan to walk sections of the Great Ocean Walk between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles, allow up to eight days for the full route and book campsites in advance.

Drive on the left, watch for cyclists and wildlife, and pull into marked lookouts rather than stopping on the road. International visitors should check whether their licence is valid in Victoria or whether they need an international driving permit (check).