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The Great Ocean Road is a 243 km coastal drive in Victoria, Australia, running from Torquay to Allansford near Warrnambool. Built between 1919 and 1932 as a memorial to the soldiers of World War I, it threads past surf beaches, the Otway rainforest and the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles. This guide covers the climate month by month, the best time to drive it, every major town along the way, the things to do, and where to stay.
Welcome to the Great Ocean Road
The road began as a public works project for about 3,000 returned soldiers, who carved the route out of basalt cliffs and Otway forest with picks, shovels and explosives. It opened in stages and was sealed through to 1932, and it is still recognised as the world’s largest war memorial. Today the drive carries more than 2.5 million visitors a year, most of them stopping at the Twelve Apostles, Bells Beach and the Otway waterfalls, and the coast remains Victoria’s most popular scenic route outside Melbourne.
Great Ocean Road Weather at a Glance
The coast has a temperate maritime climate, mild in summer and cool in winter, with rain spread evenly through the year. Apollo Bay, the midpoint town, averages a January high of 22°C (72°F) and a July high of 13°C (55°F), and rainfall runs between 45 mm and 108 mm a month depending on the season. Sea temperatures sit between 13°C (55°F) in August and 19°C (66°F) in February, so the ocean is a wetsuit proposition all year.
The Otway Ranges behind the coast are a different climate again, cooler by 3°C to 5°C and wetter, with some gullies receiving more than 1,800 mm a year. The full month by month numbers, including a comparison table, are in our weather by month guide.
Great Ocean Road Seasons at a Glance
- Summer (December to February): 21°C to 23°C highs, 7 to 8 sunshine hours a day, lightest rain but peak crowds and prices from Boxing Day to late January.
- Autumn (March to May): 16°C to 21°C, settled seas and low rain in March and April, the best months for photography and quiet lookouts.
- Winter (June to August): 13°C to 14°C highs, 95 to 108 mm of rain a month, Southern Right Whales calving at Warrnambool and the lowest prices.
- Spring (September to November): 16°C to 19°C, wildflowers in the heathland, whales still passing in October and lighter traffic than summer.
Explore the Great Ocean Road: Complete Guide
- Great Ocean Road Weather by Month: monthly temperatures, rainfall and sea temperatures, with a comparison table for Apollo Bay.
- Best Time to Visit the Great Ocean Road: the best months for weather, low prices and few crowds, with event dates.
- Things to Do on the Great Ocean Road: the Twelve Apostles, Bells Beach, Otway waterfalls and wildlife, with prices and hours.
- Great Ocean Road Events and Festivals: the Rip Curl Pro, Pier to Pub, seafood festival and whale season, season by season.
- Great Ocean Road Towns and Stopovers: what Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell and Warrnambool each offer, with hotel prices.
- Where to Stay on the Great Ocean Road: the best hotels in Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell for every budget.
- Great Ocean Road Travel Tips and FAQ: airports, driving distances, fuel stops, costs, safety and common questions.
Where Is the Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay, about 100 km southwest of Melbourne, and runs west along the Bass Strait coast to Allansford, just east of Warrnambool. The drive sits within Victoria’s Surf Coast and Shipwreck Coast, with the Otway Range rising behind the middle section. Geelong, 75 km southwest of Melbourne, is the last city before the coast, and the nearest airports are Melbourne Avalon (AVV) and Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL).
Great Ocean Road Quick Facts
- Length: 243 km (151 miles) from Torquay to Allansford.
- Built: 1919 to 1932, by about 3,000 returned World War I soldiers.
- Nearest airports: Melbourne Avalon (AVV), 1 hour 15 minutes to Torquay; Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL), 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Best months: March and April for weather, May and September for low prices and no crowds.
- Whale season: June to September at Logan’s Beach, Warrnambool.
- Main attraction: the Twelve Apostles, free and open 24 hours.
Where to Stay on the Great Ocean Road
Accommodation runs from beachfront resorts in Lorne to seaside motels in Apollo Bay and holiday houses in Port Campbell, with prices roughly doubling over summer and Easter. The three best bases are Lorne for beach and cafes, Apollo Bay as the midpoint, and Port Campbell for the Apostles at sunrise. See our where to stay guide for a full area by area breakdown, then shortlist below.
Suggested Hotels in Great Ocean Road
Mantra Lorne
Lorne’s only beachfront resort, spread over 12 acres with tennis courts, a putting green, an indoor heated mineral pool and a gym. Best for couples and families who want resort facilities on the sand. Check rates and availability
The Apollo
A modern apartment hotel on the Great Ocean Road in Apollo Bay with ocean views, balconies and a rooftop terrace, steps from the beach and cafes. Best for couples who want sea views and a short walk to dinner. Check rates and availability
Coastal Motel
A high scoring budget motel in the heart of Apollo Bay with barbecue facilities, free parking and rooms with kitchenettes, rated 9.6 by guests. Best for self catering travellers on a budget. Check rates and availability
