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Great Ocean Road routes

We have out together some amazing routes around the Great Ocean Road that take in all the most important sights as well as a few off the beaten track places that make this area of Australia so special. From the surf town of Torquay the routes around the Great Ocean Road takes you through areas of picturesque coastline, abundant wildlife and stunning natural parks where you can do treetop walks or spot glow worms, all the way to Portland with great opportunities for whale watching.

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Routes around the Great Ocean Road

Want to see koalas hanging out in the blue gums? How about Australian fur seals basking on the reef? Or the carnivorous Otway black snail winding its way through the rainforest? With so much wildlife to see and so many great activities to do along the Great Ocean Road, you will need an itinerary that takes you straight to the main sights without missing those lesser-known but just as special experiences along the way.

Wherever you want to start your adventure you can find the perfect itinerary here, complete with wildlife viewing options, suggested activities and even recommendations for places to eat and stay. Simply select your starting point and get your adventure underway.

Torquay–Apollo Bay
Starting in the lively surf town of Torquay this route takes in the Anglesea heath where echidnas and crimson rosella parrots can be seen, Split Point Lighthouse where kangaroos lollop around on the grassland, the beautiful temperate rainforest of the Angahook Lorne State Park and the koala sighting spot of Kennett River before arriving in Apollo Bay where the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary is home to a colony of Australian fur seals and Apollo Bay Surf and Kayak are waiting to take you out on the water.

Find out more about Torquay – Apollo Bay

Routes of interest around the Great Ocean Road. Illustration by Lisa Joanes

Apollo Bay–Princetown
Starting in picturesque Apollo Bay this route can either be undertaken by car or on foot by completing the Great Ocean Walk. Drivers must head inland through the rainforest region of the Great Otway National Park but walkers can stick to the coast and explore every inch of this stunning coastline including wreck beach, the Aire River estuary and the Cape Otway Lightstation. There are opportunities to see koalas, kangaroos and seabirds along the coast while drivers can get up close and personal with the trees at the Otway Fly Treetop Walk and spot glowworms at Melba Gully.

Find out more about Apollo Bay–Princetown

Princetown–Warrnambool
Starting in Princetown this route takes in the awe-inspiring sights of Port Campbell National Park including the picture-postcard rock stacks of the Twelve Apostles as well as many coastal wildlife havens including Mutton Bird Island where muttonbirds nest in large numbers, the Arches marine sanctuary where the canyons, caves and tunnels hide Port Jackson sharks and zebra fish, and the beaches around Peterborough where fairy penguins return to their burrows each evening. Numerous sea birds can also be seen along this stretch including the impressive white-bellied sea eagle and there are some truly spectacular ocean views.

Find out more about Princetown–Warrnambool

Warrnambool–Portland
Starting in the seaside town of Warrnambool this route offers two unmissable opportunities for whale watching – at Logan’s Beach where Southern Right whales rear their young, and in the waters around Portland where Blue whales come to feed. There are also chances to see koalas, kangaroos and emus at the volcanic crater of Tower Hill and Australian fur seals on Lady Julia Percy Island offshore of Port Fairy.

Find out more about Warrnambool–Portland

Responsible Travel would like to thank Tourism Victoria for their sponsorship of this guide

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