Gor travel planner gort 2017 by Apollo Bay Vic

2017/18 TRAVEL PLANNER PLAN YOUR GREAT ESCAPE.

VISITGREATOCEANROAD.ORG.AU

Features.

A GREAT ESCAPE

16 Active adventure 18 A trail or two 20 Mountain biking 22 Great Ocean Walk 24 Natural wellness

WISH

24 4 Embark on a journey of wonder

6 Big Nature 8 Where the wild things are

YOU

10 Melba Gully 12 Fall in love with

landscapes, ancient and living

14 Waterfall wonderlust

WERE

26 Wreck Beach 28 On historyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s page 30 12 Apostles 32 Tastes of the road 34 Chocolate delight

37 Village inspiration 38 I am Torquay 39 I am Anglesea 40 I am Aireys Inlet 41 I am Lorne 42 I am Apollo Bay 43 I am Otways 44 I am the 12 Apostles Coast & Hinterland

45 I am Warrnambool 46 I am Port Fairy 47 I am Portland 60 Drive times & Map GREAT EVENTS LIFTOUT

Includes an 8 page 2017/18 Great Ocean Road Events Guide (see middle pages)

49 SHARE YOUR GREAT OCEAN ROAD STORY

HERE...

www.greatoceanroadholidays.com.au

Post your photos, itineraries, microblogs o n Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Use #visitgreatoceanroad

great stays 3

BAY OF ISLANDS COASTAL PARK

SIGNATURE SIGHTS Explore a century of surfing history and culture at the Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. Features include the evolution of surfboards, films, Australian surfing’s Hall Of Fame, how technology has shaped the sport and colourful surf art. | a ustraliannationalsurfing museum.com

Take an unforgettable drive through Great Otway National Park to Cape Otway Lightstation (pictured below). Climb to the zenith of mainland Australia’s oldest surviving lighthouse. You can see the world from up here! And so much to do nearby. | lightstation.com

Embark on a journey of wonder. Life’s great journeys take time: to explore, to savour, to get off the beaten track and follow your own path. Your Great Ocean Road region journey will be one of your greatest ever – if you give yourself time to get under its skin, eat it up and drink it all in. Start with the road itself, winding on the edge of the Southern Ocean through south west Victoria from Torquay to the South Australian border. It’s a road trip of epic proportions, spectacular scenery and bucket-list action. Touring by car is by far the best way to experience the wonder.

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On the edge of Kanawinka Geopark, visit Red Rock lookout for mind-boggling 360-degree views over an ancient volcanic landscape featuring 40 eruption points and crater lakes.

Take time to get sand between your toes and rainforest mist in your sights. Re-energise, invigorate, feel the freedom. Explore our villages and enclaves, our hinterland and hospitality, foodie trails and big nature. Time your visit to coincide with an event or two – sporting, arts, food + wine, community, music and more. Every reason, every season we have events and festivals spanning all the sweetspots you can imagine. Be inspired. Come find yourself in our powerful natural landscapes. To plan your journey of wonder go to: visitgreatoceanroad.org.au Share your Great Ocean Road journey: #visitgreatoceanroad

Big Nature. NATURAL HIGHS Stand small among nature’s giants in an eerie towering Californian Redwood plantation near Beech Forest. Mist-shrouded, sun-dappled and totally photo-ready. Tread a tongue of volcanic lava formed millions of years ago, then hand-carved by the Gundijtmira people into the world’s oldest aquaculture system at Budj Bim near Heywood. | budjbimtours.com.au At Cape Bridgewater, plunge into the ocean to snorkel with New Zealand fur seals in the safety of a large cage – the only seal cage diving experience in the world (pictured below). | sealsbyseatours.com.au While in Cape Bridgewater be sure to walk amongst the ancient tubes of limestone known as the Petrified Forest (pictured above).

Nature comes brazen and boundless in the Great Ocean Road region. Set your wild spirit free where the Southern Ocean crashes on an endless shoreline, where sprawling national parks straddle coast and hinterland, where waterfalls thunder and awesome creatures crawl, creep, swoop and swim. It’s nature at her biggest and boldest – all drama and action one minute; hauntingly beautiful and spiritual the next. Come find your own untold story in our wide open spaces.

GET BACK TO NATURE IN PARKS. The region’s national parks offer pristine environments and stunning landscapes perfect for connecting with the natural world. Shape your own journey: calming retreat, spectacular scenery, physical challenge – or all of the above. The Port Campbell National Park and Bay of Islands Coastal Park stretch between Princetown and Warrnambool, protecting some 2,780 hectares of coastal land. World-famous for ocean-sculpted rock stacks, thundering blowholes, unique wildlife and cliffhugging walking tracks, this precinct is nature central. The 103,190-hectare Great Otway National Park is vast and changeable, spanning Torquay to Princetown and inland towards Colac. Find a plethora of natural treasures: sandy beaches, shady rainforests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, cliffs and windswept heathland. For further park information on walking, camping and park updates please visit www.parks.vic.gov.au or call into a local Visitor Information Centre.

CALIFORNIAN REDWOODS, BEECH FOREST

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Where the wild things are. 5 X #INSPO Creatures big and small, inhabit this wondrous landscape. Wild and free – like you. Meet them on their own ground, in their habitats. Spot whales cruising by at Warrnambool, fur seals skylarking at Cape Bridgewater, echidnas creeping through the national parks and koalas munching through eucalyptus leaves at Cape Otway. For glimpses of grazing kangaroos, head to the Anglesea Golf Course, Tower Hill or the Gellibrand River flats at Princetown. And the elusive platypus? Try for a dusk sighting at Lake Elizabeth, deep in the Otways. Watch the skies and the trees for birdlife. Swim, snorkel or dive for underwater critter sightings.

SEALS, SEA CAVES AND THE SOUTHERN OCEAN – A WILDLIFE TOUR LIKE NO OTHER. “You can smell their breath and almost reach out to touch their bristly whiskers. That’s how close you’ll get to the seals during a tour, yet we’re totally focused on not disturbing them. We do everything we can to help manage their wellbeing, from untangling them from fishing nets to keeping an eye on who’s poking around out there. Our advanced eco tourism accreditation confirms we’re all about the environment. Our boats take us safely in and out, under the cliffs, right into sea caves where we float alongside rock shelves. From the water, you’re at the seals’ level. You see their normal everyday behaviours. They’re naturally curious and cheeky. Always playful. Sometimes, they’ll swim right up to the zodiac and launch onto the side. It’s a wild, natural environment, just a three-minute boat ride from our jetty. Every tour has its highlights – maybe a feeding frenzy of gannets diving into the Southern Ocean, waves forming a horizontal waterfall as they rush over a shelf just below the surface, dolphins frolicking or a Blue Whale cruising in the distance. And all around, striking and rare volcanic rock forms rise up from the sea.”

Canoe-glide across eerie Lake Elizabeth (near Forrest), sliding past skeletal-grey tree trunks in search of elusive platypus. | platypustours.net.au Take a turn-off, late afternoon, into Grey River Road (Kennett River) (pictured above-left) to spy tree-bound koalas right at home crunching gum leaves. Find a lonely vantage point at Cape Nelson and keep vigil for a glimpse of blue whales feeding on swarms of krill in the distance. Get your glitter on with a nightwalk to see the glow worms at Melba Gully. Bring your sense of wonder – and a torch. Go in search of emus pecking and grazing in family groups on the plains, especially at Tower Hill (pictured above). Keep your distance, they can unleash a powerful kick. The penguins on Middle Island, Warrnambool are protected by the Maremma dogs made famous in the movie Oddball. | visitwarrnambool.com.au

JO AUSTIN, Seals by Sea Tours, Cape Bridgewater | sealsbyseatours.com.au

FUR SEAL, CAPE BRIDGEWATER

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GLOW WORMS, MELBA GULLY

NATURAL HIGHS

LAKE ELIZABETH

See a spectacular summer sight – thousands of short-tailed shearwaters (mutton birds) in return flight to their nests on Griffith Island, Port Fairy each day at sunset between September and April. Snorkel among swirling bull kelp and search for underwater eye candy like colourful sea tulips and encrusting sponges at Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary, Aireys Inlet. Most of the park is less than 10m deep. | parkweb.vic.gov.au Experience big nature at Station Beach on Cape Otway. This 2.8km long stretch of sand forms a section of the Great Ocean Walk, accessed by walking trail (or horse back) from Bimbi Park.

Photograph © David B Simmonds

Melba Gully.

Send the kids on a high-tech nature expedition in volcano country. A treasure hunting expedition through the lakes and volcanic craters of Camperdown. Pick up GPS units and treasure maps at the Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre.

THE MAGIC OF MELBA GULLY’S GLOW WORMS. “An after-dark quest to see the glow worms is a great family adventure. The tiny creatures put on their show all year round but are at their best during cold, wet weather. You’ll need to grab your raincoat, boots and torch. Feeling how the forest comes alive at dusk is all part of the fun. But stick together – kids can get spooked exploring at night. As you creep along the walking track, keep an eye out.

If conditions are right you’ll soon catch a glimpse of tiny lights ahead in the darkness. Tread lightly, whisper quietly, keep your torches focused downwards. Let your eyes adjust. The glow worms’ bioluminescence makes a magical spectacle – like a wall of natural, blue-green fairylights dotted in the soil bank. Having wandered through the darkened forest to get here, it feels like a secret discovery, a real

adventure for kids and adults to share and remember.” ANDREW GARDINER,

Parks Victoria Ranger Team Leader, Apollo Bay | parkweb.vic.gov.au GLOWING OPTIONS Glow worms can also be spotted along the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk and at the Kennett River Picnic Ground. OTWAY FLY TREETOP ADVENTURES

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MARRINERS LOOKOUT, APOLLO BAY

TOUR THE SCAPES

Fall in love with landscapes, ancient and living.

BUDJ BIM CULTURAL LANDSCAPE – AN ANCIENT AND UNIQUE PLACE.

