The best natural wonders to explore in and around the Great Ocean Road region

The Great Ocean Road region is one of our state’s most famed destinations, home to the grand heritage-listed thoroughfare snaking 240 kilometres along the south-west coast of Victoria with awe-inspiring views of the Southern Ocean and, of course, the 12 Apostles. This makes for an intensely scenic coastal drive starting at Torquay just 1.5 hours from Melbourne and hugging the seaside cliffs all the way to Allansford outside Warrnambool (a roughly three-hour journey from Melbourne).

We’ve teamed up with Visit Victoria and Visit Great Ocean Road to bring you a fresh guide to what makes the Great Ocean Road region so breathtaking. As part of their ‘Stay close, go further’ campaign, we took a three-day jaunt down the coast and around the region. This time, we skipped the Apostles and instead took a grand tour of the plentiful untapped treasures by the seaside and a little further inland.

Photograph: Carmen Zammit | Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre

BACK TO NATURE

Learn about Indigenous history with the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tour

Just over an hour’s drive from Warrnambool lies one of the oldest and most extensive aquaculture systems in the world. The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape on Gunditjmara Country is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Indigenous area where you’ll find the Budj Bim Volcano and Tae Rak (Lake Condah).

We headed to the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre on the banks of the ancient lake for a tour with our guide, Gunditjmara man Braydon Saunders. Through Saunders’ enigmatic storytelling, we learned about the 6,000 year (at least) history of Gunditjmara aquaculture in and around Tae Rak, where volcanic rock was used to create channels, manage water flows and farm Kooyang (eels).

Next, Saunders took us to see the remnants of stone huts, teaching us to identify them for ourselves and explaining how they were shared among families who came to Tae Rak to catch eels. Hearing about how the Gunditjmara people have fought to protect their Country and seeing ancient history before our eyes was a deeply moving experience. We wrapped up the tour with a Kooyang tasting plate at the centre’s Bush Tucker Café, which was a smoky and savoury revelation. 

Photograph: Carmen Zammit | The Grotto

Drive down the Great Ocean Road to the Bay of Islands and the Grotto

There’s no denying that the limestone formations along the Great Ocean Road are the crowning jewels of the region, so we took the picturesque drive to take in two of the most stunning specimens. First we headed to the Bay of Islands, a collection of limestone stacks blasted into shape by the winds and waves of the Southern Ocean over millions of years. Taking in the sheer power of the water was a reminder of the ferocity of nature. Next, we stopped by the Grotto for a peaceful interlude. Limestone cliffs have fallen away to create a peekaboo arch and serene rock pools. We only had a short time to soak in the atmosphere, but it’s the kind of place you could sit for hours to reset your brain.

Photograph: Carmen Zammit | Proudfoots by the River

EAT

Lunch on the deck at Proudfoots by the River

This late 1800s boathouse boasts expansive views of Warrnambool’s Hopkins River and a deck that makes for the perfect spot to linger over their elegant, native ingredient-forward lunch offering and a glass of white wine. The warm staff and chatty locals were quick to make us feel welcome in Warrnambool, and the scallops with sage and saltbush burnt butter sauce may have been seared in a pan, but they were so good they’ll also be forever seared in our memories. The native spiced market fish was another showstopper (we got snapper, but the selection varies), as was the potato gnocchi with macadamia pesto.

Photograph: Carmen Zammit | Pavilion Café and Bar

Watch the horses train over breakfast at Pavilion Café and Bar

We had panoramic views of Lady Bay, the Southern Ocean and Middle Islands through the glass walls at Pavilion Café and Bar. Show up first thing in the morning and you might be lucky enough to see horses parading through the water with their wader-clad trainers. The modern meets mid-century decor made for a snug respite from the chilly morning, which is no doubt why the place seemed so popular with the local pre-work coffee crowd. We had the pancakes with whipped cream cheese and the maple toasted granola with passionfruit and kiwi, both of which put a pep in our step.

