Plan an unforgettable adventure along Victoria’s most popular coastal drive, the Great Ocean Road. Take the trip in a campervan or tow your caravan and be immersed in fantastic scenery, outdoor activities and untold history. With caravan parks, RV rentals and travel stories highlighting the best things to see and do, it’s never been easier to get out there with CamperMate.
Going the distance is half the fun when you’re on the road in a campervan! Take a scenic drive from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and beyond with our RV rentals from Australia’s leading brands available across the country.
Renowned for the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Bells Beach and the towering redwoods in Otway National Park, it’s not surprising the Great Ocean Road is regarded as one of the most iconic touring routes in the world. The heritage-listed road follows the cliffs between Torquay and Allansford for 243 kilometres, sharing a stunning stretch of Victorian coast with incredible bird habitats, native wildlife and migrating whales.
As well as showing off some of Victoria’s most dramatic seascapes, the Great Ocean Road is also the world’s largest war memorial. Monuments such as the Memorial Arch tribute the 3000 returned Australian soldiers responsible for building the road, but it’s the Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre in Lorne that tells the whole story and puts the GOR’s into historical perspective.
If you’re a fan of maritime history, the Great Ocean Road is home to some of the state’s best and oldest historic lighthouses, including Cape Otway Lightstation, Split Point lighthouse and Cape Nelson.
There’s nothing like exploring on foot to connect with the environment, and the GOR has some ripper hikes. Walking tracks traverse the coastline for the entire length of the road, but if you’re after something easier you can walk the Surf Coast Walk, Great Ocean Walk or the Great South West Walk in sections. For forests and waterfalls, you can’t look past the Otways, particularly the Otway Fly Walk which takes you high above the trees. And then there’s all the walks you can do around the towns, which highlight beautiful heritage architecture.
To make the most of the GOR’s breathtaking scenery and fascinating history, your best bet is to camp along the way. There are some great camping options and caravan parks in Greater Melbourne, and you could also have a pre-trip spell in Geelong or Barwon Heads. Book a stopover at Lorne, Apollo Bay, Cape Otway or Princeton, before completing the route just shy of Warrnambool. The journey continues beyond the Great Ocean Road with Port Fairy and Portland offering up equally dramatic scenery – without the crowds – before you hit the South Australian border.
CamperMate’s blog is chock-full of information and inspiration from our crew of travelling storytellers. From road trips and destination guides to camping and 4WD advice, you’ll find everything you need to plan your next adventure.
There are so many different ways to experience the Great Ocean Road. From coastal walks and beach fishing to fungi foraging and festivals, here’s some of the best things to do – including a few ideas to help avoid the crowds.
Instead of heading north when the temperatures turn south, why not head to Warrnambool and discover why it’s the perfect winter escape? There’s a lot going on there and plenty of attractions to keep everyone entertained.
So what the hell is CamperMate? We’re basically a bunch of travel addicts who love the outdoors, which is why we’ve created one place where you can book caravan parks, rent campervans, as well as share your experiences and stories. Whether you’re planning your next Australian road trip or camping adventure don’t forget to download our free app before you go, to find everything you need when you’re on the road.