“At the beginning of the Dreaming, an Ancestral Being gave the Gunditjmara people life, language and the law of the land. He revealed part of himself in the landscape at Budj Bim (meaning “high head” in Dhawurd Wurrung language) – today known as Mt Eccles, an inactive volcano. BUDJ BIM, HEYWOOD

Every landscape bears its secrets. The Great Ocean Road region teems with diverse seascapes, landscapes and skyscapes, each alive with its own magic – ancient stories, intriguing geology, phenomenal flora and fauna. Explore vast volcanic plains, heaved up into craters and cones at Tower Hill. See a mountain shaped like an elephant and another steeped in dreamtime story. Wonder at limestone stacks carved by the sea and waterfalls gushing through untouched bushlands. Walk in the footsteps of the First People who belonged to this land for millennia before European settlers arrived.

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Budj Bim’s ancient lava flow blocked the natural drainage patterns of rivers and creeks, creating wetlands abundant with resources for our people. Here, they built a sophisticated system to harvest and farm large quantities of migrating Kooyang (short-finned eel) for food and trade. It remains one of the world’s largest and earliest aquaculture systems, older than the Pyramids or Stonehenge. The landscape here tells our story, with remnants of channels, weirs, eel races and fish traps. There’s evidence of permanent or semi-permanent settlement, dispelling the myth that Aboriginal people were nomadic. One village contains more than 140 recorded stone house sites. Visitors can tour the landscape, walk the ancient lava tongue and, on rainy days, perhaps see replica eel traps flow into action.

CUMBERLAND RIVER, LORNE

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Today, Gunditjmara people continue to care for country. We are currently campaigning for UNESCO World Heritage listing to recognise and protect our cultural heritage on an international level.” TYSON LOVETT-MURRAY,

| budjbimtours.com

Clamber to the top of Mount Leura to see the lie of the land. Take the easy trail to nearby Mount Sugar Loaf, a perfectly formed volcano cone. If you packed a picnic, relax and soak up the 360-degree vistas stretching across basalt plains. Take a 2-hour guided twilight tour at Tower Hill Nature Reserve, Warrnambool (pictured above) to eyeball nocturnal critters and pay homage to the haunting, silhouetted crater landscape at sunset. | towerhill.org.au Marengo Reef Sanctuary is home to a fur seal colony which can be reached either by charter boat with Apollo Bay Fishing and Adventure Tours or by Kayak with Apollo Bay Surf and Kayak tours.

Gunditjmara man + tour guide

STEVENSONS FALLS, GREAT OTWAY NP

FALL IN LOVE

Waterfalls are nature in motion – a place to connect with the beauty and power of the natural world. The Great Ocean Road region, with its diverse landscapes and abundant annual rainfall, boasts dozens of waterfalls, no two the same. Many are deep in the temperate rainforest, reachable via trails or riverside tracks. Others are so close to the carpark, you can hear the roar as soon as you swing the car door open.

Waterfall Wonderlust.

On warm days, seek out a cool picnic spot by the falls and watch for rainbows arcing in the mist. On cooler days hike deeper in, bird watching and wildlife spotting as you trek uncrowded tracks. Let the falls be your journey’s reward.

TRIPLET FALLS – SPECTACULAR, ANY TIME OF YEAR. You’re not far from Beech Forest in the Great Otway National Park, nestled midst forests of 200-year old Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beach. You take the 2km (1-hour) walking loop from the carpark. Mossy tree ferns shade the forest floor and weird fungi push upwards. You hear the lyrical song of scrub-wrens hunting low in the leaf litter. The distant sound of the falls amplifies as you approach. From one viewing platform to the next, cascade by cascade, the majesty unfolds. Each time, you reach for your camera, thinking you have the best shot. And then, behold: the full panoramic wonder of Triplet Falls’ multiple cascades tumbling down shaded rockfaces into the cool pool below. It’s a video moment.

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Erskine Falls (pictured above) is the best-known of ten waterfalls within 10km of Lorne. Gaze at the 30m drop from eyelevel then trek 200-plus steps down for a bottom-up view. Tumbling down a sloping rockface, the magnificent Carisbrook Falls are yours to behold within a 10-minute walk of the carpark 12km east of Apollo Bay. The picture perfect, rectangularshaped Beauchamp Falls, is only 4km from Beech Forest. Follow the trail to the stunning apparition of 15-metre high Phantom Falls on the St George River, 2km from Lorne. Choose a tree-lined view of beautiful Hopetoun Falls, or a 30-minute trek down through fern glades affords a full expanse, bottom-up vista. A short drive from Barramunga is Stevensons Falls. The picturesque walking track to get to the falls shadows the Gellibrand River before arriving at a viewing platform. Visit curtain-like Hopkins Falls near Warrnambool in winter to see them at their glorious best and maybe spy migrating baby eels jumping rocky ledges.

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5 X #INSPO WATER ADVENTURES

Active adventure.

Don’t let the kids have all the fun! Learn to SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) with a 2-hour beginner lesson and tour of the historic Moyne River, lighthouse and East Beach at Port Fairy. | gosurf.com.au

The Great Ocean Road region seems purpose-built for action-lovers. Wild landscapes offer a myriad of tracks and trails for walking, cycling, running and more. Go as hard as you like – grunt uphill, freewheel downhill or pace it out on the flat.

Bring your surfboard (or hire one) and paddle out at Torquay Main beach. Watch international surf pro’s do their thing on Bells Beach’s legendary righthanders, where the Rip Curl Pro is staged each Easter.

The sun-kissed seascapes and waterways are world-renowned for surfing, swimming, diving, SUP, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and boating. Whatever your skill level, there’s an environment to challenge you, to push you on to bigger and better things.

Do something new, as a family. Bring the little ones, hire a family canoe or two and paddle your way up and down the peaceful Anglesea River (pictured below). | angleseapaddleandcanoe.com

Answer the call to get moving, to get healthier, to learn something new. Get out in the natural world where your next adventure is ready and waiting for you.

JOURNEY INTO SUP (STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING).

TORQUAY

“We’re paddling our SUPs down the historic Moyne River, after learning the basics and a few important safety tips. It’s totally different to strolling the bank. We’re immersed, part of the river. Little ducks in a big environment. The feeling underfoot is unique, the closest thing to walking on water.

PETERBOROUGH

PORTLAND

As we paddle past Battery Hill, I point out the cannons. It’s difficult to imagine a time when they were pointed at an unknown enemy or when Port Fairy people feared for their way of life. Here we are – enjoying a day out with all the freedom in the world. Our biggest worry is staying upright!

Get a physical work-out while hauling in a catch of epic proportions. Gather a group and hire a charter boat to fish for Southern Bluefin Tuna in the big seas off the Portland coast. | prolinecharters.com.au Get your heart pumping with surf kayaking. Head to Lorne for a lesson and equipment hire, then hit the waves for a solo adrenaline buzz. | southernexposure.com.au

As we hit the open water, everyone’s found their sea legs. Soon we’re paddling near Griffith Island lighthouse towards a beach just off the beaten path, out of sight for most on foot. In a protected corner we practise beach take-offs and landings to prepare for our next ocean adventure. We reach the ocean stretch home. I yell, ‘Can you see our landmark – the cannons? Let’s paddle to Battery Hill!’ It feels like a war cry and we all paddle like mad. The waves wash us gently into Little East Beach. After two hours of moderate exercise and 3km of exploring, we land within 400m of where we started out.”

ANGLESEA

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KEITH CURTAIN, GO Surf School, Port Fairy | gosurf.com.au

4 X #INSPO LAND ADVENTURES

PORT CAMPBELL DISCOVERY WALK

Experienced walker? Train-up, gear-up and dare to do the 100km Great Ocean Walk independently, carrying your own pack and supplies from camp to camp. It’s a test of fitness, determination and planning. Are you up for it? | greatoceanwalk.com.au At Lake Purrumbete (Camperdown) fish for trout or redfin without leaving terra firma. Cast out from Hose’s Rocks into the shallow volcanic crater lake and enjoy the thrill of reeling in a big one.

CHRIS ORD’S TRAIL RUN TOP FIVE

A trail or two.

1. Lorne Waterfall Loop. 24km or 31km, mostly single track – rainforest, waterfalls, swimming spots, rock hopping and a finish within cooee of Lorne’s café strip.

PATHWAYS INTO ADVENTURE. “Our Surf Coast landscape is made for adventure. It supports an incredible breadth of pathways into outdoor adventure from beginner through to hard core. Not just trail running; there’s surfing, SUP, kayaking, mountain biking, trail walking and more.

Plus all the infrastructure you need: equipment hire, tour operators, accommodation, cafés, camps and organised events like Kids Adventures Outdoors (KAOS) Anglesea, a weekend festival introducing kids to a bunch of new outdoor activities.

You can start with a lesson in the estuary, shallows or on a well-formed path then graduate to bigger waves or backcountry trails, the ocean or the Otways. When you’re ready, your next challenge is always there.

With trail running, there’s a myriad of trails with various challenge levels. You can go as hard as you like, yet never be far from a great coffee!

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Start with an easy event like Roo Run, Bells Beach Bash or /VisitGreatOceanRoad

Afterglow and then progress to the Surf Coast Trail Marathon or Surf Coast Century (100km). For people who haven’t grown up near the bush, these stepping stones from novice to intermediate and beyond can help create lifelong habits and connection to the outdoors. And it’s all anchored in our remarkable land and seascapes.”

2. Afterglow Twilight-Night Trail Run. Annual event from Point Addis to Torquay, known for full-on fun and 80s retro vibe. Expect a saxophonist or a fire twirler on the trail, and disco dancing into the night. | afterglow.com.au

3. M elanesia to Moonlight Head (Great Ocean Walk). 10km stretch with amazing clifftop views, beefy climbs and remote beaches. 4. D istillery Creek Loop. 11km of 100% single track with a mix of technical and smooth flowing trail, a climb and big vistas over Aireys Inlet/ Moggs Creek.

Be bold. Venture out from Cape Otway Lighthouse to Rainbow Falls. It’s a 10km return hike, that will take around 4 hours depending how long you rest. If the tide permits, take the beach track. | greatoceanwalk.com.au Dial up the adventure with an extreme rainforest experience. Whizz through tree canopies suspended from a zipline 30 metres above the forest floor at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures (pictured below). | otwayfly.com

5. P rincetown to 12 Apostles (Great Ocean Walk). The 7km finale run. If you time it right, you arrive at the lookout opposite Glenample Homestead at around sunset. A stunner.

CHRIS ORD, Tour de Trails, Anglesea | tourdetrails.com

| kidsadventureoutdoors.org.au

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Images courtesy: www.tourdetrails.com / Sam Costin

MTB, FORREST

Mountain biking.

