The Great Ocean Road Self Drive: The Best Places to Stop

Last Updated: October 2026

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most spectacular coastal drives and an absolute must-do when visiting Victoria. Stretching for approximately 243 kilometres along the state’s dramatic southern coastline, it’s a journey filled with breathtaking ocean views, beautiful beaches, lush rainforests and incredible rock formations.

While the famous Twelve Apostles might be the main attraction, there’s so much more to discover along the way. Think charming seaside towns, hidden waterfalls, scenic walking trails and even wild koalas snoozing in the eucalyptus trees!

Having driven the Great Ocean Road several times during our years living in Melbourne, we can honestly say it’s a trip we’d happily do again. Every visit seems to reveal another beautiful spot worth stopping for.

Although it’s possible to explore part of the Great Ocean Road on a day trip from Melbourne, we highly recommend allowing at least two or three days to enjoy the scenery without rushing.

In this Great Ocean Road self-drive guide, we share our favourite stops, must-see attractions and practical tips to help you plan an unforgettable road trip along one of Australia’s most beautiful coastlines.

Where is the Great Ocean Road?

The Great Ocean Road starts in Torquay (the surfing capital of Australia), which is ninety minutes drive from Melbourne. It stretches over two hundred and fifty kilometres to the coastal town of Warrnambool.

Where to stop on the Great Ocean Road (driving from East to West):

Bells Beach

Bells Beach is one of Australia’s best surfing beaches and one of its most famous. Every year around Easter, the Rip Curl Pro contest is held there. If you happen to be nearby around that time, be sure to check it out. The best surfers in the world will be trying their luck. At other times of the year, you’ll always find lots of experienced surfers tackling the waves at Bells Beach, no matter how cold it is!

Anglesea Golf Club

No, you don’t have to be a golfer to stop there! The best reason to visit is not for the golfing but to check out the large colony of kangaroos that live on the course! If you have some spare time you can even sign up for the golf cart tours that they run, which let tourists safely view the roos.

Aireys Inlet Split Point Lighthouse

The lighthouse was built in 1891 and is still in operation today. You can pay for a guided tour or simply take a walk down the path to the two platforms below the lighthouse. From there, you’ll get a lovely preview of the Great Ocean Road’s magical cliffs and rock formations.

The Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Easter View

The Memorial Arch was built as a tribute to the World War One returned servicemen who constructed the Great Ocean Road. It acknowledges the day to day challenges that the workers faced and it’s a great stop to learn more about them. Of course, it’s also a great chance to get your obligatory photo!

Lorne

Lorne is a stylish little town full of cafes, shops and galleries. For some lovely views, grab lunch at the Lorne Beach Pavillion or on the deck of the Lorne Hotel. Lorne is also a great spot to stay at on the first night of your trip if you are looking for a hotel, motel or comfortable accommodation.

Erskine Falls

It’s a short detour from Lorne to reach Erkskine Falls, but it is one of the most popular waterfalls on the drive. This 30-metre high waterfall is located in a lush forested area and there are two lookout points, one at the top and one at the base. The first lookout is an easy five-minute walk from the car park. The second is a bit more of a struggle (at least on way back) because you’ll be climbing up two hundred and forty steps! It’s well worth it though.

Teddy’s lookout

Teddy’s lookout is my favourite lookout on the Great Ocean Road. Sitting up on a hill and at the end of a residential road, it’s not super easy to find. But once you’re there you’ll be treated to magnificent views of the winding Great Ocean Road, and of the Saint George River below where it drains into the Bass Strait.

Wye River

Wye River is a peaceful beachfront settlement and if you are into camping, it’s a great place to stop for the first night. The Wye River Foreshore Camping Ground is an ideal spot to break up your trip. The beach is small and quiet and the wildlife is abundant. Expect to see a few koalas up in the trees and plenty of birds.

Are you looking for a few drinks and a meal after a long day of driving? Then head to the Wye River Hotel for a wine, parma and awesome views from their deck. You may also see pods of dolphins swimming past close to shore!

