Surfing Archives - Visit Great Ocean Road

Contact Us

chris@hypeinc.com.au — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 01:19:41 +0000

Contact Us

Visitor Information Centres

Find your local Visitor Information Centre for all the information about your destination.

List your business on our website

If you would like your business displayed on this website, please touch base via:

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism
Email: info@gort.com.au
Website: www.greatoceanroadtourism.org.au

Competition Entry

Have you entered a competition and need to change your entry contact details?

Get in touch via:

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism
Email: info@gort.com.au
Website: www.greatoceanroadtourism.org.au

Social Media

Follow our journey on social media and share your own with us:

Facebook: Visit Great Ocean Road

Instagram: @visitgreatoceanroad

#visitgreatoceanroad

#visitvictoria

Media Enquiries

For all media enquiries, please get in touch with Liz Price via:

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism
Email: info@gort.com.au
Website: www.greatoceanroadtourism.org.au

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Great Southern Touring Route

chris@hypeinc.com.au — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 02:47:04 +0000

The Great Southern Touring Route is regarded as one of the world’s best road trips Geelong – Great Ocean Road – Grampians – Ballarat

The journey starts in Melbourne and takes in the waterfront city of Geelong, the food and wine region of Bellarine Peninsula and the spectacular Great Ocean Road – including the dramatic rock formation of the Twelve Apostles. It passes through the seaside city of Warrnambool, the majestic nature and Aboriginal heritage of Grampians National Park, the gold rush history and grandeur of Ballarat and the health giving waters of Daylesford and spa country.

Spot wildlife lurking in the bush, whales cruising the ocean and throw a boomerang, delving into the ancient Dreamtime. Taste the gifts of the earth and ocean at the source — mineral springs wellness, fresh seafood and award-winning wines. This road trip offers an adventure full of experiences that will delight and inspire every traveller.

For more information visit Great Southern Touring Route.

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Business Events

chris@hypeinc.com.au — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 23:31:29 +0000

Plan your event in the Great Ocean Road region

The Great Ocean Road region provides a unique setting for hosting your next business event. The spectacular region offers a range of venues to suit groups of all sizes, and in a range of locations both on the coast and in the hinterland. Your delegates will appreciate venues in stunning settings and iconic group experiences such as treetop adrenalin-charged adventures and close encounters with native wildlife.

Here you will find venues equipped for hosting your corporate function or event, plus a range of unique group experiences.

There’s no better place to bring people together to meet, than the Great Ocean Road region.

Top Picks

Great Ocean Road Resort

Mantra Lorne

RACV Torquay Resort

Lady Bay Resort

The Sands Torquay Golf Resort

Explore Venues and Experiences

Anglesea Golf Club

Live Wire Park

King Parrot Cottages and Event Centre Campground

Leaders in the Wild

COPACC – Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre

Wildlife Wonders Tours

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Visiting Responsibly

chris@hypeinc.com.au — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 03:40:05 +0000

Visiting Responsibly

Responsible visitors ensure their behaviour and actions respects the landscape, the wildlife in their own habitat, the community where they are visiting and other visitors enjoying the region. Responsible visitation keeps everyone safe including visitors, wildlife and the community, and contributes to a positive visitor experience.

STAY SAFE TRAVEL HAPPY.

Beware the Naughty Things! They’ll trick you into risky and rude moves. Visit responsibly and don’t let the Naughty Things lead you astray! Your safety, the environment, and the locals depend on it.

Resources

Planning Your Visit

Make sure you plan ahead and book direct, especially during peak times. Booking direct supports the local business.

Visiting our Smaller Communities

Our region has many fabulous small towns and communities who are keen to welcome visitors, however we need to be conscious that businesses in smaller communities can have limited capacity and smaller teams of staff. It is a delicate balance as many of the businesses heavily depend on visitors like you to survive so when you visit ensure you are patient and respectful.

Respect Private Property

The Great Ocean Road has big nature in abundance which we encourage you to explore but private property, the homes and farms of the people that live here are off limits. Please respect that they are the homes and livelihoods of families who work hard to nurture the land and produce the food we all enjoy. Trespassing can disrupt farming activities and put both visitors and livestock at risk. Plus, property owners deeply value their privacy and the peace of their homes. Respecting private property is key to maintaining the harmony of our community.

Mind the Volume

When visiting the region please be mindful of how your actions impact others peace and quiet. Keep noise levels at a reasonable volume – especially during nighttime hours. Be considerate of noise level when using outdoor areas – especially in shared areas like camp areas or parks. Be mindful of your host communities – particularly smaller communities which may be more sensitive to noise.

