The 10 Best Free Things to do in Great Ocean Road, Victoria

April 5, 2022 Marianna Hollaway

Discover the best top things to do in Great Ocean Road, Australia including Port Campbell National Park, Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground, Bay of Islands, Great Ocean Walk, Loch Ard Gorge, Twelve Apostles Marine National Park, Great Ocean Road, Twelve Apostles, Griffiths Island, Mait's Rest.
Restaurants in Great Ocean Road

1. Port Campbell National Park

Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell, Victoria 3269 Australia +61 13 19 63 [email protected] http://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/port-campbell-national-park?utm_source=tripadvisor.com.au&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=TA-2020
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,067 reviews

Port Campbell National Park

The wild Southern Ocean has carved the Port Campbell National Park coastline into formations that are famous the world over - and earned it the nickname of the Shipwreck Coast. Drive the Great Ocean Road and see London Bridge, The Grotto, Loch Ard Gorge and the unmissable Twelve Apostles. The best way to see Port Campbell National Park is to take the Great Ocean Road. This is one of the world's most celebrated scenic drives – and its undoubted highlight is the Twelve Apostles, which tower 45 metres above the Southern Ocean. On a coastline renowned for its spectacular coastal formations it’s easy to overlook London Bridge and The Grotto, which are both as awesome in their own way as the more famous Twelve Apostles.

Reviewed By NicholasC50 - Montreal, Canada

This a fairly-weather dependent attraction - in bad weather it will be hard to see effectively, though it may well be less crowded out of season. The scenery is spectacular all along the coast, and there are lots of places to stop and take a look. Taking a look often involves climbing up and down flights of steps from the clifftops to sea level, so bear in mind if you are unfit or have small children. It is best to be there morning or evening, it seems to me, as there are lots of day trip buses from Melbourne in the middle of the day, so staying overnight in the area is probably a good idea. Well worth a visit if you are in the Melbourne area.

2. Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground

Pertobe Road, Warrnambool, Victoria Australia +61 1800 637 725 [email protected] https://www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/lake-pertobe-playground
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 579 reviews

Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground

Lake Pertobe is a large adventure playground area that includes a wide range of playground equipment, nature walks, paid attractions such as mini golf and seasonally paddleboats and powerboat hire.A great place to explore with the children, use the FREE electric bbq's that are cleaned daily, play a game of cricket or footy on the large grassed areas.Truly a great adventure playground area for all the family.

Reviewed By neith2017 - Sydney, Australia

So much to do at this park - get lost in the maze, go on the flying foxes, play in the various playgrounds, watch the boats on the river or have a go - motorised for a relaxed ride or paddle boats for the more energetic. The beach was a short walk across the road and over the dune.

3. Bay of Islands

Peterborough on Great Ocean Road, Warrnambool, Victoria 3268 Australia +61 13 19 63 [email protected] http://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/bay-of-islands-coastal-park?utm_source=tripadvisor.com.au&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=TA-2020
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 673 reviews

Bay of Islands

A land and seascape sculpted by the elements over millennia. Arches, islands and rock stacks are dotted along a wild coastline of beach coves and spectacular lookouts. The wild Southern Ocean has carved a stunning collection of rock stacks and sheltered bays with clifftop walks, scenic lookouts and small beach coves near Peterborough along the Great Ocean Road. Perhaps overshadowed by the Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles down the road, the Bay of Islands Coastal Park offers just equally spectacular experience without the crowds. Dogs are welcome on a lead at Sandy Cove near Murnanes Bay.

Reviewed By AlanW491 - Vancouver, Canada

Spectacular scenery, really worth seeing. 40 minutes west of Port Campbell and the 12 apostles. Warrnambool is 35 minutes further west. Don't miss this site, way better than the Apostles and you don't have the crowds.

