There are hundreds of beaches along the Great Ocean Road. Some play host to famous Australian icons such as the Twelve Apostles, London Arch and Loch Ard Gorge. But there are so many other beaches that are worth a visit too.
Some are great for swimming while some are most definitely not. Some are located in vibrant, coastal towns whereas others are more off the beaten track. You’ll find beaches that are good for surfing, and some that are good for fishing, and others that are great for walking, horse riding or rockpooling.
With such a long and beautiful coastline, we’re certain that whatever type of beach you’re looking for, you’ll find it here on the Great Ocean Road.
Below is a list of some of our favourite beaches, to help you get your holiday planning started.
Wreck Beach
10 minutes drive from Alkina Lodge
We think a visit to Wreck Beach is a must-do for everyone who stays with us. From the car park you’ll need to walk over 350 steps down to the beach (be ready for the uphill walk on the way back!). Here, you’ll find the old anchors from two shipwrecks from the late 1800’s. You should only visit at low tide, and watch out for large waves. Read more about these shipwrecks on our blog.
Johanna Beach
30 minutes drive from Alkina Lodge
Johanna Beach is a popular surfing spot well known for its spectacular scenery and dramatic, crashing waves. Take a walk up the beach and admire the power of the ocean. Kids will love playing in the rock pools, but this beach is not a safe swimming beach so please take care. Johanna Beach is also on the Great Ocean Walk.
Port Campbell
40 minutes drive from Alkina Lodge
Port Campbell is the nearest town to the famous Twelve Apostles ,Loch Ard Gorge and London Arch, and no visit to the Great Ocean Road is complete without a stop here. Venture into the town itself and you’ll find it’s a lively and colourful place with a lovely sheltered beach that’s safe for swimming. Please keep safe and only swim between the red and yellow beach flags.
Apollo Bay
1 hour’s drive from Alkina Lodge
This pretty little coastal town offers a sweeping, sandy beach that’s perfect for swimming in the summer. But there’s also so much more going on here than just swimming. Check out Apollo Bay Fishing & Adventure Tours for the chance to head out and catch some snapper, wander around the town’s gift shops or the Saturday markets, or take a scenic helicopter flight. Apollo Bay is also the starting point for the Great Ocean Walk, an amazing eight day hike along the coastline.
Blanket Bay, the Otways
1 hour’s drive from Alkina Lodge
Blanket Bay is a little bit off the beaten track, surrounded by the forested slopes of the Great Otway National Park, but it’s worth the visit. It can be reached via a dirt road (a 2WD is usually ok depending on weather conditions) or as part of the Great Ocean Walk.
The beach is not patrolled and there are rocks, reefs and rips, so take care if you plan on swimming. We recommend you take a short walk along this wild and beautiful beach and just enjoy watching the endless blue horizon.
Wye River
1 hour 30 minutes drive from Alkina Lodge
Don’t be fooled by the name “river”. Where the Wye River meets the sea, there’s a fabulous sandy beach complete with rock pools and reefs that make it perfect for paddling, swimming fishing and exploring. It’s not surprising that Wye River is such a popular tourist spot. Also, 5 kms away you’ll find the small community of Kennett River, which is a great place to spot koalas in the wild.
There are countless more beaches along the Great Ocean Road. It’s definitely a great region for the beach lover. If you’re feeling inspired and want to book a trip to the Great Ocean Road, simply click here to check availability and book online with us.
Where To Stay
Luxury accommodation is available at Alkina Lodge (+61 3 8899 7426 ; alkinalodge.com.au ), an architecturally designed lodge set in over 100 acres of native bushland. The lodge is about 15 minutes drive from the 12 Apostles. Prices start from $297.50 per person per night (based on twin share occupancy and excluding flights).
Getting There
The Great Ocean Road is located in Victoria and stretches for 243 kms, starting at Torquay and ending near Warrnambool. How to get there depends on which part of the Great Ocean Road you’d like to visit. However, the most famous sights such as the 12 Apostles and Port Campbell National Park are located 275 kms west of Melbourne, approximately a 4 hour drive along the Great Ocean Road.
