I’ve driven the Great Ocean Road more times than I can count.

That’s one of the many benefits of living in Melbourne: we have one of the world’s most beautiful road trips right here on our doorstep.

However, because of this, I have subsequently developed Extremely Strong Opinions on the best way to tackle this drive. Let’s just say, I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. After all those mishaps (a special shout-out to the time I reached the Twelve Apostles in such a dense fog that I could only see two of them!) I feel like I’m perfectly placed to craft the ultimate two-day itinerary.

Before I was willing to publish it here, however, I had to first put it to the test.

My parents recently flew out to see me in Melbourne and I used them as my guinea pigs, taking them to every single spot I’m going to detail below.

It went so well, and they both name it their highlight from their entire month-long trip to Australia.

We managed to check off all of the best parts of the Great Ocean Road, skipped everything that wasn’t worth doing, sampled some of the best food in regional Victoria, and made dozens of beautiful memories.

Today, I’m going to be sharing exactly how you can do the same.

Why This Itinerary?

With a couple days to spend on the Great Ocean Road, you’ve got two main options for how to break up your time:

• Spend your first day driving to Lorne or Apollo Bay, where you’ll spend the night, then your second day driving to the Twelve Apostles; heading back to Melbourne in the evening. Or:
• Spending your first day driving to the Twelve Apostles and sleeping in Port Campbell, then your second day exploring the Otways before arriving back in Melbourne before night falls.

In my eyes, there’s absolutely no comparison here: you should choose the second option. Here’s why:

The main highlight of the Great Ocean Road is the Twelve Apostles, and you’re going to want to see them at their very best. As you can see from my photo above, there are some truly terrible times of day at which to arrive. Yes, between 2 and 4 p.m., every tour bus and every day tripper from Melbourne arrives at the Twelve Apostles, and they do so at the exact. same. time.

A nightmare.

And so, you absolutely do not want to be at the 12 Apostles in the afternoon. Odds are, if you followed the first itinerary option, that’s exactly when you’d get there.

Instead, there are two amazing times of day to be there, where I can guarantee you’ll be sharing the complex with a few dozen people instead of a few thousand.

At sunset and at first thing in the morning.

You’d think that sunset would be a popular time to visit, but the Twelve Apostles are a three-hour drive from Melbourne and it’s dangerous to drive in the dark around here, due to the lack of street lights. Therefore, all of the day trippers and tour groups tend to leave early.

(That’s another reason not to opt for the first itinerary — if you were to stick around until sunset and then drive back to Melbourne, you’d be tackling dangerous regional roads in the dark with countless animals jumping in front of your car.)

All that to say, I highly, strenuously, and aggressively recommend spending the night in Port Campbell. This town is just a 10-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles, so you can happily catch the sunset and the Penguin Parade (more on that later!) and then wake up the next morning to see the rock formations beneath a completely different light.

And yes — it’s definitely worth seeing them at both sunset and the early morning; they’re two totally different experiences!

To summarise: don’t spend the night in Apollo Bay; don’t spend the night in Lorne. Instead, drive a little bit further so that you can see the biggest attraction at its very best.

Here’s how to spend two days on the Great Ocean Road.

Step one: head to Torquay, which marks the start point of this iconic road trip.

Beaches and Breakfasts in Torquay

You’re going to want to get up early today because you’ve got a long drive ahead of you. I recommend skipping breakfast in Melbourne and instead getting straight on the road — there’s an amazing cafe serving food in Torquay and it makes for the perfect way to get your day started.

Torquay is my favourite town on the Great Ocean Road. It’s a beautiful, sunny spot, with laidback, beachy vibes and some of the best food in the country. Popular with surfers, families, and day-tripping Melburnians, its lengthy golden-sand beaches provide more than enough room for everyone.

Park at Torquay Village, which offers free parking for up to three hours, and then head to Pond Cafe. This delightful cafe is located on the esplanade with views overlooking the water, so it makes for a great first destination on the road. I usually go for the Breaky Burger, but have also tried the avocado toast, granola, and smashed peas with goats cheese: all amazing! Their fresh juices are great, too.

Once you’ve finished your meal, take a relaxed stroll along the foreshore of Front Beach to Point Danger (the Torquay War Memorial beside it is marked on Google Maps), spotting the early risers out in the water as you go. This is a great little viewpoint that offers up views up and down the rugged Victorian coastline, giving a glimpse of what the rest of your day is going to involve.

