The Great Ocean Road – Australia’s Most Beautiful Drive

The Great Ocean Road isn’t just a road – it’s a ribbon of tarmac clinging to towering cliffs, curling around surf beaches, weaving through rainforests, and opening up to views that make you pull over… again and again.

One minute you’re driving through cool, fern-filled forest.
The next, the land suddenly drops away and there’s nothing but roaring Southern Ocean stretching to Antarctica.

And then there they are…
The Twelve Apostles, rising out of the sea like giant stone guardians. Even if you’ve seen a hundred photos, nothing prepares you for the real thing – especially when the light changes and the limestone glows gold.

It’s one of those places that makes you go quiet.

What makes this drive even more special is its history.
The Great Ocean Road was built by returned soldiers after World War I – carved out of rock by hand, as a living memorial to their fallen mates.

So as you drive it, you’re not just travelling through beauty – you’re moving through a piece of Australia’s soul.

This is also one of the best places in Australia to spot koalas in the wild, especially around Kennett River and Cape Otways. Just look up into the eucalyptus trees and there they are… snoozing away, completely unbothered by the world.

Add in:
Empty golden beaches
Shipwreck stories along the “Shipwreck Coast”
Tiny seaside towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay
Clifftop walks with heart-stopping views
…and you have a road trip that feels endlessly rewarding.

In March, I’ll be driving from Adelaide to Melbourne, and the Great Ocean Road is the highlight I’m most excited about.

There’s something magical about approaching it from the west — watching the coastline slowly reveal itself, each curve in the road bringing a new surprise. It’s not rushed. It’s not busy in the way big cities are. It’s just… beautifully, naturally spectacular.

And as someone who creates tailor-made holidays for a living, this is the kind of place I love recommending — because I know how it feels to drive it yourself.

If you’re visiting Australia and wondering whether to include the Great Ocean Road, my answer is simple:
Yes. Every time.
Whether you do it as:
A self-drive from Melbourne
A longer Adelaide-to-Melbourne journey
Or part of a bigger Australian adventure
…it adds something truly special. This is the Australia people imagine when they dream of wide open roads, wild coastlines and unforgettable scenery.
And once you’ve driven it… don’t be surprised if you start planning your return too!

The key to enjoying this drive is not rushing it. One overnight stop is fine… but two is magical.

Apollo Bay – My Top Pick
If you stay just one night, make it Apollo Bay.
It sits right between the rainforest and the ocean, and it’s the perfect base for:

The Otways
Cape Otway Lighthouse
The Twelve Apostles
Sunset walks along the beach
It has a lovely laid-back, seaside feel — great restaurants, cosy hotels and that “we could stay longer” vibe.

Port Fairy or Warrnambool
If you’re coming from Adelaide, I also love Port Fairy as a first night. It’s charming, historic and much quieter than the Melbourne end — a gorgeous way to ease into the coast.

Here’s what I recommend for clients:

2 Days – The Highlights
Doable, but you’ll be stopping a lot for photos.
Day 1: Melbourne → Lorne → Apollo Bay
Day 2: Otways → Twelve Apostles → Shipwreck Coast → on to Warrnambool or Adelaide

3 Days – The Sweet Spot
This is where it really shines.
Night 1: Lorne or Apollo Bay
Night 2: Port Fairy or Warrnambool
This gives you time for walks, wildlife, beaches and sunsets without rushing.

One of the best things about this region is that you don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to experience it — the walks are short, scenic and unforgettable.

1. Gibson Steps
Walk down onto the beach right beside the Twelve Apostles.
Standing at sea level with those cliffs towering above you is a real goosebumps moment.

2. Great Otway National Park – Redwoods or Triplet Falls
A complete change of scenery — lush rainforest, giant trees, cool air and waterfalls.
It feels like you’ve left Australia and wandered into another world.

3. The Great Ocean Walk (short section)
You don’t need to do the whole thing — even a 30–60 minute section along the cliffs gives you huge views and wild coastal beauty.

For me, the Great Ocean Road is all about the drive itself — winding along dramatic cliffs with the ocean beside you — and those hilarious, unforgettable koalas you spot along the way. They might look cute and cuddly, but they smell, they grunt, and the sounds they make are something else entirely… and that just makes them even more lovable. Add in the incredible coastal and rainforest walks, where every turn reveals another wow moment, and you have a journey that feels joyful, wild and wonderfully Australian from start to finish.