ON YOUR BIKE Forrest is MTB central, where mountain bikers come to ride top-class single-track in an ultrascenic environment. More than 60km of track snakes through the Otways rainforest, always looping back to the township. It’s where champions train, enthusiasts pit themselves against the dirt and novices learn the ropes. MTB tour operators offer skills training, bike hire and guided tours, and events like the Otway Odyssey MTB Marathon and Forrest Festival draw folk from far and wide.

OTWAY ODYSSEY – IT’S EPIC.

The Otway Odyssey has a reputation as one of Australia’s most respected mountain bike marathons. It’s a mountain biker’s dream with all the epic single tracks, the gut busting hills and adrenaline pumping descents. The race friendly atmosphere and massive sense of satisfaction when you cross the finish line in the middle of the event festival at the Forrest Football Ground is a highlight for many competitors. The Otway Odyssey MTB Marathon has been held for the last 10 years and has grown to become one of the pre-eminent mountain bike races in Australia and on the ‘bucket list’ of many cyclists.

Anglesea is another hub for two-wheel adventure. Families love the all-level challenge of Anglesea Bike Park (pictured left), a world-class mountain cross track purpose-built for all ages. And Parks Victoria has now approved Anglesea’s Eumerella Trails, a long-time favourite of MTBers, for public use. Map available for download from avenzamaps.com or contact Parks Victoria for details. | parkweb.vic.gov.au

GRIND YOUR WAY THROUGH THE OTWAY RAINFOREST New for the 2017 event, The Great Otway Gravel Grind (GOGG) 97km and 49km follows a spectacular course along the 2WD and 4WD dirt roads that weave their way through the Otway rainforest around Forrest. There’s a ride for everyone - the GOGG is perfect for all levels of riders looking for a cycling challenge in a beautiful part of the world away from traffic and busy sealed roads. So grab your road bike, cyclocross, mountain or hybrid bike - and start peddling. | rapidascent.com.au/giantodyssey/

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For cycling events in the Great Ocean Road region visit: | v isitgreatoceanroad.org.au/ cycling-events

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GREAT SOUTH WEST WALK

Great Ocean Walk. WHERE NATURE’S DRAMA UNFOLDS AT EVERY STEP.

SURF COAST WALK

habitat to the next – from rocky clifftop to towering forest, from deserted beach to coastal heathland and sheltered estuary teeming with diversity.

Sleep beneath the stars in a hike-in camp or hunker down with creature comforts in off-walk accommodation. It’s your story to create and discover.

Apollo Bay sets the mood as the start-off point while the stunning 12 Apostles mark the endpoint. As you weave through remote locales with names like Moonlight Head and Devil’s Kitchen, the trail’s thread draws you from one

In its entirety, the Great Ocean Walk is an eight-day, 100-pluskm trek where every day is different. Your journey is your own. Take a day, a long weekend or longer. Go solo, in a group or with a tour guide.

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Tread lightly yet get the full Great Ocean Walk experience: team up with a tour guide and have your rucksack and supplies dropped each day at your hike-in camp. The specky view from the loo at Devils Kitchen camp alone makes it worth every step. | greatoceanwalk.com.au Intro the kids to the Surf Coast Walk (pictured far left) with the flat, easy-walking 1.6km Yellow Bluff to Point Danger section. You’re in sight of a fascinating ship’s graveyard and earshot of treacherous reefs, but never far from Torquay’s creature comforts. | surfcoastwalk.com.au

A long-distance walking trail carved under big skies, through outstanding landscapes in one of the world’s most remarkable locations. The Great Ocean Walk was masterminded to make the most of nature’s theatrics. Astounding, ever-changing scenery unfolds, day-by-day, turn-by-turn.

WALK THIS WAY

GREAT OCEAN WALK, MARENGO

Unearth your own adventure: discover Discovery Bay, the pristine Glenelg River and stunning Cape Bridgewater Bay on the 250km Great South West Walk starting in Portland. Or tackle it one bite-at-a-time with one (or more) of 15 shorter sections. | greatsouthwestwalk.com

GREAT OCEAN WALK, STATION BEACH

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Natural wellness. Experience the transformative power of nature in an untamed region. Reconnect with your true earth, meditate to the soothing sounds of the ocean and breathe in the goodness of fresh, salty air. Go barefoot and fancy-free in a myth-filled rainforest or ponder the universe in the wake of a stunning sunset. People have long sought out the restorative benefits of the Great Ocean Road region. You’ll find many a like-mind here, folk who answer the call to live well in communities where health and wellness are part of every day. You don’t have to dig deep to find them. Seek out a yoga class on the foreshore at Torquay, a half-day of pampering at a Lorne resort spa or a one-off after-sun treatment at a spa in Port Fairy, Anglesea or one of our other villages. For serious self-love, find sanctuary in a multi-day retreat experience in a bushland, clifftop or rural environment.

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU YOGA – GETTING QUIET TO LIVE LOUD ON THE SURF COAST. “The joy of yoga on the Surf Coast – the same people you see on the mat in a morning yoga class, you see on the beach in the afternoon or down at Fishos in the evening enjoying fish and chips and a beer. Yoga is about empowering you to live the life you love. It strikes a chord with people who want to challenge themselves physically while getting quiet mentally. We call it ‘getting quiet to live loud’. My sister and I had corporate careers when we began practising yoga after losing our brother and father suddenly. The healing and wellness we found in yoga compelled us to make yoga accessible for everyday people. We moved here eight years ago to create a yoga lifestyle hub to connect like-minds. It’s a very active community of down-to-earth people making the most of the natural coastal environment to live well. Our summer yoga classes on the foreshore and outdoors have a freespirited feel. Being in nature and near the ocean helps connection and quietness, inspires balance, a desire to be fit, healthy and grateful. We have so much to be grateful for here.” GAIL ASBELL, Upstate Yoga, Torquay | upstateyoga.com.au

Indulge and escape from the everyday with a 2-hour package at Port Fairy Day Spa – sigh your way through a geisha spa, hydropool bath and scalp, face and foot massage. | portfairydayspa.com.au Yoga in the Vines – unfurl your yoga mat at Mt Duneed Estate winery for a yoga flow class followed by a tasty lunch and a cheeky glass of wine. | upstateyoga.com.au The “be all and end all” of pampering – wander straight off the beach sand at Lorne and into the cocoon of Endota Spa for a seriously sublime 4-hour treatment package. | endotaspa.com.au Make time for you at Saltair Day Spa Torquay. Relax and unwind in a dedicated, tranquil space overlooking rolling green hills and crystal blue ocean waters. | saltairspa.com.au

warrnambool Deep Water Spa & & Hot Springs Warrnambool (pictured spa?? below), is a luxurious day spa and bath house. Boasting an open geothermal mineral pool and private hot mineral pool rooms. | qsdb.com.au/day-spa

TORQUAY

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WRECK BEACH

MARITIME MUSTS See Shipwrecked! and plunge the whole family into a sound and laser show ship journey through raging ocean at Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village (pictures left). | flagstaffhill.com Take the walking trail and 366-step cliff staircase down to Wreck Beach at Moonlight Head to search for ancient anchors marking the tragic shipwrecks of the Marie-Gabrielle and the Fiji. Check at Visitor Information centre for directions. Wander the many tracks around Loch Ard Gorge (pictured below), where the tragic story of the wrecked clipper ship the Loch Ard is writ large in trail signage. Imagine how survivors scaled the vertical cliffs to seek rescue for their shipmates.

Wreck Beach. ANCHORS, BOOTY AND SALTY TALES – THE LEGENDS OF WRECK BEACH.

Today, the rusty anchor of the Fiji stands sentinel near Moonlight Head. It rises eerily from the tides on remote Wreck Beach, signposting the stretch of ocean that claimed the Fiji and 11 crew on a moonless night in 1891. Legend has the ship breaking up and her cargo washing ashore – cases of brandy, gin, tobacco and dynamite. A lawless gang of locals swooped, loading their horses and buggies with the booty. Rumours swirled of drunken men roaming the countryside, offering stolen liquor to passers-by. And of the Customs Officer who tried to intervene and for his trouble was flung over a towering cliff, where he clung to a bush to await rescue. “There were numerous cases of Schnapps and much lighter cargo that came ashore,” says local shipwreck maritime historian, Rex Mathieson, who has dived 13 shipwrecks on the Victorian coastline, including some 500 descents to the Fiji. /VisitGreatOceanRoad 26

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FIJI ANCHOR, WRECK BEACH

“The depth is about 10 metres,” he says. “It looks like a demolition site. All the top decks and superstructure are completely gone with only the steel hull partially complete. The stern is covered in sand. Anchors and chains are visible at the bow.” “Amidship, stacks of pig iron look like rows of firewood. Coils of fencing wire look like piled up car tyres. Cups and plates, candle holders, ornate vases, children’s pewter toys and small ceramic animals and dolls lie encrusted in many small crevices.”

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A ROAD FOR THE AGES. At Eastern View, 5km west of Aireys Inlet, Memorial Arch spans the Great Ocean Road, reminding all that this much-loved roadway is the world’s biggest war memorial.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD, NEAR LORNE

Make time to pull over and discover more about the returned servicemen who constructed the road in memory of their mates lost in WWI. Between 1919 and 1932, 3,000 returned servicemen carved the 243km route from cliff faces using explosives, small machinery, picks, shovels and wheelbarrows. For those who had seen so much on the battlegrounds, the physical work of road building provided purpose, focus and a living. Their effort breathed life into isolated communities along the coast and opened the way for a flourishing tourism economy. Sculptor Julie Squires has captured the spirit and mateship of the roadbuilders in The Diggers, a haunting bronze sculpture located near the arch.

HERITAGE MUSTS

On history’s page. A rich bounty of history to share in stories told and untold – some are easily discovered in museums, heritage walks, guided tours and interpretive spaces. Others lurk in folklore, whispers on the waves, murmurs in the rainforest. From indigenous culture to maritime and pastoral, a rich vein of heritage runs through the Great Ocean Road region. You decide whether to scratch the surface or plumb the depths.

