Sunny? Time for a cocktail. Raining? Time for a cocktail. Celebrating? Catching up with mates? Going on a date? …cocktails. Lucky for you there are so many great places on the Great Ocean Road to try and they all have their own unique charm.
Here are 5 to get you started.
The ultimate fine dining experience steps away from the Anglesea River, celebrating artisans and producers in the region. Here you’ll find stunning classic cocktails and others crafted with the locals in mind including Great Ocean Road Gin, Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Bells Beach Spirits Co.
Inspired by good times and good cocktails, Frolic Lane is almost like visiting someone’s fancy house. Take a seat in a velvet chair with your Gin Blossom, or in their library inspired room with a 100 year Negroni cocktail or if the weather is fine, take it outdoors with a Frolic Sour.
Where the spirit of Apollo Bay comes alive — through their gin. Just over the road from the beach with plenty of sunny spots to pull up a chair, or to take shelter inside if need be, but still enjoy the view. Try one of their unique cocktails with their handcrafted exotic gins distilled on site using local botanicals or a gin tasting. The Apollo Crush is a local fave.
Merrijig Inn is just a must-visit if you’re in Port Fairy with its old town charm tied with its own quirky twist and not to mention stellar garden bar. This absolute gem serves up classic and bespoke cocktails and always with a smile.
With their own Bob Sugar x Great Ocean Road Gin collab, you know Bob means business when it comes to cocktails. Right on the Torquay Esplanade overlooking the ocean it’s the perfect spot to try one (or three) or “Bob’s Cocktails”. A Bangkok Mojito, Bob Zombie or Bobs Raspberry and Basil Boom Boom for instance! They even do a few fantastic mocktails here too.
You will find all the best restaurants and bars using small batch, hand crafted Great Ocean Road Gin, so why not go straight to the source! The Gin Kitchen in Aireys Inlet is a boutique, bright space, tucked away just waiting for you on that perfect sunny afternoon. With their dainty gin cocktails and stunning garnishes, you won’t be able to help Instagramming these ones.
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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.
