Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is a National Heritage listed roadway that spans 240 kilometers along the south-eastern coast of Australia, between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.

This road, the largest war memorial in the world, was built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated to those who gave their lives during World War I.

The Great Ocean Road stretches westward from Torquay and ends at Allansford which is close to Warrnambool, the largest city along the road. The road is comprised of two lanes, one in each direction. The speed limit on this stretch of road varies between 50-100 kilometers per hour. For much of the way, the road winds through coastal areas known as the Surf Coast between Torquay and Cape Otway, and the Shipwreck Coast between Cape Otway and Allansford. This route traverses beaches, cliffs, and rainforests and provides breathtaking views of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. The Shipwreck Coast is well known for its natural limestone and sandstone rock formations including The Twelve Apostles, The Grotto, London Arch (formerly London Bridge), and Loch Ard Gorge. The stretch of Great Ocean Road nearer to Geelong has tall, almost-vertical cliffs that offer splendid views of the coast. Motorists along the way should be aware that rockfalls have been known to occur.

The Great Ocean Road was been conceptualized at the end of World War I when chairman of the Country Roads Board, William Calder, asked the State War Council for funds to enable liveable work for returned soldiers in the Western District. The rugged south-west coast of Victoria was only accessible by rough bush track or sea traffic. It