Essential Eats: Winter Edition
Where to eat along the Great Ocean Road this winter.
The Great Ocean Road in winter is made for slow meals and big flavours. With the coast wild and the towns quiet, the region's restaurants shine brightest in the cooler months. Here are our top picks for winter dining along the Great Ocean Road.
Why: Some of the best things on the Great Ocean Road aren’t on the coast at all. Just 15 minutes inland, tucked inside a beautifully restored railway goods shed, the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery is the kind of place you stumble upon and never want to leave. This family-run gem handcrafts small-batch whisky, gin, rum, liqueurs and seasonal releases in traditional copper pot stills.
Why: Your Great Ocean Road road trip just got a lot more interesting. The Great Ocean Road Distillery is your chance to taste the coast in a glass. Guided tastings of their full coastal gin and vodka range are available by appointment, giving you an up-close look at the craft behind every bottle. Pop in mid-week for bottle and can sales, and you might just catch the Still doing its thing in the background.
Pippies by the Bay Restaurant
Why: If there’s one restaurant that deserves a detour on the Great Ocean Road, it’s Pippies by the Bay. Now settled in the coastal town of Port Fairy, this favourite is serving up modern Australian cuisine. Think fresh local seafood, beautiful produce, and a wine list that’ll have you staying for just one more glass.
Sugar High Confectionary – Home of Warrnambool Fudge
Why: Consider this your permission to go full kid in a candy store. Sugar High Confectionery in the heart of Warrnambool is pure, and unapologetic fun. Giant Pick ‘n’ Mix walls packed with Australian and international favourites, the famously creamy locally made Warrnambool Fudge, and more that will stop you in your tracks.