When to visit Great Ocean Road?

Plan 2-3 days minimum to fully enjoy. Recommended itinerary: Day 1 — Melbourne → Torquay (1h30, Bells Beach surf, Surf World Museum AUD 13) → Lorne (1h, waterfront lunch, Erskine Falls) → Apollo Bay (1h, recommended overnight, seafood restaurants). Day 2 — Apollo Bay → Cape Otway Lighthouse Road (40 min, free wild koalas from roadside, Cape Otway Lightstation AUD 19) → Otway Fly Treetop Adventures (option, AUD 30) → Port Campbell (1h30, recommended overnight). Sunset at 12 Apostles from Port Campbell (15 min by car). Day 3 — Sunrise at 12 Apostles (without day-tripper crowds), Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge (3 min by car), London Arch (30 min), Bay of Islands (45 min), return Melbourne via interior (3h via Colac and Geelong). For 1 day only, organised excursion from Melbourne AUD 120-180/person — but very long day (14-15h) and limited stops, less recommended.

Yes, absolutely. The Great Ocean Road is only experienced by car to stop at countless viewpoints, hikes and coastal villages. Melbourne rental: AUD 50-80/day for a compact (Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Bargain Car Rentals more economical). Left-hand driving mandatory — be particularly careful at first roundabouts (first hours), keep left. Winding road, caution at curves, speed limited 80-100 km/h. Service stations reasonably spaced (never more than 50 km without pump), petrol price AUD 1.80-2.00/L (more expensive in coastal villages, more economical at Geelong on return). For travellers without licence or driving-phobic, organised day excursions from Melbourne (AUD 120-180/person with Go West Tours, Autopia Tours, Bunyip Tours) — but radically degraded experience (crowds, limited stops, no sunrise/sunset).

Absolute top 10. 1) 12 Apostles (Twelve Apostles Lookout, free, Port Campbell National Park) — 8 limestone pillars remaining, GOR signature. 2) Loch Ard Gorge (3 min drive from 12 Apostles) — spectacular marine gorge, beach stairs, moving 1878 clipper story. 3) Cape Otway Lighthouse Road — wild koalas in eucalyptus, look up, free. 4) Gibson Steps (1 km east of 12 Apostles) — 86-step staircase in cliff to beach, 2 Apostles directly visible at your sides. 5) London Arch (formerly London Bridge, before 1990 collapse) — isolated limestone arch. 6) Loch Ard Gorge complete trail (1h, several viewpoints: Razorback, The Arch, Mutton Bird Island). 7) Bells Beach (Torquay) — legendary surf beach, Rip Curl Pro every Easter. 8) Otway Fly Treetop Adventures (AUD 30) — 600 m treetop walk at 30 m high in canopy. 9) Erskine Falls (Lorne) — waterfall in forest, easily accessible. 10) Sunset at 12 Apostles (golden light, emblematic image).

Two recommended stops for 2-3 day road trip. Apollo Bay (midway, after Great Otway National Park, 4,700 inhabitants): lodging choice (Great Ocean Road Resort 4* AUD 200-350/night, Apollo Bay Eco YHA AUD 80-150, Captain's at the Bay B&B AUD 250-400, motels AUD 100-200), seafood restaurants (Apollo Bay Co-op for fish & chips), ideal for dinner after driving day. Port Campbell (at heart of national park, just before 12 Apostles, 600 inhabitants): very simple village but ideal position to see 12 Apostles at sunrise AND sunset without day-tripper crowds. Limited choice (Port Campbell Hostel AUD 80-150 dorm, Sea Foam Villas AUD 200-350, motels AUD 150-250) — book 1-2 months ahead in high season (December-February). Lorne (1st night option if starting late from Melbourne): wider hotel choice (Mantra Lorne 4* AUD 200-400, motels AUD 100-200). Warrnambool (beyond 12 Apostles, official GOR end): for those combining whale watching at Logan's Beach (June-September).

Yes, at Cape Otway — one of Australia's best spots to observe wild koalas from roadside, for free. 200 km from Melbourne (3h drive), just before Apollo Bay, take Cape Otway Lighthouse Road (detour from Great Ocean Road, 12 km south-west to the lighthouse). This road is lined with manna gums (Eucalyptus viminalis), koalas' favourite food — among Australia's highest wild koala densities. Stop regularly at rest areas, look UP in trees: you will see dozens of koalas (grey-brown, motionless, sleeping 18-20h/day). Often visible 2-5 m from the ground. Bonus: sulphur-crested cockatoos (yellow-crested cockatoos), kookaburras (laughing birds), echidnas (often crossing the road, brake!) are also numerous in the zone. Photographic tip: use a telephoto lens (200-400 mm) for koalas in trees. Don't disturb, don't make noise, don't approach (wild koalas can scratch if stressed).