Great Ocean Road

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Great Ocean Road Surfcoast Highway
The Great Ocean Road from Teddys Lookout in Lorne Formerly
Length	243 km (151 mi)
General direction	East-West
From	Princes Highway, Belmont, Geelong
via	Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Apollo Bay,Lavers Hill, Port Campbell, Peterborough
To	Princes Highway, Allansford, Victoria
Established	1932

The Great Ocean Road is a 243 km stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Warrnambool.^[1] The road was constructed to provide work for returning soldiers and dedicated as a Memorial to those killed in the First World War.^[2] It is one of Australia's great scenic coastline drives.

Location

The Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and travels westward to the outskirts of Warrnambool. The road forms about 90% of B100 (previously designated as State Route 100), the remaining 10% known as the Surfcoast Highway which joins Geelong to Torquay.

History

The Great Ocean Road was built by 3000 returned servicemen (or "Diggers") as a war memorial for fellow servicemen who had been killed in the First World War.

The idea for the road was suggested as far back as 1864. Surveying began in 1918 and construction took place between 1919 and 1932.

Parts of the Great Ocean Road run around steep coastal mountains. These were the trickiest and the final sections to be built.

In 1922 the section from Eastern View to Lorne was completed.

In 1932 the section from Lorne to Apollo Bay was finished, thus completing the entire road.

Coastal sections

Much of the road hugs the coast tightly, offering outstanding views of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.

Between Anglesea and Apollo Bay is a particularly scenic stretch of road which passes through many towns where mountains meet the sea. The main beach in Lorne offers great views of Louttit Bay nestled in a natural amphitheatre of hills, and Teddy's Lookout is not far from the main street.

The section near Port Campbell provides access by foot or helicopter to some of the most scenic coastline in the world, because of its striking and dramatic natural limestone and sandstone rock formations. These formations have been created by erosion from waves and rain and include Loch Ard Gorge, the Grotto, London Bridge (renamed to London Arch after the 'bridge' partly collapsed), and most famously the Twelve Apostles.

Mountain and forest sections

Around Lorne there are many forest walks which visit impressive waterfalls. Erskine Falls is a 15 minute drive inland from Lorne. Kennett River is a popular spot for koala spotting.

Between Apollo Bay and Gellibrand Lower, the road passes through the Great Otway National Park, which includes some of the last surviving temperate rainforests in the south of Australia. A walk at Mait's Rest offers spectacular views of tree-ferns and Myrtle Beeches.

After Lavers Hill is Melba Gully State Park which includes a 40-minute walk through tree ferns, Myrtle Beeches, Australian Blackwoods, passing a giant Otway Messmate and beautiful river cascades. If you return at night with a spotlight you will see thousands of Arachnocampa glowworms.

Speed limits

The road's speed limit varies from 80 km/h (50 mph) to 100 km/h (62 mph) out of urban areas. However, its sharp curves make it difficult to maintain those speeds. It is a two lane roadway (one lane in each direction). Urban area speed limits vary from 50 km/h (31 mph) to 70 km/h (43 mph). There are speed cameras at intervals along the road.

Gallery of sights and tourist landmarks

Great Ocean Road	Twelve Apostles	Island Archway as it appeared before its partial collapse in June 2009	The Blowhole
The Grotto	London Arch (formerly known as London Bridge before collapse of land section)	Rough seas batter rock formations along the Great Ocean Road	A secluded bay along the Great Ocean Road
Rock arch and rough seas along the Great Ocean Road	Blowhole	Thunder cave

See also

• Howard Hitchcock
• Highways in Victoria
• Loch Ard Gorge
• The Grotto
• London Arch
• The Twelve Apostles, Victoria
• Great Ocean Walk

References

External links

• Official Website of the Geelong Otway Tourism Region of the Great Ocean Road
• Official Great Ocean Road website

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