This Nice Ocean Street Journey submit was initially revealed on 1 June 2015 and final up to date on 18 Might 2021.
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I’m normally skeptical about issues which might be uber-popular, however after a great lengthy whereas of being cussed I typically come round and soar on that bandwagon. Like once I began watching Buddies in the course of the tenth and closing season, and began studying the Harry Potter books proper earlier than Guide 7 got here out. How foolish is it that I used to be needlessly hating on what are actually two of my most cherished creations within the leisure world?!
I’m like that once I journey as effectively. I assumed I’d hate the overpriced and overhyped Blue Lagoon once I traveled round Iceland final 12 months, however I freaking LOVED it.
It’s the identical concept: typically issues are fashionable as a result of they really are tremendous superior. I must get higher about subduing the hipster in me and simply flip off my auto-hate mode!
Someway, although, my regular guidelines by no means utilized to the Nice Ocean Street. I knew it was a land fraught with tour buses that inevitably carried vacationers sporting nametags and/or selfie sticks, however I didn’t care. I needed to expertise one of many world’s finest highway journeys!
After doing it 3 instances now, I can extremely suggest taking up a Nice Ocean Street journey. A number of professional suggestions, in case you do:
Logistics apart, right here’s what you must add to your Nice Ocean Street journey itinerary (from east to west):
Your Nice Ocean Street journey kicks off at Torquay, a correct seaside city. We stopped right here to select up wine and low and had a picnic lunch by the seaside, however there are many eating places and boutiques to get pleasure from right here in case you’re so inclined.
Torquay can also be dwelling to the well-known Bells Beach, which hosts the annual Rip Curl Professional browsing competitors – perhaps you’ve heard of it? There have been bleachers assembled on the seaside as a result of, unbeknownst to us, the occasion had simply wrapped a few week earlier.
Right here’s what to see and do in Torquay:
You’ll get pleasure from the perfect coastal views alongside the phase of the Nice Ocean Street from Torquay to Apollo Bay. Enable loads of time to take it sluggish round these curves and benefit from the ridiculous surroundings. There are additionally heaps of seashores to cease off at alongside the best way.
In case your Nice Ocean Street itinerary permits, you must positively spend a while in Lorne, an lovable seaside city about midway between Torquay and Apollo Bay.
The most effective factor to do in Lorne is simply hang around and benefit from the chilled out city. However when you’re there, you would possibly as effectively try:
4 phrases: KOALAS IN THE WILD. If this isn’t in your Aussie bucket checklist, then what are you even doing right here?
Search for the signal for Kennett River and switch off into the caravan park lot (thanks, Lonely Planet tip). These cutie pies sleep 22 hours a day, however we noticed one awake chomping away on some leaves (sadly it was too darkish to get an honest picture of her).
Nice Otway Nationwide Park expands inland from the coast and covers the majority of the jap half of the Nice Ocean Street. In different phrases: in case you flip off the Nice Ocean Street at any level east of Cape Otway, you’re mainly within the forest. The roads are windy and hilly – nice enjoyable to drive after darkish with a clutch, let me inform you. Throughout the day you’ll see nothing however insanely tall timber framing your path.
When you have restricted time to do your Nice Ocean Street journey, I wouldn’t prioritize the Otways as a must-do – simply give attention to the coast.
Nevertheless, you must positively funds some further time for the Otways in case you’re into rainforests and waterfalls!
Beauchamp Falls.
The Otways are famed for his or her attractive waterfalls, just a few of that are clustered inside a brief drive of one another. On my final go to in March 2021, two of them have been inaccessible on account of highway development, so I’d suggest checking forward of time earlier than you make the drive.
Hopetown Falls.
The Otway rainforest is especially superior as a result of you possibly can spot glow worms in sure areas at evening. Melba Gully and Maits Relaxation Rainforest Stroll are two such areas. Daytime visits are additionally very worthwhile as a result of, y’know, you possibly can truly see all of the timber and greenery round you as you do the walks.
When you have the posh of each money and time, you possibly can e book some rainforest actions with Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures. Their well-known Treetop Stroll and Zip Line Tour are supposed to be fairly epic!
