Great Ocean Road Discovery

Pick up your rental car and commence your drive via Lorne to Apollo Bay, a scenic little fishing port boasting some magnificent beaches. There are two museums in town, the Bass Strait Shell Museum which features a huge display of shells from all around the world, along with information on shipwrecks that have occurred off this treacherous coastline, and the Historical Museum which has thousands of photographs showcasing the area’s shipping history. A steep and narrow road will take you to Mariners Lookout east of town, where a short walk leads to spectacular views of the township and the coastline.

Pick up your rental car and commence your drive via Lorne to Apollo Bay, a scenic little fishing port boasting some magnificent beaches. There are two museums in town, the Bass Strait Shell Museum which features a huge display of shells from all around the world, along with information on shipwrecks that have occurred off this treacherous coastline, and the Historical Museum which has thousands of photographs showcasing the area’s shipping history. A steep and narrow road will take you to Mariners Lookout east of town, where a short walk leads to spectacular views of the township and the coastline.

In pictures

Spend the day exploring Cape Otway at your leisure. A short drive from Apollo Bay, the Otway Ranges and Otway National Park offer desne rainforest, thunderous waterfalls and lush fern gullies. Take a treetop walk along the Otway Fly for breathtaking views or visit mainland Australia’s oldest lighthouse at Cape Otway. The Cape Otway Lightstation was built in 1848 and perches 90 metres above the Bass Strait. It is fondly nicknamed the ‘Beacon of Hope’.

Continue west along the Great Ocean Road to Port Fairy. Today you’ll discover the region’s best known natural attractions – the iconic rock formations of the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge which stand just offshore as you approach Port Campbell. Further along the coast at Warrnambool is a clifftop viewing platform which offers excellent whale watching opportunities. Between late May and August each year, southern right whales return from Antarctica to give birth here at a spot known as Logans Beach Whale Nursery. Travel on to Port Fairy, a seaside resort and fishing port at the mouth of the Moyne River, for an overnight stay.

Continue west along the Great Ocean Road to Port Fairy. Today you’ll discover the region’s best known natural attractions – the iconic rock formations of the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge which stand just offshore as you approach Port Campbell. Further along the coast at Warrnambool is a clifftop viewing platform which offers excellent whale watching opportunities. Between late May and August each year, southern right whales return from Antarctica to give birth here at a spot known as Logans Beach Whale Nursery. Travel on to Port Fairy, a seaside resort and fishing port at the mouth of the Moyne River, for an overnight stay.

In pictures

Follow the coast road via Portland to Mt Gambier – you may choose to detour to visit Mt Richmond National Park, or the spectacular seascapes of Cape Nelson. Mt Gambier is located on the slopes of an extinct volcano and has two famous attractions, the Blue Lake and the Cave in the centre of the city. The lake is famous for its change of colour from winter grey to intense blue in November each year. It remains blue until late March, and aside from its beauty, is the city’s source of domestic water.

Depart Mt. Gambier along the Princes Highway to the town of Millicent, from where you can make your way back to the coast for the scenic drive to Robe. The Port of Robe was originally founded in 1847 and gradually grew, exporting wool and horses. Nearby Little Dip Conservation Park, 4km to the south, is well worth a visit.

Follow the road along the edge of Coorong National Park and through the prolific wine-producing regions of McLaren Vale and Hahndorf. If time permits you may like to detour to Mt. Lofty, from where you can enjoy views over Adelaide before making your way into the city for an overnight stay.

Follow the road along the edge of Coorong National Park and through the prolific wine-producing regions of McLaren Vale and Hahndorf. If time permits you may like to detour to Mt. Lofty, from where you can enjoy views over Adelaide before making your way into the city for an overnight stay.

In pictures

Your Great Ocean Road adventure ends today as you return your rental car and depart Adelaide.