Throughout history trips to the sea have been sought out by the adventurous, the curious, and even those in search of refreshing. The renewing powers that the ocean possesses have long been an unspoken, but known wonder to the world. This is why a trip to Australia and a drive down The Great Ocean Road is just what you need. While wild waters around the globe can produce a similar sense of amazement, the spectacular scenic drive down this famous road is in a class of its own.
Tumbling, rich blue waters with foaming white caps do nothing short of imprison the senses. This passage is breath-taking, and uplifting to the mind and spirit. As one of the world’s most scenic shorelines, The Great Ocean Road is aptly named for its natural splendor. However, a visit to the Antarctic Ocean may also be just what the doctor ordered. Its beauty mixed with the salted scrub of sea air running through the lungs should leave just about any onlooker feeling wholly consumed.
A drive down The Great Ocean Road is filled with hues of deep blues and towering cliffs, and is home to other famous natural wonders like the Twelve Apostles, The Grotto, and others. It also cruises through several quaint ocean-side towns like Apollo Bay and Anglesea.
The B100 highway covers 151 miles (243 km) of Australia’s eastern peninsula in Victoria – spanning from Torquay to Allansford. Grandly enough, it’s seen nearly 90 years of Aussie shoreside history since its opening in 1932. The Great Ocean Road runs through old fishing villages, rolling hillsides and farmland, all the while following the steady motion of the near-omnipresent Southern Ocean. A drive down this highway is the picturesque venture of a lifetime.
The Great Ocean Road has Something for Everyone
If you’re in the mood to take on the full extent of The Great Ocean Road you won’t be disappointed. This thoroughfare has something for everyone. The highway prides itself on a blend of terrains, as mentioned earlier. Even if you aren’t drawn to the ocean like so many others – maybe the mountains are more your speed – definitely give this drive a go! From sheep-smattered hilltops to lush, green farmlands, and even dense forests in-between, the seaside is only one part of this vast road.
Along its 151-mile span, tucked throughout the route is the Great Otway National Park. Some portions of the road will give you views of both park and sea, while other parts veer you completely away from the ocean and into a thick, winding wooded road. This highway is truly an adventure, taking those who dare from sandy shores below to mountain tops overlooking the world beyond.
It should be safe to say that this route most certainly boasts something for every taste. But more than that, while it caters to those avidly seeking out nature, it should also deeply resonate with those city seekers as well. It really is that amazing! Who knew nature could be so dazzling?
Breathtaking Attractions – Stop at The Twelve Apostles
While there are several points of interest along The Great Ocean Road, one of the most famous is the Twelve Apostles. And rightly so! These “limestone stacks” located along the route at Princetown are beyond awe-striking. The ruddy brown blended with the aqua blue of the sea are gorgeous, to say the least. Their appearance is as if God Himself reached down with a paintbrush and dolloped these massive stones into His ocean canvas. And the hanging cliffs misted in sea spray, looming just off the shore, will leave you overwhelmed with their splendor.
Of course there are many pull-offs and lookouts that are well-worth the stop on your drive down The Great Ocean Road, but our biggest recommendation is stopping at the Twelve Apostles. It’s free, a quick and easy walk, and will leave you literally stunned at its beauty.
The Twelve Apostles can be reach by many alternate routes and highways depending on which part of Australia you’re traveling from. This is a practical option as cascading the entirety of The Great Ocean Road will take well over five-six hours (if not longer with stops along the way!). If you have the time, however, taking in the Road with a stop at the Apostles would make for one grand day out.
So what are you waiting for? If you’re in Australia or considering a trip to the Land Down Under, put The Great Ocean Road on your itinerary. It’s exhilarating, breathtaking, and will leave you speechless. Drive down The Great Ocean Road and be prepared to be amazed, refresh your spirit, and feel nature at its best.
