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The Shipwreck Coast
follows one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world, The Great Ocean Road. The
drive winds some 243 km along the south-western coast of Victoria, around rugged
cliffs, windswept beaches and tall bluffs, passing through towering eucalypts
and lush rainforest, as well as some idyllic and interesting towns along the
way. Starting from Torquay,
just south of Geelong, you can
travel the entire route to Allansford, just east of Warrnambool,
with breaks along the way to experience some of the great attractions and
activities, whilst staying at any number of great accommodation.
 An outstanding section of the drive is the
Port Campbell National Park, featuring a collection of amazing
limestone sculptures, including the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge
and Loch Ard Gorge. Other highlights include the section through the
forests of the Otways Ranges, between Apollo Bay and Lorne.
The road officially starts at Torquay and ends at Warrnambool, but
the road follows the coast to Portland. En-route you can visit the resort
town of Lorne and the historic Port Fairy, west of Warrnambool.
Originally
called The Sow and Piglets, with
Mutton Bird Island (located at the mouth of
Loch Ard Gorge) being the Sow and the Twelve Apostles the piglets. Although it
is not clear why the name Twelve Apostles came about, the name was
adopted in the 1960s as a more tourist friendly name. There were actually only 13 limestone stacks that qualify
as the Apostles, although only eight of them are to be seen from the main
viewing platforms. Number nine crumbled on its own in 2005.
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Check out our listing of
Great Ocean Road accommodation,
Great Ocean Walk accommodation and
Shipwreck Coast accommodation.
In addition to our listed online travel guide information, contact the local
tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions, tours, local
maps and other information. |
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Aerial view of the iconic Great Ocean Road coastal drive. |
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Great Ocean Road Scenic Lookouts
The scenic Great Ocean Road offers
some spectacular lookouts, from where you can enjoy the stunning views along the
coastline. Care should be taken by all, especially pedestrians. Some spots can
get pretty congested during the summer and public holiday periods. Some spots
are close the the main road, so you should always watch out for other drivers.
Torquay to Lorne
- Cinema Point
The sign turnoff is about 8
kms west of Aireys Inlet. Here you can get spectacular views back towards
Eastern View, Fairhaven and Aireys Inlet.
- Teddy's Lookout
Stunning vistas from the
lookout platform high above the coast where the St George River empties into
a small cove. Access off the Great Ocean Road at the end of George Street,
then take a short walk through the bush from the car park.
Lorne to Apollo Bay
- Mount Defiance Lookout
Just 10 km south of Lorne, you
can get panoramic ocean views from Mount Defiance Lookout, with views toward
Artillery Rocks. Care should be taken by pedestrians, especially of other
vehicles as the parking areas can get congested during the summer and
holiday periods.
- Cape Patton Lookout
Access from the Great Ocean
Road, just east of Apollo Bay, this lookout provides some of the highest
points along this coastline with spectacular views to Apollo Bay and Skenes
Creek. Care should be taken by pedestrians, especially of other vehicles as
the parking areas can get congested during the summer and holiday periods.
Apollo Bay to Warrnambool
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Cape Otway Lightstation
Cape Otway is a popular detour
off the Great Ocean Road. The lighthouse is 91 metres above the ocean,
providing spectacular views of the rugged Otway coastline. Entry fees apply.
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The Gable Lookout
From the Gables car park a short walk
takes you to the Gable Lookout, with stunning coastal views around Moonlight
Head.
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Great
Ocean Rd Pet Friendly Accommodation |
Pet Friendly Off Leash Areas
Ph: (for further information on council's Dog Off Leash Exercise
Areas)
The coastal parks and beaches are
popular not only with visitors, but with those travelling with their pet dogs.
With environmental concerns and concern about dogs interacting with crowds
during peak holiday periods, guidelines are provided as to where and when owners
can take their dogs.
Within the town boundary, in public areas, dogs are to be on leash at all times,
unless otherwise specified. Most beaches close to the towns, usually do not
allow dogs between 9 am and 7 pm, usually from December to February, sometimes
as late as April. Most areas are signed posted as to when you can walk your
dogs, and where and when you can walk them off leash. If you look further afield,
off the Great Ocean Road, you may find a beach that will allow you to let your
dog off leash.
Look out for signage, always keep your dogs under control, especially when
others are around and pick up after your dog. Contact the local visitor centre
for more information. With the many dog friendly accommodation in the region,
ask the owner where you are staying, as they may also be able to give you
advice.
Check out the Surf
Coast Shire:
Great Ocean Road Pet Friendly Guide (PDF) and
Dog Regulations on the Surf Coast (PDF).
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Great Ocean Road Events
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Victoria Events |
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The Great
Ocean Road International Marathon
May
The Great Ocean Road Marathon is held
in Apollo Bay, Victoria Australia.
The Great Ocean Road provides the most spectacular and challenging course of any
marathon in the world and the program of events will appeal to runners and
walkers of all abilities. This is a great opportunity to participate in a unique
event along some of the World's most spectacular coastline.
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The Falls Music and
Arts Festival
The Falls Festival
Erskine Falls Rd, LORNE VIC
30 Dec - 1 Jan - held over three days
The Falls Festival is one of
Australia's greatest music festivals with live music and entertainment, camping,
markets, arts and film. It is held on a beautiful farm nestled in the Otway
rainforest above Lorne and Victoria's Great Ocean Road. The main arena is formed
from a spectacular natural amphitheatre that is big enough to hold the whole
crowd. It has a perfect gentle slope so you can relax up the back and still hear
and see everything. A dense rainforest surrounds the venue and helps to create
this incredible aural arena.
The festival is held simultaneously in two stunning coastal locations, Lorne in
Victoria and Marion Bay in Tasmania.
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GMHBA Lorne Pier to Pub
Lorne Surf Life
Saving Club
January
This annual event has been going
for more than 31 years and the the largest open water swim in the world.
Organised and run by volunteers from the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club, the course
is 1.2 km from the Lorne Pier to the foreshore in front of the Lorne Surf Life
Saving Club house.
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Great Ocean Road Distance
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Distance along the Great Ocean Road
Following are some approximate
distances by road along the Great Ocean Road:
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Km |
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Wye River to Skenes Creek |
23 |
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Skenes Creek to Apollo Bay |
5 |
| Apollo Bay
to Marengo |
3 |
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Marengo to Glenaire |
29 |
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Glenaire to Lavers Hill |
16 |
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Lavers Hill to Yuulong |
13 |
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Yuulong to Princetown |
17 |
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Princetown to Port Campbell |
18 |
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Port Campbell
to Peterborough |
13 |
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Peterborough to
Allansford |
43 |
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Allansford to Warrnambool |
10 |
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Total Distance from Torquay to Allansford is approximately 243 km. |
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Distances given are only approximation, they should be verified with the appropriate
maps.
The
Australian Automotive Motoring Associations also offer select access to travel trip planners. |
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