We Take A Tour Of The Worlds Most Breathtaking Coastal Drives: The Great Ocean Road

Holding on to an upturned lifeboat, in heavy fog and battling a ruthless swell, a young English sailor named Tom Pearce got his first blush of Australia from the water after his ship struck a reef and sank on June 1, 1878.

Pearce was unbelievably tossed on waves through an opening in the soaring cliffs at Cape Otway and endured the wreck of the Loch Ard, washing up on the sand inside a canyon, later named after the ill-fated ship.

Fast-forward 138 years and this treacherous and wildly gorgeous stretch of coastline is still putting on a ferocious program this warm spring morning in Lorne accommodation.

It's tough not to consider young Tom and 19-year-old Eva, the just other survivor of the wreck, as we base on a cliff looking down on that canyon, its abundant yellow beach and the popular 12 Apostle limestone stacks in the distance.

When they were included the water they likewise ended up being immersed in the story of Victoria's Great Ocean Road, their tale informed to this day on indications along the cliff-top tracks, 8 kilometres from Port Campbell.

Considered among the most incredible seaside drives in the world, the 243-kilometre touring path has also been called the world's longest war memorial, having been developed by returned World War I soldiers and dedicated to the fallen.

To mark its 30th birthday this year, Scenic has released a brand-new 11-day Victorian Discovery trip taking in this remarkable coastline. The trip-- a round trip from Melbourne-- checks out the popular surfing beaches around local Apollo Bay accommodation and Lorne before going to Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles, Warrnambool, the day spa town of Daylesford and historic gold rush city of Ballarat.

At the Museum of Australian Democracy (MADE) in Ballarat we see the initial Southern Cross flag as our guide regales us with the heroics of Eureka Rebellion leader Peter Lalor.

Stories of fortunes made and lost, grand structures increasing, pubs burning down and Lalor's journey from rebel gold miner to Speaker of the Victorian Parliament include depth to the sight-seeing around the town built during the Victorian gold rush.

In Geelong, the National Wool Museum is custodian of one of our nation's crucial stories. It commemorates the vital role played by wool farmers in turning early Australia from a nation of failing crops into an export powerhouse.

Detailed, a mix of antique machinery and new technology informs the story of how Australia rode to financial prosperity on the sheep's back.

Our guide brushes us up on our primary school history lessons as we walk through an exhibit showing how fleece ends up being fabric, explaining how farms in this part of Victoria throughout the growing 1860s produced some of the finest grade wools on earth. To this day, the best quality wool available is still referred to as Geelong grade in wool-classing circles.

The Best Activities To Do In Lorne, Apollo Bay Region And The Great Ocean Road

Lorne Festival

From the opening night cabaret to the circus workshop, the Lorne Festival of Performing Arts from September 6 - 8 deals visitors a chance to take pleasure in a vicarious program of live acts and performances, all devoted to the theme of love.

Enjoy exactly what Mantra Lorne has on deal

The Lorne accommodation resort is a destination in itself as it has its own spa, putting green, croquet yard, tennis courts and heated indoor swimming pool. Not to mention the personal beach gain access to. There's sufficient to take pleasure in here without going anywhere else!

Teddy's lookout

It may not look like much from afar, however Teddy's lookout at the end of George Street is something of a concealed treasure in Lorne. You can leave to the point just for the magnificent views of the Great Ocean Road shoreline or you can continue walking along to 2 other lookouts for a somewhat longer walking.

Erskine Falls

No visit to Lorne is complete without visiting the Erskine Falls. You can see the majestic falls just five minutes from the car park, or get more daring and check out the 15km big salami to the Straw and Splitter that takes around 3 hours and take your breath away in more methods than one.

Sea kayaking

Get off the roadway and onto the water with an adventure in a sea kayak down by the waterfront. They're easy to work with and even much easier to find out the best ways to utilize, so grab your cam and make some memories!

Read and relaxation

An unwinding book is the embodiment of a genuinely peaceful vacation break - no matter how short - so pick up something suited for a break from Lorne Beach Books hidden away on Mount Joy Parade. Its beauty will entice you and the range will surprise you!

Bottle of Milk

Whether you're in the area on romantic getaways or with the kids, make certain among your meals come from the local favourite hamburger bar Bottle of Milk. It's well-known Victoria-wide for its organic buns and all-Australian beef.

The Best Summer Towns To Head To This Year

It's the terrific Australian summertime routine: packing up and moving towards the beach. However not all beach towns are created equivalent-- some are fab for families who can stay at pet friendly accommodation, or places that party all night long; others are low on action and huge on relaxation. Discover the one that fits you with our helpful guide to the 10 finest beach towns along the east coast of the country in the nick of time for summe.

Best for twentysomethings

Sorrento, Victoria

Ambiance: Don't be tricked by the heritage structures: Sorrento provides a beach vacation with a buzz.

Attractions: Swim with the fur seals at Chinaman's Hat and the dolphins out in the bay. Feeling less energetic? Walk the Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail, go gallery hopping or cruise the stores along Ocean Beach Road. After supper, catch a band at the Sorrento Pub.

