The spectacular Great Ocean Road in Victoria’s south begins approximately 100 kilometres from Melbourne and stretches 242 kilometres from Torquay to Allansford, just out of Warrnambool. The road’s most well-known attraction is the Twelve Apostles, a series of limestone stacks near Princetown in Port Campbell National Park. Only eight apostles remain due to erosion.
Built by WWI veterans between 1919 and 1932, the Great Ocean Road is the world's longest war memorial. A Great Ocean Road tour could be done in one day, though most adventurers take a few. There are pretty holiday towns, pristine beaches, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife - koalas, emus, echidnas, kangaroos, platypus, and glowworms!
The Great Ocean Road on the windswept south-west coast of Victoria is undoubtedly one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives. Starting at Torquay, the road winds along the seaside cliffs following the wild Southern Ocean, reaching its conclusion at Allansford.
Great Ocean Road holidays take visitors to destinations like Great Otway National Park, London Arch, Memorial Arch, Loch Ard Gorge, and Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Some favourite spots to stop include Bells Beach, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Apollo Bay, and the Twelve Apostles.
More adventurous travellers take on the 100-kilometre Great Ocean Walk or one of the many hiking or biking trails. There are also great surfing spots and excellent bushwalking tracks.
Most visitors are happy to drive the iconic road at their leisure, stopping off at seaside towns to sample local produce or take in a museum, gallery, or one of the many historic attractions.
The Great Ocean Road trip that many Australians have either completed or have on their bucket list was built by returned servicemen in the early 1900s. The project was created with a threefold purpose.
The first was to provide work for First World War returned servicemen. Secondly, the Great Ocean Road would be a utilitarian memorial to all Australian First World War servicemen and women. Finally, the road would serve a practical purpose by providing residents and tourists access to this spectacular piece of coastline.
Construction on this enormous undertaking began in 1919, and over 3000 returned servicemen suffered the rough coastal working and living conditions to complete the project in 1932. The 242-kilometre road is now known as the longest war memorial in the world.
In 2011, the Great Ocean Road was added to the Australian National Heritage List to recognise its historic and natural significance.
Most people like to take their time enjoying a leisurely Great Ocean Road holiday. Some want to pack it all into one day, which, at 242 kilometres, is easy to do. However, there is more to see and do along the way that would be ideal to complete in two to four days.
Today, only eight of the 12 apostles remain. The weather and wild Southern Ocean conditions continue to erode the limestone stacks. Eventually, all the apostles will crumble into the ocean.
Most prefer a Great Ocean Road trip from east to west - Torquay to Allansford. There are outstanding views no matter which direction you travel; however, starting in Torquay makes it easier to pull into all the lookouts along the way.
English sailor George Bass named the formations the Sow and Piglets or Sow and Pigs, with the sow being Mutton Bird Island and the Apostles, her piglets. In the 1960s, the name was changed to The Apostles for marketing purposes. The name evolved into the twelve apostles, even though only nine stacks were visible then.
Our team is always happy to help if you have any questions about us or our tours. Fill out our form and we will get back to you soon.
.png)
We are a Green Travel Leader. This is awarded to businesses which have consistently proven their commitment to sustainable tourism management over ten years.
As a Sustianable Tourism accredited business, we are proud to offer engaging tourism experiences that follow sound sustainability practices and environmental appreciation.
Quality Tourism accredited businesses like Fun Over 50 lead the way by offering the highest industry standards of customer service, satisfaction, reliability, and ethical practices.
We are committed to operating in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the authenticity and integrity of living cultures of Indigenous communities.
We have incorporated strategic climate change responses across all relevant levels of our planning and operations. We are working towards becoming carbon neutral.
With Advanced Ecotourism certification, we offer outstanding experiences which let you get back to nature, help conservation, and minimise environmental impact.
We are a credible, well trained, and professional business. We conduct business in compliance with Australian Consumer Law and in accordance with ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators represents tour operators and wholesalers. As a full CATO member, we provide authentic and original holidays with sustainable travel.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
Powered by EngineRoom
Fill out your details and we will get in touch with you to reserve your place on the tour.
We roll out the red carpet so you can just sit back and relax and know that everything is included in your holiday experience, no surprises, all inclusive!
More on tour inclusions
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Falls%20Creek.png)
.png)
%20-%20Glenrowan.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Mount%20Hotham.png)
%20-%20Phillip%20Island.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Warrnambool.png)
%20-%20Wilsons%20Promontory%20Wilderness.png)
%20-%20Yarra%20Valley.png)
%20-%20Artvo%20Gallery.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%20-%20Melbourne%20Laneways%20and%20Arcades.png)
%20-%20Melbourne%20Museum.png)
%20-%20National%20Gallery%20of%20Australia.png)
%20-%20Ned%20Kelly%20Last%20Stand.png)
%20-%20Otway%20Ranges.png)