Who knew there have been California Redwood timber tucked away in a small pocket of Australia? Should you haven’t seen the Redwoods in Northern California, that is the following smartest thing and effectively price stopping to see.
CLICK TO BOOK A RENTAL CAR FOR THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Don’t need to drive your self on a Nice Ocean Street journey? Guide a tour as a substitute!
For this reason you do a Nice Ocean Street journey – to see the entire good things inside this nationwide park. All these images you’ve seen of arches, bridges, and numerous different rock buildings within the water alongside a surprising shoreline? Yep, they have been taken right here!
A phrase of warning: a lot of the stops on this Nice Ocean Street itinerary are VERY touristy. Should you’re introverted and/or anti-crowds, goal to go to on weekdays, and ideally earlier within the morning to keep away from the hoards of individuals.
So as from east to west, listed below are the stops price making:
I’m not fully certain why it is a factor, however it’s the primary main cease on this area so everybody makes some extent to cease off right here. Sure, there are certainly steps main all the way down to a seaside (86, the truth is) – however the views don’t maintain a candle to what lays forward down the highway.
IMO you’d be completely nice skipping it in case you’re simply in it for the views… however in case you’re a seaside bum who simply can’t preserve her toes out of the sand (like ME), go on down and have your self just a little frolic.
Only a minute up the highway from the Gibson Steps are the 12 Apostles, which want no introduction except you’ve been residing below a rock the dimensions of considered one of them.
(FYI there are literally solely 7 Apostles now, however they’re all so majestic and spellbinding that you simply hardly even discover that half of ’em are lacking).
Sadly there isn’t a entry to the seaside the place a lot of the 12 Apostles are standing, solely Gibson Seaside subsequent door. I used to be truly actually trying ahead to sunbathing subsequent to them on my final go to, a uncommon 30 diploma day – however it was a no-go. A minimum of there are a number of viewpoints above from which you’ll admire the rock formations.
I can’t say sufficient good issues about Loch Ard Gorge – the truth is, I’m calling it as the perfect cease to make on a Nice Ocean Street journey.
There are just a few strolling paths you possibly can take from the automobile park, which result in a number of totally different lookouts. My recommendation: DO THEM ALL. They’re all so different and beautiful that you simply gained’t need to miss a factor.
To the east, the strolling path results in lookouts going through The Razorback and Island Arch:
View from the Tom and Eva Lookout close to Loch Ard Gorge.
Nearer to the automobile park, the trail results in the gorge in addition to just a little facet path to the Island Arch Lookout:
At Loch Ard Gorge you CAN truly stroll all the way down to the seaside, and I extremely suggest doing so. It’s freakin’ beautiful down there. Prime spot for sunbathing, too, in case you occur to go to on a uncommon sizzling summer season day. Plus, it’s a bit sheltered from the wind down there, not like the opposite extra uncovered seashores alongside the Nice Ocean Street.
No caption wanted for this one, both. An arch is an arch (is an arch…).
Effectively it used to be a bridge, till a part of it collapsed and left a pair individuals marooned on the arch. I suppose now it ought to now referred to as London Arch?
Both approach, the bridge/arch and surrounding seaside are very picturesque, so don’t miss this cease in your Nice Ocean Street journey!
I’d suggest hitting this spot earlier within the day, in any other case it’ll be coated in shadows. Nonetheless, it’s fairly cool strolling down to look at the water on this little nook.
CLICK TO BOOK A RENTAL CAR FOR THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Don’t need to drive your self on a Nice Ocean Street journey? Guide a tour as a substitute!
The sights and stop-offs after Port Campbell taper off abruptly, however there’s nonetheless a lot extra shoreline to see alongside the Bay of Islands in case you’re not too jaded.
Beginning at Peterborough and heading west:
If you wish to escape the Nice Ocean Street vacationers, get your self off that vacationer path and go for a stroll from Peterborough to the Bay of Martyrs. There’s a cliff top trail that heads west alongside the coast and affords up some spectacular coastal inlets and rock formations. DON’T MISS IT!
I used to be getting some severe Greek island vibes on this stroll, it truly is a stunner. Disgrace that it’s so overshadowed by the opposite Nice Ocean Street stops (although fortunate for you, you’ll possible solely must share it with the locals!).
