Australia’s Most Scenic Drive: As Australia began to recover from the national trauma of World War I, it employed many of its displaced soldiers to work on public projects. The grandest of these was the construction of the Great Ocean Road. After spending more than a decade in the dense forest and making their way along the most precarious sea cliffs, 3,000 soldiers made one of the most spectacular drives in the country. At 245 km, it is the tallest war memorial in the world.
As you walk down the street in Torquay, the ocean prompts. It is home to the Australian National Surfing Museum, as well as surfing brands Quicksilver and Rip Curl, and a look at the swells dotting the creamy white beaches gives a clue as to why. Belles Beach is the best-known surfing spot, but there is a rolling succession of perfect breaks and beaches along this entire stretch of road to Anglesea and beyond.
Australia’s Most Scenic Drive
From Anglesey, the highway swoops past beaches and hugs cliffs and green lanes leading to Lorne, the road to which the city was originally built, and a road leading to the Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre. Apt is the house, which tells the story of the construction of the road. – and who made it. If it’s native wildlife rather than history you’re after, however, the blue gum trees of the nearby Kennet River offer one of the best opportunities in the country to see wild koalas.
There’s a lot more natural on offer as the road heads past Apollo Bay in Great Otway National Park. Here is the rainforest, with trees as big as ferns and tall ash trees as tall as demons. Plentiful hiking offers bird- and butterfly-watching as you explore an array of picturesque waterfalls and pools, plus the chance to experience the canopy from above in an adrenaline-pumping series of ziplines and treetop walkways. After all the excitement, wake up at dawn to see the elusive platypus whisper your way in a canoe along the shores of Lake Elizabeth.
There are even bigger catches on offer when you head to Cape Otway, a prime spot for southern right whale watching. May to September is the best time to shout “She’s on the go!” Because whales come during this period to give birth.
Australia’s Most Scenic Drive
As the Great Ocean Road begins its final stretch to its traditional finishing point at Warnambool, it saves its most dramatic reveal until last. The Twelve Apostles is indeed one of Australia’s most iconic sights: a series of epic limestone mounds jutting out from the surf. Each apostle was carved by waves from rocks receding over millennia. Scenic flights by helicopter to the coast are available here, or you can walk up to the sand amid a series of breath-taking views to see the Spires Tower rise high about you. The twelve apostles face west, and watching the sunset behind them in the sea is the stuff that creates the perfect moments of the journey.
As a drive, the Great Ocean Road offers one jaw-dropping sight after another. And as the world’s longest war memorial, it is also a fitting monument to the tenacity of the soldiers who built it.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Australia’s Most Scenic Drive
The great ocean road map (Link)
Accommodation along the great ocean road (Link)
Q. What is special about the Great Ocean Road?
A – Known for its rugged natural beauty, shipwreck tales and surfing culture, the Great Ocean Road and its ever-changing and dramatic landscapes and scenery make this 242-kilometer road the most famous coastal trip in Australia.
Q. Where is the start and end of the Great Ocean Road?
A – The Great Ocean Road begins in Torquay and ends in Allansford.
Q. How much does it cost to visit the Great Ocean Road?
A – Entry Fee: $37 for adults; $19 on weekdays, free on weekends and holidays for kids ages 4-15; Free for children under 3 years old; $33 for senior citizens (ID must be presented upon entry).
Q. How long does it take to cycle the Great Ocean Road?
A – The entire trip can take up to 10 days to complete and includes camping and exploring the surrounding areas. It follows all the major attractions and great views of the Great Ocean Road.
Q. How far does Great Ocean road go?
A – 243 km
Q. How long does it take to cycle the Great Ocean Road?
A – The entire trip can take up to 10 days to complete and includes camping and exploring the surrounding areas. It follows all the major attractions and great views of the Great Ocean Road.
Q. How long does it take to cycle the Great Ocean Road?
A – The entire trip can take up to 10 days to complete and includes camping and exploring the surrounding areas. It follows all the major attractions and great views of the Great Ocean Road.
Q. Why is the Great Ocean Road a war memorial?
A – The arch was built in honor of the 3,000 returned soldiers who worked on the road and its construction during World War I. The road was built as a memorial to all those who lost their lives in the war. It is the tallest war memorial in the world. The Great Ocean Road extends from the city of Torquay to Allenstown.
