Book Great Ocean Road hotels

Embark on Australia's most scenic drive and spend several days face-to-face with some of our most iconic landmarks. In the evening, stay in our Great Ocean Road accommodation and wake up refreshed and ready for another day of breathtaking sights and scenery.

History

This gorgeous stretch of coastline, covering hundreds of kilometres, has slowly transformed over millions of years, leaving behind the exquisite landscape you see today. A perfect example of this transformation is Port Campbell's Twelve Apostles, which have gradually eroded over time and become the iconic pillars of limestone that tourists flock to see.

Things to do

Besides the Twelve Apostles, two of the classic rock formations along this beautiful stretch of coastline are the Grotto and London Bridge, but there's so much more to the Great Ocean Road!

Torquay is considered to be the home of Aussie pro surfing, and there are a few museums you can visit in town to find out more about the industry's history. There's also a shopping centre dedicated to surf gear and surf wear, Surf City Plaza, so drop in to get decked out if you're planning to hit the waves.

Over the Easter long weekend, Bells Beach in Torquay hosts the annual Rip Curl Pro surfing tournament. So if you're a keen surfer, try to get here in time for the comp. If you're unable to make it, don't worry – Bells Beach serves up some fantastic surf all year round. This beach is definitely for intermediate to advanced surfers, though. The waves are much too big and dangerous for beginners, but there's no harm in sitting on the shore watching the pros tackle the barrel waves.

Less experienced surfers will enjoy the waves at nearby Anglesea Beach. And divers will adore the Point Addis Marine National Park, where you might spot some seals, dolphins and whales.

If you're just after somewhere to splash about in the ocean, Lorne and Apollo Bay both have safe swimming beaches and are ideal for shutterbugs looking for the ultimate coastal shot. Apollo Bay is also famous for the glow worms in the Great Otway National Park. So don't go to bed too early or you'll miss your chance to see them!

Shopping and dining

Besides Surf City Plaza in Torquay, there are plenty of shops to browse all the way along the Great Ocean Road. Apollo Bay and Lorne have some great boutiques and gift shops while the weekend markets in Geelong are always really popular.

Geelong also offers excellent waterfront dining options, as do many of the other towns along the way. On your journey, you'll be able to pop into boutique wineries, craft breweries and award-winning restaurants. You'll indulge in fresh seafood, plump fruit and locally made cheeses, just about everywhere you go.

Getting here and around

The closest airport is Melbourne Airport, so grab one of these cheap flights to Melbourne. When you arrive, you can join a tour group or catch public buses between the main towns and attractions, but you’ll find it easier to get around this incredible strip of coastline if you hire a car.

So what are you waiting for? Check out our Great Ocean Road hotels and don't forget to book your flights to Melbourne so you can live every lastminute in this fab region.