Don't miss: Drinks in the Portsea Pub's bright beer garden is an afternoon ritual.

Where to remain: It's worth going out of town for the smooth developed Quarters at the Flinders Hotel. For a more central place, try the Sorrento Beach Motel.

Getting there: Take the Nepean Highway southeast from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula. Sorrento is a 1 1/2- hour drive on the new Peninsula Link Freeway.

Best for: households

Torquay, Victoria

Vibe: Victoria's browse capital is a hit with families, who make the most of the water sports on offer, from swimming at the sheltered Front Beach to snorkelling at Point Danger (never ever fear-- it's far less frightening than the name recommends).

Dining: Best meals in the area can be discovered at Scorched, a modern bistro with a beach view.

Where to remain: Before kicking it up in your Lorne accommodation,The Wyndham Resort has ocean views, indoor and outside pools and a tennis court. The Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park provides camping sites and cabins.

Getting there: Take the Princes Freeway from Melbourne. Torquay has to do with a 90-kilometre drive south-west on the Bellarine Peninsula, just past Geelong.

Top Romantic Escapes In Victoria You Must Consider

At first look, beach cottages are mainly the province of the summer season. Surf, sun, and sand draw crowds out to Victoria's vacation centers and individuals remain in relaxation mode.

But winter leisure activities need not be limited to shivering in front of the heating unit while regretting the loss of your thongs and singlets.

Victoria's regional gets away are just as alluring in the colder months, many hosting occasions that display the best features of the chill.

We searched the 5 corners of Victoria (yes, there are 5 corners, count them) for the top winter weekend gets away.

1. Yarra Valley

With wonderful wine, food, and views, the Yarra Valley never ever disappoints even on the coldest of days, and the many wineries offer up their finest reds and winter-warmer dishes.

To commemorate the winter season solstice-- the fastest day of the year, 15 of the region's smaller sized wineries will be hosting The Shortest Lunch, where punters can come along for entree-sized meals and fantastic wines they may otherwise have actually skipped in favour of the bigger wineries.

A few of the wineries getting involved include Billanook Estate, Paynes Rise, Steels Creek Estate and Yering Farm.

2. Mt Buller

Go out those poles (or employ them from a level of ski stores) and load your thermals-- the ski season will hit.

Mt Buller is among Victoria's most popular ski locations, however, if sliding (or, depending on your coordination, falling) down a mountain is not your concept of a great time, there's still plenty to do.

Indulge yourself in at the bars, dining establishments and spa, and the movie theater-- where you can capture the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour-- showcasing experience movies from around the world.

3. The Great Ocean Road

A trip to the beach does not require warm weather. Carpet up and see the incredible coastline as it changes into a dark and rainy canvas, all from the convenience of the many beachside and holiday accommodation choices along The Great Ocean Road.

Rather than a hotel, why not rent a house with a number of couples and cosy up by the fire with a good bottle of red and a parlor game or more?

Ocean House Lorne is a high-end home that sleeps 10 people and boasts sensational ocean views, high-end furniture and fixtures and champagne on arrival-- what could be better?

Visit The Most Luxurious Light House Accommodation In Southern Australia

Cape Otway, Victoria

Set against the geological drama of the best Great Ocean Road accommodation and the jungle of Great Otway National Park is the oldest making it through lighthouse on the mainland. Built in 1848, Cape Otway Lighthouse is the spot for spectacular clifftop vistas and a huge dosage of history. Not just has it long been a beacon of safety on the treacherous Victorian coast, however, it was central to the advancement of telegraph interactions in Australia and did time as a conveyor of radar secrets during World War II. The site features a museum in the former telegraph station, a coffee shop, the old radar bunker, a native cultural centre and 3 heritage dwellings that can accommodate groups of as much as 16.

Troubridge Island, South Australia

3 hours' drive from Adelaide, on a sandy shoal in St Vincent Gulf, stands a lighthouse that appears like something from a fairytale. The 160-year old Troubridge Island lighthouse was the first in Australia made from cast iron, shipped in pieces from Britain. Troubridge is a top spot for twitchers-- it's a breeding ground for black-faced cormorants and crested terns and is house to a large colony of little penguins. Guests have likewise become fans of resident seal Sammy, who prefers to sun himself on the close-by beach. The heritage-listed lighthouse keepers' cottage can accommodate up to 12.

Low Head Pilot Station, Tasmania

North of Launceston and overlooking the Bass Strait is Low Head Pilot Station and historic precinct-- and what a pretty sight it is, with its candy-striped lighthouse and cluster of historic structures. Low Head's tourist attractions include Australia's 3rd oldest light station, a museum, colonies of little blue and fairy penguins plus sandy beaches. Visitors are spoiled for an option with lodging: there are 9 restored 19th-century cottages appropriate for groups of approximately nine. You will find this very similar to the amazing Lorne accommodation on the great ocean road. Low Head's fog horn, stated to be the only one of its kind still operating in the world, booms out each Sunday at twelve noon, and the close-by 170km Tamar Valley Wine Route takes in 32 vineyards.