Enjoy Slow Tourism

Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy your trip. Allow extra time for travel and plan lots of breaks or stops.

Look After Yourself & Each Other

Avoid putting yourself in dangerous situations and share the space respectfully with fellow visitors to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.

Around Water

We love our coast, rivers and lakes but please remember to be safe and responsible and always ensure children are within arm’s reach. If heading for a swim at the beach – please seek out patrolled beaches and swim between the flags. Please also read and abide by any water safety advice, guidance and signage where provided and keep yourself and others safe. For more information, safety guidelines and helpful advice, visit beachsafe.org.au

Be Mindful of Closures

If you see any closed signs along paths or trails, please respect these. Even if it looks OK to you, as it is not safe for you and your family to use them just now – they are closed for good reason.

Hiking and Cliff Safety

Stay on established tracks above and avoid the base of cliffs below by the distance of their height or more.

Look After The Environment

Stay on marked trails and dispose of waste responsibly. Protecting the natural beauty of the region ensures it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Tread Carefully

Please be careful not to disturb any animals or wildlife that you come across. Please help us keep our wildlife wild and do not feed the birds and animals. Additionally, be sure to stay on designated paths for the protection of our ecosystem.

Take care of our area

Please be careful not to Look after the places you love to visit, and always leave the land as you find it. Our beautiful landscapes bring a lot of joy to those lucky enough to live here or visit – make sure that continues to happen by never causing damage – intentional or accidental.

Remember to:

Always take your rubbish home with you
If you’re having a picnic, check the area before you leave for smaller pieces of rubbish easily missed like bread tags, rubber bands and bottle caps – these can severely harm our wildlife and sealife
Stick to pathways
Respect barriers
Never intentionally or recklessly disturb or destroy a plant, bird, animal or geological feature.

10 Ways to Travel Responsibly

Guide to Sustainable Holidays on the Great Ocean Road

Sustainable Businesses

The post Visiting Responsibly appeared first on Visit Great Ocean Road.

Getting Here

chris@hypeinc.com.au — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 02:40:09 +0000

By car, train, bus or ferry - there are plenty of ways to visit the incredible Great Ocean Road

Travel the Great Ocean Road and beyond for one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives.

Experience a diverse array of things to see and do in the region, from outdoor activities such as surfing, scuba diving and sea kayaking to arts, cultural and heritage attractions. Admire the stunning coastline on the Great Ocean Walk and enjoy fine dining, local winemakers and fresh produce along the way. Take the time to explore each destination; from their rich natural environments, their lively cafes and restaurants or enjoy the boutiques and breweries.

Whether you’re after a forest escape, an ocean adventure or the road trip of a lifetime – there’s something for every sense of escape along the Great Ocean Road.

Travelling to Victoria, Australia

Melbourne Airport

Also known as Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne Airport it is the second busiest airport in Australia and is the major airport servicing the city with both domestic and international flights. Transport services and car hire are available onsite with connection to the city by public and private operators. Airport accommodation is available and basic convenience stores, cafes and restaurants are available most hours.

Website: www.melbourneairport.com.au
Phone: +61 3 9297 1600

Avalon Airport

Located just outside of Geelong and only 45 minutes from Melbourne CBD, Avalon Airport is the closest airport to the start of the Great Ocean Road, being only a 35 minute drive from Torquay. It offers easy transport options to Geelong and Torquay as well as plenty of car hire options. Avalon Airport currently supports budget Jetstar flights to and from Sydney, the Gold Coast and Adelaide.

Website: www.avalonairport.com.au
Phone: +61 3 5227 9100
Toll Free: 1800 AVALON (1800 282 566)

Getting to the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road region is extremely large so the times quoted below are about getting you to the start of the region. Plan your trip and explore the best route for what you want to see and where you are visiting or staying.

By Car

Travel time FROM MELBOURNE CBD

1hr 17min

From the Geelong Ring Road you have 3 main options running east to west depending on the journey you want to take and your end Destination.

The Hamilton Highway (B140)
The Princes Freeway (M1)
The Great Ocean Road (B100).

There are also a number of roads connecting to these roads that run North/ south. The road network presents the opportunity to travel through the region one way and return home another.

By Train

Travel time FROM SOUTHERN CROSS STATION

2hr 40min

Train services operated by V/Line are available from Melbourne to Geelong or Warrnambool, stopping along the way in many of the major hinterland towns including Winchelsea and Colac.

