Why this road
The fastest route to Port Campbell runs inland through farmland. This one is the reason people come: long stretches where the road is cut into the cliffs a few metres above the waves, koalas in the gum trees at Kennett River, tree ferns in the Otways and finally the stacks of the Port Campbell coast. It was built by soldiers returning from the First World War and is a memorial to their fallen comrades.
The route
- ATorquay
Australia's surf capital. Bells Beach is just around the corner. Heading west, the sea is on your left.
- 1Lorne
After the Memorial Arch the road hugs the cliffs. Lorne is a lively beach town, good for coffee and a walk on the pier.
- 2Kennett River
Look up into the gum trees along the side road: koalas are often sleeping in the forks of the branches.
- 3Apollo Bay
A fishing town in a wide bay, the last big stop before the forest. Good for lunch and fuel.
- 4Lavers Hill
The road turns inland through the rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, with tall tree ferns and cool air.
- 5Twelve Apostles
Back on the coast. Park at the visitor area and walk under the road to the viewing platforms above the stacks.
- BPort Campbell
A small town in a sheltered bay. Loch Ard Gorge, just before it, is worth a short detour.
Stops worth it
Lunch, fuel and a walk on the beach. If you want a short rainforest walk, Maits Rest is a little further on.
Come for the last two hours of daylight. The boardwalks are short and the stacks change colour as the sun goes down.
A narrow gorge with a small beach between high cliffs, named after a shipwreck. Less crowded than the Apostles.
Light and the best time
Drive from east to west in the afternoon and you arrive at the Twelve Apostles at the right time: in the late afternoon and at sunset the low sun lights the limestone golden. Heading west, the sea is on your left and the sun is ahead of you in the evening, so keep sunglasses handy on the coastal sections. In midsummer the sun sets after 8 pm, so there is no need to rush. Leave Torquay around 11.
November to April is the best time, with long days and the warmest weather. December and January are summer holidays in Australia and the road is very busy, March and April are calmer and often settled. Winter (June to August) is cold, wet and stormy, dramatic but with short days. The road is open all year, but landslips and bushfires can close sections, so check before you go.
By vehicle
Made for it: sea air, curves and long views. The wind off the Southern Ocean can be cold even in summer, bring a jacket.
Easy driving on a good two-lane road. Use the pullouts and let faster traffic pass.
Lovely sweeping curves along the cliffs and through the Otways. Watch for tourists stopping suddenly and for wildlife at dusk.
A classic camper route with plenty of campgrounds. The road is winding, so take your time and pull over to let others pass.
Good to know
No tolls. Australia drives on the left, and on the narrow coastal sections many visitors drift towards the middle, so stay alert. There is fuel in the towns, but not in the Otway forest section. Speed limits are enforced with cameras. Kangaroos and wallabies are on the road around dusk and dawn, drive slowly then. At the Twelve Apostles the visitor area is being redeveloped, expect changes to parking and paths.
Route checked against OpenStreetMap on 2 November 2026. Roads, closures and rules change: always check before you go and follow local signs.
Questions
How long does the Great Ocean Road drive take?
From Torquay to Port Campbell about 3 hours of pure driving time. With stops it is a full day, many people stay a night in Apollo Bay or Port Campbell.
How many of the Twelve Apostles are left?
There were never exactly twelve, and some have collapsed. Several stacks are visible from the main viewpoints.
When is the best time to see the Twelve Apostles?
At sunset, when the stacks turn golden. Sunrise is quieter and also beautiful.
Is there a toll on the Great Ocean Road?
No, the road is free.
Where can I see koalas on the Great Ocean Road?
Kennett River is the best-known spot. Look up into the gum trees along the side road.