The Great Ocean Road
- May 17, 2017
- 8 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Is this really happening? I'm going to see the Great Ocean Road?!
Ever since I can remember, I've dreamed of visiting the Great Ocean Road. A little backstory: when I was very young, some family friends came to visit and showed us photos from their recent vacation. I distinctly remember seeing a picture of the Twelve Apostles, and at that moment, I told myself that one day I would see them in person.
Most people don't know this, but that photo is actually what sparked my fascination with Australia. Seeing those incredible rock formations inspired my dream of visiting the country, and I promised myself that I would make it there one day.
Being able to visit the Great Ocean Road this past weekend felt like something straight out of a dream.
My second day in Melbourne began very early at 6:30 a.m. I had booked a tour with Boutique Great Ocean Road Tours, and our group departed at 7:25 a.m.
Originally, I wasn't scheduled to travel with Boutique Tours, but I got lucky and received a complimentary upgrade at the last minute. The upgrade made a huge difference because it included:
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transportation in a new, comfortable vehicle
A maximum of only 11 passengers
Lunch at a gourmet restaurant in Apollo Bay
Access to exclusive viewpoints that many larger tours don't visit
An expert local tour guide
Since the tour lasted almost twelve hours, I've decided to break down the experience by sharing some of the highlights from my journey.
Journey Highlights
Anglesea Township
Our first stop was Anglesea, often referred to as the gateway to the Great Ocean Road.
Located along the beautiful Anglesea River, this charming coastal town was the perfect introduction to one of Australia's most scenic drives. The morning views were absolutely breathtaking, with the river winding through the town and lush greenery surrounding us.
Standing on the banks of the river, it was hard not to feel excited about everything that was still ahead. The fresh air, peaceful atmosphere, and stunning scenery made for the perfect start to an unforgettable day.
This was only the beginning of my Great Ocean Road adventure, and I still had so many incredible sights waiting for me, including a destination I had dreamed about for years: the Twelve Apostles.
Even at the very first stop, I couldn't help but think about how surreal the experience felt. What started as a childhood dream inspired by a single photograph was finally becoming a reality.
Memorial Arch & Great Ocean Road Sign
After enjoying the beautiful scenery along the river and taking some time to stretch our legs, we continued our journey along the Great Ocean Road. We traveled through the coastal town of Aireys Inlet, passing the famous Split Point Lighthouse, before arriving at one of the most iconic landmarks along the route: the Memorial Arch.
Built in 1939, the Memorial Arch serves as a tribute to the soldiers who returned from World War I and helped construct the Great Ocean Road. It marks the official gateway to one of the world's most scenic coastal drives and is one of the most photographed spots along the route.
This was my chance to get the classic postcard-worthy photo of the Great Ocean Road sign hanging beneath the Memorial Arch. Standing there, it was hard to believe I was finally visiting a place I had dreamed about for so many years.
After taking plenty of photos, I made my way down to the beach for my first coastal walk of the day. Walking along the coastline, listening to the waves crash against the shore, and taking in the incredible ocean views made me realize that this was only the beginning of what would be an unforgettable journey along the Great Ocean Road.
The combination of history, breathtaking scenery, and the excitement of finally being there made this stop a perfect start to the adventure.LORNE TOWNSHIP & TEDDY'S Lookout The hidden gem of great ocean road: The next stop on my great ocean road day tour will be a photo opportunity in the beautiful seaside town of Lorne. I headed up to Teddy's Lookout which is highly regarded as one of the best lookouts on the great ocean road. While at the lookout I spotted my first wild kangaroo and koala since I've been in Australia.
Mount Defiance Lookout
Continuing along one of the most scenic stretches of the Great Ocean Road, we stopped at Mount Defiance Lookout. From this beautiful viewpoint, I enjoyed incredible coastal views while learning about William Buckley, an English convict who escaped and survived in the Australian wilderness for more than 30 years after living with the local Aboriginal people. His remarkable story remains one of Australia's most fascinating survival tales.
This stop combined breathtaking scenery with a unique piece of Australian history, making it a memorable part of the journey
The Story of William Buckley
At Mount Defiance Lookout, I learned about the fascinating story of William Buckley, often referred to as the "Wild White Man."
Born in England in 1780, Buckley was a soldier who was later convicted of theft and sentenced to transportation to Australia. After arriving at the struggling convict settlement of Sullivan Bay in 1803, he escaped with several other convicts. While the others eventually returned, Buckley continued alone and survived by living off the land.
He eventually joined the Wathaurung Aboriginal people, who accepted him into their community. Buckley lived with them for 32 years, learning their customs and way of life. During this time, he had two wives and a daughter.
In 1835, Buckley reappeared among European settlers near Port Phillip Bay. After revealing his identity, he was granted a pardon and became one of the earliest cultural links between European settlers and Indigenous Australians.
Fun Fact: William Buckley's incredible survival story inspired the Australian expression "You've got Buckley's," which means "no chance" or "little to no chance of success."
Kennett River: Spotting Wild Koalas and Colorful Parrots
Next, we continued along the stunning coastline toward Kennett River, a place famous for its wild koalas and colorful native birds. We stopped here for an extended break and spent time searching the eucalyptus trees for koalas resting high above us.
