The Great Ocean Road Backwards

Considering taking a road trip along the Great Ocean Road? Do it! I highly recommend it. Just be sure to do it the right way around... By that, I mean start from the NSW end. 

My sister and I hadn't given it much thought, we just knew we had a ute to pick up from Adelaide to get back to Sydney. So why not take our time getting back home and spend two weeks driving along the coast including the Great Ocean Road. But in retrospect, it all felt a bit backwards. Don't get me wrong, we had a blast but there were a few obvious factors telling us ideally, we should have been driving it in reverse. Of which, no one had mentioned to us prior to setting off. Hopefully, our experience can help you plan your road trip the right way.

Warrnambool is worth a good look around; there's a lookout, beaches, shopping and has an old country town vibe about it. Then keep driving on the highway, follow the signs and you hit the Great Ocean Road. I recommend starting on the G.O.R before midday. There is plenty to see and you need time. You will drive it in a day depending upon where your accommodation is. We drove from Port Fairy to Kennett River in one day and that was a big drive, particularly since I was the only driver. I was exhausted.

There are eight places along the G.O.R to pull in to including Bay of Islands, Bay of Martins, The Grotto, London Bridge, The Arch, Loch and Gorge, Twelve Apostles and Gibson’s Steps. Parking at these sights can be busy, particularly during peak season times as they are seriously not very large car parks. The first sign we were heading in the wrong direction is that all the attractions are on the coast side meaning coming from the west you had to cross to the other side of the road than when you are leaving you had to cross over to the other side of the road to continue. It wasn’t just an easy swing in and out.

We stopped in at every site so by the time you get to the Twelve Apostles you are over getting in and out of the car. Let me tell you, it is spectacular and stunning, but it is also tiring. I can only imagine having young kids or pets with you which would be so much worse as you are having to get them out of the car and then buckle them in at each stop. Painful. Flying over the Twelve Apostles is an option. There is a 15-minute or 25-minute option. I went on the 15-minute flight and was quite happy in my smaller helicopter that fit four as we potted along over the Twelve Apostles and the London Bridge. My sister was fortunate to get an upgrade as there was a spare seat on the 25-minute flight that she was offered. Her helicopter seated eight and she was lucky enough to get the front seat next to the pilot. They flew faster and further along the coast of which she raved about. 

Seeing the Twelve Apostles is one of my life’s ‘wow’ moments and one I won't forget. When you approach along the wooden walkway and turn the corner, it's just like you have seen it on postcards. Park the car again a little further down the road and walk down to Gibsons Steps. So many steps but a great place to see the sunset from or a dip in the ocean.

We continued along the Great Ocean Road, but the ocean is on the driver’s side. I was driving so dared not to look off the road, so the passenger is having to look over the driver to see the amazing view. Yep, we will be doing it the other way around next time.

We drove the majority of the G.O.R and stopped short at Kennett River. We stayed there a couple of nights in the Caravan Park famous for its koalas. They are all in the trees, heaps of them and they are quite loud, and make a noise like a pig. Busloads of tourists all come out to check them out. That’s okay if your tent is not pitched along the walkway. We drove back along The Great Ocean Road the next day and spent more time in Apollo Bay, hanging out with the other tourists.

We continued along The Great Ocean Road and stopped in at Lorne, driving up the mega steep road to Teddy’s Lookout for the epic view over the road. It is well worth going up there. We then turned right off the G.O.R to check out the famous Bells Beach and okay, maybe the surfers.

When you come to the end of the Great Ocean Road (or the start if you’re coming from the Eastern end) in Torquay, 243kms later, there is a huge memorial arch over the road. We had heard about the sign, so we knew to stop however it is facing the oncoming traffic and they actually have a car park on their side. We had to park awkwardly on the side of the road and cross over to get our photo under the sign. And there is no sign to mark the beginning from where we began, you just follow the road signs.

It was a fabulous two weeks and just enough time. It was all well-paced and really a beautiful part of Australia. I hope you get time out to visit the G.O.R one day but… hot tip from me…. start in Torquay!