You may need to wait a little longer than usual while on holiday this summer, but please be patient as businesses do their best to keep you safe – because all things great are worth the wait! Allow extra time and slow down to really appreciate our region
While you may be bursting to get out and enjoy your favourite places and things to do, bear in mind that it will be busy, so make sure you plan and book ahead for accommodation, meals and experiences.
Checks will be in place for vaccination status and QR scanning is essential. Please be considerate and remember — those working in hospitality and tourism have done it tougher than most over the last 18 months. Because capacity is limited and businesses are trying to make up for all that time they were closed, please be considerate and call ahead to cancel if you can’t make it.
1. Plan your days. If you’re thinking of visiting a waterfall or beauty spot in the Great Otway National Park (we recommend Erskine Falls near Lorne, and Hopetoun Falls and The Redwoods near Beech Forest), remember these are very popular and parking is limited so try getting there early in the morning ahead of the crowds.
2. Do it differently — think about exploring the lesser-known places in the region. Climb Mount Elephant near Derrinallum or head to Tower Hill near Warrnambool for the perfect picnic where you are guaranteed to make some new friends (think Emu, Koala, Kangaroo — just to name a few!)
3. The further west you go, the more space you will know. If you have never been to Cape Bridgewater or Nelson — it’s way past time you should; the beaches are quiet (Cape Bridgewater’s white sands have a patrolled area and the Glenelg River at Nelson is simply serene).
4. Pack a picnic and get out of town! The region is blessed with an abundance of amazing produce and spectacular outdoor spaces. Pick up supplies at Peaches Torquay, Anglesea Fruitz, Tastes of the Region in Apollo Bay, Greavesy’s in Terang, Port Campbell Trading or Darrawill Farm in Warrnambool and start exploring! (Keep it clean and don’t forget to take your rubbish with you)
5. Book everything you can in advance. This way you’ll be assured of doing what you want when you want. Don’t miss Live Wire Park, Spring Creek Horse Rides, Trees Adventure, Wildlife Wonders and Deep Blue Hot Springs to name just a few.
Mostly, slow down and enjoy your time in the Great Ocean Road Region, we can all do our bit to make this a great summer.
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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.
