There are multiple towns along the Great Ocean Road which make a perfect base to explore all the region has to offer – and each has the benefit of being a holiday destination in their own right. Whether you’re planning your first Great Ocean Road road trip or are looking for the perfect seaside village to escape city life for a week or two, we’ve pulled together a whole heap of resources to create the ultimate Great Ocean Road Guide Accommodation Guide.

Scroll down to find out all about each of the most popular towns and places to stay along the Great Ocean Road, complete with detailed accommodation guides, things to do and places to eat.

Disclaimer: Almost all posts on this site contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on any of the links in our Great Ocean Road Accommodation Guide (and make a booking) we may receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. Each post is carefully crafted to (hopefully!) answer all your questions and recommendations are made where we believe they will improve your trip and help with your planning. As such we thank you in advance should you decide to click, buy or book. Read our full Disclosure here.

The ULTIMATE Great Ocean Road Accommodation Guide
– Where To Stay No Matter Where You Decide To Stop!

Map of Towns on the Great Ocean Road

This map marks all thee main seaside towns and villages along the Great Ocean Road – and can be used for driving distances between them like a regular google map. Click the image above or through to our Complete Great Ocean Road Map to access the full, interactive map which not only features the locations of towns along the Great Ocean Road but also campsites, viewpoints, spas, attractions, beaches and more. (There are over 150+ sites marked on the map, making it a great resource for your Great Ocean Road adventure – click the link and check it out!)

Best AirBnBs Along The Great Ocean Road

From cosy cabins to luxury apartments overlooking the ocean, farm stays to surf shacks, not to mention huge holiday homes for group get-togethers and large family stays – these are 20 of Best AirBnBs along the Great Ocean Road.

Torquay

Distance from Melbourne to Torquay: 105km (65 miles) – approximately 90 minutes
Distance from Torquay to Port Campbell National Park & The Twelve Apostles: 176km (109 miles) – approximately 3-3.5 hours

Torquay is the official start of the Great Ocean Road and the closest town to the world-famous, Bells Beach – the undisputed home of Aussie surf. Boasting everything surf-related – from the National Surf Museum to surf shops and surf lessons not to mention the surf beach at Jan Juc, you’d be forgiven if you didn’t think there was anything else to do in town – but you would be very wrong!

From wineries and craft beer to a delectable cafe culture; farmers markets and artisan markets showcasing the best of the region; walks and hikes along the Surf Coast Trail; and relaxation galore with spas, horseriding and a golf course – Torquay is a great place to stay on your Great Ocean Road trip.

Start Planning Your Torquay Stay:

• The Complete Torquay Accommodation Guide: from resorts like the RACV Torquay Resort & Wyndham Resort Torquay to Motels, Bread and Breakfasts & Holiday rentals, we’ve reviewed the best options for every family size and budget to help you find the perfect place to stay.
• 15+ INCREDIBLE Things to do in Torquay
• A Local’s Guide to the Best Torquay Restaurants

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Anglesea

Distance from Melbourne to Anglesea: 115km (72 miles) – approximately 1.5-2 hours
Distance from Anglesea to The Twelve Apostles (via GOR): 158km (98 miles) – approximately 2.5-3 hours

The town of Anglesea (known as Swampy Creek until 1884), on the Anglesea River and just a short drive along the Great Ocean Road Victoria is a celebration of everything about living by the water. A relatively small township of around 2,500 people, its numbers can swell to three times that over the summer months – and when they offer a little bit of the Aussie trifecta: beach, bush and wildlife – it isn’t hard to see why.

Start Planning Your Anglesea Stay:

• The Complete Anglesea Accommodation Guide:
• 10+ Things to do in Anglesea
• A Local’s Guide to the Best Anglesea Restaurants

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Airey’s Inlet

Distance from Melbourne to Airey’s Inlet: 124km (77 miles) – approximately 1hr45-2 hours
Distance from Airey’s Inlet to The Twelve Apostles (via GOR): 150km (93 miles) – approximately  2hr45-3h15

Located between the larger centres of Anglesea and Lorne, and nestled between the bushland of the Otway Ranges and the rugged coastline, Airey’s Inlet is favourite with surfers for the nearby Fairhaven Beach, and with walkers for the coastal tracks offering incredible views of the ocean around Split Point Lighthouse.

There are two small but distinct commercial centres in town – the one in the north has a general store, post office and a couple of food outlets; and the slightly larger centre featuring shops and more eateries just east of Painkalac Creek.

Start Planning Your Aireys Inlet Stay:

• The Complete Aireys Inlet Accommodation Guide

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Lorne

Distance from Melbourne to Lorne: 142 km (88 miles) – approximately  2-2.5 hours
Distance from Lorne to The Twelve Apostles (via GOR): 131 km (81 miles) – approximately  2h15-2h45

Surf, shops and a thriving community spirit are just three of the reasons Lorne is one of the most popular towns along the Great Ocean Road Australia. Add in stunning waterfalls, beautiful lookouts, ocean views whichever way you look and some top-notch tucker and you’ve got everything needed to make Lorne the perfect place to stay – be it for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks!

