Cycling the Surf Coast
The Great Ocean Road offers some of Australias finest cycling, with world-famous coastal scenery and an ever-changing hinterland providing great opportunities for all levels of cyclists, from families to seasoned professionals.
Cycling is one of the most pleasant ways to enjoy the Great Ocean Road. There are 11 rides download as Acrobat files, with facts about distance, degree of difficulty, a topographical profile, the nearest railway station or bus stop, where to park your car, where to start and places of interest.
Coastal rides
Surf Coast Ride(65km)
A 65km loop out of Torquay combining some of the most scenic elements of the Surf Coast including rollings hills, heathland, the Great Ocean Road and Torquay Esplanade.
Bells Beach to Breamlea (60km)
Beginning at Torquay and up and down a few steep hills out to Bells Beach. Past the Ironbark Basin and rolling hills, past the wetlands around Lake Connewarre and the dunes at Breamlea, you will begin to appreciate the diversity of this wonderful coastal environment.
Lorne Coast & Mountains Ride (35km)
Almost 9km of continuous climbing means this ride is not for the faint-hearted. You can rest along the way, at Blanket Leaf Picnic Ground and Erskine Falls (after a steep descent). The unsealed Benwerrin-Mt Sabine Road leads to Mt Cowley before an exhilarating, winding descent back to Lorne.
Bush rides
Anglesea Forest and Flowers Ride (48km)
Anglesea is a township lucky enough to enjoy the very best of beach and bush. It is also a mountain biking mecca with the townships bush and hinterland ideal for exploration. Between August and November, the hills burst into colour as wildflowers bloom in their thousands.
Anglesea Adventure Rides (Various)
Experience the scenic bushy surrounds of Anglesea on one of many mountain-bike trails. The tracks are moderate to advanced skill ranging from 7.8km to 20.3km.
Riding in the Otways (50km)
A loop from Forrest exploring the Great Otway National Park. Grey gums and Messmates provide a stunning back drop to this section of the ride. Ride along a ridge line to the fern-lined banks of King Creek before reaching the Lake Elizabeth cycle/walking track back to Forrest.
Great Ocean Road
There are 4 stages totalling 276.8km. Its unique nature makes the journey dangerous and unforgiving in places and we strongly recommend that only experienced touring cyclists should attempt this ride. For those who do attempt it – with its golden, sandy beaches, rainforests and rugged coast – riding the ‘Road’ can be a truly rewarding adventure.
Getting to the Surf Coast with your bike
There are a number of ways of getting you and your bike to the region, with Geelong, the eastern gateway to the region, at the hub of an extensive road network that connects the city with major centres. A freeway links Geelong with Melbourne and Melbourne Airport, about an hour away. Trains regularly run between Geelong and Melbourne, and connect with Warrnambool. By Bicycle Whilst bicyclists are permitted to use the Princes Fwy (M1) between Melbourne and Geelong (but not the West Gate Freeway), the freeway provides a direct link for freight traffic between manufacturing areas in between the two cities and also caters for commuter traffic. Consequently, for safety reasons, we strongly recommend travelling by train to Geelong or Warrnambool to begin your cycling journey of the region.
By Car: It may not be the most environmentally-friendly transport option but with its good road network, the region is ideal for touring by car or campervan, your own or rented. Parking should not be a problem as the rides have been designed to start and finish from areas with ample free parking, although riders should be aware that long weekends can be busy.
REMEMBER: If you use bike racks, please remove the rack once you reach your destination.
By Air: Melbourne Airport, for domestic and international flights, is just an hour from Geelong. Avalon Airport, home of Jetstar, for domestic flights to and from Sydney and Brisbane, is just 20 minutes from Geelong.
Gull Airport Shuttle Service operates between Melbourne Airport and Geelong and carries paying passengers bicycles free. Bookings are essential (03) 5222 4966.
Avalon Airport Shuttle can be contacted on (03)52 788 788
By Water: Make your connection via the car and passenger ferry across Port Phillip Bay. The Peninsula Searoad Transport Service is available every hour (7am-6pm, with an extra 7pm service December 26 until the end of daylight saving) from Sorrento and carries bicycles for $2 one way, in addition to the rider who is charged as a foot passenger.
Phone: (03) 5258 3244 or Visit the website
By Coach: The key coach companies, Greyhound Pioneer and McCaffertys, have regular services to Geelong. Both will carry bicycles for an additional fee.
Greyhound Pioneer (13 20 30) requires bicycles to be correctly packed with front wheel off and taped to the frame, and chain covered, and charge $15 per sector.
McCaffertys (13 14 99) charges $45 per sector for an assembled bike and $25 per sector for a disassembled bike (front wheels & pedals removed, handlebars turned).
