The Great Ocean Road attracts millions of road trippers each year. It’s hard to believe that it’s only about 100 years old!
Welcome to the Great Ocean Road. An expanse of 234 kilometres stretches along the southern coast of Victoria, which begins from the surf capital of Torquay in Victoria and ends in Warrnambool. Every year, thousands of tourists come and make the journey to the Great Ocean Road so that they can experience this very picturesque drive.
A commemoration for WW1 soldiers
It ticks off all the boxes of a beachy road trip. Even early on, plans for the Great Ocean Road were discussed in the 1880s.
But it was built at the very end of World War 1. The mayor of Geelong made these plans happen. He fundraised for the building project for two reasons.
Firstly, it was for the soldiers who were returning to Australia after the horrors of war. Secondly, it served as a functional memorial structure for those who had died during the First World War. It was designed to be both useful and commemorative.
Road design
The road was based on the design of the French Riviera, the coastal road of San Francisco, and parts of Bulli Point in NSW. To experience the Great Ocean Road, make sure you check out its history.
It’s a place that is jam-packed with adventure and pretty views. The Great Ocean Road winds around the rugged coastline. If you want to experience the history of the Great Ocean Road first hand? Learn about its interesting building process, then check out the Visitor Centre in Lorne.
It’s called the Great Ocean Road Story, and it’s a walk-around history lesson about the building of the Great Ocean Road!
After 1919, when the war was over, 3000 soldiers returned to the area to build up the road across the ruggedly steep cliffs. They faced challenging natural landscapes and windy, dangerous weather. They joined together the isolated towns of the Southern Victorian coastline. This has provided access between these towns so that travellers could get between location with ease. It opened in 1932, and it has seen life from all directions.
It’s the pinnacle of engineering at its finest.
Building the Great Ocean Road
When it was actually being built, the work was strenuous and hard. The first parts of the building process involved linking together Lorne with the Eastern View, which was in early 1922. At the end of 26th November 1932, the road opened and 40 cars drove along it’s newly completed surface.
In the early stages of the road opening, there was a toll gate at the Eastern View – this is where the memorial arch is now located. This is the popular spot where people can have their photos taken.
Drivers who wanted to cross into the area would have to pay. But, the road was then gifted to the government in the mid-1930s for public use, and the toll ended.
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.