Start Planning Your Lorne Stay:

• The Complete Lorne Accommodation Guide – some of the best holiday homes, BnBs and hotels in the Great Ocean Road area.
• 10+ INCREDIBLE Things to do in Lorne
• Don’t go chasing waterfalls… actually do(!) with our guide to all the Amazing Lorne Waterfalls (inc Phantom Falls, Henderson Falls, Cora Lynn Cascades near Erskine Falls, Erskine Falls itself and so many more!)
• A Locals Guide to the Best Lorne Restaurants, Pubs & Cafes

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Wye River & Kennett River

Distance from Melbourne to Wye River: 160km (100 miles) – approximately 2.5-3 hours
Distance from Wye River to The Twelve Apostles (via GOR): 113km (70 miles) – approximately 2-2.5 hours

Between Lorne and Apollo Bay there are the relatively small, but perfectly formed, villages of Wye River and Kennett River. Wye River is home to many a holiday home, campground, general store & the unmissable Wye Beach Hotel where there is good grub, craft beer and some decent wine options available.
The smaller Kennet River also has a campground, a cafe and is home to the now-famous (but quite shy) Kennett River koalas just a short walk from the main road – head up the Grey River Road and see if you can spot some of our furry friends.

Start Planning Your Wye River & Kennett River Stay:

• The Complete Wye River Accommodation Guide
• The Complete Kennett River Accommodation Guide
• 10+ Things to do in Wye River & Kennett River

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Apollo Bay

Distance from Melbourne to Apollo Bay: 187km (116 miles) – approximately 3-3.5 hours
Distance from Apollo Bay to The Twelve Apostles (via GOR): 86km (54 miles) – approximately 1.5-2 hours

Another favourite stop on the Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay hugs the rugged coastline offering the perfect mix of beaches and the mountains of the Otway Ranges. With waterfalls dotting the national park, hilltop lookouts offering panoramic views over the ocean, and being the official start of the Great Ocean Walk, it’s a haven for lovers of the great outdoors. (And who wouldn’t love the great outdoors with everything Apollo Bay has to offer?!) Start planning your Apollo Bay stay below.

Start Planning Your Apollo Bay Stay:

• The Complete Apollo Bay Accommodation Guide
• 10+ Things to do in Apollo Bay
• Where to eat in Apollo Bay – The Best Apollo Bay Restaurants for any occasion

Port Campbell

Distance from Melbourne to Port Campbell (via GOR): 284 km (176 miles) – approximately 4-4.5 hours
Distance from Melbourne to Port Campbell (via Colac, inland): 230km (143 miles) – approximately 3-3.5 hours
Distance from Port Campbell to The Twelve Apostles: 11 km (7 miles) – approximately 15 minutes

The last ‘major’ town before the official end of the Great Ocean Road at Allensford, Port Campbell is also famous for being the town closest to Port Campbell National Park and the famous 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Arch (formerly London Bridge), Bay of Islands are more. A thriving little town with a growing food scene.

Start planning your Port Campbell stay:

• The Complete Port Campbell Accommodation Guide

Campsites & Holiday Parks on the Great Ocean Road

Whilst each of our linked accommodation guides for the major towns and villages along the Great Ocean Road do feature campsites and caravan parks, if that is the only type of accommodation you are looking for, we recommend you take a look at our dedicated camping guides:

• Great Ocean Road Campsites & Caravan Parks
• Free Camping on the Great Ocean Road

Accommodation Beyond the Great Ocean Road

Ocean Grove

Located just 20km before the official start of the Great Ocean Road, Ocean Grove is a lovely little holiday town with easy access to Queenscliff, Barwon Heads and right in the heart of the Bellarine Peninsula. Find your perfect place to stay in Ocean Grove.

Warrnambool

Whilst Allensford is the official end of the Great Ocean Road, accommodation options are limited, and most people opt to stay in the larger town of Warrnambool which is just 10km away. A popular tourist destination in its own right, Warrnambool has a large commercial centre with shops, eateries and several historic buildings. Find your perfect place to stay in Warrnambool here.

Port Fairy

Port Fairy is a historic fishing town located on the Moyne River on Victoria’s south-west coast, and is the last town on Victoria’s shipwreck coast. It is loved by Australian’s for its beautiful beaches, picturesque historic riverfront port and thriving arts and food scene – and a great place to spend a few days if you are on your way to the Victoria-South Australia border. Check out the best Port Fairy Accommodation here.

READY MORE GREAT OCEAN ROAD TRAVEL INSPIRATION? YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THESE TRAVEL TIPS, TRAVEL ARTICLES, DESTINATION GUIDES AND RELATED POSTS ABOUT OUR AMAZING COAST ROAD:

• 10 BEST Day Trips to Explore The Great Ocean Road
• 20 Must-See Great Ocean Road Attractions
• 12+ Beautiful Great Ocean Road Waterfalls

Hi There! Thanks for reading our travel guide to The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Accommodation Guide. I just wanted to let you know that this post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something after clicking a link, I may get a small commission – which is at absolutely no cost to you. If you enjoyed this article and are going to be searching for some of the things I mention anyway, I would love it if you could click through from the links above & thank you in advance! Read my full Disclosure here.