From the Bay of Islands lookout, you possibly can gaze out at quite a few rock formations scattered within the bay. It’s a prime sundown spot.
Warrnambool marks the official finish of the Nice Ocean Street. It is a correct metropolis with massive supermarkets, chain shops, golf golf equipment, and botanic gardens, which… isn’t fairly the identical vibe you get on the remainder of the drive.
Until you want some creature comforts or city stimulation, or are heading additional west, you’re not lacking a lot in case you choose to not cease right here. On considered one of my Nice Ocean Street journeys, I stayed right here one evening earlier than driving again to Melbourne the following day, utilizing it principally simply as a spot to crash moderately than tour. There’s an amazing, inexpensive collection of Airbnbs in Warrnambool, so it does work effectively as a spot to remain.
Nevertheless, in case you do have a while to spend right here, there are many issues to do in Warrnambool:
—
I’m normally skeptical about issues which might be uber-popular, however after a great lengthy whereas of being cussed I typically come round and soar on that bandwagon. Like once I began watching Buddies in the course of the tenth and closing season, and began studying the Harry Potter books proper earlier than Guide 7 got here out. How foolish is it that I used to be needlessly hating on what are actually two of my most cherished creations within the leisure world?!
I’m like that once I journey as effectively. I assumed I’d hate the overpriced and overhyped Blue Lagoon once I traveled round Iceland final 12 months, however I freaking LOVED it.
It’s the identical concept: typically issues are fashionable as a result of they really are tremendous superior. I must get higher about subduing the hipster in me and simply flip off my auto-hate mode!
Someway, although, my regular guidelines by no means utilized to the Nice Ocean Street. I knew it was a land fraught with tour buses that inevitably carried vacationers sporting nametags and/or selfie sticks, however I didn’t care. I needed to expertise one of many world’s finest highway journeys!
After doing it 3 instances now, I can extremely suggest taking up a Nice Ocean Street journey. A number of professional suggestions, in case you do:
- Should you’re doing it as a weekend getaway from Melbourne, you’ll want a minimal of two.5 days to make the return journey, however I’d suggest 4 days/3 nights so you possibly can take your time and spend greater than a sizzling minute at every stop-off level.
- Goal to journey in the course of the week when there are far fewer vacationers than on weekends – belief me, the distinction in crowds is MASSIVE.
- Count on to be chilly and convey your layers! A sunny day can shortly flip to rain, and wind is just about assured it doesn’t matter what, so that you’ll be glad to have a hat and a heat jacket.
- Lease a room in a home on Airbnb. I’m at all times an advocate for tenting, however the nights down listed below are COLD 12 months spherical and effectively suited to indoor lodging. You’ll find a room with two double beds for AU$40-45/evening – cheaper than staying in a hostel dorm! Attempt staying in Warrnambool, Peterborough, Port Campbell, Apollo Bay, or Lorne.
- Should you do determine to camp (ideally throughout summer season), I can extremely suggest the Great Ocean Road Tourist Park in Peterborough. Tremendous clear and quiet and a bit off the overwhelmed path (in comparison with close by Port Campbell).
Logistics apart, right here’s what you must add to your Nice Ocean Street journey itinerary (from east to west):
The Surf Coast
Torquay
Your Nice Ocean Street journey kicks off at Torquay, a correct seaside city. We stopped right here to select up wine and low and had a picnic lunch by the seaside, however there are many eating places and boutiques to get pleasure from right here in case you’re so inclined.
Torquay can also be dwelling to the well-known Bells Beach, which hosts the annual Rip Curl Professional browsing competitors – perhaps you’ve heard of it? There have been bleachers assembled on the seaside as a result of, unbeknownst to us, the occasion had simply wrapped a few week earlier.
Right here’s what to see and do in Torquay:
- Bells Seaside
- Surf Coast Walk – a 44km coastal path spanning from Torquay to Aireys Inlet (you possibly can simply do a portion of it if 44km is an excessive amount of for you!)
- Surf or join a surf lesson
- Horseback riding on the seaside
You’ll get pleasure from the perfect coastal views alongside the phase of the Nice Ocean Street from Torquay to Apollo Bay. Enable loads of time to take it sluggish round these curves and benefit from the ridiculous surroundings. There are additionally heaps of seashores to cease off at alongside the best way.
