Onwards to Adelaide

As you begin your journey towards Adelaide, head for Geelong and watch out for the world-famous surfing resorts of Torquay and Bells Beach.

Along the way you will see the beautiful Mansion at Werribee – and, if you have time, make a stop at the Open Range Zoo, home to African elephants and rhinos. The coastal view as you near Geelong is immense with Corio Bay a particular highlight – awash with wonderful waterside restaurants and cafes.

It is after Geelong that the Great Ocean Road officially begins. Comprising approximately 250 kilometres, the route provides sensory overload, stumbling across fantastic surf beaches, beautiful bays and inlets, rolling hills, staggering cliff faces and dense rainforest.

The route between Lorne and Apollo Bay will present some of the most breathtaking scenery, as you gaze across the ocean and the crashing waves from the top of sheer cliffs. It is just outside Apollo Bay that the road guides you into Great Otway National Park and its wondrous, unblemished rainforests, serene coastal views and spectacular waterfalls. Walking is popular within the park and likewise camping, with three excellent sites set up to enable visitors to get the most out of their visit to this astonishing area of unspoilt beauty.

Leaving the park, the road bypasses Dinosaur Cove (where many of the country’s most important archaeological digs took place) and the picturesque town of Johanna that has a truly dazzling beach, ideal for a spot of swimming. As you drive through Lavers Hill the road winds inland somewhat before the ‘Shipwreck Coast’ begins – stretching for a further 130 kilometres west. This leg of the Great Ocean Road gained its name because of the 160 or so ships that fell victim to the lethal and unpredictable Bass Strait, which captains would sometimes favour in order to cut 1200 kilometres off their journey from Britain to Sydney. Artefacts from more than 50 of the wrecks are on display throughout this leg of the route, with much of the wreckage sites signposted along the way.

The landscape then changes dramatically again as you reach Port Campbell National Park which is punctuated by huge limestone cliffs, the roaring sea and one of the most famous parts of the road – the Twelve Apostles. Rising majestically from the sea, the Apostles are bizarre, rock formations formed by the strong waves smashing against the rocks and are believed to have their origins millions of years ago. Take a walk down to the beach to gain a perspective of the sheer size and scale of these wondrous stacks from one of the designated viewing platforms.

Port Campbell itself makes for a good place to stop for a day or two if you have time. There are a wide array of hotels, restaurants, tourist activities and attractions such as boat trips, scuba diving and also guided tours of local caves, cliffs and arches.  

From Port Campbell you are then treated to more of the Great Ocean Road’s iconic rock formations; London Bridge and The Arch. These limestone formations have been separated from the coast by the immense power of the waves, leaving in their wake what now look like viaducts – a truly awesome spectacle. Birdwatching, surfing, fishing and walking are common pastimes at nearby Curdies Creek.

The Bay of Islands Coastal Park is the last landmark of note on this unforgettable road where you will find even more caves and bizarre rock formations. Although the Great Ocean Road officially ends here, don’t worry - the sights of interest continue as the highway takes you onto the town of Warnambool (where whale watching is popular from June to September).  You are now just 14km from the Tower Hill Reserve, situated within a dormant volcano. The reserve is packed with koalas and kangaroos and is made even more beautiful by a serene lake and wetlands where you will find numerous species of rare water birds including black swans.

The town of Port Fairy is also worth a detour. This charming little fishing town features pretty 19th-century cottages and churches and also has one of the busiest ports in Victoria – the perfect place to enjoy a fresh seafood dish at one of the waterside restaurants.

An eight hour drive straight up the A1 and B1 highways will take you to Adelaide - however, the Grampians National Park and the Coonawarra Wine Territory offer great detours to help break up the journey.

The Grampians National Park is around two hour’s drive from Port Fairy, with the park consisting of five sandstone ridges where rugged mountain ranges, beautiful wildflowers and mystical Aboriginal rock art sites create a scene of sheer magnificence. Within the park’s confines you can partake in a spot of bushwalking, rock climbing, fishing, canoeing and more.

A three hour drive from here will land you at the heart of the famous Coonawarra Wine territory where you will discover an innumerable amount of vineyards and wineries where you can sample some of the country’s finest tastes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Of the many wineries to look out for, Reschke is one of the most famous as well as DiGiorgio Family Wines who both offer guided tours.

A three and a half hour drive now separates you from Adelaide. On arrival to the city you will notice a modern, yet charming destination with numerous expanses of parklands and the River Torrens. Adelaide is also within close proximity of several excellent beaches where surfing and other water sports are common. Dolphin watching tours are popular from the city too, as well as the ferry trip to the isolated and wildlife-packed serenity of Kangaroo Island. There are also museums and places to visit within the city’s confines such as the National Railway Museum, Maritime Museum, Migration Museum and the National Wine Centre of Australia should you want to learn even more about the famous furtive lands of South Australia that you have already discovered. Foodies are also treated in Adelaide thanks to the immense Central Market which boasts countless fresh food stalls, jewellery stands as well as various arts and crafts.

We have finally reached our journey’s end but if you are still hungry to keep exploring South Australia, Alice Springs is a seven hours scenic drive away.  Alternatively you could consider a flight from Adelaide to Alice Springs and then pick up another hire car to begin yet another extraordinary adventure!

Or if you are interested in seeing more of this amazing country, then join us on a tour from Sydney to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

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