Revealed: Australia’s best road trip

Kate SymonsBy Kate Symons
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It’s right there in the name. Come to think of it, the name is somewhat of an understatement…

From Torquay to Allansford, a small town on the doorstep of Warrnambool, the 243-kilometre Great Ocean Road in Victoria is a highlight reel of dramatic cliffs, windswept beaches, lush rainforest, abundant wildlife and, of course, almighty views over the Southern Ocean.

A recent study by Youi has revealed it is the most popular road trip in Australia, with 39 per cent of respondents ranking it their favourite. Here’s a road trip itinerary to make the most of this great Australian icon.

Day 1: Torquay to Apollo Bay

Distance: 1 hour and 50 minutes/92 kilometres

A touch over 100 kilometres from Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, Torquay marks the Great Ocean Road’s official launch point. But no need to rush. It would be remiss to leave without indulging in Torquay’s star attraction – its beaches. For a dip, hit up Front Beach or Jan Juc, or for a glimpse of an aquatic icon, head south for Bells Beach, host of the annual Rip Curl Pro.

Stretching 44 kilometres from Torquay to Aireys Inlet, the Surf Coast Walk is another way to take in this spectacular region. The multi-use trail has 12 sections for those not in the mood for a literal marathon effort. This map will help you find your preferred route.

Bells Beach Great Ocean Road
Hit the surf at Bells Beach.

For lunch, you’re in for a treat, but there’s a crucial decision to be made: seafood or Spanish cuisine. In Anglesea, a leisurely 12-minute drive from Bells, Fish by Moonlite , offers the freshest seafood you can find. Alternatively, tack on an extra 30-minute drive to reach Lorne, another picturesque seaside town (of course!).

The drive to Apollo Bay is a particularly impressive stretch of this famous road with wild beaches rollicking below your clifftop route.

Great Ocean Road Anglesea
Drive to Anglesea for fresh seafood.

Hint

If you’d prefer a more casual (yet entirely quintessential) lunch, grab fish ‘n’ chips and enjoy beachside in Lorne.

Must see

Perched 40 metres above Fairhaven Beach, about 15 minutes south of Anglesea, Pole House is an architectural wonder. Pull over for a cheeky look or, better still, add another day to your itinerary and stay the night.

the exterior view of The Pole House Fairhaven
Take yourself to the edge of Australia in this seemingly suspended house.

Where to stay

Seafearers Getaway – Stylish studios, units and lodges with a mesmerising beachfront location.

Chris’s Beacon Point – A sophisticated, not to mention convenient, choice after dining in the acclaimed restaurant.

Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Campbell

Distance: 2 hours and 5 minutes/123 kilometres (including detour to Cape Otway)

Grab breakfast in Apollo Bay before starting day two on a high with a visit to the lush Otway National Park and the Cape Otway Lightstation . Built in 1848, the lighthouse is the oldest on mainland Australia and, on the other side of a 90-metre climb, offers commanding views of the Bass Strait and Southern Ocean.

Twelve Apostles Great Ocean Road
The Twelve Apostles are a geological marvel.

Back on the Great Ocean Road, it’s showtime as the Twelve Apostles come into view. These craggy limestone stacks, dramatically piercing the ocean, are a geological marvel, shaped by 20 million years of wind and waves. There are only seven apostles today, but the sight is still striking. There are numerous lookouts from which to snare a vantage point while the Gibson Steps will put you on the sand and under the towering formations.

Just a few minutes west, Loch Ard Gorge offers a network of walking trails to help further explore the coastal wilderness.

Loch Ard Gorge Great Ocean Road
Loch Ard Gorge offers a network of walking trails.

Must see

Impressive at any time of day, the 12 Apostles are particularly magic at sunrise or sunset.

Where to stay

Anchors – Three self-contained villas combining the tranquillity of a rural getaway with five-star touches.

Sea Foam Villas – Light and comfortable apartment-style accommodation a stone’s throw from the water.

Day 3: Port Campbell to Warrnambool

Distance: 62 kilometres

What is a road trip without a banging playlist? And what’s a banging playlist without a little Beyoncé? We recommend Queen Bey’s hit Formation as a fitting preparation for day three, which starts with more of Mother Nature’s grand rock monuments: The Arch, London Bridge and The Grotto.

London Bridge Great Ocean Road
London Bridge will leave you in awe.

Then it is on to the Bay of Islands Coastal Park, a 32-kilometre-long beauty starting just beyond Port Campbell at Peterborough. Although overshadowed by their famous neighbour, the Bay of Islands and Bay of Martyrs also inspire displays of towering limestone stacks.

The Great Ocean Road officially ends at Allansford, but extend the drive by just 12 minutes for the brighter lights of Warrnambool. If you’re travelling between June and September, be sure to head to the viewing platforms at Logans Beach for the chance to spot the migrating southern right and blue whales. With views to write home about (or, let’s be honest, brag about via Instagram), it’s got to be Simon’s Waterfront for dinner and a toast to this unforgettable coastline.

The Grotto Great Ocean Road
The Grotto is one of Mother Nature’s creations.

Hint

If time allows, a wee detour to Timboon will be much appreciated by any foodies in your touring party. Stop in at Timboon Distiller y for lunch or dinner on the deck of a boutique distillery. Modern Australian cuisine and daytime cafe food served in a boutique distillery with deck seating.

Where to stay

Lady Bay Resort  – Contemporary accommodation on the picturesque bay.

Quest Warnambool – Comfortable apartment-style hotel conveniently located on Warnambool’s main street.

Want to know more? Read our ultimate travel guide to the Great Ocean Road.

Kate Symons
Kate Symons is a freelance writer with a particular passion for uncovering the people that make the place. On assignments near and far, she observes and absorbs, waiting for that satisfying moment when the story lede - the tale that is sure to entice - presents itself.
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8 incredible hikes just outside of Melbourne

    Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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    Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.

    Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford , the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.

    1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

    Hanging Rock Summit Walk
    Take in views across the Macedon Ranges.

    Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.

    2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail

    Macedon Ranges Walking Trail camel's hump lookout
    Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)

    The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.

    3. Mount Alexander Traverse

    Mount Alexander Traverse
    Take in the serenity.

    Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.

    4. Murmuring Walk

    Murmuring Walk daylesford hikes
    Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.

    Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.

    5. La Gerche Forest Walk

    La Gerche Forest Walk
    Walk into history on the La Gerche Forest trail.

    Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.

    6. Sailors Falls Loop

    Sailors Falls Loop
    See these spectacular falls. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.

    7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk

    Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.

    8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk

    Mount Franklin Summit Walk
    Take in forests and waterfalls along the way to the top of Mount Franklin.

    An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.

    The trails of Victoria’s Heartland offer a chance to reconnect with the landscape, local history and yourself. Start planning your next adventure at daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au.