Take a journey off the beaten track and explore the Great Ocean Road sites less visited.

Everyone has heard of the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge, and though they are awesome, the Great Ocean Road also has some pretty cool hidden gems too.

  • The Grotto

    Part blowhole, part cave, part archway, the Grotto is truly unique. The Grotto is a sinkhole, the result of limestone cliffs falling away to meet a receding cliff line. Large waves crash against the limestone and mist the air. Sun rays dance across the wave mist to form rainbows above. It’s truly a spectacular event! The archway provides a perfect viewing window to the crashing ocean behind. Head down to the lower viewing platform at dusk or dawn to watch the sun through this delightful natural window.

  • Bay of Isles

    Spanning for 32kms, the Bay of Isles is a fantastic bay of sea stacks and incredible limestone formations. Soak in the horizon packed with cliffs and unusual rock stacks. Many of the stacks have cultivated wildflowers and shrubs, adding a delightful pop of green to the blue and ochre oasis.  There are two viewing areas available to the public, both accessible from the visitor car park. If you’d like to get your feet wet, head to Wild Dog Cove along the Bay of Isles. Here you can enjoy a secluded beach perfect for a small paddle and enjoy exploring clusters of rock pools.

  • Bay of Martyrs

    The Bay of Martyrs is a 2.5km wide bay featuring an array of sea stacks and reefs. Limestone pillars soar 10meters high above the ocean surface, where waves crash at them in what looks like a misguided attempt to make them fall. At the eastern end of the bay you can access a stunning beach, which spans for approximately 500ms. The views of the ocean here are just as, if not more, beautiful than the nearby Port Campbell, but the beach itself is far less crowded. The Bay of Martyrs is a perfect place for twitchers, with many rare native bird species on display as well as more common but no less impressive species.

  • Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve

    Sitting inside an extinct volcano, Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is unlike any other. Here you can meet freely roaming koala, kangaroo, emu and water birds. Tower Hill is the perfect place to experience the Australian Bush and learn about someone Australia’s most iconic wildlife. Designated as Victoria’s first National Park in 1892, Tower Hill has a long history of preservation and conservation. Wander through over 300,000 trees providing a natural habitat for the local wildlife and keen an eye out for nesting boxes where you might glimpse a young bird!

The Great Ocean Road has so many wonderful attractions for you to explore that you might not have heard about before! At almost 250km in length, the Great Ocean Road has a hidden wonder at just about every corner, so don’t be afraid to take a step off the beaten track.

Related article: Visit the Great Otway National Park

Explore the Great Ocean Road Tours!

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