Not too far from all the action in Melbourne is one of the world’s most scenic drives covering an amazing 150-mile stretch along the state of Victoria’s picturesque coastline.
We experienced this spectacular drive on a full-day tour (via Viator) from the city and could not have been happier. Although it is not recommended to attempt this drive in one day, the weather was so unpredictable and we wanted to appreciate the surroundings on the drive without actually driving. After hours of planning, we were so thankful to have booked and experience the Great Ocean Road the way we did.
Ideally, three days or more on the Great Ocean Road would be magnificent and is what we would recommend. Even so, its important to have a set plan and prepare accordingly for stops along the way. We were told this drive attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year and thus, preparation is key. Lucky for us, it was wintertime, which resulted in a pleasantly smooth ride without interruption.
Our route included breathtaking views and stops along the way in which we had the opportunity to simply sit back and be present.
Our 3 highlights:
The Twelve Apostles
We have never appreciated a couple of enormous rocks more than we did this day. Sounds silly, but this destination deserves all the hype that exists. We were completely mesmerized by the massive 50-meter high limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park.
Formed approximately twenty million years ago from the erosion of rugged limestone cliffs, these incredible rock formations are called The Twelve Apostles. Why the name? Because they stand proud and soar above the shore. Despite the name, there are only eight left standing as nature and time have caused several to fall.
Walking around the cliff top boardwalks is a must and offers spectacular views of the apostles. You would truly regret not having a camera.
Loch Ard Gorge
At only a couple of minutes drive west from the apostles is the amazing Loch Ard Gorge. At this site they have developed three different walks that allow you to discover this natural gem and its incredible surroundings.
We certainly took our time and learned about the shipwreck history that defines this particular area. Hence the coastline name, Shipwreck Coast.
Wildlife
During our drive, we spotted Koalas (specifically ay Kennet River), a variety of bird species and Kangaroos in the wild! This was a rather special encounter and more significant than seeing these animals at the Sydney Zoo.
This drive will forever be an unforgettable experience.
It was also fun comparing California’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway drive to the Great Ocean Road. In our opinion, they are rather similar and yet so different. Nevertheless, both drives majestic in their own way.
Visit our photo gallery (click here) to see more pictures.
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