Lorne
In case your Nice Ocean Street itinerary permits, you must positively spend a while in Lorne, an lovable seaside city about midway between Torquay and Apollo Bay.
The most effective factor to do in Lorne is simply hang around and benefit from the chilled out city. However when you’re there, you would possibly as effectively try:
- Close by Erskine Falls – which you’ll both drive to, or stroll to through the 7.5km Erskine River Track.
- The view from Teddy’s Lookout over the inlet.
- Pizza Pizza, who apparently do the perfect gluten free pizza round!
Kennett River
4 phrases: KOALAS IN THE WILD. If this isn’t in your Aussie bucket checklist, then what are you even doing right here?
Search for the signal for Kennett River and switch off into the caravan park lot (thanks, Lonely Planet tip). These cutie pies sleep 22 hours a day, however we noticed one awake chomping away on some leaves (sadly it was too darkish to get an honest picture of her).
The Otways
Nice Otway Nationwide Park expands inland from the coast and covers the majority of the jap half of the Nice Ocean Street. In different phrases: in case you flip off the Nice Ocean Street at any level east of Cape Otway, you’re mainly within the forest. The roads are windy and hilly – nice enjoyable to drive after darkish with a clutch, let me inform you. Throughout the day you’ll see nothing however insanely tall timber framing your path.
When you have restricted time to do your Nice Ocean Street journey, I wouldn’t prioritize the Otways as a must-do – simply give attention to the coast.
Nevertheless, you must positively funds some further time for the Otways in case you’re into rainforests and waterfalls!
Beauchamp Falls.
Waterfalls
The Otways are famed for his or her attractive waterfalls, just a few of that are clustered inside a brief drive of one another. On my final go to in March 2021, two of them have been inaccessible on account of highway development, so I’d suggest checking forward of time earlier than you make the drive.
- Triplet Falls and Little Aire Falls are very closeby one another and might simply be mixed in a single journey.
- Hopetoun Falls is close by the Redwood forest.
- Beauchamp Falls and Stevensons Falls have campgrounds inside strolling distance.
- Erskine Falls is a bit additional east, and finest achieved as a visit from Lorne (as talked about earlier).
Hopetown Falls.
Rainforest
The Otway rainforest is especially superior as a result of you possibly can spot glow worms in sure areas at evening. Melba Gully and Maits Relaxation Rainforest Stroll are two such areas. Daytime visits are additionally very worthwhile as a result of, y’know, you possibly can truly see all of the timber and greenery round you as you do the walks.
When you have the posh of each money and time, you possibly can e book some rainforest actions with Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures. Their well-known Treetop Stroll and Zip Line Tour are supposed to be fairly epic!
The Redwoods
Who knew there have been California Redwood timber tucked away in a small pocket of Australia? Should you haven’t seen the Redwoods in Northern California, that is the following smartest thing and effectively price stopping to see.
CLICK TO BOOK A RENTAL CAR FOR THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Don’t need to drive your self on a Nice Ocean Street journey? Guide a tour as a substitute!
Port Campbell Nationwide Park
For this reason you do a Nice Ocean Street journey – to see the entire good things inside this nationwide park. All these images you’ve seen of arches, bridges, and numerous different rock buildings within the water alongside a surprising shoreline? Yep, they have been taken right here!
A phrase of warning: a lot of the stops on this Nice Ocean Street itinerary are VERY touristy. Should you’re introverted and/or anti-crowds, goal to go to on weekdays, and ideally earlier within the morning to keep away from the hoards of individuals.
So as from east to west, listed below are the stops price making:
Gibson Steps
I’m not fully certain why it is a factor, however it’s the primary main cease on this area so everybody makes some extent to cease off right here. Sure, there are certainly steps main all the way down to a seaside (86, the truth is) – however the views don’t maintain a candle to what lays forward down the highway.
IMO you’d be completely nice skipping it in case you’re simply in it for the views… however in case you’re a seaside bum who simply can’t preserve her toes out of the sand (like ME), go on down and have your self just a little frolic.
The 12 Apostles
Only a minute up the highway from the Gibson Steps are the 12 Apostles, which want no introduction except you’ve been residing below a rock the dimensions of considered one of them.
