Let the family ‘Choose their own adventure’ these school holidays with a road trip along the Great Ocean Road. Explore sandy beaches and the Redwood Forest, learn to surf on gentle rolling waves then jump, bounce and flip on 360degree trampolines. Make sure to chase the countless plunging waterfalls of the Otways, walk the paths of the towering coastal clifftops, enjoy the coast’s best fish and chips on the beach and then top the holiday off with an award-winning ice cream. It’s a great call to spend the spring break road tripping along the Great Ocean Road.
Exhilarate the senses with a Torquay Surfing Academy surf lesson at the home of surfing. Their motto is ‘Real surfers teaching real surfing’ so whether you’re a beginner or an experienced surfer looking for some pro tips they have you covered.
The Surf Academy is located just a two-minute walk from the beach – but the real schooling happens in the surf. In under two minutes you’ll have your wetsuit on, foam board in hand and be warming up with an on-sand demo at Cosy Corner before hitting the waves. For two hours the surf coaches are in the water with you giving you a little extra push when needed. You’ll be on your feet in no time!
The whole family will jump at the chance to bounce, flip and race on the 360degree trampolines at Jumpz. Located at the Great Ocean Road Resort this unique outdoor facility lets kids bounce off walls, literally.
It’s rumoured there are over 400 in The Great Otway National Park. One not to miss is the roaring Hopetoun Falls, plummeting 30m into the Aire River. Soak up view from the upper platform (20m from the carpark) or descend the 200 steps – the kids will love feeling the fine spray on their faces. The lower platform is roughly a 1km, 30m minute trip but don’t worry, there’s a rest stop at the bottom if big or little kids need to rest their legs.
Not too far away is another must-see of the Otways — The Redwood Forest. The Aire River flows through the forest and its banks are lined with native ferns that make way for the towering 85year-old California Redwoods. On this 500m easy walk the whole family wander through their massive trucks, jump over fallen logs and gaze up at an awe-inspiring canopy. The lack of undergrowth muffles sound making it feel like an enchanted forest — you could imagine that fairies might just live here.
The Surf Coast Walk offers a stunning 44km journey of natural beauty, charming coastal villages, abundant wildlife and inspiring landscapes. The great thing about the Surf Coast Walk is that it doesn’t have to be done in on go. It can be split into 12 unique trails, each with a distinct start and end, usually located at a carpark.
Set out from the Torquay, the start of the Great Ocean Road through the living landscapes of Anglesea and Airey’s Inlet to the wild shores of Fairhaven. Stroll the iconic Bells Beach and soaring cliffs of Anglesea making sure to enjoy a few refreshing pit-stops along the way. Marvel at the marine and national parks, beach comb the uncrowded beaches and let the lighthouse be your guide to Airey’s Inlet. Relish the awe-inspiring lookouts along the way, you might even spot whales!
For the best fish and chips on the coast make sure to stop in at the famous
‘Fish By Moonlite’, located right in the heart of Anglesea. Now that the weather is warming up, take your freshly cooked bounty to the beach or enjoy it on the banks of Anglesea River.
The road trip doesn’t have to end there. Make sure to book a tasting session and try some of the best chocolate and ice cream in Australia. With free entry, tastings and the opportunity to watch European trained chocolatiers at work, the kids and the kids at heart will love to immerse themselves in this unique chocolate experience. Tempt yourself with the limited-edition flavours and one-off creations made onsite or enjoy a selection of sweet and savoury treats with a coffee at the onsite cafe before hitting the road for home.
Spending the spring holidays on the Great Ocean Road? Great Call!
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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.