4. Great Ocean Walk

100 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay, Victoria 3233 Australia https://www.greatoceanwalk.com.au/
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 609 reviews

Great Ocean Walk

Reviewed By 970bevw - Cairns, Australia

Our group of 9 friends did the self-guided 6-day Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay. We very sensibly used Hike2camp to provide all our needs, carry all our belongings and set up our tents in each overnight camp. We found Hike2camp run a very professional and friendly service. They provided our breakfast for us to cook or organise ourselves and a packed lunch with plenty of snacks for each day’s hiking. When we reached each day’s camp, our tents were set up with our gear in each, and we had our one-pot dinners ready for heating on the supplied gas stoves. Hike2camp take on all of the hard work and logistics, leaving hikers with the simple pleasures of just hiking during the day and enjoying the company of the other hikers at each camp site at night. I highly recommend using Hike2camp, owned and operated by young local people, who we found provided value for money.

5. Loch Ard Gorge

Great Ocean Road Port Campbell National Park, Port Campbell, Victoria Australia +61 13 19 63 http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/port-campbell-national-park/things-to-do/loch-ard-gorge
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 985 reviews

Loch Ard Gorge

Reviewed By ogerkan - New York City, United States

Large site, with 3-4 walking trails to various lookout points all easily accessible from the parking lot We found the this section of the drive, near Port Campbell, to be the best part of the drive. Part of the shipwreck tour sections of the drive.

6. Twelve Apostles Marine National Park

Great Ocean Rd & Booringa Rd, Princetown, Victoria 3269 Australia +61 1300 137 255 http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/twelve-apostles-marine-national-park
Excellent
88%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 49 reviews

Twelve Apostles Marine National Park

Reviewed By nonchoi

This is really amazing natural place. Wonderful views, great ocean waves and stunning rock formations. I recommend the sunset time there, but I would stay for more than a day to avoid crowds.

7. Great Ocean Road

Apollo Bay, Victoria Australia
Excellent
83%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 99 reviews

Great Ocean Road

Reviewed By RobandMaryJean

This a bucket-list type of trip - but don't just visit the Twelve Apostles. See Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge (now an arch), The Arch, the Bay of Martyrs, the Bay of Islands and Childers Cove - as well as Bells Beach, Lorne and other stops on the way to Port Campbell. Also, add in visits to the Grampians and Ballarrat if you can.

8. Twelve Apostles

Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell, Victoria 3269 Australia [email protected] https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/port-campbell-national-park/things-to-do/twelve-apostles?utm_source=tripadvisor.com.au&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=TA-2020
Excellent
74%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,218 reviews

Twelve Apostles

Experience the awesome natural beauty of the world-famous Twelve Apostles. Rising abruptly from the tempestuous Southern Ocean, these seven limestone stacks are the highlight of the Great Ocean Road. They are best viewed at sunset when the yellow rock turns red, orange and every shade in between.

Reviewed By vsop-50 - Vlijmen, The Netherlands

Great views and photo opportunities. Busy place, big parking lot, many tourists visiting (and we were there on a quiet day with foul weather). So fight your way towards the edge of the viewing platforms, stand your ground between all the selfie sticks and photograph one of Australia's great coastal views. After all, they may not be there much longer.

9. Griffiths Island

Port Fairy, Victoria Australia +61 3 5568 3322 http://ramellascaferestaurant.com.au
Excellent
59%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 759 reviews

Griffiths Island

Reviewed By Jos_k108 - Melbourne, Australia

Fabulous walk and diverse views to soak in from sea to inland, rocks to the light house and wild animals if you're lucky. We did the whole round and saw wallabies in the setting sun. Beautiful lighting for time of day to take great photos. Didn't get to see any mutton birds but got to enjoy and sunset.

10. Mait's Rest

17km west of Apollo Bay, Apollo Bay, Victoria Australia +61 13 19 63 http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Regions/Great-Ocean-Road/Things-to-do/Outdoor-activities/Walking-and-hiking/Maits-Rest-Rainforest-Trail.aspx
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 835 reviews

Mait's Rest

Reviewed By marylync2017

A lovely short walk amongst these interesting trees and fern forest despite the rain easily accessible from the parking lot enroute to Apollo bay.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.