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The Great Ocean Road runs 243 km along Victoria’s southwest coast, from the surf town of Torquay to Allansford near Warrnambool. The weather changes fast along the drive. The exposed Southern Ocean keeps coastal towns mild, while the Otway Ranges behind Apollo Bay are the coolest, wettest stretch, with more than 1,800 mm of rain a year in some gullies. This is a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers, cool winters and no dry season. Pack layers whatever month you travel. For the full route and town by town detail, see our Great Ocean Road guide.
Great Ocean Road Weather by Month: Climate Overview
The coast sits between Bass Strait and the Otway Range, so temperatures stay narrow all year. Apollo Bay, the halfway town, averages a January high of 22°C (72°F) and a July high of 13°C (55°F). Summer heatwaves do arrive, pushing some days past 35°C (95°F) in Torquay, but the sea breeze normally caps coastal highs in the low 20s. Sea temperatures range from about 13°C (55°F) in August to 19°C (66°F) in February, which is why surfers wear wetsuits year round. Rainfall is spread evenly, between 45 mm and 108 mm a month, and a full day of rain can arrive in any season.
Inland is a different climate. The Otway rainforest around Maits Rest and Melba Gully gets roughly double the coastal rainfall and sits 3°C to 5°C cooler than Lorne or Apollo Bay. If you plan to hike the Otway waterfalls, check the forecast for the specific track, not the coast. Our things to do guide covers the main rainforest walks, and town by town guide breaks down what each stopover offers.
Great Ocean Road Weather by Month: Monthly Averages
The table uses Apollo Bay figures as a midpoint for the route. Torquay and Warrnambool run about 1°C warmer by day in summer; the Otways run 3°C to 5°C cooler year round.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain (mm) | Sea (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°C (72°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 48 | 18 |
| February | 23°C (73°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 45 | 19 |
| March | 21°C (70°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 | 18 |
| April | 19°C (66°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 67 | 17 |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 | 15 |
| June | 14°C (57°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 95 | 14 |
| July | 13°C (55°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 105 | 13 |
| August | 14°C (57°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 108 | 13 |
| September | 16°C (61°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 92 | 13 |
| October | 18°C (64°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 | 14 |
| November | 19°C (66°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 63 | 15 |
| December | 21°C (70°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 55 | 16 |
Great Ocean Road Weather by Month: Summer (December to February)
Summer is the warmest and busiest season. Daytime highs sit around 21°C to 23°C (70°F to 73°F) and sunshine averages 7 to 8 hours a day, so beach towns fill up from Boxing Day through late January. Rain is the lightest of the year, around 45 mm to 55 mm a month, but afternoon southerly changes can drop the temperature 10°C in under an hour. School holidays run from mid December to late January, and accommodation prices roughly double in Lorne and Apollo Bay, so lock in a base early via our where to stay guide. Surf at Bells Beach and Point Addis is most reliable from March, not December.
Great Ocean Road Weather by Month: Autumn (March to May)
March and April are the calmest months of the year, with highs near 19°C to 21°C (66°F to 70°F), low rainfall and settled seas. This is the best stretch for coastal photography and the Twelve Apostles without summer crowds. By May the westerlies return, rainfall climbs to about 82 mm and highs drop to 16°C (61°F). The Rip Curl Pro surf contest at Bells Beach runs over Easter in most years, part of our events and festivals calendar. See best time to visit guide for a full month by month planning guide.
Great Ocean Road Weather by Month: Winter (June to August)
Winter is cool, wet and quiet. Highs average 13°C to 14°C (55°F to 57°F), overnight lows reach 6°C (43°F) and June, July and August each bring 95 mm to 108 mm of rain. This is the season for Southern Right Whales: mothers and calves shelter in the shallows off Logan’s Beach at Warrnambool from June to September. The Otway waterfalls run at full flow, and glow worms at Melba Gully are easiest to see in the long dark evenings. Bring a waterproof jacket and expect some attractions to run shorter winter hours.
Great Ocean Road Weather by Month: Spring (September to November)
Spring warms gradually from 16°C (61°F) in September to 19°C (66°F) in November, with rain easing to about 63 mm by late spring. Wildflowers appear across the Anglesea heathland and the Otway forest floor, and migrating whales can still be seen off the coast into October. November brings longer days and the first reliably warm beach weather, while school groups and weekend traffic are still light compared to summer. Check travel tips guide before you go for what to pack each season.
