Great Ocean Road, Australia

Welcome to Great Ocean Road, Australia

Summary

The Great Ocean Road has a total distance of 273 km, extending from Australia's south east coast up to Warrnambool and Geelong in Victoria. The road passes through different beach towns with the ocean as its backdrop.

Surroundings

The Great Ocean Road is a highway surrounded by seaside resorts, local towns, and natural wonders. The long stretch features the breathtaking coastline along with high mountain ranges.

Name derivation and History

The Great Ocean Road was constructed by up to 3,000 workers in memory of the other servicemen who died during the First World War. The idea for road construction came up as early as 1864. However, the land survey was conducted only in 1918, while road building took place from 1919 to 1932 with the completion of the highway from Lone to Apollo Bay. Considering its length, the name aptly defines the long ocean drive.   read more

Geography

The Great Ocean Road covers various coastal sections with overview of the Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. The road also extends to national parks that feature rain forests with ferns and trees. Rock formations are also sighted through the coast, which include the Grotto, Loch Ard Gorge, and the Twelve Apostles. The road is also surrounded by mountains and seas.

Attractions

The Great Ocean Road is a gateway to different tourist hotspots. These include several rock formations like the Twelve Apostles, London Arch, and the Grotto. There are also national parks that offer the best scene for wildlife viewing. Travelers can also go whale watching, surfing, swimming, diving, fishing, and snorkeling in different bays like the Bells Beach. Hiking, sightseeing, and camping are also popular activities in various beach towns and ports.

Transport

Buses and private vehicles travel through the Great Ocean Road with restrictions on speed limits for safety.

Recreation

There are national parks, cultural centers, and a good variety of tourist attractions in different beach towns, seaside resorts, ports, and bays surrounding the Great Ocean Road. Restaurants, cafes, bars, diving schools, souvenir shops, and service establishments are also found in various cities and towns.

Alternative Places

Victorian cities are also worth a visit and since Geelong, lies on the south western part of Melbourne, there's good access to other Australian towns.