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March 26, 2012

The Great Ocean Road in Photos

Ali Travel Tips & Stories Australia, round the world, solo travel

Day two of our Great Ocean Road tour was better than day one in several ways. The scenery got better and better, I took almost twice as many pictures, and no animals crapped on me. The Great Ocean Road, especially the section called the Twelve Apostles, was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. We were all blown away and left speechless. Even now, I feel like the only way for me to really tell you how amazing it was is to show you with photos. Words don’t do the Great Ocean Road justice.

Our morning began with another hike to a waterfall. This one was a little bigger, and the pool the waterfall landed in was large enough to swim in. I chose not to get in the near freezing (or so it felt) water but two others in the group did.

Great Ocean Road Australia

We also hiked through a forest with trees similar to the redwoods in California. You might not be able to tell from the picture, but these trees were enormous.

Great Ocean Road Australia

Then we finally got to the main event – the 12 Apostles. That’s the name for the huge rock formations sticking up from the water in this particular area.

12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Australia

There aren’t actually 12 of them, and one collapsed in recent years, leaving eight.

12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Australia

There are quite a few other other rock formations jutting out of the ocean, so we made lots of stops along the way for more photos.

Great Ocean Road Australia

This was the most spectacular beach of the whole two days. If it weren’t for the lack of palm trees, I would’ve thought this was some remote tropical island.

Great Ocean Road

This is called London Bridge, and it used to be connected. But, according to our guide Walter and the posted sign, on January 15, 1990, the main arch cracked and fell into the ocean. No one was injured, but two people did get stuck out on the part not connected to the mainland. They were rescued by a helicopter hours later.

London Bridge, Great Ocean Road Australia

Great Ocean Road Australa

Late in the afternoon, Walter started driving us back to Melbourne on an inland road that went through some dairy farms. I was back at the hostel in St. Kilda by about 6:30 or 7:00. After talking with some people who did day trips and were completely exhausted from being rushed around all day, I’m glad I opted for a two day trip. My one regret was that I wasn’t able to see the sunset at the 12 Apostles. If I ever get the chance to go back to the Great Ocean Road, I will probably rent a car to have even more time and flexibility to explore.

Looking for a tour of the Great Ocean Road? I took this tour and loved it! You can read my full review of the Great Ocean Road tour here.

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46 Comments

Andrea
March 26, 2012 @ 8:49 AM

Beautiful photos Ali! I fail as an Aussie for never having driven the Great Ocean Road but you’ve inspired me to do it on my next trip back home.
- Ali
  March 26, 2012 @ 11:19 AM
  
  Thanks Andrea! You really should, it’s amazing! Probably my favorite part of Australia.
Andrea
March 26, 2012 @ 2:39 PM

Beautiful photos! It’s great that you got to spend more than just one day on the Great Ocean Road – many visitors do just a day trip and I don’t even know how they can see much in just one day.
- Ali
  March 26, 2012 @ 8:23 PM
  
  Thanks Andrea! I am soooo glad I did this in two days. I think I got to see more, and I got to enjoy it more because I wasn’t so rushed.
Francy R
March 26, 2012 @ 3:12 PM

Stunning shots! You’re very lucky to spend few days in this gorgeous place! Looking at your picks ant reading your posts, seems to me like I’ve already been there, though I haven’t…unfortunately!!
Enjoy your stay!
- Ali
  March 26, 2012 @ 8:25 PM
  
  Thanks Francy! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, I hope you make it there someday!
Someday I'll Be There - Mina
March 26, 2012 @ 3:44 PM

This is really amazing! I wonder why the people that got stuck at ‘london bridge’ didn’t think of just jumping in the water. is it shallow? (very important questions i am asking here!)
- Ali
  March 26, 2012 @ 8:40 PM
  
  Thanks! I think the water there is pretty shallow and the rock is pretty high up. I’m sure they considered it but realized it wouldn’t end well if they jumped.
Sabrina
March 26, 2012 @ 9:42 PM

Beautiful! The last one is my favorite. Total postcard shot!
- Ali
  March 26, 2012 @ 11:35 PM
  
  Thanks Sabrina! I really like that one too!
tehnyit
March 26, 2012 @ 10:29 PM

Great photos. The Great Ocean Road holds fond memories for me. My brother-in-law got married on a small seaside town called Cumberland River. It has only a caravan park in the town. I regularly visit Warrnambool, and Lorne over the Christmas period. That part of the Victoria is very, very inspirational.
- Ali
  March 26, 2012 @ 11:36 PM
  
  Thanks! That must’ve been an amazing place for a wedding! This was one of my favorite parts of Australia.
Erik
March 27, 2012 @ 1:43 AM

I loved the Great Ocean Road when I did it back in 2001- beautiful coast, wildlife, cute little towns- what’s not to like!
- Ali
  March 27, 2012 @ 1:54 PM
  
  Thanks Erik! I agree, it’s an amazing part of Australia!
Andi
March 27, 2012 @ 5:06 AM

I think these are the best pics you’ve ever taken!
- Ali
  March 27, 2012 @ 1:55 PM
  
  Thanks Andi, that’s so sweet of you to say!
Leslie (Downtown Traveler)
March 27, 2012 @ 5:10 AM

Great post and photos! It brings back memories of our road trip through Oz which took us through the Great Ocean Road and into the Outback. It’s so scenic 🙂
- Ali
  March 27, 2012 @ 1:57 PM
  
