Driving the scenic Great Ocean Road in Australia

Driving the scenic Great Ocean Road in Australia

Australia, oceania

Length

242 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

The Great Ocean Road (or GOR) in Australia? Unreal. This coastal drive stretches 242 km (150 miles) from Torquay to Allansford along Victoria's southwest coast and it’s seriously epic. Think dramatic limestone cliffs, insane rock formations, and views that will make you want to pull over every five minutes.

Built by returned soldiers after WWI, this route is actually dedicated to their fallen comrades, making it the world's largest war memorial. Pretty powerful stuff. You'll cruise along paved, two-lane roads, twisting and turning with the coastline. This isn't about speed – it's about soaking it all in. The speed limit ranges from 80-100km/h (slower in towns), and honestly, you won't want to rush.

Budget around 3-4 hours of straight driving time, but let’s be real, you'll be stopping constantly for photos and viewpoints. There are plenty of turnouts for slower vehicles (and trust me, you’ll appreciate them!), so be courteous and let others pass. This road is all about the experience. Get ready for some seriously winding cliff-top sections that are pure driving bliss! Just be aware that it can get crowded, especially on weekends and holidays, so give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the ride.

Where is it?

Driving the scenic Great Ocean Road in Australia is located in Australia (oceania). Coordinates: -24.1572, 133.3193

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Australia
Continent
oceania
Length
242 km
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
-24.1572, 133.3193

Related Roads in oceania

How to drive the long Diamantina Developmental Road in Queensland?hard

How to drive the long Diamantina Developmental Road in Queensland?

🇦🇺 Australia

Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! The Diamantina Developmental Road in Queensland, Australia is calling your name. This epic trek clocks in at a whopping 1,344 km (835 mi) and connects Charleville in the south-central part of the state all the way to Mount Isa in the northwest. You'll be rolling through charming outback towns like Quilpie, Windorah, Bedourie, Boulia, and Dajarra. Most of the route is smooth sailing on sealed roads, so just about any vehicle can handle it. But be warned: some stretches between Windorah and Boulia are unsealed, adding a touch of off-road adventure. You'll be following State Route 14, State Route 12, and National Route 83. Expect some seriously stunning scenery as you cross iconic rivers and creeks, including the Paroo, Bulloo, Cooper Creek, and the Diamantina River itself. Just keep an eye out – river crossings can get tricky in wild weather. Speaking of weather, be prepared for anything! Pack plenty of water and fuel, watch out for wandering animals, and maybe skip the nighttime driving. Phone reception can be spotty, so planning is key for this Aussie outback escapade. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

When was the Alpine Way built?hard

When was the Alpine Way built?

🇦🇺 Australia

Alpine Way is a very scenic drive in New South Wales, Australia, offering great views to the south and into the high country of the Victorian Alps. It’s said to be one of Australia’s highest and windiest roads. When was the Alpine Way built? Opened in the 1950s, the route is constructed on an old cattle route that stockmen used for decades to drive cattle from Corryong in Victoria and Jindabyne in New South Wales to the lush grazing lands of the Snowy Mountains high country. Is the Alpine Way sealed? Located on the east coast of Australia, the road—often referred to as the Kosciuszko Alpine Way—was totally paved in the 1990s. How long is the Alpine Way? The road is 123km (76.4 miles) long, running east-west, from Jindabyne to the New South Wales/Victorian border. How steep is the Alpine Way? This is a high mountain road and features steep sections, hitting a 13% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Is the Alpine Way open? Set high in the Snowy Mountains region, the road tops out at 1.597m (5,239ft) above sea level by . The road is typically open all year round, with the occasional closure in winter due to dangerous weather conditions. Conditions can be extreme and may change rapidly, particularly in winter. It is required that all two-wheel drive vehicles carry snow chains between Thredbo and Tom Groggin between June and October long weekends. It is also quite possible that snow chains may be needed to drive safely along other (preferably more dangerous) parts of Alpine Way. Today the road remains, and much money is devoted every year to maintaining the road from its harsh environment in order to allow Australian tourists a chance to access the spectacular Snowy Mountains high country. Rockfalls can happen after rains. How long does it take to drive the Alpine Way? To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 2.5 and 4 hours. The drive features stunning views. It’s a great way to discover the spectacular mountain views. The drive winds its way across the back of rugged mountain ranges offering panoramic views as far as the eye can see. Is the Alpine Way suitable for caravans? The road has narrow sections and some steep gradients between Khancoban and Thredbo. It is not recommended for trucks, buses, and vehicles towing large caravans. Tamborine Mountain Road is The Goat Track The cursed Mushroom Tunnel of Picton Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Driving the coastal Captain Cook Highway in Australiamoderate

Driving the coastal Captain Cook Highway in Australia

🇦🇺 Australia

Okay, buckle up, road trippers! We're hitting the Captain Cook Highway, a legendary coastal cruise in Queensland, Australia. Think dazzling beaches, winding roads, and seriously stunning scenery. This 75 km (47 mi) stretch of pavement hugs the north coast from Cairns City to Mossman. Motorcyclists, get ready to lean into those corners – this road's a blast! Don't let the smooth surface fool you. Despite being a short, paved stretch, the Captain Cook Highway is notorious for its twists, turns, and some say, unexpected hazards. Plan on carving out 1-2 hours for a non-stop run, but trust me, you'll want to pad that time. This highway is your golden ticket to Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, and the Daintree National Park from Cairns. Picture this: reef on one side, rainforest on the other. We're talking jaw-dropping ocean vistas, dramatic mountain backdrops, and enough postcard-perfect moments to fill your camera roll. Keep an eye out for the lookouts offering those sweet 270-degree views of the Coral Sea. If you're lucky, you might even spot hang gliders taking flight. And for the anglers out there, rumor has it there are some killer fishing spots along the way!

Take the Scenic Road and Discover French Pass in NZhard

Take the Scenic Road and Discover French Pass in NZ

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Want to get off the beaten path in New Zealand? Head to French Pass, a sleepy little village at the top of the South Island! The road there, winding through the Marlborough Sounds, is a stunner. The road to this timeless seaport (also called Te Aumiti) is an adventure in itself. Picture this: mostly gravel, one-lane bridges, hairpin turns, and some seriously narrow bits with steep drop-offs. It's a real "Kiwi" road! Keep an eye out for sheep and cattle roaming free – and plenty of cattle stops (and gates!). You'll want to secure anything loose in your car before you hit the first one! Starting from Ōkiwi Bay, the road stretches for about 38 km, climbing to 413m above sea level near Saddle Hill. This twisty road was built way back in 1957. It'll probably take you an hour or two to drive without stopping, and you might not even see another car the whole way. This isn't a popular tourist route, but that's part of its charm! Prepare to be amazed by the scenery – rolling farmland, a unique mineral belt, lush native bush, and those incredible sea views of the French Pass and d’Urville Island. Oh, and did I mention French Pass has some of the fastest tidal flows in New Zealand?