Top 10 Must-See Stops on the Great Ocean Road

Stretching 243 kilometres along Victoria's south-western coast, the Great Ocean Road is widely regarded as one of the most scenic coastal drives on Earth. Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 as a memorial to those who served in World War I, this engineering marvel winds through rainforests, past surfing beaches, and along dramatic clifftops that plunge into the Southern Ocean.

Whether you're visiting Melbourne for the first time or you're a local looking to rediscover your backyard, these ten stops represent the absolute best the Great Ocean Road has to offer. We've driven this route thousands of times with our luxury private Great Ocean Road tour, and these are the places that consistently leave our guests speechless.

1. The Twelve Apostles

No Great Ocean Road journey is complete without visiting the Twelve Apostles. These towering limestone stacks, some rising over 45 metres above the churning Southern Ocean, were carved by millions of years of erosion. Despite their name, there were only ever nine stacks visible from the viewing platforms — and after one collapsed in 2005, eight remain standing today.

The viewing platforms at Port Campbell National Park offer breathtaking panoramas, but the experience changes dramatically depending on when you visit. At sunrise, the stacks glow orange and gold against the mist. At sunset, they become dramatic silhouettes against a blazing sky. Our private tours time the visit for the most spectacular light conditions, away from the midday tour bus crowds.

2. Loch Ard Gorge

Loch Ard Gorge is arguably the most photogenic spot on the entire Great Ocean Road. Named after the clipper ship Loch Ard, which ran aground on nearby Muttonbird Island in 1878, the gorge tells one of Australia's most dramatic shipwreck stories. Of the 54 people on board, only two survived: 18-year-old apprentice Tom Pearce and 17-year-old passenger Eva Carmichael.

The gorge itself is a natural amphitheatre carved from golden limestone, with a small beach accessible via steep steps. The turquoise water that fills the gorge is mesmerising on a sunny day, and the surrounding cliff formations — including the Razorback and Thunder Cave — add layers of geological wonder. Walk the Loch Ard Gorge Discovery Walk to explore the cemetery where some of the shipwreck victims are buried.

3. London Arch (London Bridge)

Once known as London Bridge because of its double-arch formation resembling its namesake, this natural wonder made international headlines on 15 January 1990 when the arch closest to the mainland collapsed without warning, stranding two tourists on the remaining outer section. They were dramatically rescued by helicopter, unharmed.

Today, the single remaining arch — now called London Arch — remains one of the coast's most striking formations. The viewing platform provides excellent photo opportunities, and the story of the collapse makes for fascinating conversation. It's a powerful reminder of how constantly the ocean reshapes this coast.

4. Kennett River — Wild Koala Spotting

Tucked between Lorne and Apollo Bay, the tiny settlement of Kennett River is famous for one thing: wild koalas. Along the Grey River Road, eucalyptus trees are laden with koalas dozing in the branches, often just a few metres above your head. Unlike wildlife parks, these are completely wild animals in their natural habitat.

On a good day, you can spot a dozen or more koalas, plus colourful king parrots and crimson rosellas that are bold enough to land on your hand if you stand still. This stop is a highlight for international visitors and families alike. Our guides know exactly which trees to check and the best time of day for sightings.

5. Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay is the perfect halfway point for a Great Ocean Road day trip. This charming fishing village is nestled between the Otway Ranges and the ocean, offering a beautiful harbour, a long sandy beach, and some of the coast's best cafés. The Apollo Bay Fishermen's Co-op serves freshly caught seafood that rivals any Melbourne restaurant.

The town also serves as the gateway to the Great Otway National Park and the start of the dramatically winding inland section of the Great Ocean Road. In whale season (June to September), you can often spot Southern Right Whales breaching just offshore from the main beach.

6. Great Otway National Park Rainforest Walk

Many visitors are surprised to discover that the Great Ocean Road passes through an ancient temperate rainforest that's over 100 million years old. The Great Otway National Park is home to towering mountain ash trees (the tallest flowering plants on Earth), tree ferns that date back to the age of dinosaurs, and a canopy so dense that the forest floor is bathed in an ethereal green light.

The Maits Rest Rainforest Walk is an easy 30-minute loop through the heart of the forest, with interpretive signs explaining the unique ecology. For the more adventurous, the Otway Fly Treetop Walk takes you 25 metres above the forest floor on a steel walkway through the canopy, offering a bird's-eye view of this extraordinary ecosystem.

7. Gibson Steps

Just a few hundred metres east of the Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps offers something the main viewpoint doesn't — beach-level access. A steep staircase carved into the cliff face (originally by the Kirrae Whurrong people, later improved by settler Hugh Gibson in the 19th century) takes you down to a narrow beach at the base of 70-metre-high cliffs.

Standing on the sand looking up at the towering cliff face and the two isolated stacks called Gog and Magog provides a completely different perspective from the clifftop viewing platforms. It's a humbling experience that truly conveys the scale of these formations. Note: check tide times before descending, as the beach is inaccessible at high tide.

8. The Grotto

The Grotto is one of the Great Ocean Road's best-kept secrets. This stunning sinkhole has been carved by the ocean into a natural rock pool framed by an arch of limestone. A short walk from the car park leads to viewing platforms and steps that take you down close to the water.

On a sunny day, the pool glows an impossible shade of turquoise. Because it's less well-known than its famous neighbours, the Grotto is often blissfully quiet — making it a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts who want a dramatic shot without crowds.

9. Teddy's Lookout, Lorne

Perched high above the coastal town of Lorne, Teddy's Lookout offers a sweeping 180-degree panorama of the Great Ocean Road as it snakes along the coast in both directions. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Point Addis cliffs in the northeast and beyond Apollo Bay to the southwest.

The lookout is accessed via a short drive up a winding road from Lorne, and there are several viewing platforms at different heights. It's the best place on the entire road to appreciate just how dramatically the highway clings to the coast — a testament to the engineering prowess of the soldiers who built it.

10. Memorial Arch at Eastern View

The Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch marks the official eastern entrance to the Great Ocean Road and serves as a reminder of its origins. The timber arch bears the inscription "Great Ocean Road — Built by Returned Soldiers 1919-1932" and stands as a tribute to the 3,000 returned servicemen who constructed the road using picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows.

It's a popular photo stop and a meaningful place to begin your journey. The arch sits at Eastern View, where the road transitions from the developed suburbs around Torquay into the wild, unspoiled coastline that defines the Great Ocean Road experience.

Planning Your Great Ocean Road Trip

While it's possible to drive the Great Ocean Road yourself, a private luxury tour with AR Tours offers several advantages. Our expert local guides know the best times to visit each stop, the hidden pull-offs that most tourists miss, and where to find the best food along the route. You travel in a premium vehicle with a personal chauffeur, meaning everyone can enjoy the scenery without worrying about navigating narrow cliff-edge roads.

"The Great Ocean Road isn't just a drive — it's a journey through millions of years of geological history. Let us show you the stops and stories that make it truly unforgettable."

Our Great Ocean Road tour typically runs for 11-12 hours, departing from Melbourne CBD at around 7:30am. We include all these stops and more, with the flexibility to linger at the places that captivate you most. Lunch at a local restaurant and morning tea are included, along with complimentary water and snacks throughout the day.