Places You Got To See On Your Great Ocean Road Trip

Out of hundreds of tourists destinations in Australia, the Great Ocean Road deserves a special mention. The 151-mile-long national heritage is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. Well, this heritage gives life to the Australian tourism industry by attracting thousands of visitors every year. Why is it popular? Why is the Great Ocean Road Trip is unique, and what places you got to see there? This article covers the places you shouldn’t miss when you visit this great national heritage; enjoy!

The Great Ocean Road Trip is Australia’s best drive. Driving along the long road while the ocean is on one side is a great experience. The national heritage is unique because hundreds of spots are there to visit along the 151-mile stretch. Of course, a one-day trip isn’t enough to cover everything there. In fact, you would need three days to cover everything along the long stretch. Anyway, the Great Ocean Road Trip is regarded one of the best one-day trips that you can experience in Australia. You can visit a few of the popular places within 24 hours.

Well, don’t forget to take your camera, smartphone, and a few umbrellas to enjoy the trip to the max. The climate in the area can change anytime, so keeping an eye on the weather report is advisable. Sat-nav will help you find the locations easily without wasting your precious time if you plan a one-day Great Ocean Road Trip. It is a two-hour drive if you leave from Melbourne to the national heritage. OK, let’s start the list now!

1) Wongarra Pull Over Bay

This is the first place to stop your vehicles for a few photos. Well, many pull-over bays are there along the road, but this one is special. There’s plenty of space on the side of the road to stop your vehicle. A quick tip: don’t park your vehicle next to a road bend for safety. The blue ocean on one side and the green hills on the other side create amazing views. The breeze coming from the beach can get a bit chilly on a cloudy day, so you can enjoy the location to the max on a sunny day.

2) Twelve Apostles

One of the most-talked destination of the Great Ocean Road Trip. Well, don’t get confused by the name. Only eight giant pillars are there. These giant pillars are a creation of the natural phenomena, erosion. The erosion is caused by long-term exposure to seawater (waves) and wind. It is just a 2-minute walk from the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre. Don’t forget to take your camera; you won’t get another chance to capture giant limestones in Australia again. Almost everyone who comes for a Great Ocean Road Trip stops at this destination to witness these amazing creations of nature. So, this place is always crowded with visitors from around the world. Don’t get close to the cliffs; they are unstable. The heritage officials have placed warning signs to educate you about potential dangers. The biggest pillar stands up to 50 meters. As mentioned, there are only eight pillars remaining now. On the 3rd of July 2005, the 50-meter 9th pillar collapsed, leaving just eight.

According to the experts, every pillar loses about 2cm by erosion. There’s nothing we can do to prevent it — it’s a natural phenomenon. Don’t forget to stop your car at the Gipson Steps, which is just a 20-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles. Gipson Steps is the ideal place to take a few photos peacefully.

3) Californian redwoods, Beech Forest

Californian redwoods, Beech Forest: The Beech forest is different from other locations that you will come across the Great Ocean Road Trip. It is one of the highest rated tourist destinations in Victoria (4.9 Google reviews.) This is the ideal place for people who love trees and greenery. The forest is the home for hundreds of Redwood trees. You might need a 4-wheel drive vehicle to drive into the forest without any hassle (a sedan will do too.) The Hopetoun Falls in the forest is a wonder of nature. This is the best place to take a photo of you and nature (https://evershinewalls.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Hopetoun-Falls-VIC.jpg.)

4) Cape Otway Lightstation

Built in 1848, this light station has a  gorgeous lighthouse. It is one of the oldest in Australia and known as, “Australia’s most important lighthouse.” The track to the lighthouse and the lighthouse itself are great sceneries. We can highlight it as an iconic location on the Great Ocean Road Trip. The village-like surrounding area will minimize your stress in no time. The lighthouse is the best place to rest; the officials host accommodation there. If you want to learn more about the lighthouse, indigenous culture, and heritage cottages; we advise that you sign up for tours.

5) Loch Ard Gorge

Well, you should visit this place after the Twelve Apostles. The place got its name after a tragic event that took place in 1878. A ship with 54 crashed, killing 52 of them. The left and right pillars got the names of the two survivors from the crash. A little museum is there, and you can learn the history a bit better there. Even after the tragic event, the Loch Ard Gorge is known as a major location along the Great Ocean Road Trip. Don’t forget to remember the passengers who died from the crash when you get there. The sunset is the best time to visit the location as the setting sun behind the pillars creates spectacular views.

OK, we would like to highlight some other places you got to watch when on the Great Ocean Road Trip: Torquay, Lorne, Airey’s Inlet, Koala-spotting at Kennett River, and Birregurra. You might need more than one day to cover everything that we have highlighted in this article. Plenty of hotels and rooms are available along the 151-mile stretch. A room for two adults and two kids can cost up to $250 per night. A quick tip: don’t book your rooms with foods. Plenty of pizza shops and restaurants are there along the road. Filling up your stomachs from those shops is the cheaper option if you plan a Great Ocean Road Trip on a tight budget.

Some final words

Your kids will love to see the koalas at Kennet-river. Well, we can compare this trip to a Phillip Island trip. Both destinations are ideal for people who want to witness more places within a day or so. Just fill up your vehicle’s fuel tank before the trip.