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 12 Apostles

Giant Cobden Butter at the Cobden Pioneer Park
12 Apostles

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...

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12 Apostles

The Story of Port Campbell Rocket Crew - by Reid Webber

A fantastic insight into Port Campbell shipwreck history by our youngest local...

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12 Apostles

Shipwrecks of the 12 Apostles Coast

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12 Apostles

Heytesbury & District Historical Society

Visitors can view artefacts and displays connected to local settlement and shipwreck history. Shop for local arts and crafts,...

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Anchor at Wreck Beach
12 Apostles

Wreck Beach

The highly photographable anchors of the Marie Gabrielle and Fiji provide haunting reminders of the power of the ocean and the...

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Close up of the blacksmith plaque on the Cobden Story
12 Apostles

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...

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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...

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12 Apostles

Heytesbury Settlement Historical Park

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

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Cape Otway Lightstation Ariel view
12 Apostles

Cape Otway Lightstation

Cape Otway Lightstation is Australia’s most important lighthouse. The light established in 1848 is perched on towering sea...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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

Portland Cable Trams

Portland

Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre

Merino Old Stock Route Walking Trail

Merino

Barwon Park

Winchelsea

Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre

Breakaway Creek

Coragulac House

Coragulac

Follow our stories @visitgreatoceanroad

It’s picnic season so grab some local goodies, a picnic blanket and some friends and hit the road (when you can) 
#bookaheadbookdirect 

Here are some picnic location ideas: 🧺 

1. Anglesea River ( 4 Kings car park) 
2. Sheoak Picnic Ground, Lorne 
3. The Californian Redwood Forest, Otways
4. Mariners Lookout, Apollo Bay 
5. Port Campbell foreshore 
6. Lake Pertobe in Warrnambool 

Oh and if you need some ideas for some local goodies to collect along the way checkout:  @surfcoaststrawberryfields 🍓 @surfcoastpicnic 
🍫 @greatoceanrdchocolaterie @greatoceanroadgin @12apostlesfoodartisans @otwayharvesttrail 🧀 @saltbrewingdeansmarsh 
@platypichocolate @forrestgeneralstore @greatoceanroadbakery @tastesoftheregion 🍦

@visitmelbourne @australia #greatoceanroad #bookaheadbookdirect #holidayherethisyear #stayclosegofurther
You’re never to old for rock pooling,  right? 
#bookaheadbookdirect #missingyou #greatoceanroad #visitmelbourne #holidayherethisyear @australia @visitmelbourne @exploresurfcoast @micro_adventurist #52greatweekends
Where’s your favourite lookout in the Port Campbell National Park? 

Loch Ard Gorge has to be in the top three?  Local Tip: See it from the sky with @12apostleshelicopters 🚁 

@visit12apostles @visitmelbourne @australia #iamportcampbell #portcampbell #greatoceanroad #victoria #australia @micro_adventurist
Reminiscing about our Great Weekend in Portland. 

Wander the beautifully maintained historic streets, dine at the many harbourside pubs and restaurants, visit the nearby 2000 local resident Australian and Fur seals and discover deserted beaches in Portland. 

#52greatweekends #Portland @micro_adventurist 
@visitmelbourne @australia #bookaheadbookdirect #missingyou #holidayherethisyear #greatoceanroad #iamportland
Who can name these falls? 
*
*
We will give you a clue… 
You start the walk to these falls at the Sheoak Picnic area. 

#bookaheadbookdirect #greatoceanroad #lorne #lovelorne @exploresurfcoast @visitmelbourne @lauraalycebell 👏 #holidayherethisyear #stayclosegofurther 
#iamotways @australia
Anglesea is a year-round playground for the adventurous and curious. With a seemingly endless supply of spectacular beaches, adventure activities and nature experiences, you’ll have to schedule carefully to leave enough time to sample the local produce. @exploresurfcoast @angleseaadventure 

#bookaheadbookdirect #iamanglesea @visitmelbourne @australia #stayclosegofurther #missingyou #greatoceanroad #anglesea #angleseariver
Make sure you save this one for future reference 😜 

@safari.global @visitmelbourne @australia #missingyou #greatoceanroad #iamgreatoceanroad #holidayherethisyear #stayclosegofurther
Now is the perfect time to get fit and plan your Great Ocean Walk. 

Rehash - Great Weekend #11 ~ THE GREAT OCEAN WALK 🥾 

Starting at Apollo Bay and finishing with a hikers-only view of the Twelve Apostles, the full 8-day Great Ocean Walk is over 90 kilometres long. But walkers of nearly any ability can make their own once-in-a-lifetime adventure – tackling shorter ½ day walks, day walks, overnight walks or multi-day trips. @micro_adventurist 

#greatoceanwalk @visitmelbourne @australia @parksvic @visit12apostles @visit_apollobay @auswalkingholidays

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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.