Great Ocean Road Attractions
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From Bells Beach in Torquay to the world-famous Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park, there are so many wonderful Great Ocean attractions to be visited along the way.
The Great Ocean Road stretches 243km (152 miles) from Torquay to Warrnambool along the southern coast of Victoria, Australia. Along the way, there are so many wonderful places to visit with several popular attractions at each location. So, if you’re wondering which attractions along the Great Ocean Road are worth visiting, look no further. Check out our list of top 20 Great Ocean Road attractions and tick them off your bucket list when you visit them on your next trip to the Great Ocean Road.
Great Ocean Road Attractions
1. Scenic Walk from Torquay Beach to Jan Juc
This coastal walk from Torquay’s Front Beach to Jan Juc is a short, easy walk that takes in spectacular coastal scenery along the way. Take a historical walk along the Torquay Promenade to Point Danger before making your way along the coast to Rocky Point from where you can get a bird’s eye view of Jan Juc surf beaches. Peer out from Rocky Point over the many surf breaks, sheltered bays and wild heathlands that gave the Surf Coast its name. This scenic walk is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Location: Torquay
2. Surfing at Bells Beach
Located just seven kilometres from Torquay, along the Great Ocean Road, this iconic surf beach was proclaimed a Surfing Recreation Reserve in 1970. A left turn onto Bells Boulevard takes you to Australia’s most famous surfing beach, home of the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition, surfing folklore and a wicked right-hander perfect for laying down legendary carves. Every Easter the Rip Curl Pro surf carnival attracts international competitors and thousands of spectators. However, if you can’t be here at this time, visit the viewing platform at the top for great views of the surfers riding the tall waves below.
Location: Torquay
3. Split Point Lighthouse
As you drive into Aireys Inlet along the Great Ocean Road, you’ll see the majestic red and white tower of the Split Point Lighthouse come into focus. This 34-metre unmanned lighthouse was made famous by the Australian children’s TV series Round the Twist. For visitors to the Great Ocean Road, this lighthouse is not only a beautiful piece of architecture but it also provides some of the best views of the coast along with a fascinating maritime history.
Lighthouse tours operate daily, 10am-4pm (summer) & 11am-2pm (winter). The 40-minute tour includes lighthouse stories, local history and 360° coastal views.
Location: Aireys Inlet
4. Memorial Arch
Stop at the Memorial Arch and ‘The Diggers’ statue at Eastern View and discover the story of the courageous men who built the Great Ocean Road. The Arch was built in memory of the 3,000+ returned servicemen who built the Great Ocean Road as a war memorial for their fellow servicemen lost in World War I. They used explosives, picks, shovels, wheelbarrows and small machinery to carve the 243km route from rocky cliff faces and steep coastal mountains.
To learn more about the Great Ocean Road story, visit the permanent exhibition at the Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre in the Lorne Visitors Centre.
Location: Eastern View, 5km west of Aireys Inlet
5. Erskine Falls
Tumbling 30 metres down a rocky face in a fern-filled rainforest setting, Erskine Falls is one of the best waterfalls to visit along the Great Ocean Road. Dripping with natural charm, it’s not only the most popular but also the most accessible of the region’s waterfalls. Admire Erskine Falls from a lookout at the top or walk down a flight of stairs for a spectacular view of the falls from below – or both. From the car park, a 150-metre walk gets you to the first lookout platform where you can soak up the cascade in all its splendour. For the second act, trek 200-plus steps down deep into the gully for a worm’s eye view of the splash pool and falls.
Location: Lorne
6. W. B. Godfrey Shipwreck
One of the most easily accessed shipwreck sites along the Great Ocean Road is that of W. B. Godfrey. At low tide, you may be able to see remnants of the shipwreck including the winch, steel frame and anchor. Although no lives were lost in the 1891 wreck, five men were drowned later in attempts to salvage the ship’s cargo. Pay your respects at the grave that lies near the viewing platform.
Location: Apollo Bay
7. Maits Rest
One of the best short walks along the Great Ocean Road is Maits Rest, an easy 20 to 30 minute circuit walk which takes you through magnificent sub-temperate rainforests. The mountain ash trees, ancient tree ferns and bubbling creek make this a truly beautiful walk and one not to be missed on a tour along the Great Ocean Road.
Location: Great Otway National Park
8. Triplet Falls
Triplet Falls is one of the most spectacular and enchanting waterfalls in the Great Otway National Park. Nestled amongst the ancient forests of Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech, you will discover three distinct and impressive cascades flowing through shady rainforests and glades of mossy tree ferns. This beautiful area is set in the ancient forest and provides views into the lower cascades and the majestic main falls.
Location: Great Otway National Park
9. Otway Fly Treetop Adventures
Situated along the Great Ocean Road is the beautiful Great Otway National Park which can be visited as a side trip. Follow the road inland and discover ancient rainforests, steep forested ridges, deep valleys of tall forest, and fern clad gullies leading to spectacular waterfalls. A great way to experience the beauty of the Otways is to visit Otway Fly Treetop Adventures which will take your rainforest experience to new heights. Soak up the breathtaking bird’s eye view of the magnificent rainforest from the world’s tallest treetop walk or soar through the leafy treetops on the awe-inspiring Zipline Tour.
