Great Ocean Road Trip On The Cheap

Your expectations for a Great Ocean Road trip are going to be high – the name itself suggests a somewhat power status – but while this is completely justified, that doesn’t mean it has to cost a fortune. There’s so much to see and do on the Great Ocean Road, here’s how you can do it all on a budget.

Hire A Car

You won’t get far without one, and the benefits of hiring a car can only enhance your travel experience. Not only does it give you the freedom to go where you want for how long you want, a hire car can be very affordable. To save money, Europcar offer amazing deals on car and van hire including road-trip friendly discounts. At around 150 miles, the Great Ocean Road runs from Torquay to Allansford, but most people begin or end their journey in Melbourne or Adelaide, so you can do it in a day or spread it out, depending on how much you want to do along the way.

Surf The Great Ocean Road

One of Australia’s most popular sports, there are plenty of surfing opportunities along the Great Ocean Road. Torquay and Apollo Bay are prime areas for surf breaks whether you’re experienced or a first-timer. If you want to invest some time, Great Ocean Road Surf Tours provide a one-day experience complete with two surf lessons, lunch on the beach, VIP shopping at Surf City, a stop at SurfWorld Surf Museum and a relaxing visit to Bells Beach for just $110pp if you meet them at their Torquay Headquarters. Further down the Great Ocean Road at Apollo Bay is Apollo Bay Surf & Kayak, who not only provide surfing lessons, but also kayaking tours to the local seal colony for $70pp, bike hire from just $20pp for two hours and stand up paddle boarding lessons from $70pp.

Visit Cape Otway Lighthouse

On the most southern corner of the Great Ocean Road stands the oldest lighthouse on Australia’s mainland – Cape Otway – and she’s as pristine as the day she was first lit in 1848. With self-guided tours available, you don’t have to pay for someone to show you around, so you can just enjoy the dramatic views of the Bass Strait and Southern Ocean. Entrance into the lighthouse is $19.50pp, and there are no time restraints, but you can combine your tour of Cape Otway Lighthouse with the Treetop Walk at Otway Fly and save $8 while ticking off two of the region’s most popular attractions.

Snap The 12 Apostles

One of the most striking images of the Great Ocean Road is that of the 12 Apostles – and you can enjoy them for free. Located off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, these limestone stacks were once part of the mainland, but the harsh conditions of the ocean have battered it over time to leave these towering rock formations. Their close proximity to each other creates beautiful pictures – especially during sunset. Despite all of their appeal, the best thing about the 12 Apostles is that you can spot them from the road and walk down to the shore without spending a penny. In fact, this is one of the things that really does make the Great Ocean Road great. Its rock formations, towering cliff faces and endless ocean views are free to soak up and snap pictures of, including London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge and Bay of Islands.