Australia’s Great Ocean Road is frequently described as one of the most scenic littoral drives in the world. This trip took me through winding roads, stirring escarpments, and some indelible hassles with native wildlife. From spotting a massive red kangaroo on the road to driving alongside the Southern Ocean , this trip had everything — unanticipated stops, long divergences, and an inconceivable evening at The Twelve Apostles .
Setting Off from Melbourne
The trip began in Melbourne , Australia’s alternate- largest megacity and frequently regarded as one of the most inhabitable metropolises in the world.
| City | Population | State | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | |||
| 51 million | Victoria | Coffee culture, sports, Great Ocean Road access |
My friend Sky , firstly from England , was my trip companion for this trip. She had preliminarily visited India , where we first met, and we decided to embark on this adventure together.
To reach the Great Ocean Road , we had two options
- The littoral route ( scenic but takes4- 5 hours)
- The inland route ( briskly but less scenic,3 hours) We chose the scenic littoral drive , knowing it would take longer but offer the stylish views.
First Stop Memorial Arch – Gateway to the Great Ocean Road
The sanctioned starting point of the Great Ocean Road is the Memorial Arch , which commemorates the dogfaces who erected this 241 km long road after World War I.
| Landmark | Significance |
|---|---|
| Memorial Arch | erected in 1919 , honors World War I stagers |
| Great Ocean Road | 241 km of scenic bank |
Upon arriving, the parking lot was packed — a memorial that this was one of the most popular sightseer routes in Australia . The road, originally erected to connect littoral municipalities, has now come a major magnet due to its cliffside views and winding paths.
Scenic Drive Along the Coast
The coming stretch of the drive was spectacular, with ocean views on one side and thick timbers on the other . still, one thing stood out
Warning signs about kangaroos crossing the road.
| Wildlife on the Road | position |
|---|---|
| Kangaroos | Open fields, littoral roads |
| Koalas | Eucalyptus trees |
| Echidnas | Bushland areas |
And also, it happed.
While driving, we saw a massive red kangaroo right in the middle of the road. The moment was surreal. The kangaroo stood still for a many seconds before painlessly springing across the road and fading into the backwoods .
Seeing a kangaroo in the wild, not in a zoo, was commodity I had been hoping for.
Lunch Stop A Original Café with a Shark Burger Option
We stopped at a small country café for lunch. The menu had a variety of options, including
- 1. Fish & Chips – 20 AUD
- 2. Veggie Burger – 18 AUD
- 3. Shark Burger – 22 AUD
- Yes, a shark burger. While it sounded interesting, we stuck to a regular fish burger. still, one major issue at the café —flies far and wide. It reminded me of sitting coming to a cattle field in pastoral India.
Koala Spotting in the Wild
After lunch, we took a diversion to a wildlife hotspot known for koala sightings.
crucial Data About Koalas
| point | Fact |
|---|---|
| Sleep Duration | 19- 21 hours a day |
| Diet | Eucalyptus leaves |
| Water Consumption | Infrequently drink water, get hydration from leaves |
| Native To | Only set up in Australia |
After searching for a while, we eventually spotted a koala grandly over in a eucalyptus tree. It was slightly moving — true to its character of being one of the laziest creatures in the wild.
Cape Otway Lighthouse – Where the Road Meets History
Further on, we reached Cape Otway, home to Australia’s oldest surviving lighthouse . This position is notorious for its shipwreck history and stunning cliffside views.
| Landmark | erected In | Height | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Otway Lighthouse | 1848 | 20m | major shipwreck bank |
Unfortunately, the lighthouse was closed , but we still managed to explore the hiking trails around it. The wind was so strong that flying a drone was nearly insolvable.
The Highlight The Twelve Apostles at Sunset
As the day was nearing its end, we rushed toward The Twelve Apostles , the most notorious magnet along the Great Ocean Road.
| Twelve Apostles | Fact |
|---|---|
| Limestone gemstone conformations | Formed by corrosion over thousands of times |
| Number of pillars left | Firstly 12 , now only 8 remain |
| Sunset viewing | One of the stylish spots for photography |
We reached just in time for evening . The golden light reflecting on the limestone heaps created an indelible view. Strong winds, cold temperatures, and crashing swells made the experience indeed more dramatic.
Final studies – Was It Worth the Drive?
Pros ✅
✔️ Indelible littoral views
✔️ Seeing kangaroos and koalas in the wild.
✔️ The Twelve Apostles at evening.
Challenges ❌
❌ The drive is long (11 hours round trip)
❌ Massive sightseer crowds at crucial stops
❌ precious food and energy
This road trip had everything wildlife, dramatic geographies, and history. still, the Great Ocean Road is a must- drive route , but it’s stylish enjoyed over two days rather than cramming everything into one long drive , If you are in Australia.
