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The Nice Ocean Highway is legendary world wide as among the finest scenic drives on the planet.
The panorama is so scenic, that nobody ever drives from one finish to the opposite with out stopping.
It will be sinful to take action. A number of the sights alongside the best way are so iconic, it might be like driving previous the Grand Canyon and never stopping for a photograph.
Starting one hour outdoors of Melbourne in Torquay, The Nice Ocean Highway stretches over 250 kilometers to Allansford, a small city close to Warrnambool.
If you happen to’re planning to finish a Nice Ocean Highway journey, however unsure what to see and do on the best way, this information is for you.
Beneath we share a Nice Ocean Highway itinerary which incorporates the highest sights so as from Torquay to Warrnambool.
What number of days ought to I spend on the Nice Ocean Highway?
The Nice Ocean Highway Drive was excessive on our listing of issues to do in Victoria.
While the tour buses routinely drive this in someday (which is loopy for my part) we had time on our facet and we took two weeks to understand the area for what it’s value.
We all know most individuals don’t have the luxurious of this period of time, so we suggest you are taking two or three days to finish the Nice Ocean Highway.
The Nice Ocean Highway Itinerary
That can assist you plan your route, we’ve listed probably the most iconic sights on the Nice Ocean Highway so as. The next itinerary might be stretched out or minimize quick, relying on the period of time you’ve.
Use the next map to plan your journey. It can save you this map to your machine by clicking the star icon on the prime.
As a result of most individuals take this scenic drive from Melbourne, we’ve begun this itinerary from Torquay and can finish on the official finish of Warrnambool, however you’ll be able to simply do that route the opposite manner.
Cease 1: Torquay
The official start line of the Nice Ocean Highway is Torquay. Nonetheless, although it’s the gateway, it’s value spending a day or two to discover this coastal vacation spot.
It’s filled with gorgeous pure magnificence and has a laid-back vibe, and is effectively generally known as the birthplace of Australian browsing – yep, not the well-known Bondi Seaside!
It has iconic surf spots like Jan Juc Seaside, and it additionally has some pretty scenic coastal walks, such because the Surf Coast Stroll, for many who will not be into browsing.
The city itself has a relaxed, beachy ambiance with fashionable cafes, boutique retailers, and surf tradition memorabilia. Go to the Australian Nationwide Browsing Museum you probably have time and study concerning the historical past of browsing in Aus.
Cease 2: Bells Seaside
- Distance from final cease: 10.4 km
- Drive time: 12 minutes
Bells Seaside is one in every of Australia’s most well-known and finest browsing seashores. It’s a must-see in the event you love wonderful surroundings.
It holds the annual Rip Curl Professional Browsing Competitors, which is a strong level break of folklore. Heard of the film Level Break? That’s our Bells!
There’s a formidable cliff-face and views from the cliff-top automotive park are spectacular and an amazing spot to look at any native surfers.
All devoted surfers wish to get right down to the Nice Ocean Highway to trip the identical waves that the professionals do at Bells.
Cease 3: Nice Ocean Highway Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, Bellbrae
- Distance from final cease: 6.1 km
- Drive time: 6 minutes
Come rain or shine, the Nice Ocean Highway Chocolaterie is all the time open.
However this isn’t only a place that sells chocolate and ice cream, additionally they run chocolatier workshops and lessons for youths now and again, which is certainly value doing in the event you’re touring with youngsters.
Generally it may be laborious for youths to be sitting in a automotive for a very long time, so make certain to take a cease by Bellbrae so the children can take this yummy workshop.
And mother and pop can get pleasure from an ice cream and a few quiet time whereas they wait.
Cease 4: Memorial Arch
- Distance from final cease: 21 km
- Drive time: 20 minutes
The Memorial Arch is commonly missed as a result of it’s positioned on the very begin of the Nice Ocean Highway. The arch and the statue had been constructed to commemorate the troopers misplaced throughout WWI.
It was constructed from wooden, with the perimeters made out of stone and cement.
The arch has been broken many instances because it was inbuilt 1939, and was even thought of to be eliminated within the 70s as the federal government feared it was a hazard to drivers.
Regardless of battling bushfires and stormy winds, the arch nonetheless stands tall in the present day. It is a testomony to the courageous males the monument represents, who stood sturdy through the darkish days of the battle.
The signal on the arch continues to be the unique from 1939.
Cease 5: Lorne
- Distance from final cease: 13 km
- Drive time: 16 minutes
Lorne is a picturesque city located Nice Ocean Highway coast and was our favorite city to remain in alongside the journey.