Location: Great Otway National Park
10. Koalas at Kennett River
The area known as Kennett River in the Great Otway National Park is well known for spotting koalas in their natural habitat as it’s populated with gum forests. Take a detour from the Great Ocean Road and journey along the Otway Lighthouse Road to the small hamlet of Kennett River. Turn into Grey River Road and either drive or walk one to two kilometres along the road. As you do, look up towards the gum trees on either side of the road to spot koalas in the branches. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some at lower levels and in spring, mothers’ with their babies.
Location: Kennett River, Great Otway National Park
11. Cape Otway Lighthouse
Built in 1848, the Cape Otway Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia, and the centrepiece of a precinct rich in wildlife, maritime history and unbeatable ocean views. In the 1840s the Lightstation was a welcome sight for European immigrants who’d spent three months at sea. Today, visitors can take a tour of the lighthouse and enjoy awesome views from its deck 80m above the Southern Ocean and learn about its amazing history from guides.
Lighthouse tours operate daily between 9am and 5pm; shipwreck tours operate daily between 10am and 12pm and 2pm and 4pm.
Location: Cape Otway National Park
12. Gibsons Steps
Gibsons Steps are a precursor to the Twelve Apostles and a must-visit attraction along the Great Ocean Road. From the car park, follow the steps down to the beach for a first-hand view of the spectacular rock formations. Nowhere along the Great Ocean Road can you get so close to the Twelve Apostles than from here. Walk along the sandy beach as you admire the limestone cliffs and watch the waves crash against these amazing rock formations.
Location: Port Campbell National Park
13. Twelve Apostles Helicopter Ride
The Twelve Apostles is the highlight of a visit to the Great Ocean Road, and the best way to see and experience the beauty of this world-famous attraction is to take a helicopter flight over it. A helicopter scenic tour offers you a unique opportunity to see the entire Shipwreck Coast and the Port Campbell National Park in style. Take a breathtaking flight over the most spectacular coastal scenery in Australia for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Location: Port Campbell National Park
14. 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road (at sunset)
Although magnificent any time of the day, the famous rock stacks and limestone cliffs of the Twelve Apostles are best seen at sunset for maximum effect. Continuously voted among Australia’s top ten sunset viewing spots, the Twelve Apostles take on a different dimension at sunset highlighted by a backdrop of pink and purple hues. Watching the sun set on one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks will be an unforgettable experience.
Location: Port Campbell National Park
15. Loch Ard Gorge
Part of the Twelve Apostles region, Loch Ard Gorge is one of the special places in Port Campbell National Park. Loch Ard Gorge was named after the clipper Loch Ard which wrecked here in 1878. Three easy walks allow you to explore the area’s natural treasures and learn about the area’s history, geology and natural features. Discover the secrets of the forces that shaped the coastline; follow the tragic story of the Loch Ard shipwreck site to the cemetery and discover life on the edge of the sheer cliffs as you look out to Muttonbird Island.
Allow 2-3 hours to make the most of your visit to the spectacular Loch Ard Gorge.
Location: Port Campbell National Park
16. London Bridge
London Bridge is an interesting arch formation that lies just beyond the Twelve Apostles. This limestone formation was previously attached to the mainland as a two-arch formation; however, today, only a single arch remains. The collapse of one of the arches was due to the eroding effect of the strong waves along the coast. When the arch collapsed, there were people stranded on top of the London Bridge who were eventually rescued by helicopter. It’s just a matter of time before the second arch collapses leaving rock formations similar to the Twelve Apostles.
Location: Port Campbell National Park
17. Bay of Islands
Viewed from the Bay of Martyrs, the Bay of Islands are remarkable sheer cliffs and rock sculptures that number in size more than the Twelve Apostles. The Bay of Islands contains diverse coastal scenery including offshore rock stacks, coastal heathlands and small secluded beaches surrounded by high cliffs. There are lookouts, walking tracks and stairways to the beach, which offer improved access to this spectacular coastline.
Location: Bay of Islands Coastal Park
18. The Grotto
A short stroll of about 700m return from the car park takes you to a viewing platform overlooking the Grotto and the rugged coastline. From the viewing platform you can follow a ramp and stairway down into the Grotto formation which needs to be seen to be believed. This charming feature has been formed by erosion from the coast and from inland eventually hollowing out the Grotto.
Location: Bay of Islands Coastal Park
19. Whale Watching in Warrnambool
Each year whales migrate from polar waters to calve in cool temperate waters along the Southwest Coast of Victoria. From May to November Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales can be seen migrating along the coast. Whale watching is a popular activity along the Great Ocean Road and there are many locations along this touring route to spot whales. Spot Southern Right Whales at Logans Beach in Warrnambool or from Port Fairy Bay in Port Fairy.
While whales can be spotted from land, the best way to get up-close to these majestic creatures is to take a whale watching tour from Warrnambool.
Location: Warrnambool
20. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village
If you have some time to spare, consider spending a day in Warrnambool and visiting the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Australia’s most awarded maritime heritage precinct. Flagstaff Hill is a typical coastal village of the late 1800s where you can discover the maritime history of Victoria’s southern coast which has claimed 180 ships. Visit the fantastic Maritime Museum and Village and see the historic lighthouses and relics recovered from wrecks, and explore historic vessels moored in the harbour. Spend the night here and participate in the world-class sound-and-laser show or take a Loch Ard Lantern Walk through the village.
Location: Warrnambool
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