1 Cairns and District, North Queensland
2 The Gold Coast, Queensland
3 The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
4 Great Ocean Road, Victoria
5 Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
6 The Kimberley, Western Australia
7 Blue Mountains, New South Wales
8 Sydney Harbour & Sydney Opera House
9 Tasmania's World Heritage Site
10 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory
A journey along Australia's most spectacular road reveals superb coastal scenery, charming old resorts and fishing villages, and a forested hinterland.
Extending from Torquay to Port Fairy, Victoria's Great Ocean Road snakes its way along the state's south-west coast for a distance of 300km. Geelong, 75km from Melbourne, is a good starting point and nearby Bells Beach, one of Australia's surfing meccas, is a good spot to get in the mood for this oceanside drive.
The quiet holiday village of Anglesea is famous for the kangaroos which roam the local golf course, while Lorne offers fine beaches, a delightful seaside resort atmosphere, and forested hillsides inland. Beyond here lies the fishing town of Apollo Bay and magnificent Otway National Park - an irresistible combination of rugged coastline and lush inland rainforest. The coast becomes more dramatic as you reach Port Campbell National Park. This much photographed coastline is the result of erosion caused by wind, rain and the stormy Southern Ocean - a process which has created spectacular formations. The picturesque town of Port Campbell, with its port, historical museum and self-guided heritage trail, is the ideal base for exploring this very special area. Further west along this wild coastline, the aptly named Shipwreck Coast is famous for the migrating whales which give birth here between May and August each year, while the town of Warrnambool offers the interesting Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, a re-created 19th-century village. The Great Ocean Road proper ends at the charming fishing village of Port Fairy, where there are over 50 National Trust listed buildings, beaches and coastal cruises to enjoy.Bus: None: driving is recommended
Train: West Coast Railway to Warrnambool only
Other: Ballarat
Info: Geelong and Great Ocean Road Visitor Centre, Princes Highway, Geelong (Phone: 1800 620 888 (toll free) or (03) 5275 5797 Hours: Daily 9-5. Closed 25 Dec); www.greatoceanrd.org
| COUNTRY |
| Australia
|
| Viewing |
| Top Ten |
| What To See |
| Where To ... |
| Practical Matters |
| REGION |
| CITIES |
| MAPS |
| World |
| Europe |
| TRAVEL BOOK |
 |