Kenneth River

Kenneth River is an even smaller beachfront settlement that is only a few minutes past Wye River. It’s a popular stop if you want to spot koalas in the wild. Many of them live in the blue gums that line its main road (Grey River Road). So keep your eyes peeled and please remember that they are wild animals. Don’t try and touch them or poke your selfie stick at them; they really don’t appreciate it and may use their sharp claws to let you know!

Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay is another decent sized town on the Great Ocean Road and it’s also a popular place to stop for a night. It has many restaurants, places to stay and shops to browse. Its four-kilometre long main beach is great for a relaxing walk.

Mariners Lookout

For panoramic views of Apollo Bay’s town centre, harbour and beaches, head to the Mariners Lookout. It is located at the northern end of the town, off Mariners Lookout Road.

Maits Rest Rainforest Trail

The Maits Rest rainforest trail is a short thirty-minute walk along a boardwalk. As you walk along the valley floor and through the ancient rainforest, you’ll see beautiful fern gardens and giant trees, some up to three hundred years old. You can even go inside some of the old tree trunks! Look out for the abundant birdlife as well.

Cape Otway Lighthouse

Built in 1848, Cape Otway Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia and one of the Great Ocean Road’s most historic attractions.

Perched on dramatic cliffs overlooking the Southern Ocean, the lighthouse offers a fascinating glimpse into Australia’s maritime history. Visitors can explore the heritage precinct, discover historic buildings and enjoy spectacular coastal scenery.

The drive to Cape Otway is also beautiful, winding through the forests of Great Otway National Park, where you might even spot a koala resting in the eucalyptus trees.

Important: The lighthouse tower is currently closed for conservation works, although the surrounding heritage precinct remains open. Check the official Cape Otway Lightstation website for the latest opening hours, admission prices and tower access before visiting.

Otway Fly Treetop walk

For breathtaking aerial views of the Otway rainforest, detour north to the Otway Fly Treetop walk. This one-hour rainforest experience takes you along a six hundred meter long and thirty meters high, treetop walkway. This gives you a birds-eye view of the forest from up in the rainforest canopy. It is the longest and tallest walkway of its type in the world. If you have a spare three hours, you can even sign up for a zip line adventure!

Cost: $30 per adult for the treetop walk, zip line extra.

Gibson Steps

At Gibson Steps, eighty-six steps lead you down the side of the cliff to the beach for a close-up view of the gigantic apostles. From there you can see up close just how powerful the ocean really is. You’ll also appreciate just how high those cliffs really are. The steps are named after Hugh Gibson, a local settler who carved them into the face of the cliff.

Twelve Apostles

This is the one stop along the Great Ocean Road that nobody wants to miss! The Twelve Apostles are nothing short of spectacular, with enormous limestone stacks rising dramatically from the Southern Ocean, surrounded by towering cliffs and crashing waves.

Formed over millions of years by wind and wave erosion, these incredible rock formations are constantly changing. Despite their name, there were never actually twelve apostles. There were once nine, but following two collapses in 2005 and 2009, only seven remain visible today.

Unsurprisingly, this is one of Victoria’s busiest attractions, so we highly recommend arriving early in the morning, preferably around sunrise, to enjoy the scenery without the crowds. Sunset is another beautiful time to visit, when the limestone stacks glow in the golden light.

Important visitor information: A new visitor centre opened on 16 October 2026, and visitors now need to make a booking to access the main Twelve Apostles precinct. Reservations are currently free, with fees planned from April 2027. Book ahead through the official Twelve Apostles website to avoid disappointment.

Loch Ard Gorge

Just a three-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge is another spectacular stop in Port Campbell National Park.

The gorge takes its name from the Loch Ard, a clipper ship that ran aground near Mutton Bird Island in 1878 after a three-month journey from England. Tragically, only two of the 54 people on board survived: teenagers Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael.

Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and beautiful turquoise water, Loch Ard Gorge is one of the most photogenic spots along the Great Ocean Road.

