No matter what type of weekend you want to enjoy with your BFFs, the Great Ocean Road’s Surf Coast offers loads of activities to keep a group entertained. Load up your car for an epic road trip with your favourite playlists, surfboards, swimwear, hiking shoes and a sense of adventure.
Our recommended three-day girls’ getaway for the ultimate Great Ocean Road itinerary is sure to appeal to all tastes!
Make an early start and drive to the town of Torquay – the beginning of the Great Ocean Road and renowned as the home of surfing.
Surfing and swimming at Torquay
Savour breakfast at one of Torquay’s esplanade cafes then grab your surfboard and hit the waves! Beginners can learn to surf with surf schools such as Go Ride a Wave or Torquay Surfing Academy. Learning to surf is definitely even more fun in a group with your mates!
If surfing is not your thing, spend the morning soaking up the sun at Cosy Corner and Torquay Surf Beach, or try snorkelling at nearby Point Addis.
Then tempt your tastebuds with a delicious and nutritious lunch at another one of Torquay’s cafes along the beachfront.
Shopping and spa time
Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon with some retail therapy in Torquay. Wander around the Zeally Bay road area’s shopping precinct with its clothing boutiques and gift shops. Purchase weekend beachwear at Surf City Plaza with its iconic surf brands, and check out the discounted clothing outlets around the corner from Baines Crescent. Once you’ve done enough shopping, visit the Australian National Surfing Museum for an intriguing look at Australia’s surfing history.
For some downtime after an active day, One Spa at RACV Torquay Resort is going to be your new best friend. it’s time to indulge in a spa treatment, or relax in their luxurious steam room and thermal stone room with heated surrounding walls, floor and stone seat. Book yourselves in for a couple of hours of ‘me’ time…together.
End the day by dining at one of the many Torquay restaurants.
Hop into your car and take a short 18 minute, 20 kilometre drive along the Great Ocean Road to Anglesea. Stop by the world-famous Bells Beach, home of the annual Rip Curl Pro event, and stroll out to the scenic lookout.
Anglesea hiking
Indulge in a delicious breakfast at an Anglesea cafe before another day of outdoor activities. Hire a canoe and paddle the Anglesea River, laze on Anglesea’s main beach, hike a section of the breathtaking Surf Coast Walk, or get amongst nature in the heathland, woodlands and paperbark swamps of Anglesea Heath – home to a quarter of Victoria’s plant species.
Anglesea Arts Trail
Starting at Anglesea Art Studios, follow the arts trail of eight working art studios featuring 14 artists around the town. You might find that special something as a memento of your girls’ weekend away.
Spa time again at Lux Spa & Wellness
You can’t not spend time at this sanctuary of calm and tranquillity while in Anglesea. Lux Spa and Wellness will welcome you like a cup of warm soup on a cold day and you can take that moment you need to exhale whilst being pampered like you deserve!
Wine and dine at The Coast
Finish the day at The Coast restaurant. Using locally sourced produce, The Coast Restaurant in Anglesea serves modern Australian cuisine carefully curated, which will be a highlight of your trip. Here you’ll also get to use dinnerware created by local artists Angela Nicholson and Melinda Solly and pair your meal with locally sourced, wines, craft beers, and gin.
On the last day of your Great Ocean Road-trip getaway, drive to Aireys Inlet where the scenery gets even more spectacular.
Split Point Lighthouse and surrounds
The walk up to Split Point Lighthouse for sweeping views of Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary is a must-do. The lighthouse was built in 1891, high on a 70 metre cliff, and is the subject of many local ghost stories and maritime legends. Afterwards, enjoy a coffee and a light snack at The Lighthouse Tea Rooms.
While in the area, take in the stunning views of the coastline on the Cliff Top Walk and discover the abundant native wildlife and coastal forests along this 3.7 kilometre walking trail. Look out for whales too during the winter months!
Beaches and natural attractions
Visit nearby Fairhaven Beach for a swim or a surf – a favourite with Surf Coast surfies. Alternatively, venture further afield to the coves of Sandy Gully and Step Beach where you can explore the rock pools or try snorkelling.
If you’re up for a longer hike, take the 11.5 kilometre trail to Currawong Falls in the Great Otway National Park – it is a favourite with hikers! This walk starts at the Distillery Creek Picnic Area in Aireys Inlet and takes in coastal views, the waterfall and lush rainforest.
After the morning’s activities, enjoy a classic pub lunch with a view at Aireys Pub or a long lunch at a la Grecque. Follow it up with a gin tasting at Great Ocean Road Gin – this small distillery creates small batch gins using locally-foraged botanicals from the region.
Exploring Lorne and the Otways
Continue to the coastal holiday town of Lorne, where the bush meets the sea. Stroll out onto the Lorne Pier, browse the boutique-style shops on Mountjoy Parade, and check out Teddy’s Lookout for an incredible (and famous) view over the Great Ocean Road coastline.
If time permits, take the 10 kilometre drive out to Erskine Falls in the Great Otways National Park. This waterfall tumbles 30 metres down a rocky face in a fern-filled rainforest setting. The first viewing platform is only 150 metres from the carpark, so it is easy to access if you’re pushed for time.
If you’re feeling even more adventurous, why not put yourselves to the test at Live Wire Park? Home to the 525 metre Shockwave Zipcoaster, Super Circuit ropes course, Short Circuit ropes course, Canopy Circuit walk and the Spring Circuit trampolines!
After a long weekend of action-packed adventure, commence your drive home – you’re sure to feel recharged and rejuvenated from your time in nature, forests and the salty sea air!
If three days aren’t enough and you want more, or you’re planning the next girls’ getaway weekend, there are plenty of other things to do along the Great Ocean Road.
Discover more of the Great Otway National Park for bushwalking trails, waterfalls, rainforest and wildlife. Or try an eco-experience, such as paddling a canoe, hiking or mountain biking.
Alternatively, get off the beaten track and head inland to the towns of Winchelsea, Deans Marsh, Pennyroyal and Forrest for a foodie tour of this fertile region.
The Great Ocean Road has something for everyone!
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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.
