Alpine to ocean: road tripping in Victoria
Posted 11 May, 2021
Jeremy Rochow
From the Southern Ocean to the mighty Murray, Victoria is a land of ever-changing landscapes.
If you’re driving from South Australia, follow the winding Murray and explore the many townships dotted along Australia’s longest river.
Head inland across the Mallee and within a couple of hours, the ancient Grampians will rise above the surrounding bushland.
South of the Grampians, you’ll find temperate rainforests in the Great Otway National Park – home to giant eucalyptus trees.
Nearby, weave your way along the Great Ocean Road with its picturesque views.
Here are some of our favourite Victorian road trips, taking in 3 of the state’s most stunning landscapes.
Great Ocean Road
Built by returned World War I soldiers to reach isolated southern coastal communities like Lorne, the Great Ocean Road is now one of Australia’s most famous tourist drives.
You’ll be mesmerised by the sweeping ocean views, steep cliff faces and dense rainforest as you make your way along this National Heritage-listed road.
Part of Victoria’s Great Southern Touring Route, the Great Ocean Road stretches 234km from Allansford to surfing hotspot, Torquay.
While it’s possible to complete the route in a day, it’s best to spread it out over a few, and explore every nook and cranny. Along the coast, you’ll want to visit tourist hotspots like the 12 Apostles, London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge and The Grotto.
Following your visit to the 12 Apostles, make your way to the Great Otway National Park.
Stretching from Torquay to Princetown and inland to Colac, the park features stunning limestone cliffs and natural rock formations as well as dense rainforest, waterfalls and lakes.
The 25m-high Otway Fly Tree Adventure through the giant eucalyptus forest is a highlight, offering breathtaking views. For thrill seekers, zipline through the leafy treetops, 30m above the forest floor.
For those wanting to explore the Otways a little more, visit Wildlife Wonders. Here, you can enjoy a 75-minute guided walk through Otways bushland and learn about the local wildlife and conservation.
Where to stay
For a truly spectacular beach view, try the Cumberland Lorne. It overlooks the water and is close to some tasty restaurant options.
The Grampians
Search ‘The Grampians’ on Instagram and you’ll be met with thousands of images of the Pinnacle Lookout. It’s no surprise the Grampians are one of the most Instagrammed locations in Australia.
Stepping out to the Pinnacle Lookout, it’s easy to see why. As you reach the vantage point, you’ll be met with breathtaking views of Halls Gap and the Grampians’ many peaks.
Located along the Great Southern Touring Route, at the southern tip of the Great Dividing Range, Grampians National Park is a favourite among hikers.
