Spanning an incredible 243km down Victoria’s coastline there are plenty of beautiful seaside towns you can stop in.

  • Anglesea

    Anglesea marks the first town from the Great Ocean Road’s official start in Torquay. The quaint town is the perfect place to stop for lunch along the beach or to wander through their fantastic Sunday market.

    Teeming with native wildlife, keep an eye out for wallabies and various Australian birds. Or, take the less-used track and explore the town by bike. For the avid rider, several mountain bike tracks wind by the foreshore or through the surrounding forest.

    The Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery has any sweet tooth travelling through the area sorted! Watch as the chocolatiers make gourmet chocolates and learn about their ethical practices. Located on a stunning bush-side property, sit out in the sun and enjoy one of their decadent ice-creams or join a tasting session to sample the best treats on offer.

  • Lorne

    Famous for its incredible surfing beaches, Lorne is the perfect mix of beachfront and forest. Bordered by Louttit Bay and the Otway National Park, Lorne is the perfect place to breathe in some fresh air while immersed in some of Australia’s best scenery.

    During the cooler months, Lorne is a fantastic spot for whale watching, with pods frequently migrating through the area between May and September. Sit down for a drink or meal on the Lorne Pier and see if you can spot any of the majestic animals.

    During warmer months, head down to the sand and join a surfing lesson. With gentle rolling waves, Lorne beach is the perfect place for beginner surfers to find their feet. During spring and summer, the beach is patrolled every day by surf lifesavers.

  • Apollo Bay

    Apollo Bay is the seafood town. Famous for its high quality, fresh seafood, the restaurants in Apollo Bay are sure to impress. Be sure to order the region’s speciality, crayfish. Caught at the very last moment before the dinner rush there’s nowhere in the world you can find them fresher. Can’t hang around for a sit-down meal? No worries! Walk down to the Apollo Bay Bakery for one of their famous scallop pies for fresh seafood on the go.

    The adventurers among you will love the short and full-day walking tracks around Apollo Bay. The hardest part of the Apollo Bay walks is deciding between ocean and forest! Follow tracks into the Otways to discover mesmerising waterfalls hidden in the rainforest, or wander on the Great Ocean Road walking trail to lookouts with captivating ocean views.

  • Port Campbell

    Port Campbell is home to one of the Great Ocean Road’s most famous landmarks, the 12 Apostles. Created over 20 million years ago the 12 Apostles are an icon of the Great Ocean Road. The limestone stacks were formed as the ocean and winds eroded the cliff faces. Today, only eight of the original stacks remain; however, that doesn’t make them any less awe-inspiring to see. Head to one of the many lookouts in the early evening to watch the sun set behind them.

    Port Campbell offers fantastic variety for the foodies in your group. Follow the 12 Apostles Gourmet Trail to discover local delicatessens and microbreweries. From cheese and whiskey to ice-cream and chocolates, the speciality producers are sure to impress. Finish at Berry World to pick your own strawberries and complete the picnic you’re sure to have created whilst visiting the other trail merchants!

Related article: Can you do the Great Ocean Road in a day?

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