View source for South West Coast (Victoria)

[[file:Great Ocean Road banner The Twelve Apostles.jpg|1280px]]

The '''South West Coast''' of Victoria (state)|Victoria, [[Australia]] is the area around the Great Ocean Road including Geelong, Great Ocean Road, Bellarine Peninsula, and the Otways.

==Cities and towns==

12Apostles_0201 - Twelve Apostles

=== Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula ===
* Geelong - the region's largest city
* Lara (Victoria)|Lara
* Ocean Grove (Victoria)|Ocean Grove
* Portarlington (Victoria)|Portarlington
* Queenscliff

=== Shipwreck Coast ===
* Aireys Inlet
* Anglesea
* Apollo Bay
* Lorne (Victoria)|Lorne
* Peterborough (Victoria)|Peterborough
* Port Campbell
* Port Fairy
* Portland (Victoria)|Portland
* Torquay (Victoria)|Torquay - the state's surf capital
* Warrnambool

=== Further inland ===
* Camperdown (Victoria)|Camperdown 
* Colac
* Mortlake 
* Terang

<h2 class=subheader>More Destinations</h2>
* Great Otway National Park along the Great Ocean Road
<h2 class=subheader>{{FULLPAGENAME}} Halal Travel Guide</h2>

The Great Ocean Road is a fantastic drive, not only for the scenery but also for the winding cliff-top roads. Motoring enthusiasts travel the road for the sheer excitement of feeling the junctions and having fun.

<h2 class=subheader>Travel to {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>

-38.378|142.72|height=340|width=520}}

Most visitors start from [[Melbourne]], which is 95 kilometers away from Torquay. Instead of Melbourne's main airport, fly into Avalon Airport near Geelong, which is much closer to the start of the road. There is vehicle hire there, and it is regularly serviced by [https://flights.ehalal.io Jetstar] and / Tigerair [[Australia]].

V/Line buses run from Geelong along the Great Ocean Road as far as Apollo Bay three times a day Monday to Friday and twice daily Sa-Su. On Friday a bus continues from Apollo Bay to Warrnambool. There are also daily V/Line trains to Warrnambool, but they travel inland.

<h2 class=subheader>How to get around in {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>
Car offers the most flexibility for seeing the area. Coach tours are also easily available.

There are many sights to see away from the townships, and along the coast. Getting to them by general public transport would be difficult.

There are so many pullouts and sights, that you can fall into a ''yet another spectacular vista'' fatigue, when driving the road. Is it worth pulling off the road for another cliff drop, another gorge, or another arch? Make sure you plan your trip, so you can skip some attractions if you need to, but don't miss the truly amazing ones.

<h3 class=subheader>Halal Tours and Excursions in {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h3>

At its simplest, you won't need an itinerary, or even a map to drive the Great Ocean Road. Start at Geelong or Warrnambool and follow the signs. The eastern end of the route starts at Torquay, 22 kilometers from Geelong. The sights are well signposted off the road, as well as nearby attractions. Information boards exist at all sights and attractions. The road is well developed for tourism, has regular information, food, fuel and accommodation.

Its feasible to drive the length of the road, and see the main attractions in a day's driving. Two days will allow you to see just about all of the coastal sights and towns, if that is what you want to do. Consider three days or longer if you want to stay longer at some towns, and do some walks, relaxation, or other recreation.

If starting from [[Melbourne]], remember that it's almost 100 kilometers to the start of the Great Ocean Road at Torquay and another 264 kilometers back from Warrnambool along the inland Princes Highway. This translates to a ''minimum'' of 600 kilometers to get there, drive the road from end to end and come back, and doing this in one day doesn't leave much time for sightseeing &mdash; spending at least two-three days is a much better idea.

<h2 class=subheader>What to see in {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>
How many apostles?|The Twelve Apostles are somewhat misnamed: Tourism officials renamed this rock formation the 12 Apostles from the former "Sow and Piglets". Some question whether there ever were 12 Apostles but the coastline changes over time due to the strong waves coming off the Southern Ocean. Seven are visible at any one time from any one point anyway. Following the collapse of one in 2005 and there are now only 8 left, although if you add in two to the east you can still scrounge up 10.}}

Split Point lighthouse - Split Point Lighthouse
Waterfall Otway - A waterfall in Otway National Park

*'''Bells Beach''' Surfing mecca - crashing waves, lots of surfers and kangaroos in nearby grasslands in the early morning
*'''Point Addis''', Surfing and there is also an indigenous walk through the bushland to a lookout over the beach. Signs provide insights into how the local Indigenous Peoples used the land. (approx 30 minutes return)
*'''Split Point''', Aireys Inlet.
 
* Angahook-Lorne State Park - The park has many walking trails particularly in the Aireys Inlet and Lorne areas.

*'''Teddy’s Lookout''', Lorne (Victoria)|Lorne Provides a view of the Great Ocean Road as it winds along the coastline.
*'''Wye River and Kennett River villages for koala sightings''', Wye River (Victoria)|Wye River Both small villages have excellent koala populations in trees easy for visitors to see.
*'''Marriner’s Lookout''' in Apollo Bay with views of the township and the 3 bays that make up Apollo Bay.
 