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Delve deeper into the road’s history: find The Great Ocean Road Story, a permanent exhibition, at the Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre in the Lorne Visitor Centre. | T: 1300 891 152 At Cape Otway Lightstation, learn about the Gadubanud people who, in 1848, guided early pioneers through the dense Otways forest to scout out the lighthouse site. Their story is layered in the Dreaming and rich cultural heritage. | lightstation.com OK with heights? Climb narrow stairs up the 30-metre Manifold Clock Tower at Camperdown. Your reward: wicked views over historic streetscapes and an insider squiz of the clock workings. Timing is everything – only open first Sunday of the month. 29

PHOTO CALL

12 Apostles.

Take to the skies in a scenic chopper flight to appreciate the big picture, wide-angle view of this stunning 12 Apostles and Shipwreck Coast. Train your lens over big skies and sensational oceanic views from the lofty balcony of the Cape Otway Lighthouse. | lightstation.com Discover your own slice of picture paradise: set your tripod steady and exposure long to nail a moody waterway shot in the shadows of tall timber in the Great Otway National Park (pictured below).

A MIGHTY SIGHT.

Towering proud above the Southern Ocean, the 12 Apostles are the region’s most iconic landmark. Most photographed. Most ogled. Most loved. To stare out over waves crashing into these 50-metre limestone stacks is to stand on the edge of the earth, face-to-face with nature’s power. Pause to ponder the misnomer (only 8 stacks remain standing) or simply embrace the breath-stealing splendour. Drink it in, be in the moment. Taste the salty air, hear the relentless waves thunder. Eventually, you’ll reach for your camera to snap the obligatory selfie. Now, bide your time – nature hasn’t finished. As the day turns and the light changes, the vista transforms before your eyes. Shadows and flecks of red flicker over the rocks and cliffs. Orange and purple play out against the changing sky. And the cracking sunset will have you vowing to return for the dawn unveiling, for a chopper ride above or a wander along the beach below (accessed from Gibson Steps). Did you capture every beautiful angle on camera? Nevermind, you have incredible memories to hold tight. | visit12apostles.com.au

12 APOSTLES HELICOPTERS, PORT CAMPBELL NP

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LOCAL FARE 12 APOSTLES GOURMET TRAIL – CREATIVITY + PASSION The ultimate indulgent road trip starring a collection of off-thebeaten-track boutique whisky and spirits, pick-your own berries and handcrafted cheese, ice cream, chocolates and wine. Take your own good time and shuffle from one artisan to the next at your leisure. The trail centres on the long-established farming region of the Shipwreck Coast, where passion-led producers have been growing amazing fresh produce for generations. | 12apostlesfoodartisans.com

Tastes of the road. This region takes local produce, at the source and paddock to plate to a whole new level. Signature restaurants and niche cafés buzz with archetypal dishes shaped around bounty of the sea and riches of fertile plains. Proud winemakers, brewers and cidermakers share their wares and their passions. Growers move with the rhythms of the season and artisan producers never compromise on taste. It shows … in every product, every meal, every glass. The tastes of the region are celebrated in lively festivals and showcased in easy-access trails … or go on your own culinary adventure, seeking out source stories and innovative products at providores or scoping out menus for hidden flavour gems. And when in Apollo Bay drop into Taste of the Region behind the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse - it’s a ‘one-stop shop’ for picking up the best of local produce and they also stock over 200 craft beers. /VisitGreatOceanRoad 32

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OTWAY HARVEST TRAIL – GOURMET WISDOM ABALONE DIRECT FROM THE DIVER. “Diving for wild abalone in the Southern Ocean is totally weather dependent. You get to know how to read it, to look for a window when conditions are right. Rough weather churns up the water and cuts visibility. The swell can really knock you around. It’s all good to be heading out but you’ve got to know you can get back home too. I grew up around abalone fishing. Dad was a diver too. He always banged on about focusing on the quality of the product. I didn’t get it then. Now it’s what I find really satisfying. Dealing direct with restaurants and buyers means I’m not under pressure to meet export quotas and shipping deadlines. It’s changed the way I dive. I don’t fish hard; I can take it more mindfully, more slowly.

A celebration of the seasons that bring abundance to this luscious locale. The trail showcases grassroots businesses defining the culinary depth of the Otways hinterland – breweries, wineries, markets, farmgates, restaurants, cafés and provedores. Meet real people, find real farms, delight in real hospitality and gourmet wisdom. | otwayharvesttrail.org.au

I look at a rock wall with maybe a thousand abalone and let my eye set to the biggest and the meatiest. I know to only harvest the cream of the crop and leave behind some decent-sized ones so the colony’s less vulnerable. I might be biased, but I reckon the flavour of wild abalone beats farmed. It’s had to fend for itself against nature; it’s a stronger animal. Maybe you can taste that.” AJ QUARRELL, Abalone Diver, Great Ocean Abalone, Port Campbell | greatoceanabalone.com.au

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GREAT OCEAN ROAD CHOCOLATERIE & ICE CREAMERY

LIQUID ASSETS

GOURMET GO TOS

Get your beer on at Forrest Brewery, AKA eating place and mountain biking hang-out. With brew-names like Block Splitter and Untamed Turkey, and an occasional single release using forest-foraged ingredients, you know you’re in for a treat. | forrestbrewing.com.au

Head to Timboon to scoop up know-how on ice cream making at Sundae School, then lick your way through a seasonal flavour range of fresh-made premium ice creams including Banana Brandy Snap, Orange and Cardamom, Espresso and Rhubarb Sorbet (pictured left). | timboonfineicecream.com.au

Chill with a glass of pinot noir, Euro-style bar snacks and fine convo about biodynamic grape growing and winemaking at Port Fairy’s Basalt Wines (pictured below-right). | basaltwines.com Love beer? Head to Torquay’s Blackman’s Brewery and meet the family – a range of beers named for real family members. All brewed and canned in the backyard and served up alongside an all-day, share-style grazing menu. | blackmansbrewery.com.au Sample a superbly palatable single malt whisky within eyeline of the copper still where it bubbled and steamed into life at Timboon Railway Shed Distillery. Bend the ear of the distiller and discover the lively local history of illicit whisky production. | timboondistillery.com.au Celebrate the season with a family-friendly, pet-friendly Sunday afternoon session at Gosling Creek Winery on the edge of the Great Otway National Park. Revel in live and local music, light lunch, snacks and cracking estate-grown wines. | goslingcreek.com.au

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Splurge with dinner and a stayover at Brae (Birregurra), named one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, where the creative approach to food and luxury accommodation will blow your mind. Chef Dan Hunter invites you to come interact with nature and eat from the land. | brae.com.au Behold the best view in town! Relax on the deck of Botanic Café on the Lake, nestled in the shady environs of the Colac Botanic Gardens. Start with a coffee and house-made muffin. Work up to a sumptuous lunch. | colacbotaniccafe.com.au

Chocolate delight. DISCOVERING THE ESSENCE OF CHOCOLATE. “The pure pleasure of closing your eyes, popping a square of couverture chocolate on your tongue, and letting it melt to your body temperature as you focus on picking up the flavour notes. Maybe some caramels or surprising spices. The beautiful mouthfeel, the way the velvety texture of the cocoa butter lingers. There’s no going back. Our European chocolatiers have premium chocolate running through their veins. They love guiding people through a chocolate discovery workshop, daring you with unexpected flavours like curry leaf, balsamic vinegar, pepperberry, vinegar, wild honey, violet, or chipotle pepper. There are literally thousands of possibilities, some sourced locally from our own kitchen garden and orchard, others imported. /VisitGreatOceanRoad

People are keen to learn about the origins of chocolate, its incredible health benefits, where it’s grown, how it’s dried, fermented and roasted. To taste a cocoa bean, the bitterness of raw chocolate or the pure delight of Euro-style truffles that have been three-days in the crafting. Then to create your own chocolate bar to take home, mixing and matching from 40 or more flavours laid out before you.

Say cheese! Experience a genuine paddock-to-plate operation at Apostle Whey Cheese (Cooriemungle) where the boutique cheese factory is smack-bang beside the dairy. Catch the cows being milked at 4pm daily. | apostlewheycheese.com.au

It’s more than a peek behind the scenes – it’s a new level of chocolate appreciation.” LEANNE NEELAND, Great

| gorci.com.au

Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery

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Village inspiration.

MOYNE RIVER, PORT FAIRY

Come visit our villages and be inspired. Find out what really makes us who we are. We’re more than a road – we’re a collection of deliciously different towns and communities, each with a story to share. And we’re not all on the coast. Winchelsea, a thriving town with a big country soul, is the inland gateway to a fascinating landscape of volcanic lakes and plains where Camperdown, Colac, Mortlake and other towns hum with history and hospitality. Come play. Come connect. Stay over and really get to know us. Come discover us – your way.

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I Torquay. am I am the fear that you chase for the thrill of the ride. | iamtorquay.com.au

I am Anglesea. I am a rock pool puzzle.

GET TO KNOW Tread where early surfers barefooted through scrub on the Bells Track from Bird Rock to Bells Beach. It’s like a 3.2km linear lookout with scenestealing views of reef breaks and relentless waves marching in along surfing’s “golden mile”. | surfcoastwalk.com.au When in Rome. Love the skin you’re in, beach-style, with an energising sea salt exfoliation and massage at a hidden day spa. Retreat yourself. | saltairspa.com.au Greet the day head-on with a sunrise cycle along The Esplanade, then head to Kobo Café to nourish your body with a healthy, best-of-season alfresco breaky. Start the day right. | kobocafe.com.au One small step, one giant leap – that’s tandem skydiving. Surf the air currents above famous Bells Beach as you freefall from 14,000 feet. | skydive.com.au Find your surfer style at Surf City Plaza, a showcase for iconic surf retail brands including big names like Rip Curl and Quiksilver, which were born in Torquay in 1969. For more about local surfing history you’ll also find the Australian National Surfing Museum here.