It has a sure attraction with loads of issues to do, together with nice cafes, distinctive retailers boutiques, and galleries, and Otway Nationwide Park is in your doorstep. Make a journey over to see Erskine Falls, only a quick drive out of the city centre.
Lorne is barely 140 kilometres south of Melbourne and this place swells with folks over the Christmas holidays.
Take pleasure in a stroll on the seashore, a motorcycle trip alongside the foreshore out to the pier, have a espresso at HAH Lornebeach, proper on the seashore, and check out a burger from The Bottle of Milk – scrumptious!
Cease 6: Teddy’s Lookout
- Distance from final cease: 2.3 km
- Drive time: 5 minutes
A brief drive up the hill behind Lorne is Teddy’s Lookout. It is a viewpoint that gives expansive views of the coast and the winding street.
To get there, drive as much as the picnic space on the finish of George Road and stroll a brief distance to benefit from the spectacular views of the Nice Ocean Highway from the lookout.
There’s additionally a 45-minute stroll you are able to do right here.
The Lorne to Apollo Bay Drive
Our favorite stretch of street on our Nice Ocean Highway tour was from Lorne to Apollo Bay. Be ready to cease for pictures loads.
This stretch of street has a number of the most picturesque surroundings within the area.
The Nice Ocean Highway hugs the cliff face because it winds by the Nice Otway Nationwide Park and rolling farmland.
Cease 7: Kennett River Koala Stroll
- Distance from final cease: 22.6 km
- Drive time: half-hour
Need to see koalas within the wild? One of the best koala-viewing spot is Kennet River, alongside Gray River Highway, simply in the midst of city.
Otway Lighthouse Highway is one other in style spot for wildlife wonders.
I by no means knew the Nice Ocean Highway was a spot to identify wild koalas. One more nice cause to go to the GOR.
It’s not that widespread to search out koalas within the wild, not to mention sleeping in bushes by the facet of the street or in the midst of city.
However that is the Nice Ocean Highway. Simply search for the crowds of individuals and comply with their gazes up for fast koala recognizing.
Cease 8: Mariners Lookout – Apollo Bay
- Distance from final cease: 22.3 km
- Drive time: 25 minutes
Panoramic views of Apollo Bay’s city centre, the harbour, and seashores up and down the coast might be loved from the Mariners Lookout, positioned on the northern finish of city off Mariners Lookout Highway.
Cease 9: Apollo Bay YHA Eco Hostel
- Distance from final cease: 3.2 km
- Drive time: 6 minutes
Apollo Bay is completely positioned about midway alongside the Nice Ocean Highway and surrounded by Otway Nationwide Park State Forest and rolling acres of inexperienced farmland.
On the lookout for an inexpensive and family-friendly place to remain? The Apollo Bay YHA Eco Hostel was a beautiful place to base ourselves for just a few days.
The hostel has a really homely vibe with nice kitchen services, lounge rooms, and a rooftop deck to get pleasure from a dawn.
This isn’t a celebration hostel, no YHA properties are, and we met plenty of good households and solo vacationers right here. It’s an exquisite choice on your Nice Ocean Highway lodging.
Our household room consisted of a queen mattress and bunk beds.
Cease 10: Shipwreck Coast (Cape Otway to Port Fairy)
Whereas the Nice Ocean Highway is secure to drive, there’s a stretch of about 120 km that has an notorious previous. However don’t fear, the hazards are additional out into the ocean.
The stretch of street between Port Fairy to Cape Otway is named the shipwreck coast, that is due to harmful waters which have induced shipwrecks prior to now.
Within the 1700-1800s, these stormy waters had been a part of a well-liked buying and selling route, however many boats bumped into bother when the ocean was tough. Even Matthew Flinders, a well-known explorer, was afraid of this coast.
It’s estimated there are round 700 shipwrecks within the ocean, however solely 240 have been found…thus far.
One of the best place to see shipwrecks is from the aptly named, Wreck Seaside, which has two anchors from wrecks on the seashore, in addition to Loch Ard, which is probably the most well-known wreck on the coast.
It was right here that survivors, Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael, washed ashore and spent the night time close to the 12 Apostles.
A superb place to see shipwrecks is by Cape Otway Lighthouse.
Cease 11: Triplet Falls – Otways Nationwide Park
- Distance from final cease: 48 km
- Drive time: 1 hour
Head inland for a detour to the Otways Nationwide Park and immerse your self in an historic land.
Stroll amongst tall bushes and large tree ferns, and uncover lovely waterfalls.
