The Great Ocean Road

Australia's most famous road is officially B100. It is better known under the dreamy name of the Great Ocean Road. This phenomenal sea-sprayed winding coastal road is almost 250 km long, stretching between Torquay and Allansford in South Victoria. At the end of World War I, plans were forged to build a road that would attract tourists to the country's southern regions. It was meant to be a memorial for all the soldiers killed in the war. And those who returned home were soon put to work.

Over 3,000 men worked through thick rainforests, chopping logs and hacking rocks. It was heavy work. The rocky coastline offered hard resistance, and the workers encountered great difficulties during the road construction. In November 1932, the final stage was completed between Lorne and Apollo Bay, and the entire Great Ocean Road was finally inaugurated. The road winds its way mainly close to the coastline. Countless vantage points and photographic highlights are waiting around the next bend. This is no scenery one should rush through. And it is a case of driving sensibly.

Various corniches will occasionally take you breathtakingly close to the edge of the high cliffs. This is a particularly dramatic piece of surfaced road, where the surroundings showcase an immense beauty. Smell the salty sea water and feel the warmth of the sun as you drive with an open sunroof, navigating westward. The road is lined with peaceful surf towns where you can stop and rest for the night.

Farther west awaits the most scenic part of the road, called Shipwreck Coast. This part has rugged rock formations and natural monuments, such as the Loch Ard Gorge. And not least the iconic limestone rock formations, the Twelve Apostles, that rise from the sea as ghostly pillars. They are found within Port Campbell National Park. Expect epic sunsets and many opportunities to take a dip in the sea.

If there is a place one should invest in a rental car while in Australia, it is along the Great Ocean Road. Set aside a few days to see as much as possible along this windswept coastal road in the south, preferably a week. Many want to challenge themselves and get around with their machine. Cyclists are particularly fond of the Great Ocean Road, and in recent years, marathon runners have found their way here. For over ten years, it has been possible to walk all or part of the Great Ocean Walk.

The Twelve Apostles' gigantic pillars dramatically rise out of the Pacific. Some pillars are as tall as 45 m. Today, they are eight. Five of them have collapsed since they were discovered. The pillars are constantly eroded by wind and sea, and they become slightly lower every year. Follow the Gibson's Steps down to the beach to get closer to the Twelve Apostles. Eighty-six carved-out coarse steps will take you from the parking lot down to the sandy beach. Don't miss to admire the limestone pillars at sunset. A few kilometres northwest lies The Loch Ard Gorge.

There are several shorter hiking trails to explore here. You will find beautiful, towering, bright rock formations and good vantage points in the area. The site is named after the sailing vessel Loch Ard, which ran aground on the coast at the end of the 1800s.