Great Ocean Road

cjt55 · Senior Member

Great Ocean Road

Hendo · Guru

We stayed in the Geelong Caravan Park and then took a day drive to Lavers Hill and back and then later moved onto Warrnambool and did a day trip back the other way to Lavers Hill. This gave us the opportunity to pull off where ever and not have to worry about towing. Worked well. Also caught some yummy trout at the Warrnambool Trout Farm, catch and kill, $9.00kg. Into the frypan with a splash of o/oil, yum O.

LetsRetreat · Veteran Member

Perhaps you could leave your caravan at Torquay, you would then be able to travel through all the Coastal towns along the way.

Lots of Motels and B&B options as you go, once you get as far as Port Campbell you could return via the inland route in a couple of hours.

The main caravan park at Torquay should not be too busy at the moment.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

There are caravan parks at Lorne, Wye river, Apollo Bay on the Eastern section. They aren't cheap, we were there last week. We stayed at the Big 4 at Wye river (because we had a gift voucher for Big4) and had a great 3 days exploring the beaches and the Otway Fly and Cape Otway Lighthouse, also drove through the Otways to a couple of waterfalls but found them a bit dry, also the Hopetoun Falls was closed. Koalas visit the campground, its lovely.
Across the Otway ranges we stayed at the Princetown Recreation area $20per night powered. Great spot to go and have a look at the 12 Apostles. You can tow your caravan as you drive along that coast road as there are many large parking spaces that allow for this. So many places where you get a marvellous view are just 50 meters from the road!
The GOR doesn't end at the 12 Apostles!

Stop at Warrnambool and see their Maritime museum and Loch Ard show... we didn't stay there this time though, as the weather was terrible. You can stay at Port Fairy too, but we went on to Portland where we stayed 5 days and travelled around. Heaps to do there, and the coastline is fascinating all the way West ... Beachport or Robe are good spots to stay in SA
We finally turned inland at Meningie in SA, had one of the best trips ever along that Southern limestone coast.

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Wednesday 26th of February 2014 12:07:17 PM

Happy Camper · Senior Member

Hi CJ: - When we did the Great Ocean Road as a day trip, we stayed at the Top Tourist Park at Anglesea which was a good clean park with drive thru sites or coastal bush sites down by the river.
This eliminated the hills and bends without the van in tow.
Hope you enjoy the coastal scenery as much as we did.
Cheers - John

RosieW · Guru

We stopped at Airey's Inlet when we brought the bus back last year. Quiet, lots of wildlife. Definitely make sure you stop at Kennet River to visit with the birds, it's a bit awesome having rosellas sit on your shoulders (or your hat).

TopCat · Veteran Member

Re Across the Otway ranges we stayed at the Princetown Recreation area $20per night powered. Great spot to go and have a look at the 12 Apostles. You can tow your caravan as you drive along that coast road as there are many large parking spaces that allow for this. So many places where you get a marvellous view are just 50 meters from the road!
The GOR doesn't end at the 12 Apostles!
Having never travelled this road before, is it any different to travelling West to East as far as places to stop etc - anyone please???

RosieW · Guru

We went West to East along the GOR with the bus, and it really makes no difference. I think we missed maybe 3 stops for views along the way, because Troy was new to the bus, and not keen on trying to get into some spots when others were there, just in case he stalled it coming across the lanes (he hadn't stalled it at all the whole 4 weeks, but I understood his concern).

spida · Guru

I did it in 3 circular day trips from Torqay, Colac and Warrnambol

MOLLUSCAN · Senior Member

LetsRetreat wrote:
Perhaps you could leave your caravan at Torquay, you would then be able to travel through all the Coastal towns along the way.
Lots of Motels and B&B options as you go, once you get as far as Port Campbell you could return via the inland route in a couple of hours.
The main caravan park at Torquay should not be too busy at the moment.

We stayed at the Torquay CP and it was awful. Very cramped and overcrowded, I think the Geelong idea is a much better idea.

RosieW · Guru

We stayed in one in Geelong also, it was very good. Can't remember the name, but it was a 5 minute walk to the shopping centre. Avoid Jan Juc, cramped, dark and not overly inviting.

leajoy · Veteran Member

We live on the great ocean road and are currently 50 mins from home in Peterborough. A fantastic little park with a few very quiet grey nomads in residence. There are lots of caravans and motor homes on tge road all stopping at the sites. Dont be afraid to bring the can to stop a lot of backtracking. There are a lot of people on the road doing the exact same thing and the parks at the major spots are generallu ser up for large vehicles including buses. Have fun and take your time

RosieW · Guru

I think we took 3 days to do it, and we STILL hadn't seen everything...........

cjt55 · Senior Member

Thank You all very very much for your advice. Much appreciated! Cheers CJ

-- Edited by cjt55 on Wednesday 12th of March 2014 06:34:48 AM