That is the spot on the Nice Ocean Highway to maneuver away from the attractive shoreline and right into a forest perspective.
Triplet Falls is without doubt one of the highlights of the Nice Ocean Highway. Platforms offer you spectacular views of falls. The stroll is a couple of 1-hour return loop, which we did it simply with our youngsters.
If you happen to like waterfalls, one other gorgeous one to checkout in Otways Nationwide Park is Beauchamp Falls, however in the event you solely have time for one, make it Triplet Falls.
Cease 13: Gibson Steps
- Distance from final cease: 58 km
- Drive time: 1 hour
Simply down the street from the Twelve Apostles Guests Centre are the Gibson Steps. Stroll down these steps to the seashore for a close-up view.
Right here you’ll be able to expertise a brand new perspective on the facility of the waves and the peak of the rocks. You possibly can even contact the rocks and really feel how simply they crumble away.
Take time to look at the water crashing across the base of the limestone stacks to know the true energy of the ocean and the way it’s continually shaping our earth.
Tip for the Gibson Steps:  Maintain the tide in thoughts. It was coming in fairly quick on us, so don’t stroll too far across the nook as you will have a moist stroll again.
Cease 14: Walks in Port Campbell Nationwide Park
- Distance from final cease: 1.2 km
- Drive time: 3 minutes
Port Campbell Nationwide Park is not only about standing on the 12 Apostles and taking your “I used to be right here pic“. We arrived pondering we’d spend a few hours wanting on the rocks, however we ended up staying all day.
The park has a lot to supply with cliff-top tracks, gorges, quick walks on the seashore, and tales of shipwrecks to find. It’s actually an interesting and delightful park.
Don’t be just like the Nice Ocean Highway tour-bus plenty. Take your time and admire all of the websites throughout the Port Campbell Nationwide Park: 12 Apostles, Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, London Arch, The Grotto, and The Arch.
Cease 15: The Twelve Apostles
- Distance from final cease: subsequent door
- Drive time: 0 minutes
Simply a few rocks jutting out of the ocean. Actually, what’s all of the fuss? These had been our preliminary ideas when planning to go to the 12 Apostles on the Nice Ocean Highway.
However the 12 Apostles are the star of the present. We obtained fortunate with the climate the morning we arrived and after all of the hype and expectations I’m blissful to say we had been left awe-struck!
These huge limestone constructions tower 45 metres above the ocean and had been fashioned some 20 million years in the past as the ocean step by step eroded the smooth craggy limestone cliffs.
There are solely eight of the twelve apostles remaining (the remainder have fallen) and forming the backdrop are these magnificent cliffs as much as 70 metres excessive.
Ideas for visiting the 12 Apostles
- Arrive on the 12 Apostles for dawn – you’ll beat the tour buses and have the place virtually to your self.
- Take pleasure in a sundown with a picnic or we grabbed a takeaway pizza from Port Campbell.
- Stroll the boardwalks across the cliff tops which give varied viewing platforms.
- Don’t rush. You might solely witness this as soon as in your life.
- Deliver a tripod, use your digital camera’s self-timer and snap a household selfie.
Cease 16: Loch Ard Gorge
- Distance from final cease: 4.2 km
- Drive time: 5 minutes
Loch Ard Gorge is wonderful and just a few minutes’ drive west of The Twelve Apostles. It was one of the vital gorgeous seashores on the Nice Ocean Highway
Loch Ard Gorge is called after the ship Loch Ard, which ran aground on close by Muttonbird Island on the finish of a three-month journey from England to Melbourne.
Take the steps right down to the seashore and sit in surprise. And there are three straightforward walks you’ll be able to take to find the world and get viewpoints.
Cease 17: The Arch
- Distance from final cease: 14.2 km
- Drive time: 14 minutes
This naturally sculptured arch stands 8 metres excessive and is positioned 6km west of Port Campbell.
You’ll admire the swells and energy of the ocean crashing in towards the arch, it makes the drama of the place even higher.
Cease 18: London Arch (London Bridge)
- Distance from final cease: 1.1 km
- Drive time: 3 minutes
London Arch was fashioned by a gradual course of of abrasion, and initially was a whole double-span and was hooked up to the mainland.
The arch nearer to the shoreline collapsed unexpectedly in 1990 leaving two vacationers stranded on the outer half till they had been rescued by a helicopter. Ha. What a narrative to inform. We don’t suggest placing that in your Nice Ocean Highway itinerary.
Previous to the collapse, the arch was generally known as London Bridge due to its similarity to its namesake.