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I am the call to explore. | iamanglesea.com.au

GET TO KNOW Learn something new. Skill-up the whole fam-bam with a beginner surfing lesson. Waist-deep water, safe beach and belly-laughing family fun. | gorideawave.com.au Squeal for joy at a new playground every day. Unleash the munchkins at Coogorah Park on Reserve road and watch them run. Let them swing high at The Riverfront Playground or bounce off the walls at the outdoor trampoline park. | jumpzanglesea.com.au Pedal it out. Go off-road on purpose-built mountain bike tracks criss-crossing the bushy surrounds of town. Venture as far as you’re game. But, first, ask for a mud map at the Visitor Information Centre. Behold a Great Wall of Chocolate that’s surely visible from space? Linger over a luscious café lunch then taste, browse and buy to your heart’s content at Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery (Bellbrae) | www.gorci.com.au Connect to your creative self. Head to Anglesea Art House for an inspiring watercolour, life drawing or mosaic workshop where you’ll meet like-minds and learn from prominent artists. | anglesearthouse.com.au

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I am Lorne.

I am the best-kept secret – the quintessential village, as relaxed and carefree as you like. | aireysinlet.org.au

I am the precious ritual you’ve had since you were a child. | iamlorne.com.au

I am Aireys Inlet. GET TO KNOW Choose your own lighthouse adventure. Take as long or as little as you like on a self-guided tour of a much-loved landmark, the White Queen. Scale her twisting stairs, chat to guides and snap a selfie-of-the-day. | splitpointlighthouse.com.au Find the peace you seek gliding on the quiet waters of Painkalac Creek. Take a guided tour and paddle your way ‘twixt bush and sea. | ecologic.com.au Homegrown, handmade, recycled and vintage – that’s the ethos of Aireys Inlet’s ever-quirky and always surprising local market. You never know what you’ll find! Check the calendar for Sunday dates then follow the flags and big red signs. | aireysinletmarket.com.au Horse riding on the beach? Saddle-up and tick it off your list with a 2.5hr beginner twilight beach and bush ride, taking in the Great Otway NP and pristine sands of Fairhaven Beach (pictured right). | blazingsaddlestrailrides.com Book in an evening at iconic Aireys Pub. A true loved local, wrestled from the hands of developers, now home to a laid-back bistro, live music Saturdays, Open Mic Festival and Rogue Wave Brewery, the beer famously brewed at the beach. | aireyspub.com.au

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GET TO KNOW Let’s go chasing waterfalls. Explore 10 cascading beauties within 10km of town. Some are 10 minutes walk from the carpark and others pull you on a hike deep into the rainforest. Grab a brochure from the Visitor Info Centre, plot your course and get chasing. Browse artworks in the tranquillity of the forest to stillness of nature’s soundtrack at Qdos Arts & Sculpture Park (pictured above). In the gallery, discover a visual feast of leading artists’ work hung beneath lofty rooflines. | qdosarts.com Let the lights of Lorne Pier draw you out over the ocean on a twilight stroll. Wrap-up against the breeze and behold the flickering town lights as you amble back to the respite of an iconic pub’s beer garden. | lornehotel.com.au Everyone’s favourite lookout. On the outskirts of town, take the walkway to Teddy’s Lookout for thrilling views of breaking surf and a rainforest-cloaked gorge. Dig a little deeper. Come learn the history of this familiar place. The Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre, Lorne’s newest attraction is located in the Visitor Information Centre and brims with stories you’ll wish you knew years ago.

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IApollo am Bay. I am the quiet keeper of a brooding ocean. | iamapollobay.com.au

GET TO KNOW Stroll down to the harbour where you can’t miss the Fisherman’s Co-op. Hand-select your own catch of the day – just-caught crays, scallops and snapper, as fresh and scrumptious as you’ll find anywhere in the world. Take a hike up to Marriners Lookout (pictured left) for a bird’s eye view of town. Head 1.5km north along the beach, climb the steep hill and track a surfaced road for 1.5km. Relax a while, lean into the view and the sweeping curve of the bay. Go wild on a 2-hour guided kayak tour to see an Australian Fur Seal colony up close and personal. Beginners welcome to come learn the ropes and get on board with qualified instructors. | apollobaysurfkayak.com.au Reserve Saturday morning for a foreshore stroll among intriguing public art and a poke around the local hand-made and home-grown fare of Apollo Bay Community Market. | apollobay.com/market-place Hire some fishing gear and go dangle a line from the harbour wall or shorefront. You might just come home with your own catch of trevally or flathead fit for dinner. It’s not cheating to check at the Visitor Information Centre first to find out where they’re biting!

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GET TO KNOW

I am Otways. I am what it’s like to be a tiny person amongst big nature. | iamotways.com.au

On a Tree Top Walk, rove among giants on the longest and tallest elevated walkway of its kind in the world. Track 30m up into the rainforest canopy, where the wild things are. | otwayfly.com Take the loop walking circuit of eerie Lake Elizabeth, a 4km return journey through the wonders of the rainforest – ancient trees, shady fern glades, calm waters. Look for cormorants taking flight from glassy lake and rare birds currying in leaf litter. | parkweb.vic.gov.au Blueberries – plucked straight from the bush and squished in your mouth, their juice dribbling down your chin. Pack a picnic lunch and make it your own harvest day at Otway Blueberries (Boxing Day until mid-March). | otwayharvesttrail.org.au Devote a day to exploring Cape Otway Lightstation (pictured above) precinct’s incredible line-up – amazing lighthouse, secret World War II radar bunker, indigenous cultural centre, whale info site and more in the most stunning natural setting. | lightstation.com Take an effortless e-bike tour on top of the world – glide through rainforest along the glorious Otway ridgeline or on the magnificent Old Beechy Rail Trail from Beech Forest. Electric-powered and genuinely eco-friendly. | otwayebikes.com.au 43

GET TO KNOW I am a storm-carved coastline. The savage spirit of an untamable ocean. | iam12apostles.com.au

Take the 1.2km trail from the 12 Apostles car park. Climb 86 cliff-stairs down the Gibson Steps to beach level and be dwarfed by the epic scale of the cliffline, the offshore stacks and the relentless ocean waves. Watch fishing boats motoring in with the day’s catch as you tuck into a culinary creation of freshsourced wild abalone at Forage on the Foreshore, Port Campbell (pictured below-left). | @forageontheforeshore Pack a picnic and wander the wildlife-rich boardwalk at Princetown, straddling the Gellibrand River Estuary and bordering the Port Campbell and Great Otway National Parks. At dusk, witness mobs of ‘roos feeding on the river flats in the golden sun.

I am the 12 Apostles Coast & Hinterland.

I am Warrnambool.

Life’s a game and we can all join in. I am ready to play.

| iamwarrnambool.com.au

Ogle giants of the ocean. Between June and September, lay vigil at Logans Beach for a glimpse of Southern Right Whales returning for their annual calve. Drop into the Warrnambool Visitor Information Centre or check for recent sightings at: visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/ whale-sightings. Clap your eyes on one of Australia’s most valuable maritime artefacts – the Loch Ard Peacock. The brightly glazed Minton earthenware sculpture was found amongst the cargo of the Loch Ard, one of 650+ ships lost along the treacherous Shipwreck Coast. | flagstaffhill.com

Grab a book and retreat to a secluded beach you can call your own for a few hours. A tiny sandy cove amidst towering cliffs – Worm Bay in the Bay of Island Coastal Park. Shhhh… it’s a secret. | parkweb.vic.gov.au

For year round family fun visit the Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground. A paradise for kids with giant slides, flying foxes, a maze and boat rides. There are lovely walking tracks around the lakes, picnic areas and sheltered BBQ facilities.

Re-charge with a legendary Dark Mint hot chocolate served up in a farm shed-come-chocolate shop in a quiet rural setting. Beware: resistance is pointless; buying chocolate treats for the road trip is a must-do. | gorgechocolates.com.au

Get wet. Get wave-dunked. Get silly. Warrnambool is spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches. Relax in picturesque Lady Bay, catch big waves at Japs or explore crystal-clear rock pools at Stingray Bay. Why not tick them all off?

LAKE PERTOBE, WARRNAMBOOL

GET TO KNOW

Savour local seafood delights with dinner served in the atmospheric surrounds of a Victorian-era boathouse where the view is still as fabulous as it was in the 19th century. | proudfootsboathouse.com 45

GET TO KNOW

I am Port Fairy. I am a maker, thinker, doer and creator. I am hungry for today. | iamportfairy.com.au

The hardest thing about an enclave of talented artists is finding them. Grab the Port Fairy Art Walk Map and guide your own tour through a collage of eleven galleries and working studios (pictured below). | portfairyartmap.com Plan your stay around the iconic Port Fairy Folk Festival, a toetapping, thigh-slapping March weekend that has thousands thronging to enjoy a program bursting with talent old and new. | portfairyfolkfestival.com Frame an unforgettable 5-course culinary experience within the historic bluestone walls of Seacombe House. Dual-hatted Fen is a signature restaurant showcasing native ingredients and the creativity of chef Ryan Sessions. | fenportfairy.com.au Take a tour offshore to ogle a fur seal colony on Lady Julia Percy Island, Australia’s only submarine island formed when lava erupts underwater. Check at the Visitor Information Centre for tour details. Lay your eyes on the oldest surviving self-righting lifeboat in the world at the Lifeboat Station, along with a collection of 19th century maritime rescue equipment. Book a guided tour through the Visitor Information Centre.

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I am Portland. I am a step off the edge of the earth. The captain of my own adventure. | iamportland.com.au

GET TO KNOW Explore a bountiful heritage of whaling, seafaring, shipwrecks and rescue at the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre. Look out from inside the rib cage of a 14m whale skeleton or eyeball the 1958 Portland lifeboat, the oldest remaining unrestored intact vessel in Australia, possibly the world. Look for the yellow flag flying at the Visitor Information Centre – it means a whale’s been spotted! Grab your binoculars and head to the breakwater, the clifftop overlooking Portland Bay or the shoreline of Cape Bridgewater. On a 40-minute tour, gently idle through Portland Harbour alongside big ships and the commercial fishing fleet moving in and out of the port. From the water, take in the beautiful townscape, the coastline and maybe spot a dolphin or a stingray. | portlandharbourtours.com.au See the spectacular foreshore in the style of yesteryear, from the seat of a lovingly restored cable tram. Hop on and off at your leisure to visit the attractions along the way. | portlandcabletrams.com.au Road trip! Take the scenic 24km round trip through through the Cape Nelson Coastal Park. On your wish list: the lighthouse, coastal cliffs, a myriad of wildlife and at least one walking trail. | parkweb.vic.gov.au 47

GEELONG & TORQUAY

Parkwood Motel & Apartments Geelong

Onlessthe travelled. road

A: 8 Lily Street, North Geelong

A: 100 The Esplanade, Torquay

E: reservations@parkwoodmotel.com.au

E: torquay@wyn.com

T: 03 5278 5477

GET TO KNOW BREAK YOUR JOURNEY:

VOLCANIC LAKES & PLAINS:

GO WEST:

Winchelsea + Colac Take time out to inhale the country air and elegant charm of Winchelsea. Find delight in Colac’s rich pastoral heritage and lively regional heart.

