There is something seriously satisfying about the thought of the envy on people’s faces when you tell them you’re hitting up the Great Ocean Road for a glamping adventure. It is the road trip of all road trips—insane surfing beaches, a beautiful sunrise somewhere new each morning, and unforgettable nights spent in a unique glamping rental.
Constructed in the early 1900s, the Great Ocean Road spans an amazing 243 kilometers between the cities of Torquay and Allansford. It is the only main road along the Victorian coastline, which is perfect for us glampers since it means we can avoid tedious map reading and focus on more important things (e.g. enjoying the views and picking the best spot for lunch). With all this in mind, Glamping Hub has put together some ideas for you to get planning your road trip and—lucky for you—we have the perfect rentals to complement your busy day spent cruising and exploring.
As a general rule of thumb, we think three days for the road trip is enough to see everything. Of course, the views can be enjoyed from your car to cut it shorter, but we’re convinced that the best way to experience this part of the world is to take things slow and make plenty of stops.
This is the perfect trip to tick a ton of things off your bucket list—whether that means dangling your toes off the edge of a vertical cliff top, trekking through rainforests, or koala-spotting in the street. There really is no limit to the adventures waiting to be had here.
It’s difficult for us to recommend exactly where to stop during the road trip since literally every town you will pass through has so much to offer. However, we’ve picked out a few of our personal highlights of the journey and included some amazing rentals waiting to accommodate you along the way.
The gorgeous seaside town of Torquay is widely known as the official starting point of the Great Ocean Road. It is amazing for surfing, and Bell’s Beach is a definite must-see before you even hit the road. 30 minutes inland, this property is the perfect base for glampers who fancy hanging around in the area a little longer to take advantage of all that there is to see.
From this point, get ready to enjoy some amazing views. Make sure to stop off in the towns of Anglesea and Lorne which offer the chance to explore both national parks and gorgeous beaches. This luxury cabin is located in Kennett River and is ideal for an overnight stay before carrying on down to Apollo Bay.
Upon reaching Apollo Bay, follow the Great Ocean Road into the lush Great Otway National Park. This is a fab place to get close to some native wildlife, especially in the conservation center located just 25 kilometers away. It is also definitely worth heading inland a few kilometers to enjoy a treetop walk with Otway Fly Treetop Adventures. Here glampers can also discover Australia’s oldest lighthouse offering incredible vistas of how far you will have come.
About an hour’s drive from this point will lead you to Port Campbell and its famous Twelve Apostles. This is an amazing structure of 12 grand rock stacks that rise up from the ocean close together. It is a magnificent sight that is sure to be a high point of the trip so allocate lots of time for this one! This rental is the perfect base for an overnight stay.
When you’ve finally had your fill, join the Great Ocean Road once more and head to Warrnambool. As the maritime capital, there is a huge amount of history and culture to absorb because cooling off at Logan’s Beach. This is also a great chance to enjoy some whale watching.
The next name on the map is Tower Hill State Park, on the way to Port Fairy. Here glampers can enjoy spotting a range of wildlife including emus and kangaroos while heading through lake-filled craters of an extinct volcano. A little further on, the charming village Port Fairy is famous for fishing and has a lovely, romantic vibe. The river is perfect for a stroll or spend some time exploring the beaches and walking trails along the coast.
This stop officially marks the end of the Great Ocean Road. From here, retrace your steps back home. Make sure to spend some time at the parts you missed and take even more photos at your favorite spots!
P.S. Rumor has it the towns along the Great Ocean Road offer some of the best fish and chips in the world. Glamping Hub is setting you the task of trying as many as you can during your trip—let us know where to find the best!
