Day 5 – The Great Ocean Road: Lighthouses, Epic Views and Twelve Apostles!
Today was a big one, with one of the main reasons for this entire road trip finally on the agenda — the legendary Great Ocean Road!
This stretch of Victoria’s coastline has been on our must-see list, and with around 250 kilometres to cover, we had plenty of opportunities to explore. But first, there were a few other stops to tick off before we hit one of Australia’s most iconic driving routes.
Port Fairy Lighthouse – A Chilly Start!
After feasting at Macca’s (fine dining on the road, naturally!), we pointed the Mercedes towards Port Fairy and its historic lighthouse on Griffiths Island.
Getting to the lighthouse involves a return walk of around 2.3 kilometres, and it’s well worth the effort. The island offers lovely coastal scenery, and the lighthouse makes a great destination for a morning stroll.
There was just one small problem: it was a rather fresh 3°C!
Now, we knew we were travelling in winter, but there’s a difference between knowing it’s cold and actually stepping outside into it. We rugged up and made the walk anyway. The views were worth it, although I suspect the lighthouse might be even more enjoyable when your ears aren’t threatening to fall off from the cold!
If you’re visiting Port Fairy, put Griffiths Island and the lighthouse on your list. Just check the weather before heading out, particularly during the colder months.
The Great Ocean Road – Bucket List Material
With the lighthouse ticked off, it was time to head towards the main event: the Great Ocean Road.
If you have a bucket list, make room for this one. Actually, forget making room — move it straight to the top!
The Great Ocean Road is one of those drives where the journey really is the destination. The road winds along spectacular cliff tops, past rugged headlands and down towards beautiful beaches, with breathtaking coastal views seemingly waiting around every bend.
It’s tempting to keep driving to see what’s around the next corner, but this isn’t a road to rush. There are so many lookouts, walking tracks and natural attractions that you’ll want to allow plenty of time to stop, explore and take it all in.
We only had around 250 kilometres to cover for the day, but we turned it into a full day of sightseeing. And that’s exactly how we’d recommend doing it.
Sites to see include.
Port Campbell – Lunch with a Coastal View
By lunchtime, we rolled into Port Campbell and stopped at the 12 Rocks Beach Bar Cafe.
Our original plan had also included a visit to Sow and Piglets Brewery, but unfortunately it was closed. There’s always one place that doesn’t get the memo about your carefully organised travel itinerary!
We made do with our lunch stop before getting back on the road. There was still plenty of coastline to explore, and we weren’t about to let one closed venue derail the day’s adventures.
Natural Wonders Around Every Corner
After lunch, we continued exploring some of the Great Ocean Road’s most famous attractions.
Our stops included:
Loch Ard Gorge – A spectacular coastal formation with towering cliffs and a fascinating shipwreck history.
The Razorback – An impressive rock formation sculpted by the relentless Southern Ocean.
The Twelve Apostles – The famous limestone stacks rising dramatically from the sea. They’re every bit the iconic sight you’d expect from one of Australia’s best-known coastal destinations.
Gibson Steps – A chance to experience the scale of the coastline from beach level, conditions permitting.
Cape Otway Lighthouse – A historic lighthouse set amid the rugged coastal landscape.
Each stop offered something different, from dramatic rock formations to sweeping ocean views. The scenery was simply magnificent, and the camera certainly got a workout.
It’s easy to see why the Great Ocean Road attracts visitors from around the world. Even if you’ve seen the photographs a hundred times, standing there and taking in the real thing is a completely different experience.
Apollo Bay – Time to Warm Up and Wind Down
Eventually, we made our way to Apollo Bay, where we checked in at The Apollo Apartments.
After a full day of exploring the coastline, we were ready to settle in, but there were still a couple of places calling our names.
First up was the Apollo Bay Distillery. They offer a good range of beers and, as the name suggests, produce their own gin and vodka as well. We enjoyed a relaxed stop there, although we never got around to sampling their spirits. Looks like we’ll have to leave something for another visit!
From the distillery, we wandered down to the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse, where we found ourselves a table near the log fire.
Now, after a day that started at a chilly 3°C, a seat beside a roaring fire was just about perfect. It was a great spot to kick back, relax and reflect on the day’s adventures while enjoying dinner.
The Great Ocean Road had certainly delivered, and the warm fire was a welcome bonus before we headed back to The Apollo Apartments for a well-deserved rest.
Another Bucket List Adventure Ticked Off
From the lighthouse at Port Fairy to the dramatic cliffs, beaches and rock formations along the Great Ocean Road, today was everything we’d hoped it would be.
The scenery was majestic, the stops were memorable, and we were reminded once again that some places deserve more than a quick drive-by and a photo through the windscreen.
Our tip: Allow a full day for this stretch of coastline, and preferably longer if you can manage it. There is plenty to see, and rushing through would mean missing much of what makes it so special.
Tomorrow, we’ll continue our Victorian adventure, with more kilometres to cover and more places to discover. Touring is thirsty work, after all!