There are three separate viewing areas and the principle path branches off to those at completely different intervals.
Cease 19: The Grotto
- Distance from final cease: 2.3 km
- Drive time: 4 minutes
The Grotto is principally a sinkhole. Take the steps down the cliff face to the underside and look by and also you’ll get visibility of the ocean past a pool at low tide.
It’s a reasonably cool cease in your Nice Ocean Highway drive and has a cave-like high quality to it.
Cease 20: Bay of Islands
- Distance from final cease: 9.8 km
- Drive time: 10 minutes
The 12 Apostles will not be the one magical rocks rising out from the ocean. Head a bit additional south to Peterborough and also you’ll uncover the magical Bay of Islands and Bay of Martyrs.
Virtually as lovely, but not often talked about in a Nice Ocean Highway itinerary.
We didn’t get the good climate we had on the 12 Apostles, but it surely provides to the drama.
Cease 21: Warrnambool
- Distance from final cease: 49.3 km
- Drive time: 39 minutes
The official finish of the Nice Ocean Highway is Warrnambool, however don’t be in a rush to hurry again!
Warrnambool presents a mixture of pure magnificence and wealthy historical past. It’s famend for its whale-watching alternatives from Logans Seaside, the place it’s doable to see southern proper whales on their annual migration between June and September.
You should definitely go to The Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village for a glimpse into the Nineteenth-century maritime historical past of the area and see findings from the shipwrecks alongside the notorious Shipwreck Coast.
Nature lovers ought to enterprise into Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve for an opportunity to see wild kangaroos and emus, in addition to discover scenic mountaineering trails.
Ideas for driving the Nice Ocean Highway
- Don’t do the Nice Ocean Highway drive in someday – Don’t simply rush to the 12 Apostles on your vacationer snap. Decelerate and admire all it has to supply. Go to all of the rock formations and cities, stroll on a seashore and within the rainforest, see a waterfall and native wildlife, sit on a lookout and be current. I’d counsel 3 days minimal – we took 2 weeks!
- If you happen to solely have time to go to one part of the GOR, spend probably the most quantity of your time in Port Campbell Nationwide Park.
- If you happen to solely drive in a single route, drive from Torquay to Warrnambool (East to West). That manner you’ll be on the left facet of the street closest to the southern ocean and also you’ll be capable to pull over simpler to all of the viewpoints.
- If you happen to can drive, drive your individual automotive, or hire a automotive from Melbourne as an alternative of taking a Nice Ocean Highway tour. This street must be skilled from behind the wheel, and also you want flexibility in the place you cease and for a way lengthy. At every, flip you’ll uncover one thing wonderful.
- If you happen to’re visiting within the winter months, preserve your eyes peeled for whales!
- You might wish to hire a novel caravan, motorhome, or camper to drive the Nice Ocean Highway. Outdoorsy is just like the Airbnb of camper leases, and so they embrace insurance coverage!
- Gas up your automotive – there might be giant distances between petrol stations, so be sure to replenish.
- If you happen to do need to take an organized Nice Ocean Highway tour, we suggest these ones by Get your Information.
Is the Nice Ocean Highway Value Visiting?
Is that this even a query? It’s undeniably value seeing the Nice Ocean Highway. Even if you’re simply planning on visiting Melbourne and solely have a day to spend, it’s value seeing at the least a few of it.
The street is most well-known for its rock formations, which don the scenic coastal panorama. You will note stacks of limestone rock sitting comfortably off the shore – these are a number of the most well-known rock formations on this planet.
Except for that, you’ll go by rural and quaint small cities and a few actually unspoiled seashores. It’s all the time value getting out of town for some recent air, and it doesn’t get more energizing than this.
If anything, it’s probably the most scenic method to journey between Melbourne and Adelaide.
Closing Ideas
So there you’ve it, these are the highest issues to do on the Nice Ocean Highway Australia, and as you’ll be able to see, there may be loads of stops so as to add to your GOR journey.
It truly is a shocking coastal drive and we extremely suggest you place it in your Australian journey bucket listing.
Don’t rush it. It’s a ravishing drive and one which must be savoured like a tremendous wine. Take it sluggish, and benefit from the views, the peace, and the serenity.
Glad travels!
Extra Nice Ocean Highway Drive Ideas
If you happen to want extra ideas and inspiration for the drive, take a look at these different helpful guides:
Extra Victoria Journey Ideas
If you happen to’re planning to journey to different components of the state of Victoria in Australia, you then would possibly prefer to learn these guides:
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