IMSC Conference - Great Ocean Road Tour

Meet your tour host, bright and early at outside your hotel (time and location TBC) and head off for your 12-hour Great Ocean Road adventure.

Stretching 242 kilometres (150 miles) along Victoria’s rugged coastline, the Great Ocean Road is not only Australia’s most iconic coastal journey, it is also the largest war memorial in the world, built by and to honour those who fought in the First World War.  The road was designed to provide employment for more than 3000 returned servicemen and in appreciation for the service of everyone who served.

Pass the Memorial Arch, originally built in honour of Major W.T.B. McCormack, engineer of the Great Ocean Road.  For many people, this signifies the start of the Great Ocean Road.  The current arch is actually the fourth one built.  The first arch acted as a tollgate and was removed when tolls were removed in 1936.  The second arch was demolished when it was hit by a truck.  The third arch was destroyed by bushfire.

There are two plaques on the arch, one commemorating Major McComack and the other in memory of those who served in the First World War.

The former fishing village of Apollo Bay makes a great place to stop for lunch.  There are plenty of cafes in Apollo Bay to choose from.  Take a wander down the street to see what takes your fancy, or chat to your tour host to get their recommendations.  Or why not enjoy fish and chips on the beach – just like the locals do it!

The Great Otway National Park is an area of approximately 255,000 acres and is one of the most beautiful areas in Victoria.  Being so large, it contains a variety of landscapes, from beaches to rainforests and waterfalls.  It is home to marvellous wildlife, including koalas, southern right whales and extensive birdlife.

If time permits, you can stop at Maits Rest Rainforest Walk to explore further on foot.  The track is a boardwalk loop that takes around 30 minutes to complete. It winds through a temperate rainforest area with giant, 300-year-old beech myrtle trees, tree ferns and moss-covered rocks.

The 12 Apostles is a slightly misleading name as there are actually only eight of these pillars left standing.  They are 150-metre-tall limestone columns that were once connected to the mainland cliffs, but have separated over the years due to erosion.  They are generally considered to be one of the most breathtaking natural wonders of the world.  You will stop at the visitor centre which has secure walks out to viewing  platforms.

Next stop along the Great Ocean is Loch Ard Gorge.  The Loch Ard was a clipper ship that wrecked on Mutton Bird Island off this coast in 1878.  It is probably Victoria’s best-known shipwreck.  It was far from the only wreck in this area though.  The stretch from Moonlight Head to Port Fairy is known as the Shipwreck Coast and approximately 700 ships were wrecked on these shores.

Today however, Loch Ard Gorge is a calm, picturesque inlet with steep cliffs and clear water that has been the backdrop to movies and television shows. Due to some instability in the cliffs, beach access is currently unavailable.

You will return to Melbourne via an inland route through the town of Colac.  Your tour host will plan the timing of the day to ensure you are back at approximately 8pm.