Cobden, Camperdown, Terang, Derrinallum, Noorat, Mortlake Explore townships thriving on fertile green plains where lava once bubbled and wonder still prospers.

Heywood, Nelson, Casterton Reach westward into settlements carved in the far country where wilderness and river valleys meet vast farming plains.

Flock to Hastings Ostrich Farm & Shop for a VIP ostrich egg collection tour – a safari like no other! In the old bank vault, browse boas and bags, feathers, shells and exotic leather goods. | ostrichaustralia.com.au

At Camperdown, scout a streetscape thick with history, antiques and hunger-quelling café stops like Snout in the Trough and Loaf and Lounge.

Drink in a sweeping rural landscape and bygone era at Barwon Park Mansion – a grand, bluestone beauty built to impress in 1871. | nationaltrust.org.au At Colac Botanic Gardens, gather in the shade of oak trees planted by past generations, laze on open lawns with Lake Colac vistas and set the kids loose on the all-ages playground. 48

Quality AAAStar Rated affordable accommodation. Recently upgraded accommodation includes 12 twin rooms, fully self-contained 2 bedroom aprts sleeps 6, fully self-contained 3 bedroom house sleeps 10. We offer 24/7 friendly customer service, free Wi-Fi & Foxtel, guest laundry & dryer. Rooms overlook gardens, pool & BBQ area. Only 3km from Geelong CBD, waterfront & Skilled Stadium. Close to shops and sporting venues. Mention advert receive 10% discount. www.parkwoodmotel.com.au

RED ROCK LOOKOUT, COLAC

Lakes for days! The lovely legacy of a volcanic crater field: dozens of lakes teeming with uncrowded potential – quiet fishing, brilliant boating and sunset floating. Lake Bullen Merri and Lake Tooliorook are a couple of the stand-outs!

Wyndham Resort Torquay

T: 03 5261 1500

Located on The Esplanade in Torquay, just 75 minutes from Melbourne CBD. Wyndham Resort Torquay features a mix of stylish hotel rooms and spacious apartments. It is the ideal spot to start touring the iconic Great Ocean Road; nourish at the restaurant & bar, revive at the fitness center with lap pool & tennis court, unwind in the lagoon style pool and spa, indulge in pampered bliss at the day spa, and discover the spectacular region. www.wyndhamtorquay.com.au

Answer the call of the wild – pitch a tent in the Lower Glenelg National Park where the Glenelg River sculpts the landscape. Or find your explorer feet on the 250km Great South West Walk linking Portland and Nelson via river and coast. | parkweb.vic.gov.au Casterton is the birthplace of Aussie working dog, the kelpie. Canine worship reaches fever pitch during June’s Australian Kelpie Muster or visit anytime to sniff out doggy goodness via the Kelpie Walking Trail. | casterton.org.au

TORQUAY & BELLS BEACH

TORQUAY, ANGLESEA & AIREYS INLET

Peppers The Sands Resort, Torquay

Perched amongst the dunes on the northern headland of Torquay which is located at the start of the world-famous Great Ocean Road is where you will find Peppers The Sands Resort. Balancing first class leisure facilities with 112 beautifully appointed accommodation rooms and suites all with balconies or grassed terraces, the resort offers a Stuart Appleby designed championship links style golf course, tennis courts, heated indoor lap pool, health club and gymnasium. The resort’s signature restaurant, Hanners Restaurant and Bar is positioned overlooking the pristine course and is one of the region’s most desired dining destinations. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days. Times may vary during winter. Peppers The Sands Resort makes for the ideal location for any occasion. A: 2 Sands Blvd, Torquay The Sands Torquay is a beautifully designed and testing course that is now T: 03 5264 3333 available for public play at restricted times during the week. Please contact E: sands@peppers.com.au the professional golf staff on 03 5264 3307 for your opportunity to play. W: www.peppers.com.au/sands

Bells Beach Cottages

Bells Beach Cottages is located in Bells Beach, along the beautiful Great Ocean Road. Surround yourself with native bushland, fresh country air, and choose to either relax outside watching the kangaroos, or explore the Great Ocean Road and all it has to offer. By the lakeside there 3 fully SC two bedroom cottages, each comfortably accommodating 4 people. All are equipped with cosy wood heaters, reverse cycle air-con, bathroom/laundry, hairdryers, TV and BBQ (per cottage) with outdoor entertaining area. There is also a fully SC Queen studio which has a spacious kitchen, bathroom, laundry, heater and living/dining area to relax and enjoy the garden and natural wildlife. A: 35 Dunloe Court, Bells Beach We look forward to having you stay with us at Bells Beach Cottages. T: 03 5261 5243 www.bellsbeachcottages.com.au

E: bookings@bellsbeachcottages.com.au

Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park

Great Ocean Road Resort

A: 35 Bell Street, Torquay T: 03 5261 2496 or 1300 736 533 E: torquay@gorcc.com.au

A: 105 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea

Listen to the waves breaking on Torquay Surf Beach, the perfect spot for a weekend away, a long vacation or an overnight camp. Located on the picturesque Torquay Surf Beach and only a short walk to local shops and cafés. Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park is Torquay’s only beachfront camping ground. We offer a range of accommodation to suit all budgets including self-contained cabins and powered camping sites. www.torquaycaravanpark.com.au

Great Ocean Road Resort is a 4-star resort located at the gateway to the Great Ocean Road in the seaside town of Anglesea. The resort has a variety of accommodation options, free Wi-Fi, cable television (Foxtel) and on-site amenities including indoor heated pool, spa, gym, restaurant, day spa, trampoline park and barbeque. www.greatoceanroadresort.com.au

T: 03 5263 3363

E: enquiries@greatoceanroadresort.com.au

Aireys Inlet Holiday Park

Aireys Inlet is situated between the bush and the beach and at the gateway to the rugged beauty of the world-famous Great Ocean Road. With sensational beaches, wining and dining, and beautiful scenery, Aireys Inlet has everything you need. • Family owned park - clean, quiet, safe & friendly • Modern cabins - budget to luxury • Solar heated pool, spa, playground, BBQs, campers kitchen, TV lounge & laundry • Caravan sites - annexe pads, ensuites

A: 19-25 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet

T: 03 5289 6230 E: info@aicp.com.au www.aicp.com.au

LORNE

WONGARRA & APOLLO BAY

Anchorage Motel & Villas

A: 32 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

T: 03 5289 1891

E: info@anchoragelorne.com.au Lorne Ocean Sun Apartments. Right in the heart of Lorne, Anchorage offers stylish self-contained motel accommodation, DVD, Foxtel, BBQs and pool. 1, 2 & 3 bedroom luxury apartments, ocean views, balconies, air-conditioning, video, DVD and spas. Overnight or weekly. www.anchoragelorne.com.au

Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park

Whitecrest Great Ocean Road Resort

A: 2 Great Ocean Road, Lorne T: 03 5289 1382 or 1300 364 797 E: lorne@gorcc.com.au

A: 5230 Great Ocean Road, Wongarra

A: 5 Pascoe Street, Apollo Bay

E: info@whitecrestonline.com

E: apollobay@yha.com.au

Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park takes in the breathtaking coastal and bush surrounds of Lorne. Superbly located along the beautiful Erskine River, a short stroll to the beach and just steps from local shops and restaurants. We offer a range of accommodation to suit all budgets including powered and unpowered sites as well as a variety of self-contained cabins. www.lornecaravanpark.com.au

Whitecrest Great Ocean Road Resort, located near the seaside township of Apollo Bay. Surrounded by nature, Whitecrest offers you 4-star luxury in 1, 2 & 3BR apartments all with breathtaking ocean views, private balconies and BBQ facilities. All have FSC kitchens, spa bath, gas log fire, A/C, TV, DVD, CD/stereo, dishwasher, washing machine/dryer & internet. Resort facilities include solar pool, tennis court, recreation room with billiards and table tennis. www.whitecrestonline.com.au

Rest and relax after a long day of exploring at Apollo Bay Eco YHA. A great place to stop on your Great Ocean Road trip, Apollo Bay Eco YHA has everything travellers need a variety of multi-share and private rooms, two fully equipped kitchens, BBQs and lounges, herb garden, free Wi-Fi, wood fire heater and rooftop with gorgeous views of the ocean. This hostel is eco certified, so you know by staying at Apollo Bay Eco YHA, you’re doing your part for the environment too. www.yha.com.au

Best Western Apollo Bay Motel and Apartments

Captain’s at the Bay

Cumberland Lorne

T: 03 5237 0228

Located on the Great Ocean Road in the heart of Lorne – opposite our main beach – Cumberland Lorne combines sweeping ocean views with outstanding accommodation, leisure and conferencing facilities. A truly exceptional venue with spacious apartment accommodation and comprehensive leisure and conference facilities. With a great reputation built over 25 years, Cumberland Lorne is the perfect choice for your short break, family holiday or romantic retreat. Choose from one bedroom, two bedroom or penthouse apartments – each offering private balconies, corner spa bath, full kitchen, laundry and modern spacious living. Free Wi-Fi, indoor pool and spa, gym, tennis and squash courts, BBQs and games room.