To reach coastal towns including Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay, see connecting bus information under ‘By Bus’.

Train times vary and are not available 24/7. Coaches will replace trains on the evening Geelong service, depending on availability.

For train stops and timetables, please visit:

Website: ptv.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1800 800 007

By Ferry

Travel time FROM SORRENTO TO QUEENSCLIFF

40min

Get to or from the Great Ocean Road aboard Searoad Ferries, the car and passenger ferry service sailing between Queenscliff and Sorrento.

Connecting the Great Ocean Road to the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island, the 40 minute crossing is a great alternative to the 3 hour drive around the bay. Easy drive on/drive off. Ferries depart every hour on the hour from 7am to 6pm daily.

Website: www.searoad.com.au
Phone: +61 3 52574500

By Bus

Travel time FROM MELBOURNE CBD

2hr 45min

V/Line provides bus services to and from surrounding hinterland and coastal towns in the Great Ocean Road region.

To visit coastal towns between Torquay and Apollo Bay including Anglesea and Lorne, buses connect at Geelong, Marshell and Colac Stations serviced by the Melbourne – Warrnambool train line.
To visit coastal towns between Port Campbell and Port Fairy, buses connect at Warrnambool Station serviced by the Melbourne – Warrnambool train line
To visit hinterland towns including Forest, Tanybryn, Cobden, Mortlake and Timboon, buses connect at Colac, Camperdown and Warrnambool Station serviced by the Melbourne – Warrnambool train line.
To visit Portland, travel to Warrnambool by train and bus from Warrnambool or Port Fairy to Portland
Bus times may vary and are not available 24/7.

For bus and coach information and timetables visit:

Website: ptv.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1800 800 007

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Surfing on the Great Ocean Road: Your Ultimate Guide

chris@hypeinc.com.au — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 05:33:27 +0000

Top Spots for Beginner or Advanced Surfers

Stretching across kilometres of breathtaking coastline, the Great Ocean Road is renowned for its world-class surf spots, making it a dream destination for surfers of all levels. Whether you’re an experienced surfer chasing big waves or a beginner learning to paddle, this guide will help you navigate the best beaches, understand where to surf safely, and follow the local surf etiquette.

Beginner-Friendly Beaches

For those new to surfing, the Great Ocean Road is also home to many beaches with gentle, forgiving waves, perfect for learning the ropes. These beaches are ideal for beginners, with softer waves and surf schools that offer lessons for all skill levels.

Torquay

The birthplace of the Australian surf industry, Torquay is an ideal spot for beginners. Torquay Front Beach and Cosy Corner are renowned for their small, manageable waves and sandy bottoms, making them ideal for first-timers. Here, you’ll find surf schools like Go Ride a Wave, offering lessons that get you up and riding your first wave in no time.

Anglesea

Anglesea Main Beach is another favourite for beginner surfers. With long, rolling waves that are easy to catch and a soft sandy bottom, it’s a safe spot to practice your paddling and balance. The beach is patrolled during the summer months, providing peace of mind for novice surfers.

Apollo Bay

A relaxed coastal town, Apollo Bay is perfect for beginners and intermediate surfers alike. The waves are gentle and consistent, providing a great environment for improving your skills. With the stunning backdrop of the Otways, this beach offers an immersive surf experience in nature.

Lorne

For those looking for a combination of mellow waves and a scenic beach day, Lorne Main Beach is a fantastic choice. The waves here are smaller and slower, giving beginners plenty of time to stand up and ride without the pressure of fast breaks. Lorne is also a great spot for families and those who want to enjoy the town’s vibrant foreshore between surf sessions.

Iconic Surf Spots for Advanced Surfers

Torquay

Johanna Beach

A little further along the coast, Johanna Beach is the go-to spot when Bells is either crowded or lacking swell. An exposed beach break, Johanna picks up consistent swells, offering multiple peaks and some of the most powerful waves along the coast. This spot is perfect for confident surfers who want to experience the raw beauty and energy of the Southern Ocean.

Gear Hire and Surf Schools

Need gear or lessons? There are plenty of surf schools and rental shops along the Great Ocean Road:

Go Ride A Wave – Anglesea

Apollo Bay Surf & Kayak

Go Ride a Wave – Torquay

For personalised advice and expert recommendations, stop by one of our Visitor Information Centres. Our local Great Ocean Road experts can help you tailor your trip and provide insights on top attractions, camping spots, and travel tips to make your stay unforgettable.

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