There are several short walking trails and spectacular viewpoints to explore, including The Razorback, Island Arch and Thunder Cave. Take your time wandering between the lookouts and admiring the dramatic coastal scenery.

Important: Access to Loch Ard Gorge beach is currently closed due to unstable cliffs and safety concerns. The surrounding lookouts remain accessible, so it’s still well worth stopping here. Check the official website for the latest access information before visiting.

Port Campbell

The small seaside town of Port Campbell is a great place to spend a night. It is the closest town to the apostles and this is the best place to stop for the day, if you are planning to hang around for sunset or to watch the sun rise over the apostles. It has a few restaurants and many places to stay. Check out the scenic lookout just outside of town for a nice view over the township, its natural harbour, and beach area.

The Arch

It’s worth a quick stop to see this archway, naturally sculptured from the rocks and surrounded by crashing waves. To see it, you’ll need to walk down to the bottom to the small viewing platform. It is a quiet stop with very little tourists taking time to visit.

London Bridge

The London Bridge is the second most popular destination on the Great Ocean Road after the Apostles. Although no longer a bridge since its partial collapse in 1990, it is still a spectacular sight. Now it looks like another arch but a much larger one. You can check out the London Bridge from a few designated viewing platforms.

The Grotto

The Grotto is another natural phenomenon worth visiting. It’s part blowhole, part archway and part cave. The Grotto is accessible via a staircase that leads down from the viewing platform at the top. You can admire it from above, or go down the stairs to see it at eye level.

Bay of Islands and Bay of Martyrs

While on the Great Ocean Road, everyone makes the trip to the Twelve Apostles. But few seem to bother with the Bay of Islands or the Bay of Martyrs. A few kilometres south of the little town of Peterborough, you’ll find the Bay of Islands Coastal Park (of which the Bay of Martyrs is part). This area is equally as stunning as the Twelve Apostles, but it’s a lot quieter. You’ll find more incredible rock formations, deserted beaches, stunning scenery and a fascinating history.

Warrnambool

Warrnambool is the end of the Great Ocean Road. You’ve made it! Every year between June and September, female Southern Right whales return to the waters of Warrnambool’s Logan’s Beach to calve. This makes Warrnambool one of the best places in Victoria to see whales. If you head there in the summer months, Warrnambool is still a nice town to visit with more breathtaking ocean views and some fantastic beaches. Just don’t expect to see any whales.

Use the search box below to find your accommodation on the Great Ocean Road:

Tips for driving the Great Ocean Road

• If you are only driving the road in one direction, as most people do, it is best to drive from East to West (from Torquay to Warrnambool). You will be driving on the ocean side of the road and it will be a lot easier to stop at the many viewpoints along the way.
• Fill your car up with petrol in Torquay and always make sure that you have enough in your tank when you reach the major towns (such as Lorne and Apollo Bay). It can sometimes be a while before you see the next petrol station.
• In Australia we drive on the left side of the road. In the recent years there have sadly been a few fatal accidents, caused by tourists driving on the wrong side of the road.
• Stop as often as possible to admire the scenery. It is the best part of the drive and it gives the driver a chance to rest.
• In busy periods such as school holidays, Easter or Christmas, make sure you book your accommodation in advance, because finding a place to stay on the day might be difficult.
• Don’t attempt to drive the entire Great Ocean Road all in one day. That’s dangerous and it’s not worth doing the drive unless you actually get a chance to enjoy it.
• Try to respect the speed limit. I know the curves can be a bit scary, but the locals are used to it and can get a bit fed up with tourists slowing them down. If you want to drive a bit slower, pull over and let them pass when it’s safe to do so.
• Bring warm clothes, even in summer. The weather down the coast is extremely changeable and you never know what it’s going to do next. It can be extremely cold and windy at the Twelve Apostles and many people aren’t adequately prepared for it.

What if I can’t self-drive the Great Ocean Road?