For more information or to make a reservation please call:

1800 037 010

A: 150 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne E: res@cumberland.com.au W: www.cumberland.com.au

T: 03 5237 7899

A: 2 Moore Street, Apollo Bay

A: 21 Pascoe Street, Apollo Bay

E: apollobaymotel@bestwestern.com.au

E: info@captains.net.au

T: 03 5237 7577

Apollo Bay Eco YHA

Conveniently located 50m from the Great Ocean Road, beach foreshore and local restaurants. Use our motel rooms and self-contained apartments as your base for exploring the Great Ocean Road and the Otways. Free Wi-Fi, FOXTEL, air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, toaster, mini bar, hair dryer and complimentary toiletries in all rooms. Apartments have a kitchenette. Continental and cooked breakfast is available. Credit cards accepted: MasterCard, Visa, AMEX, Union Pay. No credit card surcharge. www.bestwestern.com.au/apollo-bay

T: 03 5237 6771

Captain’s at the Bay caters for couples or family groups. Contemporary B&B offering superb accommodation, peace and quiet, privacy and great service, and strolling distance from the foreshore (150m), beach, restaurants, Visitor Information Centre and the busy shopping centre. Find out why people keep returning, refer us to friends and wish they had stayed longer. Please contact directly for a great deal. www.captains.net.au

PORT CAMPBELL

Anchors Port Campbell

A: 2549 Cobden-Port Campbell Road, Port Campbell

M: 0417 434 400

E: tanya@anchorsportcampbell.com.au Boutique 4½ star couples accommodation nestled into the limestone hills above Port Campbell. Enjoy 180 degree views of the Southern Ocean and forever changing valley. Unique, self-contained villas featuring open living with elevated bedroom, spa with panoramic view, gas log fire, Bose SoundDock™, DVDs, coffee machine, A/C and free Wi-Fi. The ultimate place to relax, rejuvenate and discover the Great Ocean Road. www.anchorsportcampbell.com.au

Port Campbell/Twelve Apostles Parkview Motel and Apartments

Best Western Great Ocean Road Motor Inn

Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse Lodge

A: 25 Pertobe Road, Warrnambool

A: 83 Merri Street, Warrnambool

E: bw97121@bestwestern.com.au

E: warrnambool@discoveryparks.com.au

E: fshreception@warrnambool.vic.gov.au

T: 03 5598 6522

Offering friendly, personalised service in the heart of Port Campbell, home of the Twelve Apostles. Walk to Port Campbell Bay, restaurants, great coffee and boutique shopping. The perfect base from which to explore the Great Ocean Road & Port Campbell NP. Our spacious rooms are tastefully decorated with emphasis on your comfort - king spa suites, standard queen or interconnecting family rooms. 10% off room rate when booking direct: promo code ‘stay4less’. www.greatoceanroadmotorinn.com

T: 1800 808 130

Discovery Holiday Parks - Warrnambool. Adjacent to the beach, is the perfect coastal escape. Conveniently located within walking distance of popular Lake Pertobe Adventure Park, 1 hour from the Twelve Apostles and in easy reach of Port Fairy – this holiday park is a family favourite. Facilities include playground, pedal karts, games room and pool with spa. Choose from a luxury spa cabin to self-contained cabins and villas and fully-equipped camping and caravan sites. www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au

T: 1800 556 111

Stay in our award-winning Lighthouse Lodge, located adjacent to the Lady Bay lighthouses and Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Self-contained three bedrooms, each with queen or twin beds and own ensuite. With shared kitchen, lounge, BBQ area, laundry and free Wi-Fi. Highest rated accommodation in Warrnambool on Trip Advisor. www.lighthouselodge.com.au

Sea Foam Villas

A: 14 Lord Street, Port Campbell

E: parkview@portcampbellaccommodation.com

E: info@seafoamvillas.com

Elegantly appointed rooms ranging from studio suites to one and two bedroom apartments. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, free cable TV, free electric BBQ, free laundry & powder and are serviced daily. We offer a range of kitchen facilities from motel kitchenettes to fully self-contained apartments. We cater for singles and couples to large family groups of up to eight guests. www.12apostlesparkview.com

Discovery Holiday Parks Warrnambool

A: 10 Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell

A: 4 Desailly Street, Port Campbell

T: 03 5598 6445

WARRNAMBOOL

T: 03 5598 6413

We offer visitors a luxurious and relaxing stay to complement their sightseeing adventures along the Great Ocean Road. Sea Foam Villas are close to the food, fashion, arts and crafts of Port Campbell. We look forward to making your stay a memorable one! www.seafoamvillas.com

Explore the village and museum by day…

Set sail at night…

1800 556 111 89 Merri Street Warrnambool 9am - 9pm in winter, 9am - Late in summer

WARRNAMBOOL

Mid City Motel Warrnambool

A: 525 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool

Best Western Olde Maritime Motor Inn

Surfside Holiday Park

Figtree Holiday Village

T: 03 5562 3866

A: Pertobe Road, Warrnambool

A: 33 Lava Street, Warrnambool

E: info@midcitywarrnambool.com.au

A: Corner Banyan and Merri Streets, Warrnambool T: 03 5561 1415 or 1800 035 069 E: info@oldemaritime.com.au

E: info@surfsidepark.com.au

E: reservations@figtreepark.com

Mid City Motel Warrnambool is truly in a class of its own. Centrally located in the heart of Warrnambool and only minutes to the main street and beautiful beaches, Mid City is the perfect place for your next holiday, conference or event. Offering 61 recently renovated motel rooms, hi speed free Wi-Fi, a licensed restaurant, function facilities, outdoor pool and spa, BBQ gazebo area and playground. www.midcitywarrnambool.com.au

Stay at this charming Warrnambool hotel located in the heart of town, close to attractions including Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, Tower Hill Game Reserve, Botanic Gardens and Hopkins Falls. Fully refurbished motel, two bedroom self-contained apartments. Free Wi-Fi. Restaurant, bar and free gym on-site. Raj’s Bar offers old world charm making it the perfect setting to meet, chat and enjoy a pre-dinner drink. Short walk to CBD, beaches and museum. https://www.oldemaritime.com.au

Relax by the sea at Surfside Holiday Park. • Modern camp kitchen • Direct beach access • Free BBQs • Laundries • Opposite Lake Pertobe • Full grassed caravan and tent sites • Walking distance to main attractions and CBD • Modern amenities www.surfsidepark.com.au

Comfort Inn Western

Lady Bay Resort

T: 03 5559 4700

Deep Blue Hotel, Spa & Hot Springs

T: 03 5561 1233

Figtree Holiday Village is Warrnambool’s most centrally located holiday park. Offering a wide range of accommodation options including self-contained apartments, flats and cabins. Powered ensuite sites and powered sites are both suitable for caravans, campervans, mobile homes and tents. Facilities include an indoor heated pool & spa, tennis court, games room, TV room, free BBQs, playground, camp kitchen and free Wi-Fi. www.figtreepark.com

Basalt Wines

A: 49 Kepler Street, Warrnambool

A: 2 Pertobe Road, Warrnambool

A: Worm Bay Road, Warrnambool

A: 1131 Princes Hwy, Killarney

E: info@westernwarrnambool.com.au

E: accom@ladybayresort.com.au

E: reservations@qsdb.com.au

E: info@basaltwines.com.au

T: 03 5561 5100

Comfort Inn Western is a fully refurbished motel located two blocks from the CBD, train and bus stations. On-site tapas restaurant/wine bar, ‘The Last Coach’. All rooms come with FREE high speed wireless internet, FOXTEL and mini-bar. One kilometre to Lady Bay Beach. Suitable for corporate and leisure guests, and groups. Warrnambool is a great place to stay after exploring the Great Ocean Road and Shipwreck Coast. www.westernwarrnambool.com.au

WARRNAMBOOL & KILLARNEY

T: 03 5562 1662

The Lady Bay Resort is a 4 star resort in the sea-side city of Warrnambool, 3 hours from Melbourne, at the end of the Great Ocean Road. Its modern, beautifully-appointed features, extensive services including on-site restaurant, gym, games room, seasonally heated outdoor pool (DecemberMarch) and unique location make Lady Bay Resort the ideal accommodation venue in Warrnambool, for holiday-makers and corporate stays. www.ladybayresort.com.au

T: 03 5559 2000

Unique accommodation with on-site Natural Hot Springs Mineral Pools and a seaside location! Deep Blue Warrnambool ticks all the boxes. 80 guest rooms from Studio’s to Penthouse Apartments. Complementing Warrnambool’s only Natural Hot Springs Pool, dine in at the Water Table Restaurant or enjoy beautiful Day Spa facilities - the ultimate relaxation. Complimentary features include in-room Wi-Fi, dedicated movie channels and parking. www.qsdb.com.au

M: 0429 682 251

Basalt Wines - “A laugh in every glass”. Hand crafted organic wines and tapas made by local artisans served daily in our rustic winery shed. Basalt vineyard is located only minutes from Warrnambool and Port Fairy, it’s truly a must do Great Ocean Road experience. Nearby Tower Hill Volcano features on our label. www.basaltwines.com.au

PORT FAIRY

MOYNE SHIRE & REGION WIDE

Hearn’s Beachside Villas

Hearn’s Port Fairy Accommodation

Moyne Shire Caravan Parks Gardens Caravan Park A: 111 Griffith Street, Port Fairy  T: 03 5568 1060 E: gardens@portfairycaravanparks.com Southcombe Caravan Park A: James Street, Port Fairy  T: 03 5568 2677 E: southcombe@portfairycaravanparks.com

A: 13-17 Thistle Place, Port Fairy

A: Shop 2/54 Sackville Street, Port Fairy

E: info@hearnsbeachsidevillas.com.au

E: accommodation@hearns.com.au

T: 03 5568 3150

Koroit-Tower Hill Caravan Park A: High Street, Koroit T: 03 5565 7926

T: 03 5568 3150

Secluded Beachfront Luxury! Taking R&R to the next level, Hearn’s Beachside Villas offer luxury everywhere you look. Each villa, architecturally designed, offers a quiet sanctuary in a stylishly furnished space. Floor to ceiling windows flood the property with natural light and maximise views. Toast the sunset over the water on your private deck or enjoy the ever changing hues of the Southern Ocean from the comfort of a king size bed – sheer bliss! www.hearnsbeachsidevillas.com.au

Your holiday rental specialist in Port Fairy... great location, great service, great stay. Craving peace and quiet from the demands of a hectic life? Hearn’s Port Fairy Accommodation is the answer. From small intimate cottages and apartments for a weekend mini-break, to large luxury houses stuffed full of friends enjoying views overlooking spectacular beaches. We pride ourselves on matching our guests’ needs to our ever growing list of properties. www.portfairyaccom.com.au

54 on Bank

The Victoria Apartments

Killarney Beach Caravan Reserve A: Mahoneys Road, Killarney M: 0428 314 823 Yambuk Caravan Park A: Carrolls Road, Yambuk M: 0419 006 201 E: yambukcp@aussiebb.com.au Mortlake Caravan Park A: Jamieson Avenue, Mortlake M: 0409 428 870

www.portfairycaravanparks.com

Front of house crew.

