I’ve seen and heard many a story of locals and tourists driving the Great Ocean Road but in all my years I’d never taken the time to do it myself. Terrible I know considering I lived just a couple of hours drive away. Having already written about my time at Cape Otway I figured it was time to show you the rest of the experience.
As anybody who’s undertaken the drive along the coast between Warrnambool and Cape Otway will know, words will never do the landscape justice. In the spirit of feeling like you’ve driven along the Great Ocean Road with me I’ve selected my favourite photos from along the route and posted them below. I hope you can get a feel for just what an amazing part of Australia this is and maybe I’ll even inspire you to visit yourself.
Bay Of Martyrs
The Grotto
London Arch, formally London Bridge
The remains of Island Arch at Loch Ard Gorge
The Razorback with coastline in the background
The 12 Apostles Looking East
The 12 Apostles Looking West
Have you driven along the Great Ocean Road? Do you have any tips or suggestions for others to stop and see along the way or just a great place to stay for a night. If so I’d love you to let me know in the comments below.
While all views are my own, the trip along the Great Ocean Road was made possible with support from Tourism Victoria.
Oh WOW! Definitely doing this someday when we’re back in Oz. The Razorback photo gave me goosies.
It’s definitely worth the visit GayE if you come down under. Just be sure to allow plenty of time so you can relax and enjoy the whole experience of the great ocean road.
The 12 Apostles are stunning! I’ve yet to visit Australia but would love to do this one day. I think I would equate it to how everyone who visits California should drive Highway 1. (Except your views might be a little more spectacular!)
Laura I’m more and more interested in doing some road trips outside of OZ now after this. America seems to be the country of road trips if you listen to Hollywood so will add Highway 1 to the list of potentials.
I want to go to there!!!
It is a great trip … maybe I’m biased, I live in the area.
So this is what the Great Ocean Road drive is like, very cool. I’ve seen a ton of photos about the 12 Apostles, but never really checked into what the drive is like along the rest of the coast…looks like a cool drive! Can’t believe I haven’t been to OZ yet….!
WOW! Amazing images man!! I’ve driven part of the Great Ocean Road, but it was in a bus. I’m hanging out to do a Great Ocean Road road trip at some point in the future!! Hopefully sooner rather than later.
You’re right! These photos make me want to book a flight to Australia immediately!
Great Photo’s. I have been along the Great Ocean Road since I was a kid on a family holiday – just put it on my to do list.
looks fantastic! Its on the list the second I return to Aus. Great pics!
This is so on my to do list…after a stint in Tassie…but maybe the nect big one. Home for Christmas before we hit the road again. Just finished 7 months in QLD.
Your blog is awesome – wish I was 20 years younger and could do all the overseas trips too!
I love your pictures, they bring back so many memories for me from when I took the trip a few years ago. Thankfully I wasn’t driving then 🙂
It truly is a beautiful part of the world, such a shame coastal erosion is slowly taking it away from us.
Amazing photos! I keep meaning to do this trip, what kind of Aussie am I if I don’t? 😉
Me and my wife even had plans to do this on our honeymoon, and took a different trip instead, but it is still high on our list of Aussie adventures, and these photos inspire me to do it sooner rather than later.
I have never actually driven the Great Ocean Road…but if you are a cyclist – it is heaven to ride. The scenery is stunning, climbing through Otway is a delight and the views as your ride along the coast are incredible! We did it in 3 days but I have friends who have slowed it down and done it in 5. The Great Ocean Road is considered one of the best coastal roads in the world and I agree. Totally worth the effort to experience it. We got up before dawn to ride to the Twelve Apostles for sunrise. I was stunned there were so few people – it was gorgeous! I have broken down the ride and places to stay if you are interested on my site. It is worth the effort.
Anita I think riding the great ocean road would be amazing and it lets you stop whenever you want to really appreciate the view. Doing the 12 apostles for sunrise would have been the best view, I think there are less people there due to the distance it is from most places which is good for those making the effort to be there early.
Damn! I wish I’d found your blog before we did our road trip across Australia. We just left Oz yesterday and had the most amazing time. And luckily we did get to do the Great Ocean Road… but your posts on Australia would have been a huge help in my research.
I’m in Bali now and hoping you’ve done some traveling there yourself… I’ll check through your archives for posts on Bali, but if you have any tips on finding long-term accommodation there, or great stuff to see in and around Ubud, I’d love to pick your brain!
Great photos here, by the way! Much better than anything I took.
-Tasha
Simply beautiful. How did this site of the 12 Apostles get its name and the Bay of Martyrs?
Hi Lisa, as far as I know the Bay of Martyrs is named so due to the massacre of local aboriginals by European hands when Australia was being settled. As for the name the 12 Apostles, I believe this came about as there were once 12 rock formations at the sight. Before that the area had also been known as the sow and piglets.