Nature & Wildlife

The Great Ocean Road region offers so many different wildlife experiences – on land and in water in their natural habitat or ready made opportunities to get up close to the native fauna.

Beaches

From Torquay to Portland and beyond there are literally hundreds of bay and ocean beaches to choose from, and they are magnificent all year round. In summer they act as a cool retreat, while in...

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National Parks

Incredible coastal and inland national parks including the famous Great Otway National Park and Port Campbell National Park amongst...

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Rivers & Lakes

Beautiful lakes and rivers are scattered throughout the Great Ocean Road region, each with their own unique...

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Trails & Lookouts

Trails that lead to waterfalls, lookouts, iconic ocean vistas and volcanic plains. The diverse landscape of the Great Ocean Road region is just waiting to be...

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Waterfalls

With its diverse terrain and coastal margin, the entire Great Ocean Road region is a natural for waterfalls. Typically they offer shady respite from summer days and walkable access through forest...

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Whale Watching

Each year, the coastline plays host to 25 different species of migrating whales, including Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Blue Whales and Orcas. Try the Winter Whale Trail from the 12...

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Wildlife

The Great Ocean Road region locals inlude kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, platypus, koalas, glow worms, birds, seals, penguins and even the occasional migrating whale...just to name a...

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Explore All Nature & Wildlife in Warrnambool

Warrnambool

Tower Hill Reserve

Tower Hill, just to the west of Warrnambool, is one of the most fascinating geological formations in Victoria. It has an...

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Warrnambool

Hopkins Falls

Hopkins Falls are set in lush dairy country. They make an ideal picnic, fishing and walking spot, with gas BBQs and toilets...

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Warrnambool

Moyjil / Point Ritchie

About 35,000 years ago, a volcano (now known as Tower Hill) erupted, showering the surrounding land with ash, and subsequently...

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Warrnambool

Middle Island Penguins

Middle Island is located just off the Warrnambool foreshore and has a unique tale to...

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Warrnambool

10 Outings with the kids in Warrnambool

Warrnambool is a fantastic family-friendly destination. with bucket loads of things to do, from exciting locations to explore to...

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Warrnambool

Tour With A Local

Discover Local Secrets With Warrnambool...

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Warrnambool

First time visiting Warrnambool? Here's your ultimate guide.

There’s lots to see, do and experience in Warrnambool, so we’ve hand-picked a few essential need-to-knows to settle...

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Warrnambool

Beaches of Warrnambool

Swim, surf, sun and some silliness. Warrnambool is surrounded by coastline offing a mix of protected swimming beaches, exposed...

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Warrnambool

Botanical Gardens and Nature Based Play Space

Through the years the Warrnambool Gardens have remained an important part of the life of the...

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Warrnambool

Whale Watching in Winter

When you think of winter holiday destinations, you don’t automatically think of the beach do you?  Well in Victoria, many...

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Be Inspired

Visit Great Ocean Road

Top 7 things to do these Easter Holidays around the Great Ocean Road

A visit to the Great Ocean Road region during the Easter holidays will keep you so busy you will work off those Easter Eggs in no time! Whether you...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

A Sustainable Great Ocean Road Getaway

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most epic road trips, and a visit to Victoria would not be complete without spending some time in...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Dusk Discovery Tours at Wildlife Wonders

The perfect addition to your weekend plans. Running every Saturday...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

How and where to find Glow Worms

Do you know there are glow worms in the Great Otway National Park, just 10 minutes from Lavers Hill on the Great Ocean...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Want to know the most scenic spots? Here's your checklist.

The Great Ocean Road region, from Torquay to Nelson and inland to places like Casterton and Colac, has some of the beautiful and diverse scenery in...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

My favourite places to recentre and commune with nature

When I feel like it’s time to clear the cobwebs, I like to explore new places, commune with nature and re-centre myself. This time, I chose the...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

The rock formations of the Great Ocean Road

These massive rock formations, carved from the crashing waves and weather elements are big, beautiful and display the most magnificent colors that...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

6 Ways nature can soothe the soul

Spending time in nature on the Great Ocean Road at any time of the year is good for the soul. Here are six top spots revealed by a Parks Victoria...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Close encounters at Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park

The Great Ocean Road region is abundant with wildlife. You can see animals in the wild or, in our case, we visited them at the Great Ocean Road...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Q & A with Area Chief Ranger for Shipwreck Coast and Hinterland

Michael D Smith, is the Area Chief Ranger for Shipwreck Coast and Hinterland, Parks Victoria. Find out about his top tips for exploring the...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Farm Stays - a fun holiday for everyone

Staying on a farm is a unique way to holiday! Not only do you have lots of fresh air, open space and cute farm animals to yourself, you might just...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Tower Hill: A geological, wildlife and cultural wonder

Travel writer Silke was thrilled to find a dormant volcano near Warrnambool and to discover more about its geology and resident...

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Portland

Casterton - an inland trip worth exploring

If you’ve set up base in Portland for your summer holiday, you should know that there are some great inland day trips you can take to mix up your...

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Portland

Moonscapes & Mystical Caves

This stretch of the Great Ocean Road is much less visited than the icons to the east but rewards the intrepid traveller with some incredible sights...

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Otways

Only have 48hrs in the Otways? Here's your guide.

The Otways is enchanting, captivating, picturesque and just two hours west of Melbourne. If you’ve only got 48-hours to spend in the area,...

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Warrnambool

10 Outings with the kids in Warrnambool

Warrnambool is a fantastic family-friendly destination. with bucket loads of things to do, from exciting locations to explore to wildlife and...

Explore
Warrnambool

First time visiting Warrnambool? Here's your ultimate guide.

There’s lots to see, do and experience in Warrnambool, so we’ve hand-picked a few essential need-to-knows to settle you into your beach...

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Torquay

A Nurtured Environment

The entirety of the Surf Coast region is renowned for its pristine environment and there’s a strong local culture that has created...

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Aireys Inlet

Must do's in Aireys Inlet

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Aireys Inlet

Get a feel for Aireys Inlet

Aireys Inlet, a gorgeous coastal hamlet, gateway to the peaceful curves of the Great Ocean Road and the dramatic nature of the Great Otway National...

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Apollo Bay

Let the locals guide you in Apollo Bay

The team at Great Ocean Road Escapes are all locals, so it’s only natural that they suggest their favourite places to eat, shop and explore to...

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Aireys Inlet

Aireys Inlet - it's closer than you think!

Aireys Inlet is one of my favorite destinations on the Great Ocean Road. It’s under 2 hours from Melbourne (even less from Ballarat) and I can...

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Female touching the dry stone walls with Mount Elephant in the background
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Nature in the North

As residents of the area, how lucky we are to be used to the sight of rolling green hills, quaint towns and dramatic...

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Port Fairy

Tower Hill: A geological, wildlife and cultural wonder

It is hard to drive past Tower Hill Reserve on the highway from Warrnambool to Port Fairy and not be...

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Join a tour

Mile High Australia

Connewarre

Glenelg River Cruises

Nelson

Australian Walking Company

Johanna

Apollo Bay Surf and Kayak

Apollo Bay

Serenity Healing Geelong

Lorne

Spring Creek Horse Rides

Bellbrae

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.