Take a road trip on the Great Ocean Road – Australia

One of the most stunning coastal drives in the world, the Great Ocean Road is Victoria’s prized possession, an Australian National Heritage site and one that attracts visitors both domestic and international all year round – and it isn’t hard to see why. With 243 kilometres of winding roads cut into the cliff face, crashing surf and striking rock formations towering out of the sea, the Great Ocean Road certainly earns its name.

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Most people will begin their road trip in Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria. When considering a car for a long trip, comfort is key and Honda cars are always a good bet for example the CR-V is going to give you that extra leg room. As an alternative you could try out a jeep for a safe and reliable ride – especially if you’re planning to travel off the main roads.

The Great Ocean Road officially runs between the towns of Torquay and Warrnambool. From Melbourne, a good route is to start at Warnambool (the furthest point on the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne) and work your way back towards the city. You can stop off on route to Warrnambool at the Grampians National Park, which offers some beautiful hikes in the mountains.

The rock formations along the Great Ocean Road provide suitably convenient stopping-off points so that you can take in the scenery from outside the car and commit some of those memories to camera. The Twelve Apostles are the most famous of the Great Ocean Road sights – although there are actually only eight now; erosion has seen the fall of these huge limestone stacks that sit amongst the surf, just outside Port Campbell National Park about half way along the Great Ocean Road. You can head to the viewing platform for some photographic opportunities, or even take a helicopter ride around the coastline.

A useful stop-over point on your Great Ocean Road adventure, Apollo Bay is a pretty seaside town where you can enjoy fish and chips on the beach and explore the shops on the seafront. Keep your eye out for the wild koalas that laze in the tree tops around Apollo Bay and the Great Ocean Road.

Using Apollo Bay as a base, you can head off to the Otway Ranges. Great for walking enthusiasts, you can fill your lungs with fresh air and take a trek around the rainforest and stunning waterfalls that lie just inland from the Great Ocean Road. The Otway Fly Tree Top Walk is built up in the canopy of the rainforest and is the longest and tallest walkway in the world, offering beautiful views of the lush surrounding scenery.

Torquay is the end of the Great Ocean Road. You can try out a spot of surfing here, something for which the coast is famed – Torquay’s Bells Beach is where the International Surfing Championships are held.

Finally, on your way back to Melbourne you might want to factor in a stop at Phillip Island, home to the tiny fairy penguins, or the vineyards of the Yarra Valley.

The Great Ocean Road can be driven as quickly or as slowly as you like – the highlights can be done in a day, but if you’ve got longer then there is plenty to explore along the way and many peaceful seaside towns in which to stopover and spend a couple of relaxing days.

Photo credits: Great Ocean Road by nazgulhead, The Twelve Apostles by M Kuhn, Apollo bay by trash world, Otway Fly Tree Top Walk by Marie, and Yarra Valley by Marcus Crafter.

Our thanks for this article, brought* to you by CarSales.com.au – Australia’s No.1 Auto Website offering a variety of Jeeps for a safe and reliable ride – especially if you’re planning to travel off the main roads.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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