Great Ocean Road

Since its official opening in 1932, the Great Ocean Road has breathed life into the local communities along it and become a mecca for tourists. It is a engineering marvel.

– Great Ocean Road Story

The Great Ocean Road runs for just over 150 miles from Torquay in the east all the way around the southern coast of Victoria to Allansford in the west taking in views of coastal beaches and cliffs as well as the Bass Straight and Southern Ocean.

Built by returning soldiers after the end of the Great War it is a monument to the memory of those soldiers who died during that conflict and is the worlds largest War Memorial.

Our discovery took us from our home in Newport, Melbourne to the Salty Dog Fish and Chippery in Lorne via Anglesea, Guvvos Beach, Urquhart Bluff, Split Point Lighthouse at Airey’s Inlet and back again taking in Memorial Arch on the return as well as Bell’s Beach, Torquay – where the world’s longest continuously running surfing competition, now known as the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, is held annually and finally the Australian National Surfing Museum before driving back to Newport through Geelong and along the M1.

It’s a brilliant road to drive (not the M1) with stunning views around every corner, it was about 28-30C even though it’s getting in to autumn and the aircon was well used.

Wide, pristine, empty beaches shouting out to surfers to come on in – which pretty much the whole way around the coast – they did.

Split Point Lighthouse at Airy’s Inlet. Stunning views from the lighthouse and the inlet itself is immaculate.

Lorne and not feeding the cockatoos with possibly the nicest fish and chips ever (sorry Haxby but these were amazing). We had Blue Grenadier and chips, the fish was beautifully fresh and the chips light and crispy. Too good for the wildlife.