{"id":2876,"date":"2025-10-10T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/great-ocean-road-australien-schoenster-roadtrip\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T19:06:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T19:06:48","slug":"great-ocean-road-australien-schoenster-roadtrip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/great-ocean-road-australia-beautiful-road-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Ocean Road Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Great Ocean Road \u2014 Why this road trip was my highlight in Australia<\/h2>\n<p>243 kilometers of coastal road, rugged cliffs, turquoise water, and koalas hanging in eucalyptus trees right next to the road\u2014the Great Ocean Road in Victoria is the road trip every traveler to Australia has to do. I drove the route twice: once rushing through it in one day (mistake) and once over four days, stopping at every viewpoint (right).<\/p>\n<p>After over 40 road trips worldwide, I say: The Great Ocean Road belongs in the top 3. Not because it&#039;s the longest or wildest route, but because the density of wow moments per kilometer is simply unbeatable. Every 10-15 minutes, a viewpoint that&#039;s better than the last.<\/p>\n<h2>The route \u2014 From Melbourne to Allansford<\/h2>\n<p>The Great Ocean Road officially begins in Torquay (about 1.5 hours southwest of Melbourne) and ends in Allansford near Warrnambool. Most people drive the route from east to west\u2014this has the advantage of keeping you on the ocean side and giving you direct views of the cliffs.<\/p>\n<h3>Stage 1: Torquay \u2192 Apollo Bay (115 km)<\/h3>\n<p>The first section is the most winding and also the most spectacular. The road clings to the cliffs, and a new view of the surf opens up at every bend. Highlights:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Bells Beach:<\/strong> One of the most famous surf spots in the world. Even if you don&#039;t surf, the waves here are impressive. From the viewpoint at the top, you can watch professional surfers riding 3-4 meter high waves.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Split Point Lighthouse:<\/strong> A photogenic lighthouse in Aireys Inlet with panoramic views. Perfect for drone photography \u2014 I took one of my favorite pictures of the entire trip here with my DJI Mini 5 Pro.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lorne:<\/strong> A charming coastal town with good cafes. The Erskine Falls waterfall is worth a short detour (10 minutes from the highway).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Kennett River Koala Walk:<\/strong> Here are the koalas. Right by the road, in the trees. Just drive slowly and look up. I saw eight koalas in 20 minutes\u2014no zoo, no entrance fee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Stage 2: Apollo Bay \u2192 Port Campbell (100 km)<\/h3>\n<p>Here the road leaves the coast and leads through the Great Otway National Park \u2014 rainforest with ferns several meters high and waterfalls. After that comes the section that most people come here for in the first place:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Twelve Apostles:<\/strong> The Twelve Apostles are enormous limestone cliffs in the sea, shaped by millions of years of erosion. Only eight remain standing; the rest have collapsed. The viewpoint is free to access, and at sunset the cliffs turn golden. Unfortunately, drone flights have been prohibited here since 2020 (national park).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gibson Steps:<\/strong> A steep staircase leads down to the beach right next to the Twelve Apostles. From below, the 70-meter-high cliffs look even more imposing. Caution: The beach is submerged at high tide\u2014check the tide times!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Loch Ard Gorge:<\/strong> A narrow gorge, named after a shipwreck from 1878. The turquoise water in the sheltered bay is surreal and beautiful \u2014 one of the most photogenic places I have ever seen.<\/li>\n<li><strong>London Arch:<\/strong> Formerly London Bridge, until the arch collapsed in 1990 (two tourists had to be rescued by helicopter). Still impressive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Stage 3: Port Campbell \u2192 Allansford (65 km)<\/h3>\n<p>The least visited section \u2014 and precisely for that reason, quiet and relaxed. The Bay of Islands has similar rock formations to the Twelve Apostles, but without the crowds. In Warrnambool, you can watch southern right whales from the shore between June and September \u2014 for free.<\/p>\n<div class=\"module gallery module-gallery tb_85093 layout-grid\" style=\"padding:5% 0;\">\n<div class=\"module-gallery-grid\" style=\"--gald:3;--galt:3;--galm:3\">\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-f1.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_85093\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-c1.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-f2.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_85093\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-c2.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-f3.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_85093\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-c3.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>My photo and video setup for the Great Ocean Road<\/h2>\n<p>The Great Ocean Road is a photographer&#039;s paradise. My setup:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sony A7 IV<\/strong> with 16-35mm f\/2.8 for wide-angle landscapes<\/li>\n<li><strong>DJI Mini 5 Pro<\/strong> for aerial photography of the coast (under 249g = allowed in most areas)<\/li>\n<li><strong>DJI Action 6 Pro<\/strong> Mounted as a dashcam in the car \u2014 the time-lapses of the coastal road are brilliant<\/li>\n<li><strong>ND filters:<\/strong> Essential for long exposures of surf (ND64 or ND1000)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Drone notice:<\/strong> Drones are prohibited in national parks (Twelve Apostles, Great Otway NP). However, the coastal areas in between are legal and offer spectacular aerial views. Always check the CASA app beforehand.<\/p>\n<h2>Cost \u2014 How much does the Great Ocean Road cost?<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Position<\/th>\n<th>budget<\/th>\n<th>Comfortable<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Rental car (4 days, from Melbourne)<\/td>\n<td>180-280 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>350-500 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Petrol (approx. 