History & Heritage

Did you know the Great Ocean Road itself was built by soldiers who returned from World War 1? Learn about the history of the diverse region, from our first people to stories of seafaring, shipwrecks and European settlement.

Explore All History & Heritage in Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Explore the charm of historic towns on the Princes Highway

We think this beautiful patch of the Great Ocean Road region between Colac and Terang makes for a great autumn road...

Explore
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Spend some time in Macarthur

Uncover a hidden gem. Settled on the banks of the Eumeralla River, Macarthur is the gateway to the spectacular Budj Bim National...

Explore
View of the historic Macarthur pub from the outside
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

History of Macarthur

The land surrounding the township of Macarthur is rich and fertile. Evidence of volcanic activity is obvious as Mt Eccles. About...

Explore
View of Simpson Lake with the rotunda in the background and a bench in the foreground
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Heytesbury Settlement Historical Park

The Heytesbury Settlement Historic Park is located on the banks of Simpson Lake and commemorates the development of the...

Explore
Couple sitting on Mount Noorat
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Dreaming of Scotland? Trek Victoria's Volcanic Lakes and Plains

With a winter carpet of emerald green, morning mist on sapphire lakes, hill walking and charming historic towns you could be...

Explore
Close up of the blacksmith sign on the Cobden Story trail
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

The Cobden Story

The Cobden Story is a series of signs that interpret key buildings, people and places around town. Pick up a map and see them...

Explore
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Camperdown Heritage Signs Trail

Take a stroll along Finlay Avenue and follow the Camperdown Heritage Signs Trail around...

Explore
Mount Noorat
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Alan Marshall Discovery Trail

Invoke, warm nostalgia and a flood of schoolyard memories on the Alan Marshall Discovery...

Explore
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Camperdown and District Historical Society Inc.

Explore
Guy leaning against a dry stone wall
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Dry Stone Walls

Western Victoria has up to 3,000km of the most dramatic and accomplished dry stone walls in Australia, historically and...

Explore
Female walking in front of the Camperdown Courthouse
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Courthouse Camperdown

For tips on how to make the most of your visit, gifts and warm local hospitality be sure to call into Courthouse Camperdown,...

Explore
Cobden Cheese and Butter sign at Cobden Pioneer Park
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Cobden Pioneer Park

Cobden Pioneer Park is open to the public on the third Sunday of each month from 11am to 4pm. It is also available for hire for...

Explore
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

A Glimpse into one of Victoria's Best Kept Secrets

Everything tastes better when enjoyed in the stunning setting of the Volcanic Lakes and Plains. Immerse yourself in the cultural...

Explore

Be Inspired

Visit Great Ocean Road

Follow the Lighthouse Trail

It’s a little known fact that there are five working lightstations operating across the coastline of the Great Ocean Road region between...

Explore
Visit Great Ocean Road

Historic leafy towns just 2 hours from Melbourne

What if we said you can see a scattering of extinct volcanoes, crater lakes and forests all within 100 kilometres of each other? Would you believe...

Explore
Visit Great Ocean Road

5 Facts you may not know about the Shipwreck Coast

There’s a section of coast between Cape Otway and Port Fairy in Victoria that holds a fascinating chapter in Australian maritime history. Base...

Explore
Visit Great Ocean Road

Walk in the footsteps of an 1800s lightstation keeper

When you visit the Cape Otway Lightstation, you’ll immediately get a sense of the wild, rugged and isolated life led by an 1800s lightstation...

Explore
Port Fairy

Story Towns Audio Tour Podcast

‘The Country to Coast Trail’ Designed for travellers, this podcast tour connects with creative communities, absorbs local knowledge, uncovers...

Explore
Warrnambool

Flagstaff Hill: Pioneers, shipwrecks & a sunken peacock

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum has everything you need to know about the shipwreck history along Victoria’s south west...

Explore
Port Fairy

Battery Hill Virtual Tour

Come along with our Visitor Information Centre (VIC) Tour Guide and enjoy one of the many picturesque walks around historic Port...

Explore
Port Fairy

The township of Port Fairy Virtual Tour

Come along with our Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre (VIC) Tour Guide and enjoy one of the many picturesque walks around historic Port...

Explore
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Explore the charm of historic towns on the Princes Highway

We think this beautiful patch of the Great Ocean Road region between Colac and Terang makes for a great autumn road...

Explore
Couple sitting on Mount Noorat
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Dreaming of Scotland? Trek Victoria's Volcanic Lakes and Plains

With a winter carpet of emerald green, morning mist on sapphire lakes, hill walking and charming historic towns you could be forgiven for thinking...

Explore
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

A Glimpse into one of Victoria's Best Kept Secrets

Everything tastes better when enjoyed in the stunning setting of the Volcanic Lakes and Plains. Immerse yourself in the cultural highlights of the...

Explore
Port Fairy

The Wharf and Port on the Moyne River Virtual Tour

Come along with our Port Fairy Information Centre (VIC) Tour Guide and enjoy one of the many picturesque walks around historic Port...

Explore
12 Apostles

Explore the Charm of Historic Towns on the Princess Highway

What if we said you can see a scattering of extinct volcanoes, crater lakes and forests all within 100 kilometres of each other? Would you believe...

Explore

Discover All Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Dartmoor Rail Trail

Dartmoor

Split Point Lighthouse Tours Aireys Inlet

Aireys Inlet

Mary MacKillop Stone Well

Portland

Great Ocean Road Story

Lorne

Coragulac House

Coragulac

History House

Portland

Let us inspire you

Sign up to get the latest deals, tours & events along the Great Ocean Road

Thank you for subscribing!

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.