Once you’re back at the car, set your GPS to take you Bells Beach carpark — it’s a 10minute drive along the coast — where we’ll be stopping off to see the surfers.

Watch the Wave Riders on Bells Beach

There’s an absolutely enormous free car park at Bells Beach, so you never have to worry about finding a spot. Well, that is unless you accidentally decide to drive the Great Ocean Road on the same day as the Rip Curl Pro competition (remember when I said I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to?)

The aforementioned Rip Curl Pro is what makes this beach one of the most famous stops on the Great Ocean Road. One of the world’s biggest surf competitions, it’s been held here for over 60 years and draws both surfing fanatics and casual visitors alike. Luckily, it’s also one of the prettiest beaches along the road.

Once you’ve parked your car, head to the compact viewing platform that looks over Bells Beach (to the right) and Winki Pop (to the left). Yes, that beach really is called Winki Pop.

Unless the weather is atrocious (in which case, I’d question why you were road tripping in such bad conditions), you’ll always be able to spot several dozen surfers out in the water, trying their hand at the powerful right-hand point breaks. It makes for excellent people-watching, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you spent 20 minutes here, admiring the athleticism on display.

There’s a series of steps down to the beach, so if you feel like getting closer to the action, do head down to the sand for a stroll. There’s also a viewing platform overlooking Winki Pop Beach that I think offers even better views, so make sure to follow the signs for Winki Pop; you’ll be there in a few minutes.

Once you’ve had your fill of sand and surf, it’s time to head back to the car and venture over to Aireys Inlet. It’s a 30-minute drive to Split Point Lighthouse and its accompanying free car park.

Send Yourself Round the Twist in Aireys Inlet

Have you ever… ever felt like this? When strange things happen, are you going ’round the twist? 

Round the Twist was the name of an Australian children’s show from the 1990s that was wildly popular throughout much of the world. If you used to watch it and are wondering why the lighthouse looks so familiar, that’s because the opening credits to the show were filmed right here at Aireys Inlet!

While that’s its main claim to fame, it’s still worth visiting the lighthouse, even if you have no idea what Round the Twist even is.

Just a quick note about the parking situation here: you’ll find the car park at the end of Lighthouse Road and on the left. When you do park, take notice of the signs in the car park. A lot of visitors inexplicably end up parking within the no standing area, which is reserved for cars to turn around in. Park in the wrong spot and you’ll end up with a $200 fine!

Split Point Lighthouse is such an impressive structure, first built in the 1890s and remaining in operation until today. If you luck out with a blue-sky day, the white lighthouse makes for a striking contrast in photos, and the nearby rocky cliffs are just as dramatic.

The grounds surrounding the lighthouse are free to explore, and there are several viewpoints worth walking out to. In fact, I’d say that the viewpoints are actually more impressive than the lighthouse itself. The rocky coastline around here is reminiscent of the Twelve Apostles, with small limestone structures emerging out of the ocean, just a dozen metres from where you stand.

You can pay $10 to climb the 136 steps to the top of the lighthouse, but I’d only recommend doing so if the weather is perfect, as the views weren’t particularly spectacular on the cloudy day that we visited. The staircase is narrow, so you’ll also want to be comfortable in confined spaces!

Once you’ve finished exploring the lighthouse, I recommend walking straight past the Lighthouse Tea Rooms.

While they may look like a tempting place to stop — located right beside the lighthouse, you can’t deny their excellent location — the truth is, it’s all very underwhelming. The baked goods are disappointing and the coffee? Even worse. I’d only recommend stopping if you plan on getting a soft drink, but even those are overpriced.

We’ve got a short drive up next: just 10 minutes from Split Point Lighthouse to the Memorial Arch car park.

Take Your Photo Beneath Memorial Arch

Did you know that the Great Ocean Road is the world’s largest war memorial? But not only that, the entire stretch of road was actually built by returning soldiers from World War I. It took 13 years for 3,000 servicemen to complete the job, and thanks to them, we now we have one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Memorial Arch is therefore a mandatory stop on any Great Ocean Road trip. Not only is it a great place to commemorate the efforts of all those soldiers, but it’s also one of the most photographed destinations on the way.

