Want to see some of the best Melbourne wildlife? The Great Ocean Road is the perfect place for some of the most memorable wildlife encounters. Below, find out how this stunning destination offers one of the best wildlife experiences in Australia.
With a wide range of accommodation options, superb food & drink and world-class attractions, the region is a fantastic place to visit for a day, a weekend or longer to enjoy some of the best wildlife experiences in Australia on an unforgettable trip away.
So, what kind of wildlife encounters can you experience on the Great Ocean Road?
The best wildlife experiences in Australia are wildlife encounters where you can observe animals in their natural habitat. The Great Ocean Road spans over 200km and includes magnificent coastlines, national parks, rivers and lakes. This makes it the ideal home for many of our most loved and iconic Australian animals.
You’ll find wild koalas and glow worms throughout the Otways National Park and mobs of kangaroos lounging on the grasslands of the Anglesea Golf Course. You can even camp under the koalas at Bimbi Park! You can spot a platypus scurrying on the edge of the water at dawn or dusk on Lake Elizabeth, emus, kangaroos and many species of waterbirds roam freely at Tower Hill (which is between Warrnambool and Port Fairy). You may also be lucky enough to spot an echidna – Port Campbell National Park is the best place to spot these little guys.
During the winter months (from May to Oct), you have the special opportunity to spot whales right along the coast. Whale watching is one of the most thrilling wildlife encounters and we’re so lucky to have these majestic creatures frequent our coast annually as they make their journey to the region from the Antarctic for their breeding season.
Other Wildlife on the Great Ocean Road to keep an eye out for includes:
Without a doubt, the Great Ocean Road is one of the best wildlife experiences in Australia. Whilst often you can encounter wildlife on the Great Ocean Road just by making your way around the national parks and sanctuaries, tours are a great way to see animals up close and learn more about these wonderful creatures and their habitats.
Tours also ensure you’re guaranteed or more likely to see these wonderful animals that live in the region. Often with wildlife tours on the Great Ocean Road, you’ll have the opportunity to pet animals such as wallabies, wombats, emus, kangaroos and even dingoes.
Some of the fantastic wildlife tours on the Great Ocean Road you can choose from include:
Contact one of our Visitor Information Centres to speak with local experts if you’d like more info on the best places to visit for wildlife encounters. They can also give you information on booking wildlife tours on the Great Ocean Road and up to date info on the latest whale sightings too!
Sign up to get the latest deals, tours & events along the Great Ocean Road
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.
