Australia🇦🇺 | landmarksGreat Ocean RoadLimestone stacks, Loch Ard cove, Bells surf break, roadside koalas | things to do and best time to go

Apollo Bay is the best base for most backpackers, roughly the midpoint of the drive, with a small hostel scene, a harbor, a Saturday market and cafes within walking distance of the beach. It is also the easiest place to meet other travelers, and the Otway rainforest and Cape Otway lighthouse sit nearby.Lorne suits you if you want surf lessons, a lively main street and easy walks to waterfalls such as Erskine Falls. It is pricier in summer, but its pubs and beach make it social.Torquay, at the eastern start, is the surf capital with the most budget beds and a young crowd. It works well if you arrive … read more 👉

Apollo Bay is the best base for most backpackers, roughly the midpoint of the drive, with a small hostel scene, a harbor, a Saturday market and cafes within walking distance of the beach. It is also the easiest place to meet other travelers, and the Otway rainforest and Cape Otway lighthouse sit nearby.Lorne suits you if you want surf lessons, a lively main street and easy walks to waterfalls such as Erskine Falls. It is pricier in summer, but its pubs and beach make it social.Torquay, at the eastern start, is the surf capital with the most budget beds and a young crowd. It works well if you arrive from Melbourne by train and bus and want to start with a surf lesson.Port Campbell is the closest town to the Twelve Apostles, small and quiet, and good for sunrise or sunset visits when the day-trippers have gone. Warrnambool, at the western end, is larger, with more choice, supermarkets and a train link back to Melbourne. Camping and holiday parks are common along the route and are the cheapest option if you have a car or campervan. Book ahead for summer weekends and school holidays, since towns fill early.