Things to Do on the Great Ocean Road

Things to Do on the Great Ocean Road

Skydive over the Great Ocean Road

Some views are worth jumping out of a plane for. The Tandem Skydive Over the Great Ocean Road from 15,000ft gives you 60 seconds of freefall at 220km/h before your instructor brings you gently back down over Torquay and Bells Beach. It’s the highest jump on offer in the country, and the coastline looks unreal from up there. Browse more skydiving experiences if you want to compare heights and locations.

See it all from a helicopter

Prefer to keep the plane door shut? The Torquay and Bells Beach Scenic Helicopter Flight for 2 traces the Surf Coast from the air, taking in the beaches and headlands that make this region famous. It’s a lovely thing to gift someone who’s seen the road by car and wants a completely different angle. More options over on helicopter flights.

Learn to surf on the Surf Coast

Torquay is the birthplace of Australian surf culture, so it’s a fitting place to catch your first wave. The Torquay Group Surfing Lesson – 2 Hours has an experienced coach walk you through paddling out, catching a wave and standing up, starting on the sand and finishing in the water. Just up the road, the Anglesea Stand Up Paddle Lesson – 90 Minutes is a gentler way onto the water, gliding along the Anglesea River past waterbirds and bushland. Find more at surfing and surf lessons.

Take a Great Ocean Road tour

Want someone else to do the driving? A guided tour lets you soak up the scenery without watching the road. The Great Ocean Road Day Tour runs from Melbourne through Torquay, Kennett River and Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, with a guide sharing the history along the way. For golden-hour magic, the Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour – Full Day times your arrival at the Apostles for sunset, when the limestone stacks turn pink and gold. Explore more day trips and tours.

Walk it, wildlife and all

To really feel the place, get out and walk it. The 12 Apostles, Otways and Great Ocean Road Hiking Tour combines the big-name landmarks with quieter trails through the Otways rainforest. For something slower and family-friendly, the Great Ocean Road Guided Wildlife Walk – 75 Minutes takes you through the Otways just minutes from Apollo Bay, with a conservationist guide pointing out the animals that call it home. See more at animal experiences.

Most popular Great Ocean Road attractions

The road links up a run of remarkable sights. The must-sees include: the Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Bells Beach, London Bridge, the Bay of Islands, Great Otway National Park, Port Campbell National Park, Apollo Bay, Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne.

Not sure which experience to pick? A RedBalloon Gift Voucher lets the recipient choose their own moment, and it works across everything on the site.

Explore More of Victoria

Once your Great Ocean Road plans are locked in, the rest of the state is worth a look too.

– Things to do in Melbourne – The natural start or end point for your road trip, packed with dining and flying experiences.

– Geelong and the Bellarine – The gateway to the Surf Coast, with wineries and waterfront just a short drive from the road.

– Yarra Valley – Cellar doors and hot air ballooning an hour from the city.

– Mornington Peninsula – Hot springs, beaches and vineyards on the other side of the bay.

– Phillip Island – Penguins, wildlife and coastline south-east of Melbourne.

– Daylesford and Hepburn Springs – Spa country in the Central Highlands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do on the Great Ocean Road?
The most popular experiences are guided tours to the Twelve Apostles, learning to surf at Torquay, skydiving over Bells Beach, scenic helicopter flights along the Surf Coast, and wildlife walks through the Otways rainforest near Apollo Bay.

What are the must-see stops on the Great Ocean Road?
The essential stops are the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps, the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch at Eastern View, Bells Beach, London Bridge and Apollo Bay. Kennett River is the spot for wild koalas.

Where are the best viewpoints for the Twelve Apostles?
The main Twelve Apostles viewing platform in Port Campbell National Park offers the classic view. Gibson Steps, a short drive away, lets you stand on the beach and look up at the stacks. Sunset and sunrise deliver the best light, which is why sunset tours are so popular.

How many days do you need for the Great Ocean Road?
You can drive the highlights in a single day from Melbourne, but two to three days lets you slow down, add experiences like a surf lesson or wildlife walk, and reach the Twelve Apostles without rushing.

Is the Great Ocean Road better as a day trip or overnight?
A day trip covers the icons and suits tight schedules. An overnight or two-day trip is better if you want to watch sunset at the Apostles, explore the Otways and fit in more than one experience without the long same-day return drive.

Where can you see wildlife on the Great Ocean Road?
Kennett River is famous for wild koalas in the eucalyptus canopy. The Otways near Apollo Bay are home to kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and abundant birdlife, best seen on a guided wildlife walk.

What is the best time of year to visit the Great Ocean Road?
Summer (December to February) brings the warmest beach weather and longest days. Autumn and spring offer mild conditions and fewer crowds. Winter is quieter and dramatic, with big surf and whale sightings possible along the coast.