Great Ocean Road

The south-west coastline of Victoria between Moonlight Head and Port Fairy is a treacherous section of coast that has claimed more than 160 ships and earnt it the name Shipwreck Coast. Discover the stories of the ships that foundered along the coast at local museums and along the Shipwreck Trail, along which signs and plaques tell the tales of dozens of wrecks and identify their resting places. Highlights are Loch Ard Gorge, where you can discover the history of the Loch Ard, wrecked in 1878 and Wreck Beach. The name Wreck Beach is derived from the still visible anchors of two ships wrecked along the beach, the Marie Gabrielle in 1880 and the Fiji in 1891.

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool is a re-created seaport village typical of the late 1800s when Warrnambool was a thriving centre of international sea trade. There are replicas of many buildings of the time, including a sail maker's loft, town hall, bank and chapel.

The number of disastrous shipwrecks along the coast resulted in the construction of a lighthouse in 1848 on the point of Cape Otway. It guided ships bound for Port Phillip through the narrow entrance to Bass Strait. Today you can climb to the top of the lighthouse, mainland Australia's oldest, for breathtaking views. The Cape Nelson Lightstation near Portland is also open to visitors and offers guided tours.

At towns such as Portland and Port Fairy, charming National Trust-classified homes, modest cottages and stately buildings are everywhere you look.

Warrnambool is the largest town on the Shipwreck Coast and a popular destination for whale watchers, who come to see southern right whales and their calves in the shallow waters off Logans Beach during their annual migration (between May and October)

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Beach heaven

Some of the world's best beaches are found along the Great Ocean Road. From protected family coves to pounding surf there is a stretch of coast to suit. Some beaches are patrolled by lifeguards in summer. more

Drive the Great Ocean Road

One of the world's most spectacular coastal drives, the Great Ocean Road winds past quiet bays and beaches, rainforests, and historic shipwreck sites for some 106 kilometres west of Geelong. First stop is Torquay - Australia's 'Surf City'. This magnificent stretch of coastline produces the best waves this side of Hawaii. Every April, Bells Beach hosts the Rip Curl Pro and Sun Smart Classic, the most prestigious World Championship Tour event in the world. At nearby Anglesea, golfers tee off among kangaroos that relax under shady trees and graze the fairways. Further along the coast is Lorne and the surrounding Otway Ranges, where waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers and bubbling streams swirl beneath canopies of giant trees and ferns to the ocean below. Explore the Otway National Park, with its lush rainforest scenery complete with bush tracks, picnic spots and Otway Fly Tree Top Walk that leads visitors through the forest canopy. For most the Great Ocean Road's highlight is Port Campbell National Park, home of the Twelve Apostles and other natural landmarks, such as London Bridge and the Bay of Islands. The ancient limestone stacks were formed by thousands of years of the sea and wind erosion, are can be seen from scenic flights that take off nearby, or by following boardwalks to lookouts. The Shipwreck Coast is a graveyard for over 160 ships that foundered in the treacherous seas. It is also a popular destination for whale watching. From May to September rare southern right whales calve in the shallow waters off Logans Beach at Warrnambool. The historic fishing village of Port Fairy, once home to a large Irish community, boasts colonial architecture, cafes, galleries and historic boutique accommodation. more

While the Twelve Apostles area is known for its scenic beauty, there is also plenty of adventure to enjoy. The brave can try abseiling and rock climbing, while those who like to get their feet wet can enjoy surfing, canoeing and kayaking. Bushwalking and mountain bike climbing gets you up-close to nature, while coach or four-wheel drive tours are ideal for a day's rest. more

Whales and Wildlife

In winter, the Great Ocean Road becomes a viewing spot for southern right whales as they migrate to give birth. One of the best vantage points is a viewing platform on Logan's Beach, Warrnambool Foreshore, where you may also see bottlenose dolphins. Australian fur seals are best seen from Cape Bridgewater's viewing platform. On the land, koalas and kangaroos are often seen, and for birdwatchers, Griffiths Island at Port Fairy has a large colony of short-tailed shearwaters.