Embark on a Exciting Drive down the Scenic Great Ocean Road
Not yet published by Sreemoti Majumdar
Country: Australia 
The Experience
There’s something magical indeed about long car journeys. Those who love to travel in a car and want to go on a long journey will certainly not want to miss the Great Ocean Road of Australia. There are quite a few extremely scenic road trips available all around the world. For instance, you could do the Red Rock Scenic Road or the Pacific Highway in the US, the Guoliang Tunnel Road in China, the San Bernardino Pass in Switzerland, the Seward Highway in Alaska, drive through the Amalfi Coast in Italy, the Milford Road of New Zealand, or even travel from Manali to Leh in India. However, the list of the most scenic drives can never be complete unless the Great Ocean Road gets it entry there.
So buckle up for what could be the most spectacular road trip you have ever gone on. But do ensure that your camera is ready for what you could see at the turn could surely take your breath away. You are sure to come across with plenty of “jaw dropping” moments in this trip.
The Great Ocean Road is actually a 243 kilometer or 151 mile drive on the south-eastern coast of Australia between the cities of Warrnambool and Torquay in Victoria. Almost for the entire length of your trip, this road will weave through the Southern Ocean coast. You will love the scrubby landscape, the craggy rock formations, and the Otways rainforest here. There are plenty of landmarks here, but probably the most famous one among them all are the Twelve Apostles. These are twelve limestone rock stacks that rise from the ocean below. These limestone stacks have barely changed in hundreds of years. It is a spectacular display of how beautiful nature can be. This stunning road has recently been added to the National Heritage List of Australia as well.
A lot of people just do one part of this road because of a lack of time. The Twelve Apostles is the most famous landmark, and so, they would just travel till this point, snap up their pictures, and then head back. This is a huge mistake. You should certainly do the entire trip. And remember one more thing. Don’t travel on a coach tour. Get your own car instead. Hire a vehicle, because this will allow you to stop whenever you want to take a picture, or just get down to take in the stunning beauty all around you.
Don’t hurry it. It will just take you about three hours to drive the full distance if you are traveling at the maximum speed of 80 kilo meters per hour that is allowed here. Drive slowly, as you will never want to zoom past the spectacular coastline, the fantastic cliffs, estuaries, the hidden coves and the secluded bays here. Take your time to cruise through this scenic drive. You will remember this drive. You can tell your grandkids about this fantastic journey. The beauty of the Great Ocean Road is so haunting that you can never forget it, even if you wanted to for some strange reason.
There’s an even better way to take in the beauty of this road and the surrounding areas. You can get closer to nature by doing the Great Ocean Walk. The entire walk stretches for 104 kilometers from Apollo Bay, which is an idyllic resort town, to the amazing 12 Apostles. You can choose from short walks or day walks. You will be able to gaze at pristine marine sanctuaries, walk on deserted beaches, and weave through the incredible National Parks. Walk at your own pace. Step on or off anywhere you choose. There are self contained cottages and spa resorts where you can retire after a long day. There are plenty of camping sites too.
There is a lot of wildlife on this scenic drive too. See the annual migration of whales at Warrnambool. At the Tower Hill State Game Reserve, you can see water birds, emus, koalas and kangaroos. Play a game of golf at Anglesea with the kangaroos grazing by your side. You can see koalas at the Great Otway National Park, and also along the Kennett River. Head to Cape Bridgewater, and you will see hundreds of seals basking in the Sun. You can even swim with dolphins at the Bellarine Peninsula and also in Queenscliff. Canoe the waters of Lake Elizabeth at daybreak and watch the platypus dip in and out. There are plenty of options for you if you are a wildlife enthusiast.
The Great Ocean Road is not just about natural beauty, adventure, or wildlife. You can truly enjoy life in this journey of a lifetime by tempting your taste buds. You will love the wine regions here. It would truly be a crime if you left the road and headed home without tasting the seafood. Just head to the wharf in any town along the coast, and you can taste some local delicacies. The fishing co-ops of Apollo Bay and Lorne are a must visit. Try some gourmet cheese at Cooriemungle, Allansford or Timboon. Stop over at Timboon, Geelong or Apollo Bay to taste the wine. You may also try the luscious berries from the local farms that are located at Deans Marsh, Gellibrand, Colac and Heywood.
So buckle up for what could be the most spectacular road trip you have ever gone on. But do ensure that your camera is ready for what you could see at the turn could surely take your breath away. You are sure to come across with plenty of “jaw dropping” moments in this trip.
