It’s impossible to take the Great Ocean Road for granted: those sweeping ocean views at every twist and turn simply won’t let you. International travellers have made it Victoria’s most popular region for overnight stays, and Visit Victoria chief executive Brendan McClements describes it as “one of Australia’s most compelling destinations”.
But whether you’re crossing oceans to get here or you live close enough for a weekend getaway, it’s easy to stick to the same tourist stops. From off-grid retreats to sustainable dining, here are 10 ways to bypass the obvious and make travelling this spectacular stretch of bitumen a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Get blown away
The 12 Apostles rightly remain a must-see for tourists, even if there are only seven of the limestone pillars left. However, mere moments away, Loch Ard Gorge has similar stunning sights with fewer onlookers. Here you can delve into maritime history, including the famous shipwreck for which the gorge is named, before finding the blowhole lookout Poombeeyt Koontapool. Meaning “breath of the whale” in the Keerray Woorroong language, the elevated viewing platform allows you to hear the deep rumbles that precede crashing waves and the ocean whispers that carry calmer waters. Give the view time: watching it shift from serene to explosive can be mesmerising.
Sleep among the vines
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Two private villas set among the vines at boutique vineyard Basalt Wines (near Port Fairy), feel as luxurious as a 1920s boudoir with lush textiles and rich colours that entice you to curl up on the couch with a pinot noir. The only thing likely to draw you away is the cellar door restaurant, which pairs regional ingredients with Basalt’s own wines. Each villa has its own kitchenette, fireplace, deck, outside fire pit and breakfast hamper of local goodies. Killarney Beach and Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve are less than 10 minutes drive away.
Wake to the ocean
Staying at Sky Pods makes you feel as if you have the edge of the ocean to yourself with 180-degree views across the Cape Otway coast. At dusk, a mob of grazing kangaroos hop into view before the sun sets over the Southern Ocean. Star gazing is unrivalled on clear nights but if too cloudy, a projector screen turns the luxury pod into a boutique cinema. This off-grid retreat, fed by solar power and filtered rain water, sits on 81 hectares of land being restored to its pre-farming state; 60,000 native trees have been planted over the past decade. A 20-minute walk down a bush track leads to Station Beach and access to the Great Ocean Walk, Aire River and Rainbow Falls. It’s a stay and view you will never forget.
Meet the locals
At Wildlife Wonders (five kilometres from Apollo Bay), expert guides take groups through protected bushland for close encounters with koalas, emus, kangaroos and many more. Visitors may be lucky enough to meet the rufous-bellied pademelon, a small wallaby-like marsupial that is extinct on the Australian mainland, or the even smaller long-nosed potoroo, while listening to the sounds of kookaburras, cockatoos and tree frogs. The 14-hectare sanctuary was established to raise funds for the Conservation Ecology Centre’s research projects. Dusk and dawn tours are available and in winter months there’s even a chance of spotting a migrating whale from the property’s commanding position.
Feast from the sea
No fancy five-star restaurant could compete with tucking into a freshly caught southern rock lobster at Apollo Bay’s Fishing Co-Operative. Since its establishment in 1948, the co-op has become a must for tourists and locals alike with its “ocean to plate” dining. The menu changes depending on the daily catch, but the true star is always there: grilled half rock lobster with garlic butter, chips and salad. The Apollo Bay harbour redevelopment shifted the co-op to a pop-up shop and separate fish market store, but both will reunite and return to their original and refurbished digs, including a new public viewing deck, by Christmas 2026.
Go retro
It’s only fitting that along one of the world’s best road trips, the classic roadside motel is being resurrected with a playful new vibe. Much like Australia’s original motor inns, Angelsea’s The Monty is inspired by American design, sporting a 1950s Palm Springs aesthetic. Mint-green walls, wavy mirrors, chequered bathrooms and bold orange accents bring the fun, while king-sized beds, curated mini-bars and coffee pod machines provide modern comforts. You can charge your EV or rent an electric bike. The lobby, which overlooks the Anglesea River, will morph into a new Mexican Cantina, Nina, to open in late 2026. It will feature a gluten-free menu with the right mix of sticky, tangy and fresh dishes with margaritas to match. The perfect spot to unwind after kayaking on the river or swimming at nearby beaches.
Ride a wave ...
Taking a surf lesson can feel daunting. There are the unpredictable waves, the ocean chill, the threat of rips, and the locals carving up the water, but halfway into a Go Ride A Wave two-hour class, and doubts begin to turn into a feeling you can do this. Some in your group may make it to standing, some to their knees, others stay flat, but most will likely leave surging with adrenaline and an urge to return. Supplied with a wetsuit, learner-friendly surfboard and plenty of expert guidance, the tutorial at famed Torquay beach is above all else exhilarating fun.
… Then watch a pro
Once you’ve realised just how tricky a pop-up can be, check out the masters at play as they weave through the waves at the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach. The World Surf League Champion event, the longest running in competitive surfing, is held each Easter at the iconic beach. On days when the swell isn’t suitable, the action is halted but can provide the perfect opportunity to dive into Australia’s surfing culture and history at Torquay’s Australian National Surfing Museum.
Enjoy a tasting tour
The shared ingredient of the Great Ocean Road’s most delicious and diverse food is a commitment to quality seasonal produce. At the gateway to the road, the Booln Booln Cafe takes seemingly simple dishes such as sourdough jaffles and pastries and elevates them with native ingredients such as slow-cooked roo ragu and lemon myrtle meringue. At Aireys Inlet, cosy wine bar Le Comptoir invites you to while away hours grazing on a traditional French menu that incorporates local ingredients. Back in Torquay, Mortadeli, a Mediterranean-inspired deli and “caffeteria” serves seasonal soups, salads and pastas alongside its smash-hit sandwiches that demand both hands.
Feed your soul
And then there is one Surf Coast restaurant that is taking a really radical approach to sustainable dining. Torquay’s Samesyn 2.0 has a unique not-for-profit model with proceeds going to local charity Feed Me, to help supply nutritious food to those in need. Using the food bank’s surplus vegetables, Samesyn transforms unwanted produce into critically acclaimed dishes, such as chewy carrots that are dehydrated then rehydrated in a carrot juice reduction and served with a maple sauce made from discarded Halloween pumpkins. There are no waiting staff, only chefs, who rotate through service shifts to share Samesyn’s mission – including achieving near zero waste – with customers. The nine-course tasting menu is a meal that will feed your soul.
THE DETAILS
VisitWildlife Wonders offers a range of guided tours from $24-$75 for children and $59-$95 for adults. Family tickets and concessions available. See wildlifewonders.org.au. Go Ride A Wave in Torquay has two-hour surfing lessons for $84, wetsuit and surfboard hire included. See gorideawave.com.au/location/torquay. Admission to The Australian National Surfing Museum is between $8 and $25. See australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au; The Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach is on between March 25 and April 4, 2027.
StayAn adults-only private villa at Basalt Retreat, including a breakfast hamper, is $495 a night with a two-night minimum stay Friday and Saturday. See basaltwines.com.au/stay. The adults-only Sky Pods are $485 a night for a minimum two-night stay. If you want one night’s accommodation, smaller Sky Ships can be booked for $420 a night. See skypods.com.au; rooms (king or twin) at The Monty from $120-$180 a night. See themontymotel.com.au
The writer travelled as a guest of Visit Victoria.
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