Unique Food and Drink Experiences on the Great Ocean Road

Any foodies planning a trip down the Great Ocean Road should get ready to tuck in! This area may be known first and foremost for its iconic coastal scenery, but visitors are often surprised at the incredible and unique local food and drink once they get here.

The region boasts an amazing array of artisan, organic and fresh cuisine, and it can be found in both casual and intimate settings. There’s certainly something to suit all budgets, tastes and palates.

But what we think is truly special about the food and drink on the Great Ocean Road is that uniqueness which our local producers provide. We’ve got the fine dining and intimate cafes which arguably rival those you can find in Melbourne. But we also have food and drink experiences here that simply can’t be found anywhere else but the Great Ocean Road.

The climate here allows the area’s artisans to produce incredibly tasty cheeses, chocolates, berries, whisky and wine. There’s plentiful organic produce and delicious fresh seafood. Meanwhile you’ll find the people behind the food and drink are very passionate about what they do and will often be happy to chat about how it’s produced.

Here are our top food and drink experiences (in no particular order) which we think have that distinct “Great Ocean Road” flavour:

1. A Private Chef Experience at Alkina Lodge

   Enjoy Haute Cuisine at Alkina Lodge
   If you’d prefer to dine in the comfort of your luxury lodge, we have a personal chef option for our guests that might suit you. Our chef, Cindy Leveillee-Goulet, is trained in the culinary art of haute cuisine and will create a delicious meal for you using locally sourced produce. Sit back and relax while she’s preparing your meal, or if you prefer you can join in with the kitchen fun!
   (Please note this option must be booked 7 days prior to your arrival).

   

    

2. Timboon Rail Shed Distillery

   Whisky tasting plus incredible local food
   The quaint and atmospheric town of Timboon is about 45 minutes drive from Alkina Lodge and it’s here that you’ll find the charming Timboon Rail Shed Distillery. Beautifully presented, delicious meals and whiskey tastings – what more could you ask for?!

3. Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Co-op

   Fresh seafood straight off the boats 
   When you’re visiting the Great Ocean Road fresh seafood is a must, and this is a great way to experience it. It was set up originally by local fisherman, as both a restaurant and seafood store. Walk along the waterfront and watch the fresh fish being unloaded from the boats. You can choose to take some back to your lodge to cook for yourself in our designer kitchen. Alternatively, get them to cook it for you. Pull up a chair at one of the outside tables and enjoy eating next to the harbour.

   

    

4. Otway NouriShed Cafe and Museum

   Great for a gourmet burger lunch
   The NouriShed was originally a potato shed and has now been transformed into a cafe. Half the building has been turned into a museum that gives you a real understanding of the local area. There’s a nice warm fireplace to sit around in the winter and the staff are friendly & love to chat. The burgers here are sensational, so grab one for lunch after a morning hiking in the beautiful Otway Ranges!

   

    

5. Timboon Fine Ice Creamery

   Possibly the best ice cream in the world!
   This very cool ice cream store is definitely worth a visit. The owners make their ice creams using fresh, local products and the flavours are to die for! Think Passionfruit Meringue, Salted Caramel, Whisky Cream and Limoncello Sorbet. They also run a “Sundae School” where you can learn how to make ice cream yourself.

6.  Forrest Brewing Company

   Craft beer tasting in a charming little town
   A fantastic micro-brewery where you can grab a bite to eat and taste some craft beers. The owners brew four different artisan beers and use fresh, local produce in the restaurant. A great environment for the beer enthusiast – you can even see the brewing room from the dining area. Plus staff who genuinely love to chat about the beer and the local area.

   

    

7. Brae Restaurant

   For your fine dining experience
   If you’re after a fine dining experience, Brae is an absolute must. It’s roughly half way between Alkina Lodge and Melbourne, making it perfect for a lunch stop on your way here or on your way back. Brae is contemporary and upmarket, with high service standards and as much focus on presentation as on flavour. But here’s where Brae differs from a city restaurant : it’s set on 30 productive acres of organic farmland and the menu always reflects what’s in season and comes straight off the land. Not only that, but Brae has been ranked as the 44th Best Restaurant in the World, the highest rank of any restaurant in Australia.

8.  Apostle Whey Cheese

   Try some “Loch Ard Gorgeous” Camembert!
   This local producer makes cheeses from pure milk that comes from their own herd of Aussie Red and Jersey cows, and has won a number of major cheese awards. The cheese tasting sessions are a great way to hear about how the cheeses are made, you can watch the cheese makers at work, and there are beautiful rural views. Time your visit for 4pm and you’ll get to see the cows being milked too.  We love these cheeses so much we use them in our guest hampers.

9. Bespoke Harvest 

   Support the local farming community 
   About an hour’s drive from Alkina Lodge you’ll find the picturesque township of Forrest. This is a great place for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife spotting. It’s also the home of Bespoke Harvest, a delightful restaurant which uses fresh produce from their own garden and surrounding farms. Here you’ll find a truly seasonal and mostly organic menu.

10. Fish & Chips By The Sea   

    Not to be missed.  
    Finally, no trip to the Great Ocean Road is complete without a casual meal of fish & chips outside overlooking the ocean. Frying Nemos in nearby Port Campbell is a great place to pick up your fresh fish & chips, and then we suggest you wander down to the beach to enjoy the great views while you eat.

    

Where To Stay

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.