  Thanks Leslie! It was so beautiful there I was in awe the whole time!
Laurence
March 27, 2012 @ 5:30 PM

This road trip was absolutely phenomenal. So much so in fact that I did it on both my trips to Australia 🙂 Fabulous photos!
- Ali
  March 27, 2012 @ 5:45 PM
  
  Thanks Laurence! I don’t blame you, it’s one of the few things I’d ever want to repeat on my travels. Loved it!
Christy
March 27, 2012 @ 5:47 PM

Beautiful photos! I wish we had seen this on our trip to Australia. I only recently learned that there are not 12 rocks. Funny how they try to trick us like that. 🙂
- Ali
  March 27, 2012 @ 11:41 PM
  
  Thanks Christy! Yeah, I guess 8 Apostles just doesn’t have the same ring to it!
Barbara Weibel
March 27, 2012 @ 6:30 PM

Gorgeous photos, Ali!
- Ali
  March 27, 2012 @ 11:41 PM
  
  Thanks Barbara!
Christy @ Technosyncratic
March 27, 2012 @ 9:14 PM

I’ve never been to Australia and I don’t know much about the area, but this drive looks gorgeous! It reminds me of driving along the Oregon coast, only with better weather. 😛
- Ali
  March 27, 2012 @ 11:42 PM
  
  I’ve never been to Oregon, but what I’ve seen looks pretty. If you make it to Australia, do your best to see the Great Ocean Road, it’s just amazing!
Judith
March 27, 2012 @ 11:08 PM

Just wanna tell you I found this post fascinating and I’ll be pinning this on pinterest!
- Ali
  March 27, 2012 @ 11:42 PM
  
  Thank you so much Judith, I appreciate that!
dtravelsround
March 28, 2012 @ 1:42 AM

These are beautiful!!
- Ali
  March 28, 2012 @ 11:44 AM
  
  Thanks!
Matthew Cheyne
March 28, 2012 @ 11:11 PM

These pics are so beautiful. Perfect weather. Perfect shots. I have so many fond memories of when I first went to the Great Ocean Road as a small boy. Like you said it was a shame that you didn’t get to see the sunset there but there is always next time. Now you know first hand why I rave so much about the place 🙂
- Ali
  March 28, 2012 @ 11:47 PM
  
  Thanks Matthew! Yes, I completely understand why you rave about it! Hopefully I will make it back there someday, and I will definitely make sure I see the sunset over at the 12 Apostles.
Jaime
March 31, 2012 @ 1:50 PM

Wow these photos are amazing no joke. This makes me wanna go to Australia right now. So did you get into any of these beaches? Damn… this is beautiful. Really wow… I am sure even these photos don’t do it justice!
- Ali
  March 31, 2012 @ 6:24 PM
  
  Thanks! We went to some of the beaches, but not for too long since I was on a tour. The weather was nice, but I don’t think it was quite warm enough to lounge in my bathing suit anyway. And no, the photos don’t do it justice. This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen and I really spent the whole time saying “this is so gorgeous!”
Eric @ Trans-Americas Journey
April 4, 2012 @ 4:21 AM

Beautiful photos. Hopefully we’ll get to do this trip one day
- Ali
  April 4, 2012 @ 11:20 AM
  
  Thanks Eric, I hope you do too!
Kurt
April 6, 2012 @ 9:21 PM

Look at those beaches and rock formations along the coast. Looks (a little) like some of the coastline in California. Great photos.
- Ali
  April 7, 2012 @ 11:31 PM
  
  Thanks Kurt! The Great Ocean Road was so amazing!
Jennifer
June 8, 2012 @ 5:01 PM

Wow, I really love the photos, especially the first one of the waterfall! We’ve not been to Australia yet. I think it’s time to go already!
- Ali
  June 8, 2012 @ 6:03 PM
  
  Thanks Jennifer! You should really go, it’s such a great country, and the Great Ocean Road was probably my favorite part!
6 Countries for New Travelers
January 3, 2013 @ 8:04 AM

[…] for a taste of city life. Don’t forget the side trips from these two cites, such as the Great Ocean Road (from Melbourne) and the Blue Mountains (from Sydney). Travel to the northeast coast for beaches, […]
Simple Australia Itinerary
February 17, 2013 @ 8:05 AM

[…] Great Ocean Road is a stunning stretch of coastal road that starts not far from Melbourne. You can do this as a day […]
Louisa klimentos
February 12, 2015 @ 2:44 AM

What beautiful comments about the Great Ocean Road.I have read some negative comments.i have seen some that prefer .The sea to Sky highway,Amalfi coast ,Capetown and north Cornwall.I can’t see that the drive is so boring like some of the comments ,that i read.I have been to the spectacular Grampions then drove down to Port Campbell national park ,saw the magnificient 12 Appostles then headed to Wilsons Promontory,which is mind blowing beautiful.I don’t care what other tourists say,I think the Victorian coast is awsome.Next time i go down I ill love to do the great ocean walk.You will see more of the coast than by car
- Ali
  February 12, 2015 @ 11:26 AM
  
  Thanks Louisa! The Great Ocean Walk sounds interesting, enjoy!
Synz
February 24, 2018 @ 1:43 PM

Great photos! I need to add this to my Australia itinerary. 😀
- Ali
  February 25, 2018 @ 1:21 PM
  
  Thanks! You definitely need to see the Great Ocean Road!