There’s a small statue located beside the car park, as well as a plaque that gives a brief history of the Great Ocean Road and the workers who helped build it.

And I must acknowledge the fact that you’re probably going to want to take a photo standing beneath the arch. You can see my photo above: it’s such a fun spot to commemorate your road trip.

However.

Please be aware that this is a road, there is traffic, and said traffic is not necessarily going to expect to come across an over-excited tourist jumping for joy in the middle of the road. Therefore, if you are going to take your photo here, be careful. Make sure that there are zero cars in sight, no engines to be heard, and sprint into the middle of the road to take a photo as quickly as possible.

Odds are, you won’t spend more than around five minutes at Memorial Arch, so once you’re back in the car, set your sights on the bustling town of Lorne. It takes twenty minutes to get there, and you should aim to park at Lorne Beach car park, which is free to use.

Stop for a Light Lunch in Lorne

If you’re starting to feel peckish at this point, Lorne makes for a lovely place to get out of the car, take a walk along the beach, and struggle to decide which cafe to eat at. There are so many delicious places to choose from in this town!

I recommend Gelato Gelato for, well, gelato; the Great Ocean Road Bakery for pastries and pies (their vanilla slice is excellent, too); and Fruits of the Forest for toasties and smoothies.

You’re going to be having an early dinner in Apollo Bay in a couple of hours, so unless you’re absolutely starving, I’d recommend choosing something small and light. I’m usually still pretty full from breakfast in Torquay at this point, so will just grab an ice cream and a drink, take a walk beside the water, wonder how much it would cost to buy a holiday home in Lorne, then hit the road again.

Next stop: nearby Teddy’s Lookout, just five minutes outside of Lorne.

A Bird’s Eye View Over the Great Ocean Road

Take the road along George Street to get to the car park for Teddy’s Lookout. From there, it’s a five-minute walk to the viewing platform. Before you know it, you’ll be looking down on the winding coastal road, watching campervans and cars navigating its twists and turns. That’s where you’ll be going next!

In my opinion, one of the (very few!) downsides of the Great Ocean Road is that you’re down at sea level for the vast majority of of the drive. It means that you’re never quite able to take in the full scale of the road. Teddy’s Viewpoint is therefore one of my favourites, because it has you up on the clifftop, able to see the beautiful beaches, rocky coastline, and turquoise waters.

Most visitors stop at the first lookout, but if you take the turn-off to the right, you’ll come across a second viewing platform. I think the views are much more impressive from this one (it’s where I took the above photo from), so make sure you don’t miss it.

Our next stop is a half-an-hour drive away, and it’s time to start getting excited, because Kennett River will give you your best chance of seeing koalas in the wild.

Go Koala-Spotting in Kennett River

The Great Ocean Road is jam-packed with koalas; they simply love to hang out in the towering eucalyptus trees that line this section of road. The only problem is, well, exactly that: the trees are towering! It means that it’s near-impossible to spot a koala 50 metres up in a tree while driving past at 80 km/h.

That’s why I always recommend stopping in Kennett River for fifteen minutes or so.

This is a tiny settlement, with little more to offer than a photogenic general store and seven thousand koalas.

No, you’re exaggerating.

But in all seriousness, while there might not be seven thousand native marsupials hanging out in the trees, there are a lot. This is hands down the easiest place to find these (not-so) cuddly creatures on the Great Ocean Road.

If you’re lucky, you’ll meet a couple of them hanging out in the small trees surrounding the general store. That’s where we spotted the koala in my photo above, and I didn’t even have to use my zoom to capture it! It was within a couple of metres of my head.

Of course, you’ll know if there’s any koalas around, as there’ll undoubtedly be a large gathering of smartphones held aloft, encircling a tree.

If there aren’t any koalas surrounding the general store, and you don’t have any luck strolling down the first hundred metres of the walking trail behind the store, I’d honestly recommend giving up and moving on.

Dave and I have spent a solid hour driving our car along the koala-spotting trail and never seen anything impressive. The trees get really tall past the first hundred metres of the path, so even if you do end up spotting a koala, it’s likely to be 50 metres up the air and impossible to see in any level of detail.

