What is the Great Ocean Road?
The Great Ocean Road is a famous coastal drive in southwest Victoria, running about 243 kilometres from Torquay to Allansford near Warrnambool. It was built by returned First World War soldiers.
Construction began in 1919 and the road was completed in 1932. Around 3,000 returned servicemen worked on it, often using picks, shovels and explosives along steep cliffs. It is considered the world's largest war memorial.
The road passes surf beaches, rainforest, waterfalls and seaside towns such as Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell. A memorial arch near Eastern View marks its history.
Highlights along the way
Major sights include Bells Beach, Great Otway National Park, the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. Wild koalas are often seen at Kennett River.
Many visitors drive the road over two or three days. The Great Ocean Walk follows the coast from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles.
The road is narrow and winding in places, so drivers are advised to take it slowly. Lookouts and rest stops along the way give safe places to stop for photos.
Did You Know?
The road was built partly to give work to returned soldiers and to link isolated coastal communities.