Great Ocean Road family-friendly travel guide

Victoria experiences four distinct seasons and, for those visiting from up north, will feel exceptionally cold in its winter months. For optimal beach time, visit during the summer (November to February) when you’ll get average highs of 25 degrees Celsius and warmer waters.

The Great Ocean Road is located conveniently near Melbourne’s Avalon Airport, from which you can hire a car to do the road trip.

Of course, the best way to see the Great Ocean Road is to drive it. You can also do the Great Ocean Walk, a coastal hike that expands nearly 100 kilometres – this certainly isn’t a short day hike, although you and the family might enjoy doing bite-sized chunks of it for fun!

Foodies will be thrilled to know that there is a 12 Apostles Gourmet Food Trail, which includes cheese, whisky and wine, chocolate, ice-cream, yoghurt, strawberries and beer. In addition, there is the Otway Harvest Trail as well, which maps out a range of grassroots local businesses showcasing the best produce on offer in the Otway hinterland.

If your family love all things from the sea, time your visit to coincide with the Apollo Bay Seafood Festival. If visiting in June or July, be sure to sniff out market stalls selling truffles – or even better, join a hunt at one of Victoria’s oldest truffieres!

Make some pit stops in cities on the way for some shopping; nearly all feature great retail outlets and foodie stops for both you and the kids. Our favourites are Apollo Bay, Lorne, Torquay and Port Campbell – all have great family accommodation, too! 

If driving through a town centre on a weekend morning, make sure to stop at one of the many quality local markets, selling everything from fresh fruit to handcrafted souvenirs. The standout is the Geelong Vintage Market, several buildings selling antiques, collectibles and clothing are housed within a historic woollen mill complex. There is a cute cafe here too, if you’re needing a coffee break after all your bargain hunting!

Tipping is appreciated, but not expected in Australia.

Casual, lightweight clothing is the norm around Victoria in the summer. In winter, it can get pretty chilly, so be sure to pack a few thick (and waterproof) layers!

Australia is renowned for its laid-back, egalitarian culture – especially in Melbourne. By and large, friendliness is equated with good manners, and a smile, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ is plenty.

Mains voltage in Australia is 230V AC, 50Hz. Use a two-pin (shaped like a “V”) or three-pin adaptor (different to British three-pin adaptors).

The number one health concern for families on the beach is that warm Australian sun! Be sure to pack sunscreen, hats and sunglasses, and always supervise children while they are in the ocean.

Forever changing shape due to the relentless attack of the blasting winds and powerful waves of the Southern Ocean, the craggy limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles provide much more than just a great photo opportunity. A variety of family activities are on offer including free binocular and telescope hire, plus digital detective and scavenger hunt programmes to engage the curious little minds (while also providing an unforgettable lesson in geography!).

At nearby Gibson Steps, take the 86 stone-cut steps down to the beach to see Gog and Magog, another pair of iconic, giant limestone stacks that rise from the sea. Other fascinating rock formations in the area include Loch Ard Gorge and London Arch, where the kids can marvel at the sight of the ocean at its powerful, pounding best.

Not every photo of the Great Ocean Road has to be of the ocean. Take a detour inland from Lorne and you will find these majestic waterfalls hidden among the rainforest, just a five-minute walk from the car park – so very doable for little legs!

Photos of London Bridge look very different now then they did before the 1990s, when the offshore, natural bridge collapsed, serving as a reminder that this stretch of coastline is an ever-changing sculpture. Time your visit for the end of the day and you may catch a glimpse of the small population of penguins return home.