* Otway National Park - At Mait's Rest there is a 30 minutes loop walk through lovely rainforest. Glow worms can be found in gullies on night walks. This National Park also includes a number of beautiful waterfalls including Hopetoun Falls, Triplet Falls and Beauchamp Falls.
* Cape Otway Lighthouse - Web: ay.aspx - In operation since 1848, it's the oldest lightstation on mainland [[Australia]], and saved the lives of sailors in this treacherous part of the Southern ocean and Bass Strait. You can climb to the top and get a view over spectacular ocean to see passing whales and ships.
* Melba Gully State Park - There are picnic facilities and toilets below the carpark and a 30-minutes walk through the bush. The boardwalk provides a unique opportunity to walk among the tree ferns. Glow worms can be seen along the tracks at night.
* Port Campbell National Park - Web: ational-Park.aspx - Near Port Campbell, including the 12 Apostles, [[London]] Bridge and Razorback rock formation.

<h2 class=subheader>Best things to do in {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>

'''Walk'''. Many of the natural features have surrounding walks, but there are developed paths for longer walks.

Great_ocean_road - Great Ocean Road
 
* Great Ocean Road It's more than a road – it represents a coastal region of south-west Victoria (state)|Victoria, [[Australia]], running from Bellarine Peninsula near Geelong to Portland (Victoria)|Portland near the border with South [[Australia]]. The Great Ocean Road was built as a work project for veterans returning from World War I and was completed in 1932. The core of the Great Ocean Road, highway ''B100'' from Torquay to Allansford near Warrnambool, runs for 243 kilometres. One of the most scenic parts of the road is the stretch between Port Campbell and Peterborough. This is the section contained by Port Campbell National Park and has the major rock formations.
* Surf Coast Walk - Web: alk.aspx - Coastal walkway of 30 kilometers from Jan Juc Beach near Torquay through Bells Beach, Pt Addis, Anglesea and Aireys Inlet to Moggs Creek in the Angahook-Lorne State Park. The total distance takes about 11 hours but there are many access points so it can be done in sections.
* Lake Elizabeth, Forrest - Enjoy the beauty of the rainforest in this easy walk or take a canoe tour at dawn or dusk to visit the elusive platypus in its natural habitat. A place to see the famous and illusive 100 million year old egg laying mammal.
* Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures - Walk through the treetops on the 25-metre-high elevated tree top walk. This sky walk takes you through a magnificent stand of cool temperate rainforest featuring Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and Mountain Ash. A spiral stairway takes you even higher with zip lining also available.

There are also some great places to go mountain biking in the back of Apollo Bay around the forest and the Otway National Park. There is one tour company that offers 5-7 day tours based out of Apollo Bay.

'''Tour'''. Many tourists prefer to take a tour rather than drive themselves. There are many operators who provide day and multiple day tours along the Great Ocean Road. Tours also range from small group tours, private tours to bus tours.

<h2 class=subheader>Halal Restaurants in {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>

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Port Campbell has many cafes and restaurants and it is the only place to get food near the Port Campbell National Park.

* Aire Valley Restaurant and Guest House - 2590 Great Ocean Road, Hordern Vale -38.76066, 143.49231 ☎ +61 3 5237 9223 - Aire Valley Restaurant has its own Restaurant Garden where it grows its own vegetables, herbs and fruits. While you are driving the Great Ocean Road your dinner is still growing. Dinner 6-10PM. Lunch by arrangement.
* Bayleaf Cafe | 20 Gardner Street Beech Forest -38.63345, 143.56738 ☎ +61 3 5237 6470 - Good quality and reasonably priced food.
* Gardenside Manor Tearooms, Lavers Hill -38.68104, 143.37063 - Bird feeding gardens are right beside the tearooms. This is a great place to see beautiful king parrots and crimson rosellas coming in from the wild. There are some short paths through the gardens.
* The Ridge Cafe | 131 Great Ocean Road Apollo Bay -38.75592, 143.66907 ☎ +61 3 5235 9273 - Organic food cooked with local produce as well sensational chutneys, jams and gourmet goodies.
<h2 class=subheader>eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>

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<h2 class=subheader>Muslim Friendly Hotels</h2>
A wide range of accommodation is available in towns along the Great Ocean Road, but most of it is clustered at the eastern end near [[Melbourne]], particularly Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay.

As the area is such a popular weekend getaway, prices are ''considerably'' higher during the weekend and many places (especially B&Bs) have two-night minimum stays. In the summer peak season and during holidays, many places will sell out completely and it can be hard to find even a motel room.

<h2 class=subheader>Stay Safe</h2>
Some of the beaches along the road have dangerous currents. Observe local signs, and seek local advice about the best places to swim. For tips on beach safety and to understand the signs see BeachSafe]

There are virtually no overtaking lanes on the Great Ocean Road. Rather the road has turnouts for slower vehicles so if a faster vehicle catches up to you, be considerate and pull over at the next turn out. Frustration causes accidents, let faster vehicles past. If you catch up to a slower vehicle, stay back at a safe distance and wait for the other vehicle to pull over in the next slow vehicle turn out. Don't tailgate.

Many areas on the road experienced significant bush fires in early 2023, with many travellers needing evacuation.

The speed limit along the Great Ocean Road is 80 km/h to 100 km/h. In towns and the speed limit is 50 km/h to 70 km/h.

Given the volume of traffic that can traverse the Great Ocean Road, especially weekends and holidays, don't assume that it will be a quick trip. Allow yourself plenty of time to see everything so that you may enjoy your drive.

<h2 class=subheader>News & References {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>
<references/>

<h2 class=subheader>Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>
You can travel back to [[Melbourne]] via the Great Ocean Road or take the inland route via Colac which although a similar distance saves time.

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{{isPartOf|Victoria_(state)}}