Lorne and Anglesea

Great Ocean Road, Australia

Cute towns along the route with award-winning restaurants and cosy coastal cafes.

Places in Lorne and Anglesea

Brae A sought-after restaurant along the Great Ocean Road route.
Lorne and Anglesea coastal cafes Cosy coastal cafes in the cute towns along the route.

Best time to visit: March to May and September to November, avoiding peak summer crowds while still enjoying mild coastal weather for the drive.
Getting around: The route runs from Torquay to Port Fairy via Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell; the Twelve Apostles sit 275 km (about 4 hours) from Melbourne, with Port Campbell and Apollo Bay serving as the main overnight bases since no lodging exists at the Apostles site itself.
Currency: Australian Dollar (A$)
Language: English. Aboriginal languages are spoken in some communities.
Timezone: AEST (UTC+10, UTC+11 in summer)
Current trends: The Great Ocean Road's three-day self-drive format from Torquay to Port Fairy continues to anchor Victoria's road-trip tourism, with the Twelve Apostles' sunset viewing and helicopter flights remaining the signature experience, while towns like Apollo Bay and Lorne see growing demand for award-winning restaurants and boutique stays as travelers extend their time along the coast rather than day-tripping from Melbourne.

Port Campbell — 12 km west of the Twelve Apostles, offering dozens of accommodation options from luxurious beach houses to a backpackers hostel, motels and campgrounds.
Apollo Bay — At the foothills of the Otways, a popular base for exploring the region, the 12 Apostles, or the Great Ocean Walk.