Last Updated on May 19, 2026
Across all of Australia’s most iconic travel destinations, none seem as widely beloved as Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. Stretching over 243km of Victoria’s southwestern coastline and boasting once in a lifetime attractions that include the Otways forests, the iconic Bells Beach, and the Twelve Apostles rock formation, the Great Ocean Road is an absolute must-do during your time Down Under, and provides oodles of excitement and adventure at virtually all times of the year.
There’s so much more to do here than just work up a tan. With opportunities to get up close and personal with native Australian wildlife, camp under the stars, and even go skydiving with otherworldly views of the coast and the brilliant blue sea, mapping out your road trip itinerary in advance is vital for making the most of your time along the route.
Here are just a few stops in order (when travelling from east to west, from Torquay to Allansford) to add to your Great Ocean Road itinerary.
1. Skydiving over Torquay
The perfect start to an action-packed road trip, Torquay itself actually has a relaxed coastal-town feel with great cafes and eateries alongside boutique shops, and some serene coastal parklands to laze about in. For travellers who’ve made the drive over from Melbourne, there’s also plenty of Torquay accommodation right by the coast to provide you with a little respite from the road before continuing on your journey.
Whilst some RnR is a must during your time in Torquay, this is also a great destination to book a skydive nice and early on your trip! The reason for this is because Torquay provides breathtaking views of Bells Beach to the west and Breamlea to the east. This stretch of coastline.
The Torquay Airport is also just a quick drive over from the town centre, so you can easily slot in a skydive even if you’re planning to spend just 1-2 days in Torquay. We do, however, recommend booking ahead of time if you’re planning to travel during the summer holiday peak.
2. Surfing at Bells Beach
After some adrenaline (and recovery) at Torquay, the next step on your journey from east to west is the iconic Bells Beach. Renowned for being one of the most famous surf beaches in the world with an annual surf competition commencing all the way back in 1962, Bells Beach is a bucket list destination in its own right.
Even if you’re not a surfer, the swell here makes for a fantastic beach day virtually across all seasons. And if you want to stretch your legs, parts of the Surf Coast Walk (up to 44km) offer some of the best coastal views you’ll get on this trip.
2. Hiking & Hamper Picnics across Lorne
Next stop: Lorne. This blissful escape is another classic coastal town, being laid-back, a bit polished, and perfect for slowing things down again. Fans of beach walks, brunch, and hiking to waterfalls will absolutely adore this leg of the trip.
For nature lovers, Teddy’s Lookout is a must. This short walk delivers mesmerizing views over the cove and the wider Lorne-Queenscliff Coastal Reserve.
For those after a more challenging hike, there’s also the St George River Loop that’s approximately 5km long and will take you right by the Allenvale Mill Camp Site. And then further north, you can also find The Canyon circuit which boasts challenging trails leading to Henderson Falls and Phantom Falls. Be sure to pack plenty of water and some trail snacks if attempting these treks, as you can expect to be walking for at least 8-9km across the entire Canyon circuit.
To recover from the coastal trails and waterfall hikes, a bite in Lorne is an absolute must. Food-wise, Lorne takes the cake, perhaps even rivaling Melbourne (which is definitely saying something, considering Melbourne’s foodie delights feature on my list of Australia highlights!). You’ll find a mix of good pubs, cafes, and a few standout restaurants, think modern Italian, Greek-inspired spots, and plenty of freshly caught seafood.
And yes, beachfront dining here just hits differently. Fresh seafood, ocean views, it’s exactly what you want on a trip like this. If you want to eat alfresco, you may even opt to hit up the market in the morning and pack your own little picnic lunch to enjoy by the water’s edge before heading on your way.
3. Fishing & Kayaking at Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is one of the most popular seaside towns along the route, and if you’ve ever wanted to spot koalas in the wild, this is your chance. They’re often seen in the area if you know where to look.
Apollo Bay works well as either a quick pit stop for food and a sea dip, or even as another overnight stay. For fans of fishing and ocean kayaking, getting out early to cast a line or drop an oar is definitely well worth it.
Not to mention if you’re doing the trip in a campervan, this is one of the best places to stay as well. There are solid facilities for campers, including a variety of powered and unpowered sites, as well as clean amenities and parking right by the water’s edge at some of the bay’s best fishing spots.
4. Treetop Walking at the Otways
From Apollo Bay, you move into the Otways, and this is where the scenery shifts: expect less open coastline and more forest, waterfalls, and winding roads. The Great Ocean Walk runs through here too, stretching about 100km between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles.
One of the more unexpected highlights of this section of the journey is the region’s picturesque Californian redwood forests. A towering treasure trove of red bark, ferns, and mushrooms, the forests provide an ethereal landscape that you won’t want to leave.
If you loved skydiving on Torquay and don’t particularly have a fear of heights, the Otway Fly is definitely worth checking out. It’s a treetop walk through the forest canopy, and if you’re up for it, there’s also ziplining. It’s a different perspective of the redwood forest and a pretty memorable one at that too.
5. Sightseeing from the Apostles to Port Campbell
This is the headline stop: the Twelve Apostles. Rising out of the Southern Ocean, these limestone stacks are about 45 metres high and were once connected to the mainland cliffs. Seeing them in person is something else, painting a story of Victoria’s coastline and its shifts and changes over thousands of years.
Between the Apostles and the Saddle Lookout, there are a few different short walking tracks and lookouts around the area, so you don’t need to hike far to get good views. Further west, you’ll also find Loch Ard Gorge as well as the Island Arch and Mutton Bird Island Lookouts for some fantastic sights before you get back in the car and head to Port Campbell, which is guaranteed to be another overnight stop after a day’s worth of adventuring around the Apostles.
A gentle way to end the day is a walk out to the jetty at Port Campbell, just to watch the waves roll in and watch for the lights of cruise ships along the horizon.
6. Kayaks, Karting, & More Skydiving at Allansford!?
The Great Ocean Road officially stops at Allansford, which is just to the east of Warrnambool. Whilst Allansford doesn’t provide too much in the way of adventure, it’s definitely a lovely spot to just reflect on all the memories of your journey – and perhaps enjoy a cheese tasting at Cheese World!
There’s also the Logans Beach Whale Watching Platform along Warrnambool Bay and the waterfront Deep Blue Hot Springs for those looking to soak muscles sore from all the hikes, bushwalks, and surf seshes.
But if you’re not yet ready to say farewell to all the action just yet, then you’ll be happy to hear that there are some heart-racing attractions in and around the region as well. For starters, there’s the Merri River, which offers plenty of spots to launch a kayak and enjoy a self-directed cruise. There’s also the Warrnambool Kart Club for some high-speed go-karting, and the Rifle Range for some smart shooting and archery practice, for those looking to channel their inner Legolas.
There are even more skydiving opportunities around Warrnambool as well, allowing you the chance to see both the eastern and western ends of the Great Ocean Road from the air. And what better way is there to see out your Great Ocean Road road trip?
Map out your Perfect Great Ocean Road Trip
Whether you stop at all the stops we’ve outlined above or you handpick your favourites, you’re guaranteed to have a whale of a time exploring Victoria’s most beloved road trip route. Just make sure to take plenty of pictures along the way, because best believe you’ll want to remember every single detail of your first Great Ocean Road experience.
