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The Great Ocean Road is widely regarded as one
of the world's great touring routes. The journey is one of contrast and
diversity. For many, the Great Ocean
Road is actually made up of many parts. It begins with the spectacular coastal drive
from Torquay to Apollo Bay. 'Spectacular' because it seems that every turn provides another photo opportunity
as the road rises above and falls back to the water. Beyond Apollo
Bay, the coast is more distant to the road. Here, in the Otway Ranges, the road winds its way
through magnificent forests and farming
country. Where we enter Port Campbell National Park, the land forms a wide
coastal plain. It is these three sections of the road that most people see
in a single day tour spanning approximately twelve hours out from and back
to Melbourne. In this typical tour you will see and experience the
following.
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Travel across Melbourne's West Gate
Bridge;
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Pass through Geelong - Victoria's second
city;
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See the Surf Coast that gave rise to the
brands Rip Curl and Quiksilver;
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Visit the coastal towns that are popular
summer holiday resorts;
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View wildlife in their natural habitat;
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Walk through superb rainforest;
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Observe the power of the Southern Ocean as
you view the Twelve Apostles;
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Pass through some of Victoria's most
important farming land and inland centres as we return to
Melbourne.
However, the Great Ocean Road can be toured in
many formats. Some prefer to confine the day simply to the coastal drive
to Apollo Bay. In this instance we return over the Otway Ranges behind
Apollo Bay and the day's touring can be confined to eight or nine hours. A few
visitors wish only to make a direct trip to view Port Campbell National Park and the
Twelve Apostles. This is achievable but please note you will have missed
much of what truly makes up the character of the Great Ocean Road.
The Great Ocean Road is not just confined
to the coast and its attractions. In the ranges behind the Great Ocean
Road there are many other things to see and do. For example the region is
dotted with waterfalls and trails. It is also the site of the amazing Otway Fly which
is the world's tallest and longest tree-top canopy walk.
In the Australian "summer time" period
from late October to late March, there is sufficient daylight to
incorporate some time in the hinterland. However, outside this period, the
day's touring would be far more limited to being vehicle-bound. The
"summer time" also provides the chance to see Victoria's
second city, Geelong, at closer quarters. Geelong has had a strong relationship with the Australian wool
industry. Through the
twentieth century the motor industry became important to Geelong. Both industries are represented in fine museums - the National
Wool Museum and the Ford Discovery Centre.
It is possible, and is favoured by some, to
extend their tour on the Great Ocean Road to continue further to the
state's west to Warrnambool and Port Fairy or inland to the Grampians
Ranges. To do so is to extend the tour to one or perhaps two overnights. Please contact us to enquire about your tour of the Great Ocean
Road.
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