By Public Transport: Rides have been designed to be accessible by public transport with the nearest railway station or bus stop included in each rides details.
V/Line operates regular inter-urban rail services between Melbourne (Spencer Street) and Geelong. V/Lines bicycle policy varies depending on the type of train used. On the older-style trains bicycles are carried in the guard van, while on the newer "Sprinter" trains there is only room for two bicycles per train. In both cases there is a charge of $3.50 per bike per single journey. Book your bicycle in a day or so beforehand.
West Coast Railway (03 5222 5900) operates three times a day from Melbourne via Geelong to Warrnambool, stopping along the way at Winchelsea, Birregurra, Colac, Camperdown and Terang and also charges $3.50 per bike per single journey to carry bicycles in guard vans. West Coast Rail can also cater for groups of cyclists but bookings are essential.
A V/Line coach service (Advance Tours) operates from Geelong Railway Station and along the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay four times on weekdays and twice a day on weekends. The V/Line Coastlink service operates in both directions between Apollo Bay and Warrnambool on Fridays year-round, and on most Mondays during December and January (The coach stops at a number of locations, including Lavers Hill and the Twelve Apostles)
Contact: V/Line 13 61 96. (Please note: Bikes are not permitted inside buses) Both services can carry bicycles at no extra cost but on a space-available basis. There is a limited amount of luggage space on the coaches, so please dont turn up at a bus stop expecting a ride. Bookings are essential, especially on long weekends and school holidays. Suburban bus services, at present, do not carry bicycles.
REMEMBER: Always label your bike showing your name and destination station.
Safe riding tips
Ride Defensively
Cyclists are vehicles with full rights and responsibilities on the road. However, some other road users do not obey the rules and this puts the cyclist at risk. Always be alert and aware that you may sometimes need to give up your right of way. Alternatively, as a cyclist you must know and obey the rules and sometimes use your bike sense. Be aware by regularly scanning around you.
Ride Predictably
Make your intentions known early on so that other road users or path users can predict your movements.
Make Contact
Make sure drivers turning a corner or waiting at an intersection have seen you by making eye contact.
A Mechanically Sound Bicycle
Dont put yourself or your riding partners at risk or inconvenience by riding a bicycle that is not in good working order. Service your bike regularly, check your brakes and tyres before heading out and always carry a repair kit. It is important to know how to change both front and rear tyre tubes.
Be seen, be safe
Visibility is important day and night. During the day, wear light and bright colours. If you have to ride at night reflective vests or jackets are recommended. If riding at night, laws in Victoria require you to have a white light at the front of your bike and a red light at the rear. Reflectors on pedals and at the front and the rear are also advised. Dusk and dawn are also danger times for the well-camouflaged cyclist. Also try to avoid riding in wet weather as even a light shower can make roads slippery, make braking more difficult and make it difficult to see and be seen.
Keep hydrated
Always carry a water bottle and be sure to refill it at the refreshment stops along the way.
Be sun smart
Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen liberally, especially on the neck, arms and face. Make sure to re-apply often.
Know the road rules
Cyclists must ride within the rules set for all road users. There are also some specific rules that apply to cyclists.
- Cyclists must ride on the left side of the road in the same direction as the traffic flow.
- Ride no more than two abreast, however it is safer to ride in single file in heavy traffic.
- If you are turning right from the centre of the road, you must use a right hand signal. When turning left you do not have to signal but it is both wise and polite to do so.
- In Victoria, bicycle helmets must be worn. If purchased in Australia, the helmet should be of an Australian Standard (AS2063).
- All cyclists must obey traffic signals and road signs as do all other road users.
- If you are transporting your bike on a bike rack at the rear of your vehicle, you must have a bike rack numberplate to show the vehicles registration number. When your bike rack is not being used to transport bicycles, it must be removed from the car.
Shared pathways/trails
A Code of conduct applies to all off-road paths or trails.
- Keep to the left of the path and pass on the right only when it is safe to do so.
- Use your bell or horn to politely warn pedestrians that you are approaching from behind or when you are entering a blind corner. It is often difficult for pedestrians to hear a bicycle approaching. Make sure that you give ample notice so that the pedestrian is not startled as you pass.
- Remember that cyclists must give way to pedestrians.
Fire Safety
The Great Ocean Road region is recognised as one of the worlds most fire-prone areas. If you are planning to cycle during the high fire danger period (usually October 30 to April 30) please take care and do not ride on days of Total Fire Ban. For information on fire restrictions and Total Fire Ban Days, contact the Country Fire Authority on 13 15 99.
The bicycle safety tips are brought to you by the Barwon Community Road Safety Council