The best possible way to enjoy this spectacular coastal drive is to rent a car and drive it yourself, but I can understand that not everyone will feel up to it. It can certainly be a little scary at times and if you’re not a great driver, taking a bus tour is probably your best option.

There are many companies that run tours to the Great Ocean Road. These leave on a daily basis from the centre of Melbourne. If you are short on time, you can take a one day tour. However, they are expensive, and you will spend large parts of the day on the bus and will miss most of the sights. At a minimum, we strongly recommend choosing a two or three day tour, to really make the most of your visit and to not feel rushed.

How Many Days Do You Need for the Great Ocean Road?

While it’s possible to visit the Twelve Apostles on a day trip from Melbourne, we highly recommend spending at least two to three days exploring the Great Ocean Road.

Three days is ideal for enjoying the beautiful coastal towns, rainforest walks, waterfalls and spectacular viewpoints without rushing. If you have four or five days, even better! You’ll have more time for hiking, wildlife spotting and discovering some of the quieter corners of the region.

For a three-day road trip, we’d recommend spending one night in Apollo Bay and another in Port Campbell, putting you close to the Twelve Apostles for sunrise or sunset.

Best Time to Drive the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is beautiful year-round, but autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are particularly good times to visit, with generally pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds than summer.

Summer is ideal for enjoying the beaches, although it can get extremely busy during school holidays. Winter brings dramatic coastal scenery, fewer visitors and the possibility of spotting migrating whales, but expect colder weather, rain and shorter days.

Whatever the season, Melbourne’s unpredictable weather can follow you along the coast, so pack layers and a waterproof jacket!

Where to Stay Along the Great Ocean Road

If you’re spending two or three days exploring the Great Ocean Road, choosing the right overnight stops makes a big difference. We recommend staying in Apollo Bay and Port Campbell, although Lorne is another lovely option if you prefer a shorter first day.

Lorne – Cumberland Lorne Resort

Located directly opposite the beach, Cumberland Lorne Resort offers spacious self-contained apartments, some with ocean views. It’s within easy walking distance of Lorne’s restaurants, cafés and shops, making it a convenient base for exploring the surrounding coastline.

Apollo Bay – Captain’s at the Bay

This charming boutique accommodation is conveniently located close to Apollo Bay’s beach, cafés and restaurants. With comfortable rooms and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s an excellent choice for an overnight stop before exploring the Great Otway National Park and continuing towards the Twelve Apostles.

Port Campbell – Loch Ard Motor Inn

For easy access to the Twelve Apostles at sunrise or sunset, Port Campbell is hard to beat. Loch Ard Motor Inn offers comfortable accommodation in the heart of town, with some rooms overlooking the beautiful bay. Restaurants and the beach are just a short walk away.

Our tip: Accommodation along the Great Ocean Road can book out quickly during summer, school holidays and long weekends, so we recommend reserving your rooms well in advance.

FAQs About Driving the Great Ocean Road

Can You Drive the Great Ocean Road in One Day?

Yes, but it’s a very long day from Melbourne, especially if you want to reach the Twelve Apostles. We recommend staying at least one night to enjoy the scenery without rushing.

Where Does the Great Ocean Road Start and Finish?

The Great Ocean Road officially starts in Torquay and finishes at Allansford, near Warrnambool, covering approximately 243 kilometres.

Do You Need a Car to Explore the Great Ocean Road?

A car is the best way to explore at your own pace and stop wherever you like. However, there are plenty of organised tours departing from Melbourne if you’d prefer not to drive.

Is the Great Ocean Road Difficult to Drive?

The road is generally well maintained, but some sections are narrow and winding, particularly between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Take your time, use designated lookouts and avoid driving after dark when wildlife may be on the roads.

Where Can You See Wild Koalas Along the Great Ocean Road?

Kennett River is one of the best-known places to look for wild koalas, particularly in the eucalyptus trees along Grey River Road. Keep your eyes open around Cape Otway too, but remember that sightings are never guaranteed.

Read More

A Day Trip to the Grampians National Park 

Phillip Island: A Perfect Getaway from Melbourne