In addition to spotting several koalas, we also got to see beautiful wild parrots and crimson rosellas up close. My favorite bird by far was the kookaburra, Australia's iconic laughing bird.
This was one of my favorite stops of the day because it gave me the chance to see some of Australia's unique wildlife in its natural habitat.
Apollo Bay Township: Lunch at La Bimba Restaurant
Upon arriving in Apollo Bay, our group was escorted to a reserved table at La Bimba Restaurant for lunch. We started with warm Turkish bread served with garlic olive oil and a trio of delicious dips.
For my main course, I enjoyed fresh prawns and roasted potatoes, and I even tried a mussel for the first time, which confirmed that I still don't like them! The meal featured fresh local ingredients and was one of the best lunches I had during my Great Ocean Road tour.
We spent about an hour in Apollo Bay, which gave me enough time to explore the beach across from the restaurant and enjoy the beautiful coastal views before continuing our journey.
Fun Facts About Apollo Bay:
Apollo Bay is highly prone to bushfires, with one of the most severe occurring in December 2015.
The town has a population of approximately 5,000 people for most of the year, but that number can grow to around 35,000 during the summer months.
Only about 10% of the homes are occupied year-round.
Renting a house in Apollo Bay can cost around $2,000 per week during peak periods.
Homeowners affected by bushfires may be eligible for government assistance, with different grant amounts based on whether the property is a primary residence or a holiday home.
Apollo Bay is known for supporting local businesses and is filled with family-owned shops, restaurants, and cafés rather than large international chains.
This stop was the perfect combination of great food, beautiful scenery, and small-town charm.
Melba Gully: A Walk Through an Ancient Rainforest
After lunch in Apollo Bay, we continued through the Otway Ranges toward our next stop, Melba Gully, a beautiful temperate rainforest often referred to as the "Jewel of the Otways."
Known as one of the wettest places in Victoria, Melba Gully is home to towering Myrtle Beech trees, Blackwoods, giant tree ferns, moss-covered forest floors, and lush greenery. Walking through the rainforest felt like stepping back in time, providing one of the closest living examples of what dinosaurs may have seen more than 180 million years ago when the ancient supercontinent Gondwana existed.
Often associated with the inspiration behind the movie FernGully, this rainforest is one of the few remaining temperate rainforests in Australia.
While exploring the trail, I got to see a waterfall, a fascinating flesh-eating slug, and a variety of unique Australian plants and wildlife. Melba Gully is also home to the elusive platypus, although I wasn't lucky enough to spot one since they are primarily nocturnal and very shy.
This was one of the most peaceful and unique stops along the Great Ocean Road, and it felt like entering a completely different world hidden within the Australian wilderness.
Great Ocean Walk Trail, Gibson Steps & Twelve Apostles
Next, we arrived at the world-famous Twelve Apostles, where I had the incredible opportunity to view as many as eight limestone stacks standing off the coast. Although they're called the Twelve Apostles, only eight remain today due to years of natural erosion from the wind and ocean.
This was without a doubt one of the biggest "wow" moments of my entire time in Australia. Ever since I was a little girl, I had dreamed of seeing the Twelve Apostles in person. In fact, seeing a photograph of them years ago is what first sparked my fascination with Australia and inspired my dream of one day visiting this country.
Standing there and finally seeing them with my own eyes felt surreal. What began as a childhood dream had become a reality, and it was a moment I'll never forget.
Loch Ard Gorge, Island Archway, Mutton Bird Island & Razorback
My final stop along the Great Ocean Road was Loch Ard Gorge, one of the most beautiful locations on the entire coastline. Rich in maritime history, I learned about the famous shipwreck of the Loch Ard and the incredible stories of survival associated with this dramatic stretch of coast.
As I made my way down into the gorge, I was mesmerized by the crystal-clear water, towering limestone cliffs, and what I would consider one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia.
To finish off an unforgettable day, I had time to explore several other iconic rock formations, including Island Archway, Mutton Bird Island, The Razorback, and the Salt and Pepper Shakers. Each offered incredible views of the rugged coastline and served as the perfect ending to an amazing Great Ocean Road adventure.
The "Love Story" of Loch Ard Gorge
One of the most famous stories connected to Loch Ard Gorge is the story of Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael.
In 1878, the clipper ship Loch Ard crashed near Mutton Bird Island after a difficult voyage from England. Of the 54 people on board, only two survived: Tom Pearce, a 15-year-old ship's apprentice, and Eva Carmichael, a 17-year-old Irish passenger.
After being washed ashore, Tom managed to climb the cliffs and seek help, ultimately saving Eva's life. Sadly, Eva had lost most of her family in the shipwreck and later returned to England.
Years later, when Tom became ill while in England, Eva helped nurse him back to health, returning the kindness he had once shown her. Despite public hopes that the pair would marry, they never did. According to the story, Eva's wealthy family did not approve of the match because Tom had been a crew member.
Fun Fact: The story of Tom and Eva has become one of Australia's most famous maritime tales and adds a touch of romance to the dramatic history of Loch Ard Gorge.
After an incredible day exploring the Great Ocean Road, we began the approximately 2.5-hour journey back to Melbourne, arriving around 8:30 p.m. after one of the most memorable days of my entire trip to Australia.
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