17 Things You Need To Know About Exploring The Great Ocean Road

It’s spectacular all year round.

The famous Great Ocean Road runs along Victoria's coastline from Torquay to Allansford. It's 243 kilometres long and is a bloody beautiful drive.

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But it's more than just a pretty road to drive on: there's a lot to see and do along the way. Here's everything you need to know to make the best of your trip.

1. If Airbnb isn’t your thing, you can go glamping.

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Pebble Point is just 3km away from the world-famous Twelve Apostles so you can kick back in a luxury tent with a king-size bed and en suite bathroom before waking up to watch the sun rise over those majestic rock formations.

2. The Twelve Apostles really are as jaw-droppingly beautiful as everyone says.

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Pro tip: Go just before sunrise or sunset. You’ll have to jostle for a spot in the crowd and watch that you don’t get poked in the eye by a selfie stick, but it’s worth it.

3. Loch Ard Gorge is also an Insta-gem.

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Only three-minutes’ drive away from the Twelve Apostles, it’s famous for its shipwreck history and scenic walking trails.

4. And don’t forget London Bridge and The Arch.

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On your way out of Port Campbell National Park, swing by these amazing nature spots for the ultimate travel album.

5. The Twelve Apostles Gourmet Trail is a must for food lovers.

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Think award-winning cheese, whisky, and wine as well as chocolate, strawberries, and ice cream. The "trail" is approximately 85km long so be aware that you might not be able to stop off everywhere.

6. Alternatively, just visit Timboon Railway Shed Distillery.

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Housed within a renovated railway shed, this place is a cracking culinary find as well as celebrated distiller of whisky, vodka, and more. You can pick up most of the products available on other parts of the Gourmet Trail right here, including produce from the Great Ocean Ducks.

7. The drive itself is filled with amazing sights and scenery.

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Have your camera at the ready for spectacular sea cliffs, sweeping pastoral views, and photogenic farm animals.

8. And the height of luxury is hidden in Port Fairy.

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Treat yourself to a night at the magnificent Drift House, and you’ll enjoy award-winning apartment-style accommodation as well as free Yo-Yo biscuits and indulgent breakfast hampers.

9. It even has a twice-hatted degustation restaurant.

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Fen Restaurant focuses on creating dishes from foraged and locally-grown native fruits and berries, and dining here is an unforgettable sensory experience.

10. Of course, the Great Ocean Road is also a prime spot for seafood.

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You’ll find juicy crayfish at Fisherman’s Coop and irresistibly-flaky curried scallop pies at Apollo Bay Bakery. But save room for dessert at the latter – they’re famous for their "muffnuts" which ingeniously combine muffins and donuts.

11. Further out, you can try iced oysters.

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Brae Restaurant in Birregurra (part of the Otways) serves a 12-course degustation menu that has been known to include iced oysters. You can also stay overnight in a luxury suite if you need to sleep your fancy meal off.

12. Then run wild on a 15-Acre Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery.

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It has a café built to resemble a cocoa pod and a dreamy lavender maze. You can enjoy your very own Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-style adventure while humming Prince’s "Purple Rain".

13. For water lovers, Fairhaven Beach is a surfer’s dream.

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Stretching 6km, it offers great swells at Eastern View, Spout Creek, Moggs Creek, and The Spot. It’s the longest beach on the Great Ocean Road and a scenic Surf Coast Walk along the silky white sands is a must.

14. But don’t forget Lorne beach.

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The pretty crescent of a beach has gentle surf on Loutit Bay – and of course, no trip to Lorne is complete without a visit to the Erskine Falls, which plunge 30-metres deep into the lush tree-fern gully of the Erskine River.

15. The breakfast burger at The Bottle of Milk will blow your socks off.

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Crammed with egg, bacon, hash brown, lettuce, tomato, avocado, mayo, and relish, the "Cold Shower" is the perfect way to refuel after an early morning swim. Their coffee is top notch, too.

16. Bells Beach is famous for a reason.

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Even if you visit in winter, you can ride the waves at Surfworld Museum in nearby Torquay – and learn a thing or two about surfing while you’re there!

17. And you can zip through the leafy treetops of the Otway Ranges on your way home.

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The Otway Fly Zip Line Tour includes training, simulation, "cloud" stations, and suspension bridges, and lasts for a full two-and-a-half hours! The ticket price also grants you access to a 2km structured treetop canopy walkway for the ultimate bird’s eye view of the bush.