Case in point: here’s a photo of a koala we saw roughly two kilometres down the trail:

I’m sure you’ll agree that it was not the most thrilling of animal encounters! That’s why I recommend cutting your losses and moving on if you can’t immediately find a koala.

And what’s next on the agenda? I hope you’ve saved room for food, because I’m going to be taking you to sample some of the best fish and chips I’ve ever had.

Stop for an Early Dinner in Apollo Bay

I’ve sampled a hell of a lot of fish and chips as I’ve travelled the length and breadth of Victoria, so you can trust me when I declare that the Fishermen’s Co-Op in Apollo Bay to be the absolute best. It would be a travel crime to venture along the Great Ocean Road and not sample the offerings at one of my favourite eateries along the way.

Fortunately, this stop usually makes sense in terms of timings. You’ll have had a filling brunch in Torquay, a snack in Lorne, and therefore be starting to feel hungry by the time you pull into Apollo Bay.

But not only that, if you’re planning on catching the sunset at the Twelve Apostles, this can sometimes make for a tricky dinner situation. Most of the restaurants in Port Campbell (the closest settlement to the Twelve Apostles) stop serving food at 8 p.m. — but sunset is between 8 and 8:30 p.m. during the summer months!

Remember how I said I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to? Well, I’ve definitely gone to bed hungry in Port Campbell before!

Finally, the food isn’t amazing in Port Campbell, and certainly not as high-quality as the dishes at the Fishermen’s Co-Op, so it’s really a no-brainer. I usually order the fresh fish special, which comprises the catch of the day, served with chips, salad, and sauces. It’s so good!

Apollo Bay is the last real stop that you’ll make before getting to the Twelve Apostles, so once you’re suitably fed, hop back in the car, and set your GPS for the Gibson Steps. This is a 90-minute drive that takes you inland and away from the beaches, so there’s nothing exceptionally exciting to see along the way.

Park Up at the Gibson Steps

A lot of visitors to the Twelve Apostles aren’t aware of the existence of the Gibson Steps (I think I’d taken half a dozen trips along the Great Ocean Road before I first decided to check them out!), making them one of the best hidden gems in the region.

The Gibson Steps take you from lofty clifftops all the way down to the beach that’s located just before the Twelve Apostles. You can’t actually venture on to the Twelve Apostles’ beach, so this is the best way to get up close to some very similar structures.

Once you get on to the sand, look to the right and you’ll see Gog and Magog, which is the excellent name given to the two limestone rocks that look very similar to the Twelve Apostles, are located beside the Twelve Apostles, but for whatever reason, aren’t officially part of the Twelve Apostles.

They’re basically an extension of the Twelve Apostles.

There’s a small car park at the entrance to the Gibson Steps, so it can sometimes be hard to find a space. If so, just wait around for a few minutes, as there’s a fast turnover here. I’ve rarely had to wait more than five minutes for one.

I highly recommend walking all the way up to Gog and Magog, as you end up noticing so many small details in the rockfaces that you would never be able to spot from the viewing platforms up on the cliff. You can’t truly get a sense of the scale of these structures until you’re stood directly in front of them, staring 40 metres skyward.

Do take note of the tide and strength of the waves while you’re here! My dad decided to walk to the end of the beach to try to get as close as possible and ended up with drenched shoes when an errant wave swept by at knee-height!

Begin the climb back up to the cliff and if you have time (you want to get to the Twelve Apostles roughly half an hour before sunset), there’s one more place I want to recommend visiting. Loch Ard Gorge is a five-minute drive from Gibson Steps, and a magical place to visit at sunset.

(Don’t worry if you run out of time here, you’ll be able to head to Loch Ard Gorge in the morning instead.)

Take a Wander Around Loch Ard Gorge

I think Loch Ard Gorge is such an impressive part of Port Campbell National Park. Make sure to park at “Loch Ard Gorge Parking”, which is the first car park you come to, and then follow the signs to Tom and Eva Lookout.

In my opinion, this is the most spectacular part of the coastline, and you can see the two rocks called Tom and Eva in my photo above — the scenery is so dramatic here! Once you’ve soaked up all the golden hour vibes, continue walking onwards to Razorback Lookout, where you’ll come across a particularly sizeable limestone stack. Head next to Island Arch Lookout, which leads you along the clifftop right up to Mutton Bird Island, named for the fact that it’s home to an incredible 50,000 mutton birds.

