ACTIVITIES ON THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Photo Courtesy of Adam Dyson
PLANNING AN ADVENTURE ON THE Great Ocean Road?
From its original beginnings at Barwon Heads all the way to Peterborough, the Great Ocean Road winds its way over most spectacular coastline in Victoria. For those travelling on this iconic stretch of road there will be times when you might want to stop and get out of the car and engage with the environment.
A great start is the Great Ocean Road Chocolate Factory between Torquay and Anglesea. We may not be engaging with nature here but it’d be holiday negligence to drive past a chocolate factory. If heart rate in beats per minute (bpm) is a measure of adventurousness then trying to get down the 1 meter long Willy Wonka style chocolate bar before it melts will get you up around 80 bpm.
Next is the little motorboats you can hire on the river in Anglesea. Pretty cool, but at about 3 horsepower each you’ll be overtaken by kids in kayaks. For more adventure, keep driving. 50 bpm.
There’s some great bushwalks behind Airey’s Inlet so check that out because you know nature and that. Sort of adventurous, 90 bpm.
Arriving in Lorne you’ll see there are some pretty steep hills was the terrain rises into the Otway Ranges. Driving up the hills behind Lorne you will find Live Wire Park, an amazing zip wire / adventure park incorporated into the forest. With safety harnesses you venture high into the tree canopy on wobbly ladders and platform obstacles to complete various courses. The premier attraction is the zip line that has been constructed in a zig zag down through the trees. A nature / adventure seeker’s roller coaster. 120 bpm.
Between Lorne and Cape Otway there’s a few little towns, Wye River, Kennet River then you’ll arrive at Apollo Bay. The surf on this stretch can be great, so if you’ve bought boards get out there. Being sheltered from the prevailing south westerly swell its home to some nice clean waves. 100 bpm, if you can surf.
After Cape Otway the Great Ocean Road heads inland, briefly touching the coast again at Castle Cove. The cliffs here are quite steep but due to their soft composition climbing is not recommended. ?? bpms if you attempt this, keep driving for an equivalent yet safe thrill.
The Great Ocean Road rejoins the coast again at the 12 Apostles. Spectacular stuff, not really an activity. Resting heart rate only.
Finally, right at the end of the Great Ocean Road, just before it turns back inland to Warrnambool, is the Great Ocean Road Airport. The owners of the airport have recently upgraded the runway to the equivalent to what you’d find in most regional centres. At this shiny new airport is Skydive 12 Apostles.
By now we hope the Willy Wonka bar has been fully digested as Skydive 12 Apostles offers you possibly the most exciting activity on the entire Great Ocean Road. Their veteran pilots and instructors take you up to 15,000 feet above the 12 Apostles and Great Ocean Road before launching into the most exhilarating 60 second free fall and parachute ride available in Australia. 200 bpm.