Seafood buffet.

A: 54 Bank Street, Port Fairy

A: 48-50 Bank Street, Port Fairy

E: 54onbank@gmail.com

E: info@thevictoria.com.au

M: 0428 792 975

Indulge in 4 1/2 star luxury accommodation in the centre of historic seaside village, Port Fairy. Timber and sandstone suites and apartments beautifully appointed with leather furnishings and granite bathrooms - some with spas, gas log fires and full kitchen facilities. www.54onbank.com.au

T: 03 5568 1160

The Victoria Apartments offers travelers luxury accommodation in the heart of Port Fairy. One bedroom suites, two bedroom apartments and three bedroom apartments to cater for all variations of guests needs. Secure roller door garages and modern luxury fitted rooms in a CBD location make The Victoria Apartments stand out amongst competitors as one of the most popular accommodation options in Port Fairy. www.thevictoria.com.au

From the pristine ocean to inland legend. This is an iconic journey with something for everyone. From the world famous beaches of the surf coast, to spectacular views and quiet coves where the Otway ranges meet the ocean. Through wildlife havens, towering trees and cool waterfalls, to rich plains, proud local produce and warm country smiles. Finally to the heart of The Grampians, awe inspiring seat of aboriginal art and dreaming. BIG4 Anglesea Holiday Park BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park BIG4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park BIG4 Hopkins River Holiday Park BIG4 Port Fairy Holiday Park BIG4 Grampians Parkgate Resort

1800 808 130 1800 890 241 1300 683 300 1300 718 030 1800 063 346 1800 810 781

RIT FAVOU ALIA’S AUSTR

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Point Danger Lawrence Rocks

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C156

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C166

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B100

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C151

Secondary road - sealed

EXPLANATION OF EXPLANATION MAP SYMBOLSOF ROAD SYMBOLS SHARE YOUR GREAT OCEAN EXPLANATION ROAD STORY OF MAP SYMBOLS

Secondary road - unsealed

Visitor information

Minor road

Lighthouse

Shipwreck site

Vehicular track

Patrolled beach* Great Ocean Walk

Winery Freeway Golf course Under construction Walking track

Scenic view / lookout A1

Highway Cycling track

B100

MajorNational road park

Surf lifesaving club* C151

Searoad Ferry Secondary road

*For patrolled dates and times visit: www.beachsafe.org.au - sealed

Great Ocean Road

Post your photos, road itineraries, Secondary microblogs on Facebook, - unsealed Instagram and Twitter.

Visitor information FREE Wi-Fi hotspot Scenic view / lookout /VisitGreatOceanRoad

C155

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C161

C159

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Queenscliff Vehicle Ferry

Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park

Maits Rest

Sorrento B110

Anglesea

Fairhaven

Point Addis Marine National Park Cape Schanck

Wye River Kennett River

Cape Patton

T EA

Wongarra Skenes Creek

Look Out

Apollo Bay

B100

Hordern

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Torquay

Jan Juc

B110 HW

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C151

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Beech Forest

Otway C155 Fly Triplet Falls

Melba Gully Yuulong

Port Campbell SHARE YOUR National Park

Winery

Gellibrand

Weeaproinah

Twelve Apostles Gellibrand Marine National Park

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Lavers Hill

Loch Ard Gorge

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Port Campbell

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Cooriemungle C164

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Bellbrae

Deans Marsh

Murroon

C119

C154

C161

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C155

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Pirron Yallock

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Mepunga West

Cape Nelson

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Warrnambool

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Lady Julia Percy Island

Cape Nelson State Park

Purnim

Wangoom

Warncoort

Cororooke Lake Colac

Grovedale

Freshwater Creek

St Leonards BE

BAY

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C164

C156

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Koroit Tower Hill

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Narrawong

C175

Kirkstall

Winchelsea

C147 Alvie Red Rock Coragulac

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Geelong

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C145

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Cape Bridgewater

C184

Codrington

Allestree

Portland

Trewalla

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Camperdown

Terang

Framlingham

Discovery Bay Marine National Park

PRIN

B120

B140

Lake Murdeduke

Beeac

Warrion

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The Sisters

Ballangeich

Winslow

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C146

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C165

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C173

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C174

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C176

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B140

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C143

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DRIVING THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Travel times are a guide only may vary due to the scenic winding natureof roads and different Travelweather times are a guide only and may vary due to the scenic winding natureof roads and different weather Use and #visitgreatoceanroad Walking track @VisitGreatOceanRoad conditions. The region is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace with lots of detours and stops! Expect conditions. travel times The region is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace with lots of detours and stops! Expect travel times to beCycling longertrack during peak season. Drive on the left in Australia. to be longer during peak season. Drive on the left in Australia. Shipwreck site /vstgreatoceanrd /vstgreatoceanrd Vehicular track Share the drive – don’t do the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne in one day. Take your time,Share makethe thedrive – don’t do the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne in one day. Take your time, make the National Patrolled beach* Take advantage of the free Wifi to share your Great Ocean Take advantage of the free Wifi to share your Great Ocean moment last. park moment last. GreatLook Ocean Road story. outWalk for the FREE Wi-Fi hotspot signs. Road story. Look out for the you FREE hotspot StaySearoad safe: BeFerry aware of the environment within which areWi-Fi travelling. In signs. an emergency, call:Stay 000 safe: Be aware of the environment within which you are travelling. In an emergency, call: 000 Surf lifesaving club* (police, fire or ambulance).For VicEmergency hotline: 1800 226 226Ocean (free call) (police, fire or ambulance). VicEmergency hotline: 1800 226 226 (free call) For more information about the Great Ocean Road region more information about the Great Road region *For patrolled dates and times visit: www.beachsafe.org.au Great Ocean Road visit: www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au visit: www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au www.emv.vic.gov.au www.cfa.vic.gov.au www.parkweb.vic.gov.au www.vicroads.vic.gov.au www.emv.vic.gov.au www.cfa.vic.gov.au www.parkweb.vic.gov.au www.vicroads.vic.gov.au Minor road Use #visitgreatoceanroad

Lighthouse @VisitGreatOceanRoad

DRIVING DISTANCES / TIMES * Via Coast Twelve Apostles Twelve Apostles Apollo Bay

Avalon Airport

Colac

Geelong

Lorne

Melbourne

Portland

Port Fairy

Queenscliff

Torquay

Warrnambool

Adelaide

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27mins

6hrs 15mins

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4hrs 15mins*

9hrs 55mins*

88km*

2hrs 22mins

212km*

132km

Colac

82km

70km

97km

Geelong

191km

109km

23km

74km

Lorne

124km

44km

91km

57km

Melbourne

264km*

184km

58km

150km

75km

139km*

Portland

174km

260km*

405km*

211km

288km

268km

365km

Port Fairy

104km

189km*

334km*

141km

217km

141km

294km

72km

Queenscliff

215km*

134km*

54km

103km

31km

90km

106km

314km

243km

Torquay

171km*

90km*

44km

81km

23km

47km

96km

293km

222km

44km

Warrnambool

76km

165km*

306km*

113km

275km

208km*

358km*

99km

28km

312km

255km*

Adelaide

689km

774km*

713km

679km

705km

819km*

726km

548km

587km

736km

857km*

Avalon Airport

Apollo Bay 1hr 15mins*

1hr 26mins 70km

6hrs 40mins 614km

CAPE OTWAY LIGHTSTATION

Talk to a local. To help plan and get the most out of your trip visit an accredited Visitor Information Centre.

Highlight of the Great Ocean Road Visit the top of Australia’s most significant lighthouse (1848), and experience the awesome views from the balcony 90 metres above the wild Southern Ocean.

When travelling, look for this symbol, it denotes accredited Visitor Information Centres, open daily 9am to 5pm.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD - APOLLO BAY

100 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay

T: 1300 689 297

CASTERTON

3 Racecourse Road, Casterton

T: 03 5581 2070

COLAC

Cnr Queen & Murray Streets, Colac

T: 1300 689 297

LORNE

15 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

T: 1300 891 152

PORT CAMPBELL

26 Morris Street, Port Campbell

T: 1300 137 255

PORT FAIRY

Railway Place, Bank Street, Port Fairy

T: 03 5568 2682

PORTLAND

Lee Breakwater Road, Portland

T: 1800 035 567

TORQUAY

77 Beach Road, Torquay

T: 1300 614 219

WARRNAMBOOL

89 Merri Street, Warrnambool

T: 1800 637 725

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Limited including its officers, agents and contractors (“Publisher”) has made every endeavour to ensure that details in this publication are correct at the time of printing, but accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy or mis-description, whether by inclusion or omission, nor does the Publisher accept any responsibility for subsequent change or withdrawal of details or service shown which are subject to alteration without notice. Any standard of venue and/or services contained in this publication are indicative only and are based upon information provided to the Publisher. Accordingly, the Publisher makes no representation of guarantee in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of that venue or service. Photography: Visions of Victoria, Parks Victoria, Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Organisation, GSDM and supporting advertisers. Produced for Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Limited greatoceanroadtourism.org.au with the support of Tourism Victoria, by GSDM T: 03 5222 5685gsdm.com.au #12699. Printed in Australia.

Tour the Telegraph Station (1859), WW2 Radar Bunker and other historic buildings. Explore the new Aboriginal Talking Hut. Join our guides/storytellers to learn about our incredible history. Stay in heritage Lightkeeper’s Cottages. See koalas and kangaroos in nearby Great Otway National Park. Whale watching May to October.

Café - Tours - Accommodation - Events - Schools Great Ocean Road, Cape Otway T: 03 5237 9240 www.lightstation.com Open daily 9am-5pm (last entry 4.30pm)

QUEENSCLIFF - SORRENTO

EXPLORE TRAVEL RELAX 40 min

Car and Passenger ferry Every day, every hour on the hour 7am - 6pm

BOOK ONLINE & SAVE

Connecting the Great Ocean Road to the Mornington Peninsula. •40 minute crossing•Easy drive on/drive off•Internal and external observation decks •Dolphin spotting•Onboard barista, cafe ´ & bar •All weather