Over the course of my life, I’ve had the opportunity to drive the Great Ocean road here in Australia on several occasions.  The last time I drove this magnificent road along the southern coast I was exploring with my love – Judy.

Driving the Great Ocean Road is like journeying through a living postcard.  This winding 243-kilometre stretch of road along Victoria’s rugged south-west coast is one of the great drives in Australia. Starting in Torquay and ending near Allansford, this scenic route hugs steep cliff faces, winds through lush rainforest, and offers uninterrupted views of the Great Southern Ocean.

Each turn reveals something spectacular from the famous Twelve Apostles (only seven remain of this natural wonder) rising majestically from the sea to serene beaches, cascading waterfalls, and quaint seaside towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay. The road itself is a mix of tight curves, sweeping bends, and scenic pull-offs, making it as thrilling as it is beautiful.

Whether you’re chasing a sunrise over the water, spotting koalas in eucalyptus trees, or just soaking in the serenity of the coast, the Great Ocean Road is a quintessential Australian road trip that blends natural wonder with adventure.

I’ve also been fortunate enough to see a range of Australian wildlife as I’ve ventured along this iconic drive, from kangaroos and wallabies to Echidna, wombats and the ever elusive koala.

It’s best when you have the opportunity to explore with no time line or pressure to be anywhere special cos, if you take it slow then you will really be able to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the southern coastline.

Interestingly, over the course of the drive I’m always surprised that you experience all the seasons during your drive.  This is due to the micro-climates that dot the coastline.  One moment you’re driving in a beautiful clear blue sky, the next it’s pouring rain, or blowing the car off the road with the heavy ocean winds.

Another thing that is constant are the incredible views of the coastline as you drive this unforgettable road.  It is important to note that the road is very winding, with some undulations so beware that you or your passengers don’t get motion sickness.  The best trick I’ve found has to been to stop frequently at the roadside stops to capture a shot of the coastline and take a moment to gather yourself.

During our last trip along the Great Ocean road, we first stopped at Point Lonsdale at the tip of the Bellarine Peninsula, which overlooks the infamous “rip”.  This relatively small channel is the entrance to Port Phillip Bay on which Melbourne is situated.  The bay provides a large and well protected harbor from the wilds of the Tasman Sea and the Great Southern Ocean that buffets the south coast of Australia with wild and woolly weather year-round.

Ships must navigate the “rip” with its ebb and flow of tides and large waves from Bass Strait in order to gain safe haven to Port Phillip Bay and clearly the perfect place to begin a day of photography!

Indelible Tip #1:  Point Lonsdale lighthouse is truly fascinating in that it one of many lighthouses that dot this part of Australia’s southern shore.  Its role has been and will continue to be an important one especially given the high volume of ships that ply their trade to and from the Port of Melbourne.  In addition, the other interesting thing I discovered are the myriad of abandoned WWII pillboxes that dot the dunes.

Indelible Tips #2:  Beach walks One of Australia’s true natural wonders are its beautiful beaches.  In fact, Australia has some 11,761 beaches along the almost 60,000 km coastline.  Driving the Great Ocean road provides lots of opportunities to pull over, cast your shoes and socks aside and get the sand between your toes as you’re able to walk for miles along the almost deserted beaches.  I’d suggest Fairhaven beach just outside Airey’s Inlet for an opportunity to take a long walk along the beach from the car park.

Indelible Tip #3:  Hiking  The Great Ocean road offers ample opportunities to get out of your car and experience a host of different environments on foot.  Here are just a few of the best hikes to take when you’re exploring along the Great Ocean road:

  1. Mait’s rest – this short and easily accessible hike is through lush rainforests.  Keep your eyes peeled for the flora and fauna as you walk.
  2. Erskine Falls through to Straw Falls – as the title suggest you’re going to be hiking from one falls to the next.  The beauty is that it is a relatively short hike from the trail head. To access this hike, take William Street from Lorne and follow the Erskine Falls road then follow the signs.
  3. Bells Beach to Point Addis coast walk – if nothing else take a moment to stop and checkout Bells beach.  Each April Bells beach hosts the World Surf League’s Rip Curl Pro classic which is part of the Championship surf tour.  Then from the car park follow the signs along the cliff tops to Point Addis.  This hike takes between 2.5 – 3.5 hours depending on your fitness and covers some 8 kms (one way).

I usually break up my drive by grabbing lunch in Lorne.  If you decide to grab lunch and sit on the foreshore or beach, be warned that you will likely have the entire cockatoo population join you.  They aren’t afraid of human contact, this beautiful Australian bird can be loud, boisterous and have a sharp bite if you’re so inclined to get too close.

This drive is special in so many ways, as it speaks to the natural beauty of Australia, it’s gorgeous coastline and the host of fascinating experiences you can have.  It’s a define must do when visiting Australia!

Until next week.

Ciao

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