Outdoor Activities

The Great Ocean Road is your go-to spot for the best outdoor activities in Victoria. If you’re looking for your next hobby or love being outdoors, you’ll find relaxing walks in nature and surfing, biking, or fishing are just the tip of the iceberg, so there’s something for everyone in our outdoor activity guides. 

If surfing is your thing, or you’ve always wanted to give it a go, the coastline offers world-class surfing spots and for those less keen on the water there are plenty of scenic hiking trails through rainforests and along rugged cliffs.

For adrenaline junkies, take on the thrilling zip-line courses high above the trees or pick up serious speed mountain biking downhill. Look for more adventurous things to do in Victoria and start planning your next adventure today.

Biking

The Great Ocean Road and surrounding areas has a wide array of courses and facilities for cyclists - whether you're a road cyclist, love the energy of mountain biking or are searching for a cruisy...

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Camping

Sleep under the stars, along a river, next to the ocean (or all three) when you're camping on and around the Great Ocean Road. From family friendly holiday parks to parking your RV in one of your...

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Driving

See the Great Ocean Road at your own pace. Plan your route, follow an itinerary or make it up as you go. Driving the Great Ocean Road is an experience like no...

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Fishing

Ocean, beach, estuary, river and lake, all within your reach with backdrops that will take your breath...

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Golf

With some of the most highly rated public access courses in Australia located within the Great Ocean Road region it's little wonder many of the visitors who arrive are toting a set of golf...

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Surfing

From friendly forgiving beginner waves to learn on, to some of the world surfing pros' favourite surf spots - the Great Ocean Road coast is filled with opportunity. The Great Ocean Road region has...

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Trails and Lookouts

There's no better way to communicate with nature and checkout the scenery, than to lace up you comfy shoes, strap on a backpack and hit the...

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Walking

The Great Ocean Road region is a natural for walking, hiking, rambling and ambling, whatever your ability or experience level. There's no better way to communicate with nature and check out the...

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Water Activities

Diving, snorkelling, rock pooling, boogie boarding, paddle boarding and more. There's plenty of ways to get in the water around the Great Ocean...

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Explore All Outdoor Activities in Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Panoramic view of lake Purrumbete
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Lake Purrumbete

Lake Purrumbete is an attractive volcanic lake that fishes well for trout and chinook salmon. With an average depth of 45m and a...

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Panoramic view of Lake Corangamite
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Lake Corangamite

Lake Corangamite is the largest permanent salt-water lake in Australia, with a surveyed area of over 23,000...

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Female cycling along the Terang and Noorat bike trail
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Terang and Noorat Bike Trail

This is a great trail with views north towards Mount Noorat and south towards the rise of Terang and its distinctive crown of...

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Male taking in the panorama
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Harman's Valley Lookout

Harman Valley Lookout showcases one of the best examples of lava flow constricted by a valley in the...

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Panoramic view of Mount Noorat with the plains in the background
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Mount Noorat summit and crater loop 2.4km

Distance: 2.4km Elevation:...

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Girl sitting on the river bank
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Fishing Local Rivers

From the volcanic plains and Otway Ranges to the coast our rivers and streams traverse a landscape of lakes, conical peaks,...

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Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Adventure is at your fingertips

Come and experience the stunning natural surrounds of the Volcanic Lakes and Plains. Use our interactive map to plan your...

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Lady sitting at the edge of the lake with her feet over the edge of a deck
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Cobden Lake

Cobden Lake is fed by Cobden Creek and has a paved walk and viewing platforms around it’s circumference. Visitors can enjoy...

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Wannon Falls in full flow
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Wannon Falls

Wannon Falls, located in the Southern Grampians, presents a spectacular display of water flowing down the falls into a deep...

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Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Mount Elephant

Visible from 60 kilometres in every direction, Mount Elephant dominates the landscape and now you have the chance to put yourself...

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Panoramic view of Deep Lake
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Deep Lake Recreation Reserve

Deep Lake is just 4.5km from the beautiful township of Derrinallum in South West Victoria and is located just off the Hamilton...

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Volcanic Lakes & Plains

A Mount, 3 Lakes, Cake & Coffee

Distance 46.8km Elevation gained:...

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View of the waterfall in full flow
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Nigretta Falls

Nigretta Falls is a small waterfall set in outstanding scenery. The waterfall is considered more spectacular than Wannon Falls,...

