Get to know this iconic coastal drive near Melbourne with these facts about the Great Ocean Road.
The Great Ocean Road is an icon of Australia. A scenic road that winds along the coast. You can drive it to discover The Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, the Otways and much more. Or, take a day trip from Melbourne and your passionate guide will show you all the highlights in just one day.
The road was built in the 1920’s as a means of connecting coastal towns to Melbourne. However, it was also intended to be a tourist attraction. Today thousands of people travel the Great Ocean Road to discover Victoria’s southern coastline.
A drive along the coast lets you discover epic surf beaches, rolling green hills, rainforest and rocky headlands. However, there’s many iconic locations to stop and take it all in.
To get you excited for an epic road trip, here are some fun facts about the Great Ocean Road.
10 Fascinating Facts about the Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is 243 kilometres long
The coastal drive starts in Torquay and winds west along the coast to Allansford. Plus the endless curves and bends have many picturesque towns, beaches and lookouts along the way.
It is the world’s largest war memorial
Construction of the Great Ocean Road began in 1919 and lasted until 1932. It was a project that created jobs for thousands of Australian soldiers who had returned from World War I. Therefore the road is dedicated to the Australian soldiers who gave their life in WWI and other wars since, and therefore a Memorial Arch was erected as a tribute.
The 12 Apostles are limestone rocks
The 12 Apostles are limestone rock formations which were originally part of the surrounding coastal cliffs. Over thousands of years, wind, water and erosion has worn away the limestone, leaving the majestic stacks still standing today.
There are not actually 12 Apostles
Today it is debated as to whether there are seven or eight Apostles still standing. One collapsed in 2005. However, there are many similar rock formations along the coast. It can be hard to tell which ones are ‘official’ Apostles and which ones are not.
The 12 Apostles were originally called the Sow and Piglets
English explorer George Bass named the limestone stacks the Sow and Piglets in 1798. However, the name was changed to the 12 Apostles in the 1920’s. It is believed the new name was for marketing purposes – to attract tourists to the ‘in construction’ Great Ocean Road.
There is a species of carnivorous snail in the Great Ocean Road rainforest
The Great Ocean Road is home to the incredible Otway Rainforest. You can take a walk amongst towering eucalyptus trees and impressive tree ferns. Amongst the rainforest floor are some marvelous creatures. The most famous of which is the Otways Black Snail – named after the region. Because it’s one of the world’s only carnivorous snails and it feeds on worms, slugs and other snails.
The Great Ocean Road hosts the world’s longest-running annual surf event
Bells Beach on the Great Ocean Road has hosted an annual surf competition every Easter since 1962. The streak was broken in 2020 but the event has successfully returned and draws the best surfers in the world.
Pier to Pub Ocean Swim Challenge
An annual ocean swimming event in Lorne on the Great Ocean Road draws 5000 competitors every year and many more spectators as well. The event is called the Pier to Pub Race and starts at the Lorne Pier. The ocean swim takes participants in to the main beach and then the tradition is to relax and refuel at the pub afterwards.
There are hundreds of Shipwreck along the Coast
The coastline from Moonlight Head to Port Fairy is known as the Shipwreck Coast. More than 200 shipwrecks have been found on the ocean floor in this area. This is because of treacherous coastline provided such a challenge to sailors in the early days of people migrating to the southern parts of Australia.
Two famous Shipwreck Survivors
The two most famous Shipwreck survivors were Tom and Eva. They were on board the Loch Ard when it crashed into the cliffs and all other passengers onboard lost their lives. However, the story of these two teenagers is synonymous with this coastline and can be discover at the now-named Loch Ard Gorge.
Take a tour with Go West
After 22 years of operating tours to the Great Ocean Road, we know a thing or two about the road. We currently operate two tours that let you experience the nature, wildlife, rainforest and epic coastlines of the Great Ocean Road.
Our Great Ocean Road day tour is for anyone who wants to experience the original and the best day tour from Melbourne.
- Spend the day touring the famous Great Ocean Road, with incredible views around every turn
- Enjoy coffee, tea and cake at our first stop on the picturesque beaches of Victoria’s Surf Coast
- Visit the Memorial Arch and learn about the history and construction of the Great Ocean Road
- See koalas in their natural habitat in the eucalyptus forests of the Kennett River township
- Visit the charming coastal township of Apollo Bay for a lunch break,
- Take a walk through towering eucalyptus trees and lush ferns in the Otway Rainforest at Maits Rest Walk
- Visit the coastal look out for the most famous view – the Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park
- Time permitting, walk down the staircase carved into the cliffs at Gibson Steps
- Visit the incredible beach at Loch Ard Gorge, the site of the Loch Ard shipwreck
Our Sunset Tour of the Great Ocean Road is great for anyone that has limited time or wants to avoid the crowds on the Great Ocean Road. It also has the bonus of sunset at the 12 Apostles.
- Depart Melbourne later in the day to tour the famous Great Ocean Road, with incredible views around every bend
- Visit the Memorial Arch to learn about the construction of the Great Ocean Road
- See wild koalas in the eucalyptus forests of the Kennett River township
- Enjoy a lunch break in one of the Great Ocean Road’s scenic coastal towns
- Drive through the Great Otway National Park
- Marvel at the natural beauty of Loch Ard Gorge and hear the famous tale of shipwreck survival
- Visit the famous 12 Apostles at dusk to watch the sunset, then to see the colours lighting up the sky
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