The Great Ocean Road is actually a 243 kilometer or 151 mile drive on the south-eastern coast of Australia between the cities of Warrnambool and Torquay in Victoria. Almost for the entire length of your trip, this road will weave through the Southern Ocean coast. You will love the scrubby landscape, the craggy rock formations, and the Otways rainforest here. There are plenty of landmarks here, but probably the most famous one among them all are the Twelve Apostles. These are twelve limestone rock stacks that rise from the ocean below. These limestone stacks have barely changed in hundreds of years. It is a spectacular display of how beautiful nature can be. This stunning road has recently been added to the National Heritage List of Australia as well.
A lot of people just do one part of this road because of a lack of time. The Twelve Apostles is the most famous landmark, and so, they would just travel till this point, snap up their pictures, and then head back. This is a huge mistake. You should certainly do the entire trip. And remember one more thing. Don’t travel on a coach tour. Get your own car instead. Hire a vehicle, because this will allow you to stop whenever you want to take a picture, or just get down to take in the stunning beauty all around you.
Don’t hurry it. It will just take you about three hours to drive the full distance if you are traveling at the maximum speed of 80 kilo meters per hour that is allowed here. Drive slowly, as you will never want to zoom past the spectacular coastline, the fantastic cliffs, estuaries, the hidden coves and the secluded bays here. Take your time to cruise through this scenic drive. You will remember this drive. You can tell your grandkids about this fantastic journey. The beauty of the Great Ocean Road is so haunting that you can never forget it, even if you wanted to for some strange reason.
There’s an even better way to take in the beauty of this road and the surrounding areas. You can get closer to nature by doing the Great Ocean Walk. The entire walk stretches for 104 kilometers from Apollo Bay, which is an idyllic resort town, to the amazing 12 Apostles. You can choose from short walks or day walks. You will be able to gaze at pristine marine sanctuaries, walk on deserted beaches, and weave through the incredible National Parks. Walk at your own pace. Step on or off anywhere you choose. There are self contained cottages and spa resorts where you can retire after a long day. There are plenty of camping sites too.
There is a lot of wildlife on this scenic drive too. See the annual migration of whales at Warrnambool. At the Tower Hill State Game Reserve, you can see water birds, emus, koalas and kangaroos. Play a game of golf at Anglesea with the kangaroos grazing by your side. You can see koalas at the Great Otway National Park, and also along the Kennett River. Head to Cape Bridgewater, and you will see hundreds of seals basking in the Sun. You can even swim with dolphins at the Bellarine Peninsula and also in Queenscliff. Canoe the waters of Lake Elizabeth at daybreak and watch the platypus dip in and out. There are plenty of options for you if you are a wildlife enthusiast.
The Great Ocean Road is not just about natural beauty, adventure, or wildlife. You can truly enjoy life in this journey of a lifetime by tempting your taste buds. You will love the wine regions here. It would truly be a crime if you left the road and headed home without tasting the seafood. Just head to the wharf in any town along the coast, and you can taste some local delicacies. The fishing co-ops of Apollo Bay and Lorne are a must visit. Try some gourmet cheese at Cooriemungle, Allansford or Timboon. Stop over at Timboon, Geelong or Apollo Bay to taste the wine. You may also try the luscious berries from the local farms that are located at Deans Marsh, Gellibrand, Colac and Heywood.
When to Go
What is the best time of year to drive through and enjoy the attractions of the Great Ocean Road? This depends on who you are, and what your priorities are. For instance, if you are keen about the many water activities along the coast, then you should certainly visit during the summer. But on the other hand, if you are thinking of visiting the rain forest or the waterfalls here, then you should probably pick spring. With a lot of recent rainfall, you can be sure that there will be a lot of water and it will be lush green. The weather is very pleasant too. The fact is that, there is no “bad time of the year” to visit this place.
Don’t just drive through the Great Ocean Road. It could be over in just 3 hours. Do it slowly. Try the Great Ocean Walk. Camp over to enjoy the wildlife and the rainforest. Pick your small town or fishing village and stay for a night to savor the local delicacies and the sea food. Play a round of golf or just relax for a couple of days. Enjoy a surfing vacation and the resort town of Torquay. There are plenty of accommodation options you can pick from. You can select a budget or a premium property depending on your priority.
This is a completely safe trip. Just be careful about all those sharp bends. The fall is a steep and a long one.
Don’t just drive through the Great Ocean Road. It could be over in just 3 hours. Do it slowly. Try the Great Ocean Walk. Camp over to enjoy the wildlife and the rainforest. Pick your small town or fishing village and stay for a night to savor the local delicacies and the sea food. Play a round of golf or just relax for a couple of days. Enjoy a surfing vacation and the resort town of Torquay. There are plenty of accommodation options you can pick from. You can select a budget or a premium property depending on your priority.
This is a completely safe trip. Just be careful about all those sharp bends. The fall is a steep and a long one.
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