Top 5 Great Ocean Road Outdoor Adventures – Explore Now!
The Great Ocean Road. Just the name kinda conjures up, like, images of windswept cliffs, yeah? And, too it’s almost the crashing waves, and this sense of, you know, freedom that, maybe, you’ve been craving, is that right? This legendary route over in Victoria, Australia, isn’t just, kinda, a scenic drive, that is. It’s, like, an invitation to get outside and experience the land and sea in ways that, sometimes, stay with you for, really, years after you’ve left. From rainforest hikes to catching a wave, very few places offer such, kinda, diverse outdoor thrills. So, let’s, like, check out the top five Great Ocean Road outdoor activities that should be on, kind of, every adventure seeker’s list, actually.
1. Hit the Surf at Bells Beach, Obviously
Bells Beach. Does it ring a bell? Okay, seriously though. Very famous, like, it’s almost a world-renowned surf spot, alright? Not just, kind of, for pros, that is. Even though you will see some shredding going on. Yet, it is, like, welcoming to anyone willing to, sorta, give surfing a go. The beach has that raw, natural beauty that, really, characterizes the Surf Coast. Imagine, very, very wide sandy shores. Strong waves crashing down, and the iconic cliffs looking over everything, you know? Even if you are, kind of, not up to riding the big waves (that is, you know, completely okay), it’s worth, sorta, popping by to watch surfers showing off, just a bit, you know? Or, in some respects, simply soak up that whole surf culture vibe, alright?
You can book a surf lesson with one of those surf schools around Torquay if you want to have a go, more or less. The instructors will, actually, get you standing up (or, you know, close to it) in, virtually, no time, apparently. Even if it’s just for, seemingly, a fleeting moment, the feeling is electric, actually! It’s, kind of, an experience you won’t forget, anyway. Just be prepared for a bit of a workout! Paddling against the current can be, as a matter of fact, pretty tiring, as I was saying. Read our full review: Bells Beach Surfing Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Surf Lessons at Bells Beach)
2. Hiking the Great Otway National Park, Obviously
You want something different, yet, very connected with the nature of Australia? Then, hiking the Great Otway National Park sounds perfect. The Great Otway National Park offers trails for all levels, right? It caters for casual strollers, or hardcore hikers. That being said, what really makes this spot different is how old-growth forests get so very close to rough coastlines, still.
The park boasts tons of well kept tracks winding right through the lush forest. Just the sounds alone give such a peaceful backdrop. You can find a couple of iconic spots while wandering along the paths too, such as those truly magnificent Triplet Falls. Also, the Lake Elizabeth platypus spotting tours which usually, make this, something truly incredible, obviously. Maybe you rather a coastal trek? Then there is a segment of the Great Ocean Walk to, for example, really see that picturesque rugged terrain that, actually, goes right by the sea.
You will get views of dramatic cliffs. There will be beaches all along those walks for days, frankly! Even the avid wildlife people won’t feel short changed, in fact. Spotting koalas hanging way up in the eucalyptus trees, or those many different birds is guaranteed to, in other words, make this hike very special, in that case. Remember that proper footwear is key. Packing layers because the weather will shift too, instead. Read our full review: Great Otway National Park Hiking Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Otway National Park Tours)
3. Kayaking or Canoeing the calm waters of Lake Elizabeth, Obviously
For those looking for, seemingly, a different sort of water experience, kayaking or canoeing on Lake Elizabeth presents, perhaps, an ideal option, likewise. Lake Elizabeth is something that, like, actually formed in the 1950s, right? I am saying a landslide caused a river to be, sort of, dammed. You now have that eerie landscape, meanwhile. You get dead trees sticking out from beneath its surface and clear water of this peaceful lake, naturally.
Paddle your way along the submerged forest so you feel almost like floating in, kind of, some sort of dream world, right? Lake Elizabeth isn’t, for example, just known for that spooky atmosphere, for instance. It is home to that elusive platypus that everybody would love to see, frankly. As the water gets glassy around dusk and dawn, you may, in fact, be able to spot, in other words, one of such shy creatures surfacing to feed, in that case. This tour offers very special wildlife viewing opportunity for, really, anybody visiting, in short. Check the local conditions on this, instead.
There can be pretty strict regulation depending on, perhaps, breeding season, likewise. To book this properly it’s best that, you know, you plan this adventure well beforehand to avoid getting those costly mishaps, meanwhile. Read our full review: Lake Elizabeth Kayaking Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book a Kayak Tour)
4. Discovering Marine life while Scuba Diving or Snorkelling at Port Campbell, Obviously
Those craving, arguably, underwater adventures should head straight to the waters all over the Port Campbell National Park, could be. Rugged limestone cliffs meet up with very deep blue sea at this, potentially, magnificent place. Arguably there are incredible sites here to be found while scuba or snorkelling, might be. Arguably what you see, maybe, depends upon current visibility, tends to be.
One location will likely show plenty of colourful fish along with those wonderful underwater formations, typically. If you are, sometimes, really lucky then, perhaps, even some seals and dolphins swimming around, actually! Visibility sometimes is tricky because that rough Southern Ocean does get wild. That said, I feel, if conditions are good, then a reward of truly stunning experiences is usually likely to present, anyway. Even though conditions do shift, checking in with those area dive shops, will steer your group in a much safer place, as a matter of fact!
Get updates from the locals that have experienced conditions. Also maybe consider asking them where is the spot to have a good day in the water, as I was saying. Read our full review: Port Campbell Scuba Diving Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Scuba Diving Packages)
5. Enjoying the Views and Heights of the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures, Obviously
If your family, for real, likes heights (safely that is), so, the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures walk gives great thrills. Set deep with inside Otway Rainforest, too it’s almost this experience that sees tourists walking those platforms high above ground. Yet, from the high point they will, in some respects, absorb those striking rainforest sights that often, you miss if being on that ground, actually.
The walkway here, really, is built to minimize stress that would, basically, go through trees so no forest is damaged or hurt, by the way! The structure is built so families see its own rich array plantlife species along with abundant birdlife flying nearby, clearly. Now the brave might even attempt zip-lining adventure here also if getting their heart pounding, alright? Obviously that is a choice only to see what suits everyone and, finally, to make the trip that’s best for just you!
Take lots of memorable photographs that each friend group will look at happily as time keeps going. That really has become more common, actually. Read our full review: Otway Fly Treetop Adventures Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Treetop Walk)
- Surfing at Bells Beach: Even if you aren’t, like, experienced, just soak up, in a way, that awesome surf culture!
- Hiking the Great Otway National Park: Don’t miss Lake Elizabeth!
- Kayaking Lake Elizabeth: Maybe catch, I think, sight of, arguably, a platypus!
- Scuba/Snorkelling around Port Campbell: Get up close and, perhaps, almost personal with, kind of, the sea life (depending upon conditions).
- Otway Fly Treetop Adventures: An epic way for, seemingly, families to check out, just a little, that rainforest from above.