Great Ocean Road
Discussion
WhereamI said:
So a good scenic experience but not a great driving one it sounds. Thanks.
No, actually is one of the best coastal driving roads you will find. The much talked about Pacific Coast Highway in California is no match for it in my book. The road is great, and the scenery is great. One problem with the US, is if there is a lovely beach or hill top, it is often private property and built on, and the road put behind it so the public can't see it. Unlike here, Europe, or Oz, where you drive on the coast, and have a beach front bar or pub to stop at enjoy it, rather than just a big line of beachfront houses.I can't comment about the policing of it now, as the last time I drove it was in 2010, but back years ago I used to drive on ride it on average 20-30 times a year. Outside the towns in was 100km/h zones, which most people would rarely hit, unless you are a local/regular who knew the road. The Police presence was high on weekends, when it is very busy, and the local Lorne copper would sit on the entrance to the town every Sunday afternoon to nab people. So drive it midweek, when it will be quite, not stuck behind campervan after campervan, and you will not have a problem finding a parking spot in the towns to stop of lunch, or waiting for a table.
smack said:
WhereamI said:
So a good scenic experience but not a great driving one it sounds. Thanks.
No, actually is one of the best coastal driving roads you will find. The much talked about Pacific Coast Highway in California is no match for it in my book. The road is great, and the scenery is great. One problem with the US, is if there is a lovely beach or hill top, it is often private property and built on, and the road put behind it so the public can't see it. Unlike here, Europe, or Oz, where you drive on the coast, and have a beach front bar or pub to stop at enjoy it, rather than just a big line of beachfront houses.I can't comment about the policing of it now, as the last time I drove it was in 2010, but back years ago I used to drive on ride it on average 20-30 times a year. Outside the towns in was 100km/h zones, which most people would rarely hit, unless you are a local/regular who knew the road. The Police presence was high on weekends, when it is very busy, and the local Lorne copper would sit on the entrance to the town every Sunday afternoon to nab people. So drive it midweek, when it will be quite, not stuck behind campervan after campervan, and you will not have a problem finding a parking spot in the towns to stop of lunch, or waiting for a table.
I drove the road a month or so ago in the week before visiting the GP in Melbourne. It was one of the highlights of our hol in Aus (of which there were loads) and I would recommend it for anyone that likes coastal scenery. Our itinery was Melbourne - Phillip Island (night one visiting penguins) then across the ferry from morninton peninsula and down to Torquay (start of Great ocean Rd) and onto Lorne (second night) - then onto Worrnambool (night 3) and then back to Melbourne. As earlier poster says there are Koalas which you can view closely from the rd at Otway. this is a short spur off the great Ocean Rd but I would say a must do.
On another point for a brit on hol - Australia is very ££££££: Aus $ expensive
Do NOT stay at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Lorne (it was the worst hotel we stayed in by some distance during two months away in Aus and NZ)
On another point for a brit on hol - Australia is very ££££££: Aus $ expensive
Do NOT stay at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Lorne (it was the worst hotel we stayed in by some distance during two months away in Aus and NZ)
You will have the OH with you? Yes, go see the Koala's, or you will never hear the end of it if you don't!!!! Mine went to go visit somewhere in Brisbane where she could hold one, and if should could of got away with stuffing Oscar the Koala in her backpack and take him home she would have. She said he was a bit stinky though....
ETA, you can do the GOR Apollo Bay and back in a day easy enough, but that is not stopping and mooching around the towns and beaches along the way.
ETA, you can do the GOR Apollo Bay and back in a day easy enough, but that is not stopping and mooching around the towns and beaches along the way.
Edited by smack on Monday 22 April 17:57
Just put an enquiry in about staying here: http://www.greatoceanecolodge.com/
Rather breaks the budget but looks amazing.
Rather breaks the budget but looks amazing.
chevronb37 said:
Will two days be enough to drive out and drive back?
Yes but with no stops. And to be honest, you will want to stop, many times to explore. It will be hard going driving through and not having the time to explore the sights on foot. Seriously look into changing your schedule to allow more time. We allowed a week's driving from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Rd and even then wished we had more time.
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