The Great Ocean Road in the south of Australia is a must see if you’re planning a trip Down Under. It offers amazing vistas and one of the best driving experiences in the world. Whilst driving along a road may not seem like the best of thing to do in Australia, you will be pleasantly surprised as you begin your journey. Below is a brief history of the road and some suggestions on how you can get the best from a visit.
The History of the Great Ocean Road
Construction of the Great Ocean Road began in 1919 in the aftermath of World War I. What makes this road so special is that it was built by returning soldiers and it thus now stands as the world’s largest memorial to the fallen soldiers of the war. The road runs for 243 kilometres and is situated between Torquay and Warrnambool in the state of Victoria.
The Majestic Coastline
As well as being a remarkable tribute to the fallen soldiers of World War I, the Great Ocean Road is one of the most beautiful coastal road in the world. It spans along some of the most fantastic coastline of Australia and is a listed National Heritage feature of Australia. The coastline includes fantastic sights such as the culturally significant Twelve Apostles, which are stacks of limestone jutting out with dominant majesty from the ocean floor.
Touring the Great Ocean Road
One of the best ways that you can view this remarkable wonder is to take a Great Ocean Road tour. There are many benefits to taking a tour, but importantly it means that you can rest and simply enjoy the view between the points of interest along the route. The tour will take a full day, but it will incorporate all of the significant sights so that you do not miss out on anything and it is also possible to arrange a tour that takes in the sunset over this beautiful vista too.
Driving the Great Ocean Road
For car aficionados driving the Great Ocean Road is a once in a lifetime opportunity that should not be missed. There are plenty of places to rent cars in Melbourne or even along the Great Ocean Road itself and you will be certain to have a fantastic time if you hire one. There is little better on this earth than hiring a convertible to drive down the Great Ocean Road in with the wind in your hair and the smell of sea salt in the air.
Riding the Great Ocean Road
Another way to get your fill of the Great Ocean Road is to do so on a bike. Whilst the distance is somewhat difficult on a bicycle, there are plenty of places to camp along route and you will be sure to enjoy the ride as long as you are careful to take significant stocks of water. It would be advisable to get travel insurance if you’re planning to complete this bike ride. For the ultimate riding experience in Australia, there truly is nowhere else to go other than the Great Ocean Road.