500 km total)<\/td>\n<td>50-70 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>50-70 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Accommodation per night<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac30-60 (Hostel\/Camping)<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac120-250 (Boutique)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Food per day<\/td>\n<td>25-40 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>60-100 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Twelve Apostles helicopter ride<\/td>\n<td>\u2014<\/td>\n<td>130-200 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Otway Fly Treetop Walk<\/td>\n<td>\u2014<\/td>\n<td>~22 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Total for 4 days:<\/strong> \u20ac400-700 (budget) or \u20ac1,000-2,000 (comfort). The road trip itself costs virtually nothing \u2014 there are no tolls and all viewpoints are free.<\/p>\n<div class=\"module gallery module-gallery tb_96418 layout-grid\" style=\"padding:5% 0;\">\n<div class=\"module-gallery-grid\" style=\"--gald:3;--galt:3;--galm:3\">\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-f4.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_96418\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-c4.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-f5.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_96418\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-c5.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-f6.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_96418\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-great-ocea-c6.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Practical tips from personal experience<\/h2>\n<h3>When to go?<\/h3>\n<p>The best time is <strong>November to March<\/strong> (Australian summer). Longer days mean more light for photos. But even in summer it can get chilly on the coast\u2014always bring a jacket. In winter (June-August) there are fewer tourists, but the weather is unpredictable and some hiking trails may be closed.<\/p>\n<h3>How many days should I plan for?<\/h3>\n<p>At least <strong>3 days<\/strong>, Ideally, 4-5 days. Driving through in one day is possible, but you&#039;ll miss out on 90% of the experience. The best moments\u2014koalas in Kennett River, sunset at the Twelve Apostles, hiking in the rainforest\u2014take time.<\/p>\n<h3>Driving on the left<\/h3>\n<p>Australia drives on the left. The winding coastal road takes some getting used to at first, especially with oncoming traffic in narrow sections. My tip: Take it easy on the first day and don&#039;t get stressed out by the oncoming traffic. After 2-3 hours, driving on the left will be routine.<\/p>\n<h3>Don&#039;t forget to refuel!<\/h3>\n<p>There are hardly any petrol stations between Apollo Bay and Port Campbell. Fill up in Apollo Bay \u2013 the next section is the wildest and most beautiful, and you don&#039;t want to be stranded on the side of the road with an empty tank.<\/p>\n<h2>Great Ocean Road vs. other road trips \u2014 My honest comparison<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Road trip<\/th>\n<th>Landscape<\/th>\n<th>Photo spots<\/th>\n<th>Cost<\/th>\n<th>Overall impression<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Great Ocean Road (AUS)<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Route 1, Big Sur (USA)<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Ring Road (Island)<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Garden Route (South Africa)<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The Great Ocean Road narrowly wins for me over the Ring Road in Iceland \u2014 mainly because of the better weather and wildlife (koalas, whales, parrots right by the road).<\/p>\n<h2>FAQ \u2014 Great Ocean Road<\/h2>\n<h3>Can I do the Great Ocean Road as a day trip from Melbourne?<\/h3>\n<p>Technically, yes\u2014many tour buses offer that. But then you&#039;ll only have a maximum of 30 minutes at the Twelve Apostles and miss everything in between. If you only have one day, drive directly to the Twelve Apostles (3 hours from Melbourne via the motorway) and take the coastal road back. But really: take your time.<\/p>\n<h3>Do I need all-wheel drive?<\/h3>\n<p>No. The entire Great Ocean Road is paved and in perfect condition. A regular compact car is perfectly adequate. You only need four-wheel drive if you plan to turn onto gravel roads in Otway National Park.<\/p>\n<h3>Are drones allowed on the Great Ocean Road?<\/h3>\n<p>Outside of national parks, yes (under 249g without a license). Drones are prohibited in national parks (Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Great Otway NP) \u2014 fines up to AUD 11,000. However, the coastal stretches between the parks are legal and offer fantastic perspectives.<\/p>\n<h3>When is the best time to watch the sunset at the Twelve Apostles?<\/h3>\n<p>In summer, the sun sets to the left (west) of the rocks\u2014you&#039;ll get the perfect light between 30 minutes before and 15 minutes after sunset. Arrive at least an hour beforehand to secure a good spot by the railing. The parking lot fills up after 5 p.m.<\/p>\n<h3>Is the helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles worthwhile?<\/h3>\n<p>If your budget allows: absolutely. 15 minutes costs around \u20ac130-200 per person, but the perspective from above is a completely different world. The formations, the color contrasts between rock and sea\u2014it&#039;s one of those experiences you never forget. Since drones are banned in the park, the helicopter is the only option for aerial photography.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-top:40px;padding:20px;background:#f8f8f8;border-radius:12px;\"><strong>About the author:<\/strong> Max Haase is Germany&#039;s most influential travel influencer with over 4.2 million followers. He specializes in drone footage and luxury travel. <a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/cooperation\/\">Cooperation requests here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!--themify_builder_content--><\/p>\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-2876\" data-postid=\"2876\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-2876 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<p><!--\/themify_builder_content--><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Great Ocean Road Australia: Great Ocean Road \u2014 Why this road trip was my highlight in Australia 243 kilometers of coastal road, rugged cliffs,\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3508,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_analytify_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ozeanien","category-travel","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2876"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5662,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2876\/revisions\/5662"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}