For your final stop, wander back to Loch Ard Gorge. As of late-2024, access to this beautiful beach is closed due to unstable cliffs, but in my opinion, that just makes the viewpoint even better, because there’ll be nobody else in your photos!

And now, are you ready?

Because it’s time for the main event.

Sunset at the Twelve Apostles

Finally.

Finally, it’s time. We’re heading to the magnificent Twelve Apostles!

I’ve been fortunate to have witnessed sunset over the Twelve Apostles half a dozen times now, and I can tell you that it never feels any less magical. At this time of day, all of the chaotic day trippers have been and gone, and the area takes on an almost reverent vibe. People speak in hushed tones and politely make room at the barriers so everyone can squeeze in.

As the sun nears the horizon, whispers cease as smartphones rise; everybody eager to capture the beautiful scene for themselves.

And just like that, it’s all over.

Or is it?

Once the sun is out of view, spectators begin to make their way back to the car park, but I recommend staying right where you are. I often find that the 30 minutes beyond sunset brings some of the most vibrant skies. But there’s also one very special reason why you might want to wait around.

Watch the Little Penguins at the Twelve Apostles

If you know anything about the Little Penguins that call Victoria home, you’re probably aware that the best place to see them is on Phillip Island. There, every evening, thousands of penguins emerge from the sea after a hard day’s fishing and make their way up the beach to their burrows.

Not many people know, however, that these penguins live all along the coast of Victoria, including at the Twelve Apostles.

Once dusk has settled, and there’s only a dozen people left milling around, focus your eyes on the beach below you. Suddenly, you’ll start to see clusters of small black objects throwing themselves out of the waves. There’s a colony of 800 little penguins that call this stretch of sand home, and here they are, back again, just as they’ve done every night for hundreds of years before.

You may have noticed I haven’t included a photo for this section of the itinerary, and that’s because all of mine were terrible. That’s something to keep in mind:

When you get back to your car, it’s time to begin your very careful drive into Port Campbell. This stretch of the Great Ocean Road doesn’t have any street lights, and numerous native animals simply love to bound into the road to celebrate this fact.

Don’t worry — it’s just a 10 minute drive into Port Campbell, so nothing too treacherous. Just take it slow, keep your headlights bright, and prepare for animals to potentially dawdle towards you from any conceivable angle.

Spend the Night in Port Campbell

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be well and truly ready for bed. And after such an action-packed day, it’s a comfortable bed you deserve.

We’ve booked half a dozen different properties in Port Campbell over the years, and my current favourite has to be the PC Cottage. What a lovely property! It was spacious, clean, and modern, with exceptionally comfortable beds and plenty of cutlery and crockery for our stay. Its location was perfect, too: quiet and peaceful while only a few minutes’ walk into town. The owners were super-friendly and happy to offer tips for making the most of our time in the area.

I’d highly recommend staying here.

Day Two: Waterfalls and Walks

Today, we’re going to be focusing all of our attention on the waterfalls. Inland of the Great Ocean Road, you’ll find Great Otway National Park, which is home to lush waterfalls, easy-going hiking trails, and plenty of cruisy driving opportunities.

I recommend getting started early, as we have plenty to fill the agenda for today. I’d be aiming to be having breakfast by 8 a.m. at the latest. Speaking of which, let’s jump into the itinerary!

Breakfast in Port Campbell

I’ve tried most of the breakfasts available in Port Campbell and in my eyes, the very best is found at Grassroots Deli.

They serve a wide variety of healthy breakfast options, with plenty of seating — both indoors and outside — and friendly staff. They also have some cute local souvenirs inside, so I recommend having a browse through those before you pay; I bought a candle and Great Ocean Road-themed jigsaw during one of my visits!

My favourite dish on the menu is the breakfast bruschetta — pictured above — while Dave nearly always opts for The Gorge: eggs, bacon, chorizo, mushrooms, and tomato piled atop freshly-baked sourdough. So good! My parents both went for the Grassroots muesli and loved it.

In other words, you really can’t go wrong here!

Before you leave Port Campbell, I also recommend heading to the Friendly Grocer to pick up some supplies for later today. Restaurants are in short-supply on the inland road, so I’ll be recommending a fantastic spot for a picnic later on in the day.

