_w=200_h=165_pjpg.jpg?v=9aa29d4de4deda2becfc60db93d78c3d8b1cd2d4)
_w=200_h=158_pjpg.jpg?v=9aa29d4de4deda2becfc60db93d78c3d8b1cd2d4)
Kuoni traveller Laura Connor headed for Australia’s Great Ocean Road, discovering stunning natural scenery, bounding kangaroos and camping in a national park along the way.
" As I’m sure you’re aware, Australia is vast! We stayed in Melbourne for just one night before hitting the Great Ocean Road. Melbourne is wonderful, and if we’d had a bit longer we could have obviously seen a lot more of it, but I’m happy with what we did in our short time. It is an amazing trendy city, with quaint bars and restaurants – it’s definitely a place to be seen and to explore.
We headed out of Melbourne towards the Great Ocean Road, with some really beautiful stops along the way. We chose to stop at Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell – all small local towns with some amazing viewing points.
One of my most memorable experiences was when we went to the wildlife park and met the kangaroos. I had never seen a kangaroo or koala in real life before so I was really excited! They were so tame and we just sat there watching them for hours! It feels amazing when you put your hand out and they hold on with their little paws. If you need a reason to visit Australia, this is it.
Our final stop was the Grampians National Park. This is a ‘must see’ after a beautiful drive along the Great Ocean Road, with so much wildlife and natural beauty. We spent two nights camping here, and I can honestly say that the stunning views of mountains and waterfalls took my breath away."
Laura's top 10 tips for visiting the Great Ocean Road
1. Get lost in Melbourne’s laneways
You’ll start or end your Great Ocean Road trip in Melbourne, so take time to wander the CBD grid. Dip into Degraves Street for coffee, Hosier Lane for street art, then weave through Centre Place and Hardware Lane for tiny bars and hidden kitchens. Stay at Ovolo Laneways to have it all on your doorstep.
2. Choose the right car for the drive
Opt for a smaller, easy-to-handle car rather than a large SUV. The Great Ocean Road has tight bends, narrow sections and frequent pull-ins, so something compact makes the whole drive more relaxed.
3. Start early – or drive in reverse
Most people go Melbourne → Twelve Apostles. Flip it: drive straight inland first, then take on the coast from west to east so you’re pulling into viewpoints before the coach tours. Sunrise at the Apostles is a different experience entirely.
4. Skip one of the Twelve Apostles stops
There are multiple viewing platforms – you don’t need them all. Do the main Apostles lookout, then prioritise Loch Ard Gorge (short walk, huge payoff) and Gibson Steps, where you can go down onto the beach under the cliffs.
5. Go to Fishermen’s Co Op in Apollo Bay
Right on the harbour, this is about as unfussy and fresh as it gets. Order grilled fish or fish and chips, eat it outside and watch the boats come in. Need some goodies for the road? Check out Apollo Bay Bakery, home of the legendary Scallop Pie.
6. Pull over at Kennett River – even if you’re short on time
This is one of the most reliable wild koala spots on the entire drive. Park near the café, look up (not out), and you’ll often see them sleeping in the eucalyptus trees.
7. Don’t underestimate the Otways detour
Most people stay glued to the coast, but the Great Otway National Park loop (especially around Cape Otway or Triplet Falls) brings misty rainforest, tree ferns and a completely different feel to the drive.
8. Watch your fuel gauge after Apollo Bay
Petrol stations get sparse once you head west. It sounds basic, but it catches people out. Fill up in Apollo Bay before heading towards Princetown/Port Fairy.
9. Book early in peak season
Places along the route are small and fill fast, especially in summer and weekends. The best stays (especially in Apollo Bay and Port Fairy) can go quickly.
10. Stay a night in the Grampians
Head inland to the Grampians for sandstone peaks and wildlife at dusk. Stay at the historic Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld for its standout wine cellar and produce-driven dining straight from the kitchen garden.
Great Ocean Road: fast facts
• The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most visited drives, drawing travellers for both scenery and history.
• Officially opened in 1932, the Great Ocean Road was built by over 3,000 returned soldiers as a post World War I project, carved largely by hand along rugged coastal cliffs and now recognised as the world’s largest war memorial.
• The famous Twelve Apostles were never actually twelve – and the number keeps changing as erosion reshapes the coastline.
• The route packs in rainforest, surf beaches and towering limestone cliffs in a single drive.
• Parts of the coastline are known as the Shipwreck Coast, thanks to more than 600 recorded shipwrecks.
• It’s typically driven over one to three days, allowing time to stop, walk and explore along the way.
Inspired?
Experience the Great Ocean Road as part of our Southern Touring Route itinerary. To start planning an unforgettable trip down under, get in touch with our experts.
The information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.
_w=24_h=25.png?v=9aa29d4de4deda2becfc60db93d78c3d8b1cd2d4)
_w=24_h=25.png?v=9aa29d4de4deda2becfc60db93d78c3d8b1cd2d4)
_w=24_h=25.png?v=9aa29d4de4deda2becfc60db93d78c3d8b1cd2d4)
