 Visit the Great Ocean Road of Victoria
The Great Ocean Road is over 500kms of pristine coastline, from Queenscliffe to Port Campbell and onto Nelson. When visiting this region you will have a chance to discover beautiful National and State Parks and spectacular scenery all along the Great Ocean Road in inland.
Starting at Geelong, less than 30 minutes from Melbourne and the Ballarat Goldfields, Corio Bay provides the perfect venue for sailing and boating. Since Geelong's founding more than 160 years ago, the bay's waters have attracted people seeking recreation and fun. Clubs have been formed and facilities developed to get the most from the opportunities the bay presents. The beach at Geelong is a magnet for all adventure enthusiasts with sailing, swimming, canoeing and fishing.
 The Barwon River is Geelong’s other water playground. The river makes its way from high in the Otway Ranges, through forests and farmland to Geelong and then onto the coast at Barwon Heads. The Barwon River boasts an array of activities including watersports such as windsurfing and fishing.
The Bellarine Peninsular reaches north to Drysdale to St Leonards, across to Port Phillip Bay. This peninsular faces Bass Strait and the ‘Roaring Fourties’. Great beaches are waiting for swimmers, surfers, fishermen and yatchies. Bird and fish life are abundant in this area.
Ocean Grove nature reserve, off Grubb Rd, is the Peninsula’s largest pocket of remnant vegetation. The 143 hectares contain more than 130 differenct bird species, plus wildlife including koalas. There are walking tracks and picnic facilities. Queenscliffe is 90 minutes from Melbourne, it has rugged ocean surf, sand dunes and soft tranquil beaches. You may see the occasional bottle-nose dolphin or seals whilst fishing, diving, swimming or snorkelling.
Port Phillip Bay offers some of the best diving in Victoria. A popular dive is the ‘Lonsdale Wall’ which is a vertical coral reef face rising from 90 metres to appox. 15 metres.
Torquay is Australia's surf capital, the largest manufacturing centre of Australian surfing products. With spectacular scenery boasting beautiful beaches and waterfalls, Torquay is not only known for surfing but for sailing and windsurfing.
 The world famous ‘Bells Beach’ is a much-loved icon of Australia’s surf scene and is part of the Great Ocean Road Region. Men and women surf titles are held here every year. Breath taking beaches and steep cliffs give this region its famous following. The beach itself and the others that flank it draw a steady stream surfers all-year round. It is the beach that put Australia on the world surfing map. The list for some serious surfing beaches are... Torquay, Jan Juc, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Angahook, Lorne, Bells Beach and the Iron Bark Basin.
The Great Ocean Road travels along the coast near ‘Otway National Park’ (west of Apollo Bay). There are some fascinating bush walks through to Shelly Beach and Glenaire Beach. Mountain Bike rides are a great adventure in ‘Otway National Park’ or kayaking in Apollo Bay. Horse trail rides in this region comes with stunning views.
 Port Campbell with its stunning cliffs are a spectacular part of this region. The 12 Apostles and the Bay of Islands are great backdrops as we can fish for Trevally, Salmon and Barracouta in this area. The 12 Apostles are world-recognised icons of the Great Ocean Road. These giant rock stacks soar from the swirling waters of the Southern Ocean and are a central feature of the spectacular Port Campbell National Park that extends from Princetown to Peterborough. The dramatic and imposing limestone cliffs that are the backdrop to the Apostles tower up to 70 metres, while the tallest of the rock stacks is around 45 metres high.
 If trekking is your adventure why not take a 45 minute walk around Mt. Leura at Camperdown where you will find a unique view of the worlds largest volcanic plain. There is also a fascinating track around the rim of a crater.
Warrnambool is home in May/June to September for the Southern Right Whale. Viewing them is easy from observation areas near the town. Southern Right Whales are among the more spectacular natural attractions visitors can see in the Warrnambool region. Whales migrate from the Antarctic each year to Logans Beach where they give birth. Coastal reserves around the Merri River mouth are a treasure trove of wildlife, including penguins.
 Warrnambool offers swimming, surfing, boating, yachting and fishing from a number of beaches. Lady Bay is the main swimming beach. It also is ideal for wind-surfing and yachting. Lifesavers patrol in summer. Levy’s Point is a surfing and fishing beach. It is not suitable for swimming. Shelly Beach is great for shell collecting. Stingray Bay, at the mouth of the Merri River, is safe for swimming.
The Hopkins and the Merri Rivers give abundant supply of foods for all kinds of fish. When fishing from the breakwater, boat or beach you will be rewarded with Kingfish, Snapper, Mulloway, Trevally or shark.
 Portland offers for the adventurer a wide variety of activities including 4 wheel drives, canoeing, hiking, caving, horseriding and mountain bike riding.
Bridgewater Bay - just 20 kilometres from Portland - is a huge body of water between the soaring cliffs of Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater and offers a wide, gently arcing sandy beach. The rugged, volcanic headland - up to 130 metres high - takes the brunt of the crashing waves.
The cape is home to Victoria's largest mainland colony of Australian fur seals. There are walks that take you around the cape to a viewing platform where you can observe the fur seals.
 At Portland there is a famous 250km walking track named ‘The Great South West Walk’. The Great South West Walk provides an excellent opportunity to explore the fascinating variety of scenery and wildlife in south-west Victoria. The track winds inland from Portland to Nelson via the Cobboboonee Forest and the Glenelg River and then returns along the rugged coastline to complete the loop. The walk is not solely for hardy, long-distance walkers who carry everything on their back and complete the whole 250km. Most people use the track for short walks.
 Another way to enjoy the Great Ocean Road region is to travel via the country way. This route follows the Princes Hwy (the A1) from Geelong to Warrnambool through some of Victoria's richest farmland and picturesque country towns.
The Great Ocean Road finishes at the Victorian and South Australian boarder at the town of Nelson. ‘The Princess Margaret Rose Cave’ is a must for all who love to explore. Camping is highly recommended at the Lower Glenelg National Park. Enjoy the caves, swimming, canoeing, water skiing or fishing.
Where ever you stop on the fascinating Great Ocean Road you will not be disappointed.
For more information regarding your next visit to Victoria, go to Visit Victoria.
|
e
