The Great Ocean Road is pretty much a must-drive for all Big Lapping grey nomads, but the Victorian Government would like to see people take more time to stop and appreciate all the region has to offer.
While visitors regularly jump out of their car to take a photo of the most iconic natural attractions along the popular route, the state authorities say that currently ‘many visitors drive the Great Ocean Road in a day, spending little time and money in the region’.
In a bid to change that, the government has just launched the Great Ocean Road Regional Trails Strategy 2025- 35, which it describes as a transformative plan to enhance the region’s amazing network of trails.
Many tourists drive the Great Ocean Road in a day. PIC: Valeriia Miller / Pexels
“The new Strategy will support the local community and tourism business to encourage visitors to slow down, stay longer, and connect more deeply with nature, culture and community across the region,” it said.
The Strategy identifies 12 iconic trail networks — including the Surf Coast Walk, Forrest and Anglesea mountain bike networks, the Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail, and scenic rail trails like Camperdown to Timboon and Port Fairy to Warrnambool — offering something for everyone from day-trippers to serious adventurers.
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said the strategy is a big win for communities and tourism right along the Great Ocean Road.
“A well-connected trail network does more than guide people from point A to B — it draws visitors into our towns, supports local businesses, and helps keep jobs in the region,” she said. “It means more people discovering what we locals already know — just how special this part of Victoria really is … I’m looking forward to seeing even more families, walkers, cyclists and adventurers out enjoying our stunning coast and countryside.
It is hoped that, by improving and promoting the trails, the strategy will encourage overnight and multi-day stays, and bring economic benefits to towns like Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, and beyond.
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The trails need to be more dog friendly. The GOR would have to be one of the least dog friendly regions we have visited.
No free or low cost camping along the GOR.
No twelve Apostles anymore, only about three left, the rest have been washed away.
Hoardes of Chinese tourists on day bus trips there with selfie sticks.
We been going there for about 50 years but don’t bother these days.
We have many relatives in that area.
put in some free 48 hour camps and some low cost caravan parks and they will come but $40+/nite stops pensoners and familys with kids
Too cold!!
We took 6 weeks last year to go from Torquay to Port Vincent. We did a lot if walks around around the Great Ocean Road area. Very interesting when you take the time.
My wife and I drove the GOR in 2016. We didn’t camp anywhere along the road but stopped to check out a few of the attractions including the Apostles. 86GTS’s comment “only about three left..” didn’t figure with what we saw then, but anyway..
I did get our special photos at the Apostles on the fairly bright, smooth-ocean day. There were plenty of tourists there that day but we were still able to walk to the lookout without hassles and get our shots. One of my biggest regrets of the whole trip was that we didn’t do a heli flight over that iconic place. It was expensive but all chopper flights are. A later flight over Newman in WA just reinforced my regret about the Apostles. One day..
Travelling from west to east, we both felt that we would like to go the other way, making photo-stops with caravan in tow so much easier in some parts. And yes, if there were more low-cost stop overs, it would be that much more attractive. We’re not big on trail walks though so that would not be a big issue for us.