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| Victoria's Great Ocean Road | |||||||
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 ictoria has a lot to offer local, interstate and even international travellers. Australia is known for its all-encompassing coastline and the Great Ocean Road offers some of the most majestic views of these serene environments.
Construction on the road begun in 1918 and was finished during the Great Depression. It was a public works project to give returned soldiers and unemployed people work. The Great Ocean Road officially starts in Geelong and winds its way for about 250 kilometers to finish up not far from the South Australian border, 12 kilometers east of Warnambool. Getting there is fairly simple - it's about an hours drive west of Melbourne along the Princes Highway. There are a number of ways to see the Great Ocean Road, with the motor car the most popular choice. My personal favorite is on the back of a motorbike, the fresh sea-breeze cool respite on a sunny day. Coach trips are also a favorite for those who don't like driving around twisty, winding roads. 
Driving from one end of the Great Ocean Road to the other is a bombardment of the senses. You'll get to see the amazing surf beaches and the Southern Ocean stretch all the way to the horizon. There's tranquil bays and inlets, rolling hills, rocky outcrops, gargantuan cliff faces and even lush rainforest. The Great Ocean Road also offers the Twelve Apostles and other scenery, the likes of
which is unique to the region. One of the more popular drives involves taking the Great Ocean Road from Geelong to Warnambool, then heading back to Geelong through the Otways, much of which consists of dense rainforests. If the Great Ocean Road is a little overcrowded, taking the back way is good idea. Just follow the Princes Highway instead of the Great Ocean Road. There are numerous towns dotted along the pristine coastline, with Lorne and Apollo Bay the most popular. Lorne isn't too far from Geelong, about 45 minutes - quicker if you're up for a 'spirited' drive. The serene town is often recognized for its Mediterranean feel, with plenty of trendy beach-side cafes, restaurants and the accompanying exotic cars and motorcycles lined up along the main strips. It's a sight to behold on a sunny weekend, to be sure. Lorne is also home to a number of specialty shops and boutiques, always full of people wanting to take something unique home to remind them of the scenic environs. Lorne's beach is also well protected from the massive Bells Beach-like swells that are so prevalent in the region, ensuring everyone can have a safe swim. Further down the Great Ocean Road, you'll come across Apollo Bay. Hovering above the grassy rolling hills, it's here that you'll often see hang-gliders and para-gliders making the most of the afternoon breeze, and down below fishing boats coming in from their daily trawls, even surfers dropping in on the occasional wave. The sense of relaxation in Apollo Bay is striking - you just have to have a three-hour coffee and newspaper session - it's the done thing. This can be made all the more inspiring thanks to the amazing vistas. The crescent-shaped bay to the south, the green hills and rainforests of the Otways to the north - it's very idyllic. Whether you just want to surf, see the sights or do something more adventurous, the Great Ocean Road is as good a place as any. The mood is always cheery and the views - sublime. With its fairly close proximity to Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road is a great way to spend a day, or better yet, a weekend. Worldroom: Melbourne City Guide Victoria Weather:
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