The Great Ocean Road Beyond the Crowds: Hidden Thrills & Deals
Welcome to the Great Ocean Road - an epic 243-kilometre stretch of scenic coastal drives that delivers a whole slew of awesome adventures. The site of some of the most beautiful scenery and thrilling activities in Victoria, there’s more here than meets the eye (and crowds)!
You don’t need to break the bank to make the most out of this spectacular slice of paradise. Starting from Torquay and winding its way along the coast to Allandsford, the Great Ocean Road is your gateway to adventure in your Thrifty rental car. If you’re embarking on this stretch of seaside scenery from the city, the best place to collect your vehicle will be either in Geelong or at Melbourne airport.
Free Adventures for Adrenaline Junkies
It’s easy as pie to find adventure-filled spots along the magnificent Great Ocean Road - this is, after all, nature’s playground. The best part about a region that is full of epic scenery and adrenaline-inducing nature is that keen thrill-seekers can find plenty of fun away from the crowds, without having to pay a cent! If you’re visiting the Great Ocean Road between July and October, make sure to make a stop at Logan’s Beach for your chance to catch the whales as they migrate through the swell of the ocean. You’ll even find one of the region’s best hidden secrets at Wreck Beach, where the skeletons of two shipwrecks can still be found to this day. Spend some time adventuring around the beach and its epic waves to make the most of this thrilling - and completely free - spot. Next, swap out the natural playground for a man-made one in Warrnambool at the free Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground, then cool down with a cheap feed on the free-to-use electric barbeques encircling the grounds.
Cheap-as-Chips Scenic Spots
If your favourite way to get your heart racing is a good old-fashioned hike through stunning scenery, you’ve come to the right place. The Great Ocean Road is filled to the brim with natural beauty, making it the perfect place to explore on foot. First, drive out to Apollo Bay and park your car to get amongst the lush greenery of the rainforest as you traverse the track leading you through Mait’s Rest, or discover spectacular serenity just 7 kilometres from Lorne at Lower Kalimna Falls as the water tumbles down the side of a ferny cliff. For adventurers travelling through Anglesea, make sure to stop by Roadknight Point. While one side of the peninsula is a popular beach for families and tourists, the other side is much quieter and boasts vast expanses of open water and the best sunset-watching spot in the region. If you’ve already seen the Twelve Apostles - or you just don’t want to have to work your way through the crowds - instead try the Bay of Martyrs. This secret seaside spot is truly a sight to behold, delighting with towering rock formations lifting from the ocean and dramatic cliff faces lining the shore.
Affordable Activities for Thrill-Seekers
While there are plenty of free activities to check out as you’re adventuring along the Great Ocean Road, there are also a handful of adrenaline-inducing adventures to try if you don’t mind splashing just a little bit of cash. Get out atop the ocean and away from crowds in a kayak at Apollo Bay, or try your hand at surfing the epic breaks at the majestic Black Nose Point in Portland. For dedicated thrill-seekers that are wanting to take their adventuring up a notch, mountain biking through Eumeralla Mountain Bike Trails offers 30 kilometres of bike path that will take you through the stunning bush surrounding Anglesea in the Great Otway National Park. For affordable bike hires, check out Trailhead Bike Co in Anglesea. To finish off your journey, make a stop at one of the best hidden gems on the Great Ocean Road - Childers Cove. This sparkling blue lagoon is one of the region’s best kept secrets, boasting bright blue waves that cascade across golden sand. If you’re up for a challenge, try to swim from the main beach to the smaller one for even more spectacular and secluded pockets of nature. Top it all off with a visit to Cheese World down the road - a tasty treat after your epic adventure!
Whether it’s hitting the waves or finding secret nooks in the natural playground of the Great Ocean Road, there are plenty of adventure-filled hotspots to discover with your Thrifty rental car. Save some cash and get out in nature to make the most of the hidden spots scattered around this thrilling destination - and don’t forget to bring your camera!