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Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Ballarat Skipton Rail Trail

Enjoy this wonderful 53km, 106km return, trail in parts or plan a wonderful weekend meandering through historic goldfields sites,...

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View of the jetty leading into Lake Elingamite
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Lake Elingamite

The crater rim above the lake offers great views and a strong impression of the volcanic nature of the...

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Female on the Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail Trestle Bridge with a bicycle
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail

The completed 34km Camperdown to Timboon trail is a wonderful family adventure, dotted with statuesque trestle bridges and...

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View of the rotunda
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Tandarook Botanic Gardens

Tandarook Botanic Gardens, established in 1981, are located in a part of town and on a property that has had many...

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Female sitting on a rock on Mount Rouse overlooking the Volcanic plains
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Mount Rouse

Twenty minutes east of Hamilton lies the town of Penshurst, home to the extinct volcano Mount...

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Couple sitting on Mount Noorat
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Mount Noorat Walk

Alan Marshall Discovery Trail. One of Australia’s best preserved dry craters offering commanding views of surrounding peaks on...

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Female walking through the main entrance of the Camperdown Botanic Garden
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Camperdown Botanic Gardens

To the west of the township of Camperdown, at the top of a windswept hill, you will find the Camperdown Botanic Gardens and...

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Image of a couple on a bench on Mount Leura overlooking the Corancamite Shire plains
Volcanic Lakes & Plains

Mount Leura and Mount Sugarloaf

On a clear day the Grampians and Otway Ranges are easily picked from the mounted distance and direction...

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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...

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Be Inspired

Visit Great Ocean Road

Mountain Bike Trails of the Great Ocean Road

It’s never been easier to get out and spend the day on two wheels along the trails of the Great Ocean Road region. With bike hire, tours, and a...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Top 5 days out for families on the Great Ocean Road

Calling all families! Are you ready for some epic adventures and wild discoveries? Below are our picks for the best big days out for families in the...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Find fun outdoors this Autumn

The Great Ocean Road region is renowned for its beaches in summer but dig a little deeper and you will find iconic hikes and walking trails and...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Timboon, the perfect picnic spot!

Timboon is a picnic-ers paradise. With so much produce on offer as part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisan Trail, you can pick up an afternoon’s worth...

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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

4 Spring activities to clear the winter chills

You can visit the Great Ocean Road region at any time of year because each season brings its unique offerings. If you haven’t had the chance to...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Be a happy camper and plan ahead

Mountains, rivers, beaches, forests… the Great Ocean Road region has it all when it comes...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

How I did 3 days of the Great Ocean Walk in luxury

The beauty of the Great Ocean Walk is that you can choose how far you want to walk, how hard you want it to be, what you want to see…AS WELL AS...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Walk: A rollercoaster in nature

With a mix of beaches, clifftops, farmlands, rainforests and hinterland, Great Ocean Walk is a magnificent roller coaster of...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

Why Adrenalin is the Perfect Winter Warmer

I’ve lived in Apollo Bay my entire life and the best thing about winter on the Great Ocean Road is there’s no stopping those with a love for...

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Visit Great Ocean Road

The best selfie spots on the Great Ocean Road

There are so many epic places to grab that perfect photo – here are a few faves and a few ones you may not know...

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12 Apostles

Timboon - Port Campbell

Even though it doesn’t have a name yet, the trail from Timboon to Port Campbell is now open and is being enjoyed by many happy trail...

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Apollo Bay

4 Days of Adventure & Fine Food in Apollo Bay

Need a little indulgence and a slice of big nature escapism? This four-day Greatopian adventure will tick all the...

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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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Warrnambool

A Big Family Winter Weekend in Warrnambool

Time to round up the kids and head to the seaside city of FUN for the whole family in Warrnambool. A friendly and relaxed city that offers wildlife...

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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...

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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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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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Aireys Inlet

Discover the Surf Coast Hinterland from Aireys Inlet

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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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Lorne

6 Ways to love Lorne like a local

As local residents, we fall in love with Lorne every day, no matter what the...

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Find an Outdoor Adventure Tour

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism

Breakaway Creek

Warrnambool Tours

Warrnambool

Revitalise Escapes

Torquay

Go Ride A Wave – Anglesea

Anglesea

Lorne Tours

Lorne

South West Adventures

Portland

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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.