(FYI there are literally solely 7 Apostles now, however they’re all so majestic and spellbinding that you simply hardly even discover that half of ’em are lacking).
Sadly there isn’t a entry to the seaside the place a lot of the 12 Apostles are standing, solely Gibson Seaside subsequent door. I used to be truly actually trying ahead to sunbathing subsequent to them on my final go to, a uncommon 30 diploma day – however it was a no-go. A minimum of there are a number of viewpoints above from which you’ll admire the rock formations.
Loch Ard Gorge
I can’t say sufficient good issues about Loch Ard Gorge – the truth is, I’m calling it as the perfect cease to make on a Nice Ocean Street journey.
There are just a few strolling paths you possibly can take from the automobile park, which result in a number of totally different lookouts. My recommendation: DO THEM ALL. They’re all so different and beautiful that you simply gained’t need to miss a factor.
To the east, the strolling path results in lookouts going through The Razorback and Island Arch:
View from the Tom and Eva Lookout close to Loch Ard Gorge.
Nearer to the automobile park, the trail results in the gorge in addition to just a little facet path to the Island Arch Lookout:
At Loch Ard Gorge you CAN truly stroll all the way down to the seaside, and I extremely suggest doing so. It’s freakin’ beautiful down there. Prime spot for sunbathing, too, in case you occur to go to on a uncommon sizzling summer season day. Plus, it’s a bit sheltered from the wind down there, not like the opposite extra uncovered seashores alongside the Nice Ocean Street.
The Arch
No caption wanted for this one, both. An arch is an arch (is an arch…).
London Bridge
Effectively it used to be a bridge, till a part of it collapsed and left a pair individuals marooned on the arch. I suppose now it ought to now referred to as London Arch?
Both approach, the bridge/arch and surrounding seaside are very picturesque, so don’t miss this cease in your Nice Ocean Street journey!
The Grotto
I’d suggest hitting this spot earlier within the day, in any other case it’ll be coated in shadows. Nonetheless, it’s fairly cool strolling down to look at the water on this little nook.
CLICK TO BOOK A RENTAL CAR FOR THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Don’t need to drive your self on a Nice Ocean Street journey? Guide a tour as a substitute!
Bay of Islands Coastal Park
The sights and stop-offs after Port Campbell taper off abruptly, however there’s nonetheless a lot extra shoreline to see alongside the Bay of Islands in case you’re not too jaded.
Beginning at Peterborough and heading west:
Peterborough Cliff Prime Stroll
If you wish to escape the Nice Ocean Street vacationers, get your self off that vacationer path and go for a stroll from Peterborough to the Bay of Martyrs. There’s a cliff top trail that heads west alongside the coast and affords up some spectacular coastal inlets and rock formations. DON’T MISS IT!
I used to be getting some severe Greek island vibes on this stroll, it truly is a stunner. Disgrace that it’s so overshadowed by the opposite Nice Ocean Street stops (although fortunate for you, you’ll possible solely must share it with the locals!).
Bay of Islands
From the Bay of Islands lookout, you possibly can gaze out at quite a few rock formations scattered within the bay. It’s a prime sundown spot.
Warrnambool
Warrnambool marks the official finish of the Nice Ocean Street. It is a correct metropolis with massive supermarkets, chain shops, golf golf equipment, and botanic gardens, which… isn’t fairly the identical vibe you get on the remainder of the drive.
Until you want some creature comforts or city stimulation, or are heading additional west, you’re not lacking a lot in case you choose to not cease right here. On considered one of my Nice Ocean Street journeys, I stayed right here one evening earlier than driving again to Melbourne the following day, utilizing it principally simply as a spot to crash moderately than tour. There’s an amazing, inexpensive collection of Airbnbs in Warrnambool, so it does work effectively as a spot to remain.
Nevertheless, in case you do have a while to spend right here, there are many issues to do in Warrnambool:
- Deep Blue Hot Springs, the Nice Ocean Street’s reply to the Mornington Peninsula Sizzling Springs
- Whale watching at Logans Seaside, which has a whale watching platform from which to identify the whales (throughout winter) or the sundown
- Thunder Level, a coastal reserve with quite a few mountaineering trails and coastal views