Things to see & do between Melbourne and the 12 Apostles
DAY 1 - Melbourne to Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet & Lorne
Pick a couple of stops, or strap yourself in for a big day of exploring the Surf Coast towns and hamlets, each with its own unique features and bucket-loads of interesting things to see and do.
Surf and Shop at Torquay
Torquay, the Surf Coast’s hottest ‘surfie’ town, has a great surfing vibe with surf shops and outlets galore. There is also a variety of eateries, day spas and the trailhead of the Surf Coast Walk.
Stroll along Torquay’s esplanade, swim at Front Beach, enjoy the views from Point Danger Lookout and improve your surfing technique with a surf lesson. Alternatively, just pamper yourself with a spa treatment at RACV Torquay One Spa.
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RACV Torquay One Spa
1 Great Ocean Road, Torquay
Action and Relaxation at Anglesea
Next stop on the way to Anglesea in the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie – an epic sensory overload, with an all day cafe featuring a large range of handmade chocolatey delights, and of course chocolate and ice-cream – all made on the premises.
Once again, activity choices are numerous. Hire a paddle boat or a canoe to explore the Anglesea River, take a surf lesson, hike a section of the Surf Coast Walk and take in the majestic views of the jagged limestone cliffs at Point Addis Lookout. For a change of pace, relax at Anglesea’s Lux Spa & Wellness and choose from a range of rejuvenating treatments.
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Anglesea Riverbank
2 River Reserve Rd, Anglesea
Outdoor Attractions at Aireys Inlet
It’s only a ten-minute drive along the scenic, winding Great Ocean Road to Aireys Inlet. Here, the Great Otway National Park almost meets the ocean and Fairhaven Beach, the longest in the area, stretches six kilometres along the coastline.
Don’t miss stopping at Split Point Lighthouse, standing 34 metres tall. This landmark is open for visitors to climb and capture the stunning views from the top. A special day out can be spent at Indie Spa at Sunnymead Hotel, offering a bath house and unique Rasul bathing experience – perfect for small groups.
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Split Point Lighthouse
13 Federal Street, Aireys Inlet
Stay by the Seaside at Lorne
Last stop for the day is the popular seaside town of Lorne. Hit the beach for some ‘Vitamin Sea’, stroll out onto the Lorne Pier, enjoy the majestic coastal views from Teddy’s Lookout, or wander the main street brimming with stores, cafes and galleries.
Just 10 kilometres away is Erskine Falls, the closest waterfall in the Otways, with water cascading down into a gorgeous ferny valley.
After a day of outdoor adventure, return to Lorne for a sundowner at the local Lorne Hotel with its stunning coastal views, then try one of Lorne’s great dining options like Totti’s or Raas Leela.
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Erskine Falls
Erskine Falls Access Rd, Lorne
DAY 2 - Apollo Bay and The Otways
The 45-minute drive from Lorne to Apollo Bay along the Great Ocean Road reveals some of the most spectacular scenery along the route. There are plenty of viewpoints where you can stop, including cliff top views and lookouts at Cumberland River, Mount Defiance, Wye River, and Cape Patton.
Wye River
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Paddy's Path
Wye River
Scenery and Seafood at Apollo Bay
After enjoying the incredible scenery from Lorne to Apollo Bay, stop for a well-earned lunch. Apollo Bay is the home of the freshest seafood on the coast. Who doesn’t enjoy salty fish and chips by the sea? You could also splurge on grilled lobster, or a box of 20 cooked prawns from the Fisherman’s Co-op, serving seafood directly from Bass Strait to your plate.
Walk off lunch on a section of the 110-kilometre-long Great Ocean Walk that continues from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles–the dramatic coastal vistas are awe-inspiring. For a shorter walk to capture an iconic view over the sweeping bay, drive to Marriners Lookout and take it all in after a short, but steep walk from the car park to the lookout. Note that the it can be busy in summer and on weekends.
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Apollo Bay Fishermen's Co-op
Breakwater Road, Apollo Bay
The Great Otway National Park
Choose from Cape Otway and its historical lighthouse at Cape Otway Lightstation; a rainforest walk in the national park; a treetop eco-adventure at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures; or a guided wildlife tour with a local wildlife expert at Wildlife Wonders, just outside Apollo Bay.
In the heart of the Otways at Beech Forest check out the giant Californian Redwoods, planted here in 1939. Hike to a couple of nearby waterfalls, such as Triplet Falls, Stevenson’s Falls or the extraordinary 20-metre-high Beauchamp Falls, just outside Beech Forest.
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Stevensons Falls
Barramunga
DAY 3 - Port Campbell & the 12 Apostles
The Great Ocean Road detours inland on the 47-kilometre-long stretch from Apollo Bay to Lavers Hill, the highest point on the road. Lavers Hill is surrounded by the Great Otways National Park and is the ideal place to stop for a morning coffee before continuing to the 12 Apostles.
The 12 Apostles and Gibsons Steps
The incredible limestone stacks are not to be missed and the lookout is suitable for people of all abilities. But don’t stop at just one lookout along this coastline, others like Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge, and The Grotto are all must-sees.
Grab a map from the Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre (along with a stack of other handy hints) and take the walking paths to the viewing platforms overlooking these remarkable natural wonders.
Don’t miss the incredible Gibson Steps–take the 86 steps down to the beach, where you will be dwarfed by the 70-metre-high vertical cliffs. Nearby are two towering rock stacks known as Gog and Magog.
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12 Apostles Lookout
Great Ocean Rd & Booringa Rd, Princetown
See the View from the Sky
For a bird’s eye view of the 12 Apostles and the coastline, take a tour with 12 Apostles Helicopters.
Afterwards, return to Port Campbell for the night. This vibrant seaside town on the picturesque and sheltered Port Campbell Bay is the perfect place to rest after a long day of activities.
Check out the walking and cycling paths from Port Campbell, such as the Port Campbell Discovery walk which overlooks the picture-perfect bay and township, and the new trail linking Port Campbell to the inland foodie haven of Timboon. You can hire a bike or e-bike in Port Campbell via Ride With Us if you want to take the 2-wheeled option.
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12 Apostles Helicopters
Great Ocean Road, Princetown
DAY 4 - Camperdown, Colac and Return to Melbourne
On the last day of your four day Great Ocean Road trip, head inland towards the volcanic lakes and plains surrounding Camperdown and Colac.
Volcanic Plains and Rock Formations at Camperdown
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Camperdown Clock Tower
180 Manifold St, Camperdown
Stone Walls
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Dry Stone Wall Site
Noorat
Mount Elephant
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Mount Elephant
Derrinallum
Lakes and Lookouts at Colac
Before heading back to Melbourne, stop at the city of Colac on the shores of Lake Colac, the largest freshwater lake in Victoria. On the shore of the lake is the Colac Botanic Gardens, perfect for a picnic or to stretch your legs on walk under the magnificent shady canopy.
Take a drive 17 kilometres north-west to the nearby Red Rock scenic lookout. The Red Rock Volcanic Complex is the youngest volcano in the area and the site of countless volcanic blasts that took place 8,000 years ago.
What an amazing place to think about how the landscapes here were formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago!
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Lake Colac
Colac
