The southern coast of Australia has dazzled locals and travelers for decades, and few people can find the words to describe the magnificence of the Great Ocean Road. Quentin Long, a contributor to the Australian Traveller, tries his best to share exactly what it is about this strip of road that has adventure seekers coming back several times throughout the year.
"I was expecting to be a little dismayed by a ho-hum experience, looking down upon the silly hordes of bus tourists," Long wrote. "They are there, admittedly, but we are all in it together."
Despite being a seasoned traveler, particularly in Australia, Long was nothing short of flabbergasted when he embarked on his journey along the Great Ocean Road.
The 12 Apostles
During an Australia tour, you'll undoubtedly want to visit the 12 Apostles, an impressive rock formation that has stood for millions of years and still boasts its staggering beauty to this day. You'll feel as though you've just happened upon a green-screened movie set when the first limestone cliff comes into view. With the tallest formation standing at 150 feet high, even at high tide, these imposing pillars are truly impressive. The best time to see these natural marvels is at sunrise or sunset, when the warm colors make them look as though they're glowing.
Johanna Beach
Further along the Great Ocean Road is Johanna Beach, where rough currents and thunderous waves beckon adventurous surfers to test their skills when the sets are in their prime. Whether you want to get in the water or not, the yellow-sand beach is perfect for a quick picnic, and the rolling green hills surrounding the shores are ideal for travelers who want to wake up their legs on a walk.
Marks Restaurant
After feasting your eyes on the 12 Apostles and Johanna Beach, you may want to have a real feast at Marks Restaurants, which is open all year except for the winter months, or May to August, when colder conditions make the Great Ocean Road slightly dangerous to navigate. When the weather heats up in September, the chefs get to work, creating mouth watering seafood dishes like fried calamari and tempura soft shell crab.