First Stop: London Bridge

Let’s get our day started by visiting one final limestone rock formation, located an eight-minute drive from Port Campbell. After all, you can’t tackle the Great Ocean Road and not set your eyes on its infamous London Bridge.

In case you weren’t aware, this bridge-shaped rock used to be connected to the mainland. As you undoubtedly noticed yesterday, this part of Victoria is especially prone to coastal erosion. And yes, one fateful day, a strong wave and a gust of wind joined forces to take down part of London Bridge.

The only problem was: you used to be able to walk out on top of London Bridge, and so when the limestone rock inevitably collapsed, there were actually tourists standing on top of it! They ended up having to be rescued by helicopter.

There’s several viewpoints out at London Bridge, linked together by a boardwalk, and just a two-minute walk from the car park. My favourite time of day to be here is the early morning, because at this time of day, I’ve always had the entire area to myself.

Remember the Little Penguins from the night before?

If you look closely, you’ll be able to spot hundreds of footprints preserved in the sand — yes, there’s a colony of little penguins that live here, too!

Now, when you discover the next item on this itinerary, it might have you squinting in confusion. Wait — you want me to go back to the Twelve Apostles? I sure do!

A Morning Return to the Twelve Apostles

I know that you’ve already been to the Twelve Apostles. You saw it all last night. However. I really do believe that visiting these rock formations in the morning hours is still worthwhile. Trust me: you’re not going to want to miss it.

Why?

Well, why not?

First of all, the Twelve Apostles are totally free to visit.

Secondly, you need to drive past the entrance to them on your way to the waterfalls.

And thirdly, it genuinely does offer a whole new perspective to the sunset viewing.

There’s really no reason not to pop in for a second time. Pull up at the car park, take a leisurely wander down to the lookout, and prepare for the Twelve Apostles to look completely different.

You see, at sunset, the sun drops below the horizon directly behind the Twelve Apostles and so you’re looking into the sun the entire time. In the morning, the sun will be behind you, which illuminates the surface of the rocks, allows you to pick up details you won’t have seen the night before, and — if the weather is great — ensures you take photos with a blue-sky backdrop.

There’s also essentially nobody at the Twelve Apostles at this time of day. I’ve visited in the morning multiple times now and never had to share the lookout with more than around five other people.

Needless to say, I’m a huge fan of visiting the Twelve Apostles in the morning.

Make sure you capture as many memories as possible here, because we’re about to be leaving the coastline and heading inland for an enormous change of scenery. Set your GPS for Triplet Falls And Little Aire Falls Carpark.

Take a Stroll to Triplet Falls

No, your eyes do not deceive you: you have now, in fact, found yourself in a rainforest. This was one of the things that surprised me most about the Great Ocean Road, in fact. That just 30 minutes inland from where you were driving yesterday, you can find yourself roaming through thick swathes of ancient rainforest.

This is the beauty of Great Otway National Park, and today, we’re going to be seeing the very best of it. I like to refer to this part of Victoria as Cascade Country, as there are well over 200 waterfalls here, many of which are just a short hiking trail away.

Don’t worry: I’m only going to be recommending my three favourites to you today; none of which involve any super-strenuous hiking.

We’ll start at Triplet Falls, a waterfall that gets its name from how it breaks down into three separate segments; I believe it’s the most impressive waterfall of the Otways.

The trail to and from the waterfall runs for just under two kilometres and takes 45 minutes to complete. I’ve tackled it with both my nine-year-old nephew and my 65-year-old father, so it’s suitable for all ages and abilities. It’s a loop trail, so you won’t have to walk back on yourself, but take note that there are around 150 upward steps on the way back, so prepare for a small workout at the end.

It’s totally worth it, through. Along the way, you’ll be tramping along a raised walkway through dense forest and ferns, with a slim chance of spotting a shy platypus in the streams below, if you keep your eyes extremely peeled.

There are three viewing platforms at Triplet Falls, so don’t make the mistake that a lot of first-time visitors do and turn back around after the first lookout: that’s the worst one! Instead, continue up the stairs and you’ll find yourself at the middle and upper lookouts within minutes; both of which offer different perspectives of this impressive feat of nature.

Twenty minutes from Triplet Falls is a sight that is perhaps even more surprising than a rainforest: a redwood forest. It’s marked on Google Maps as the Redwoods Otways.

