5 Must-See Landmarks On The Great Ocean Road

Uncover five must-see landmarks on your road trip along the Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road is one of the most scenic drives you can take in Australia. On one side, you’re overlooking the ocean. On the other side, you’re bordered by lush forest. The entire drive is 240 kilometres long, but there are heaps of stops to make along the way.

Below are five incredible landmarks that you must see on the Great Ocean Road!

  1. Memorial Arch

Framing the beginning of the Great Ocean Road is the historic Memorial Arch. This tall wooden archway is not only a famous landmark, but it is also a memorial. It’s actually the longest war memorial in the world.

Construction on the Great Ocean Road began in 1919 and was completed in 1932. It was built by 3,000 Australian soldiers who had returned home after war. Unfortunately, some soldiers lost their lives during this time because of the gruelling nature of building a massive road by hand. Just to the side of the arch is a sculpture of two soldiers working on the construction of the Great Ocean Road.

After viewing the Memorial Arch, you can take a short walk to the beach and listen to the soothing ocean waves.

  1. 12 Apostles   

The most popular landmark on the Great Ocean Road is undoubtedly the 12 Apostles. Millions of travellers visit this iconic location every year, taking in the impressive scenery all around.

This landmark formed millions of years ago, eventually being eroded to a collection of limestone columns. The landmark was originally named “Sow and Pigs”, but the name changed in the 1960s to “the Apostles”. It eventually became known as the 12 Apostles, even though there were only 9 visible limestone pillars.

Over the years, the ocean waves will continue to slowly erode the limestone rock until there is nothing left of this famous landmark.

  1. Loch Ard Gorge


After visiting the 12 Apostles, take a three minute drive to
Loch Ard Gorge. This is the perfect spot to stop and take in even more gorgeous scenery. The two limestone cliffs used to be connected, and it was only recently in 2009 that the archway collapsed on itself.

When visiting this landmark, you can take a stroll along the walking track, fully immersing yourself in the scenic surroundings.

  1. London Bridge


When looking at the
London Bridge, you’ll see an arched rock formation disconnected from the rest of the surrounding cliffs. This bridge used to be connected to the mainland until part of it collapsed in 1990.

We recommend visiting this landmark in the early morning or evening so that you can catch the incredible sunrise or sunset.

  1. Split Point Lighthouse

While driving the Great Ocean Road, you will probably notice a towering lighthouse looming in the distance. This is the Split Point Lighthouse, located on Aireys Inlet.

This lighthouse was built in the 1800s but has sat unmanned since 1919. During its prime, it played a crucial role in guiding ships along the coast. Today, visitors can tour the lighthouse and learn more about its history and the surrounding land!

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.

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