5 reasons to visit the Great Ocean Road in winter
The temperatures are dropping and there's no better time to hit the open road. Discover the beauty of the Great Ocean Road, without the tourists. Need more reasons to head out? We've got 5!
There's fewer people around
It’s a no brainer that people don’t want to leave the house in the middle of winter, so take advantage of it! All those gorgeous lookouts are refreshingly crowd-free, and the number of tour buses parked on the side of the road drop dramatically. This also means not having to stand on your tippy toes to see over people’s heads at the 12 Apostles and not having people in the background of your shot at Loch Ard Gorge. That’s a major win if you ask us.
Rainforests come alive
The Great Ocean Road literally goes through Great Otway National Park on the way to the 12 Apostles, so you have absolutely no excuse not to turn off the road and head inland towards some of the most lush and green scenery you’ll ever see. Better yet, if it’s raining, just duck into the rainforest and go for a stroll – the towering trees and ferns will protect you from the rain. Plus, the abundance of rain that hits Victoria every winter leads to raging waterfalls. The thundering sound of the water will leave you in awe and feeling kind of insignificant – in a good way.
Get cosy by the fire
Grab your beverage of choice and snuggle up by the wood fire heater in YHA Apollo Bay Eco’s lounge room for a night of relaxation. After a day of exploring the Great Ocean Road, there is no better way to warm up! Plus hostel dog Amber might come by for some pats and cuddles, giving you all those warm and fuzzy feelings inside.
Go whale-spotting on the coast line
From June to August, whales swim along the coast of the Great Ocean Road to migrate to warmer waters. Keep an eye out for flags along the coastline as you drive as they mark that there have been regular sightings of whales in that spot. Pull over and cross your fingers for a sighting.
Sleep in
Seeing the 12 Apostles at sunrise is an experience that everyone should have at least once in their life. Thankfully in the middle of winter, the sun rises a lot later than it does in the middle of summer, which means you can spend those extra hours staying warm and snuggly in bed. If you are staying at YHA Apollo Bay Eco or YHA Port Fairy, it takes about an hour to drive to the 12 Apostles, so make sure to give yourself enough time to see the show.