The Redwood Forest

Have we suddenly upped and transported ourself to California? No, ma’am. There really is an enclave of Californian Redwoods located in the heart of Great Otway National Park.

So how did they get to be here? It’s an interesting story.

It was all part of an experiment that ran throughout the 1930s. You see, this part of Victoria is actually some of the wettest in all of Australia, receiving over 2,000 mm of rain per year! That, combined with the cooler temperatures and nutrient-rich soils makes it an excellent habitat for redwood trees.

It’s a very similar climate to the areas where they thrive in California.

The initial intention was for these trees to eventually be cut down and used for building materials, but their slow growth meant this wasn’t particularly feasible. It took around 20 years for them to grow to a height of just 10 metres!

And so, here they still stand, 60 metres tall, almost 100 years old, and still growing. Some experts posit they’ll reach 100 metres in height; others believe they’ll one day overtake the redwoods of California, making them the tallest trees in the world.

Needless to say, this magical spot is a must-visit destination while you’re cruising through the Otways.

I’ve always been surprised by how few people know about this part of the region, and I’ve personally never shared the area with more than two or three other people at once! That’s part of its charm, I think, as the silence helps create a tranquil vibe.

Aim to spend 15 minutes making your way through the plantation. There are so many excellent photo opportunities to jump on here, from a solo portrait shot of you gazing up into the canopy to one of you and your partner embracing a girthy redwood in your arms.

This is also where I recommend stopping for a lunchtime picnic, and what a scenic place to do so! There’s plenty of picnic tables to sit at, but I always enjoy laying down a blanket and sitting directly beneath the redwoods.

Our next stop on the road trip is mere metres away — just three minutes by car.

A Short Stroll to Scenic Hopetoun Falls

I think Hopetoun Falls is the most scenic in all of the Otways.

Needless to say, this is absolutely another one to add to your itinerary today, especially as it takes less than 10 minutes to walk down to the base of the falls. Set your GPS to Hopetoun Falls and it will take you directly to the car park. Once you get out, it’ll be obvious where to go.

There’s a small viewpoint beside the car park where you take photos looking down on the waterfall, but don’t even think about stopping at that. It’s so much more impressive from beside its pool. Note that there are a series of steps here — around 200 of them — so it ends up being a little bit of a workout on the way back up. Take regular breaks, if you need to, and know that you’ll be back up at the car in under 10 minutes!

Once you make it down, if you’re feeling bold and there hasn’t much rain recently, jump down from the viewing platform on to the rocks and make your way closer to the waterfall. It results in a majestic photo if you can get close enough to stand in front of the falls, but be warned that the water is cold and the rocks can be slippery! Seriously: only attempt this if you’ve got solid walking shoes on and feel steady on your feet.

The third and final waterfall on our list today is just as beautiful as the other two.

Beauchamp Falls is Worth the Walk

Beauchamp Falls is a delightful cascade, located a 1,500 metre walk from the car park. Yes, this does mean that the three kilometre trail is a much longer walk than the other two. If you’re still feeling energised, however, this is another fantastic waterfall, and I didn’t find the trail too difficult to navigate.

Unlike the other two waterfalls, you can actually swim the pool beneath Beauchamp Falls — pack your bathers if you’re a fan of cold water immersion!

How are you feeling now?

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be extremely ready to get in your car and start the two and a half hour drive back to Melbourne. But if you’re still raring to go, I have plenty of other suggestions, too!

Drive Back to Melbourne! Or Drive Back to the Coast

The direct inland route between Beauchamp Falls and Melbourne is, as mentioned, two and a half hours long. If you wanted to drive back via the Great Ocean Road, keep in mind that this will add an extra hour to your drive time.

But there’s plenty you could add to your drive that you might have missed yesterday.

Perhaps you want to return to the Fishermen’s Co-Op in Apollo Bay? (Lol). Maybe you want to sample one of the lovely restaurants in Lorne for dinner? You could even stop off at one of the beaches and spend an hour relaxing on the sand before your long drive home.

And That was the Great Ocean Road!

I hope you have a wonderful time tackling the Great Ocean Road; one of the most beautiful drives in the world!

Have any questions or want suggestions for tweaking the itinerary? Drop a comment below and I’m happy to offer further guidance 🙂