Photograph: Carmen Zammit | Surfside Holiday Park

STAY

Kick back in your beach chalet at Surfside Holiday Park

We took off for an oceanside stroll almost immediately after checking in to our beach chalet at Surfside Holiday Park. With its prime location right opposite Warrnambool Beach, it would’ve been rude not to! Our two-bedroom chalet had that classic coastal charm along with all the modern creature comforts you could ask for, and the spacious front deck was the perfect place to unwind with a book and a cuppa.

Photograph: Carmen Zammit | Timboon Tiny Homes

Hear the birds sing at Timboon Tiny Homes

After our time in Warrnambool, we headed to Timboon, a village 2.5 hours from Melbourne and a stone’s throw from the natural wonders of the Great Ocean Road. After a long day of exploring we checked into our new hinterland digs at Timboon Tiny Homes. These luxe miniature homes are the definition of cute and cosy, with each one named after a different flavour from the boutique ice creamery next door (see below). It’s the perfect setting to sit out on the deck, listen to the birds and enjoy a glass of pinot noir from Basalt Wines (see below).  

Photograph: Supplied/Visit Victoria | Deep Blue Spa

EXPLORE

Sink into a twilight session at Deep Blue Bath House & Day Spa 

Walking through the sheer curtain-lined hallway into Warrnambool’s Deep Blue Bath House & Day Spa felt like entering a new dimension of pure bliss. We indulged in a twilight session in the hot springs of their open-air sanctuary. Follow the self-guided bathing journey through the mineral-rich pools – including a magnesium foot spa, heavy cascading waterfalls, an Otways-inspired rainforest pool and sensorial caves – for the ultimate R’n’R. Inside tip: wear dark coloured bathers to avoid discolouration from the sulphur in the water and use the dry spinners before you leave so you don’t have to deal with wet togs.

Photograph: Carmen Zammit | Schulz Organic Creamery and Café

Eat the best cheesecake of your life at Schulz Organic Dairy

If you’re from Melbourne and you like your coffee, you’ve probably already tried Schulz’ organic dairy milk – it’s the only milk Market Lane Coffee will use. We went straight to the source and grabbed some breakfast at the Schulz Organic Creamery and Café while we were in Timboon. Simon Schulz, whose family has been running the on-site dairy farm for 50 years, took us to see some calves from one of the three herds that produce the famous milk and we promptly lost our composure over how tiny and friendly the little ones were. Simon also encouraged us to try the ‘here to enjoy’ cheese platter, featuring their special quark cheese (Oma’s recipe), and the cheesecake, which had an unforgettable moreish tang.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE….

Smooth cream-inal: Timboon Fine Ice Cream is right next to the tiny homes and the sweet treats are made with milk straight from the neighbour’s farm. Getting a cone is a must and they’ll let you try their custom flavours until you find your perfect match. If you’ve got little ones in tow you can also book into Sundae School to make your own ice cream. 

Hearty meal: The Cally Hotel is a step up from your usual pub fare in an inviting heritage building complete with grand arched hallways and a fireplace. The pasta marinara is incredibly fresh.

Get a taste: The whisky tasting at Timboon Railway Shed Distillery is a steal at $15. Stay to try the share plates  – our favourite was the fresh steamed mussels in a creamy white wine and garlic sauce.

Dessert with a difference: Lynda and Peter from Dairylicious Farm Fudge make their fudge with more dairy and less sugar. Trust us, the results speak for themselves. The shop and café in Jancourt East near Timboon also hosts cake Sundays for the local dairy farmers, to encourage them to take a break.

Time for wine: Just outside Port Fairy in Killarney you’ll find Basalt Vineyard restaurant and cellar door. It’s definitely worth the short detour to pop in for a tasting, a cheese board or the smoked eel with local Tower Hill potatoes. 

Logan’s Beach: The natural wonders don’t stop just because the Great Ocean Road does. Between June and September every year, southern right whales migrate into Warrnambool for calving season. Make your way to the Logan’s Beach viewing platform to catch a glimpse as they come within 100 metres of the shore.