These incredible beaches, rock formations and more are our pick of the best photography destinations on the Great Ocean Road.
Get your cameras and smartphones ready – there is an amazing road trip waiting for you. Australia’s Great Ocean Road boasts some incredible sightseeing locations. We should know – we’ve been running tours there for 22 years!
If you are planning to drive the Great Ocean Road – or want to take a day tour with us from Melbourne – there are some must-visit photography locations. Read on to find out what we think are the best places to take photos on the Great Ocean Road.
The Top 5 Photography Destinations on the Great Ocean Road
Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles are the most famous landmarks along the Great Ocean Road. The Lookout is an excellent photography destination. Depending on what time of day you visit, you will get different lighting, shade and contrasts on the rocks and surrounding cliffs.
The Twelve Apostles are the famous limestone towers located along Australia’s southern coastline. They are on the list of must-see places for any visitors to the Great Ocean Road. These rock stacks rise out of the Southern Ocean – some are around 45 metres tall.
The Twelve Apostles were once part of the coastal cliffs, however the wind and waves have carved caves, arches and towers which can be viewed today.
Loch Ard Gorge
Loch Ard Groge is a photographers dream. With access to the beach and many different viewpoints on the surrounding cliffs, you can capture this location from so many different angles. In addition to visiting the beach, there are other lookouts to explore. The Razorback is the long, narrow, yet very high, rock formation further along the coast. The lookout gives you a close up look at the Razorback as well as the surrounding cliffs, caves and Southern Ocean. The Island Archway is another lookout nearby that showcases two large rock formations that used to form one arch before it fell.
Surf Coast
Victoria’s Surf Coast has many amazing beaches. Whether you want to photograph the waves, the surfers, or the stunning coastal cliffs and scenery – this area has it all. No trip to this beautiful coastline is complete without a visit to the beaches. It’s a chance to discover the best surfing waves and beaches that are home to world surfing professionals’ favourite spots. Bells Beach is a famous location which not only has world-class waves, but a nature reserve and coastal walk on the clifftops. It is also the home of Australia’s surf scene, with famous surf brands such as Rip Curl and Quiksilver originating right along this coast.
Otways Rainforest
The magic of the Otway rainforest can be captured in so many different locations. Try the rainforest walks, or explore waterfalls. Even just stop to take close up shots of the delicate ferns and creatures like black snails and yabbies.
Great Otway National Park stretches along the Great Ocean Road. From Torquay, to the Otways hinterland. There are many locations to visit as you drive along the Great Ocean Road.
Walk amongst tall eucalypt forests, and lush fern gullies in the Otway Ranges. A visit to Maits Rest lets you discover rainforests and giant beech trees – some of which are up to 300 years old. Visit flowing waterfalls or sightsee along the coast on the Great Ocean Walk. Plus you can visit the historic Otway Lightstation or check out some epic surf beaches.
Memorial Arch
The Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch is a popular place for visitors to stop and take photos. You can capture the arch, memorial statues and forest covered hills in the background. Or you can even just snap a selfie as a memory of your trip along this iconic road! The Memorial Arch was built to honour the 3000 service men that worked on and built the road from 1919 to 1932. It was a huge undertaking to carve a road into the rocky coastline, and it provided many jobs for returned servicemen after the First World War. Today, alongside the arch, there are information boards and plaques detailing the construction of the Great Ocean Road.
How to Visit the Great Ocean Road
To visit the Great Ocean Road you can drive yourself, however it is a lot to explore in just one day. If you are visiting Melbourne and have limited time for day trips, a tour might be the way to go.
You can join us for a one day tour of the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne – and see all the highlights in one day. In particular, visiting the Twelve Apostles at sunset is a highlight for photographers.
Here are some photography highlights from our two Great Ocean Road Tours.
Our Sunset Tour of the Great Ocean Road itinerary includes:
- Visit the Twelve Apostles Lookout at Sunset
- Visit the beaches of Victoria’s famous Surf Coast
- Spot wild koalas at Kennett River
- Discover the natural beauty of Loch Ard Gorge
Our Great Ocean Road Day Tour itinerary includes the following:
- Visit to the Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park
- Visit to Loch Ard Gorge, the site of the Loch Ard shipwreck
- A short walk through lush rainforest at Maits Rest
- Viewing koalas in their natural habitat at Kennett River
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
