Have you seen the Rapha video showing the Great Ocean Road?
This is one of the most spectacular road I have ride, it is in Australia, Victoria state (where is Melbourne)
The road is one of Victoria’s major tourist attractions and should be avoided on weekends and major public holidays – especially Christmas and Easter.
If you can avoid these times you will find a tranquil, relatively empty road with stunning ocean and forest views.
To ride this great road, you'll need few days, depending of your riding speed, I did it in 5 days for 403kms, of course you can speed up in much less time, but the whole point is to enjoy local life, deeping in superb sea, enjoy local fish and chips, make friends on the way around good wine.
Started the trip by taking the train from Melbourne to Warrnambool, the trip takes about three hours.
If you there between June and September go look over the cliffs at Logan’s Beach for a glimpse of the Southern Right whales that rest there.
From there
Warrnambool to Port Campbell, 69km.
If you’re want to see the coast take the side trip to Childers Cove at around the 30km mark otherwise go on untill 12km from Port Campbell you hit the stunning eroded coastline that has made the road famous.
I planned to stay at Port Campbell camp site (never made any booking anyway), but a friendly guy called Paul stopped by with his car and offered to stay at his house, literraly on top of a cliff, facing the ocean at the entrance of Port Campbell.
Great hospitality and local rose made it a memorable night.
Next morning was hard to start riding but plan was to get to Apollo Bay.
Port Campbell to Apollo Bay, 98km.
The toughest day by far but also some of the best riding. Up the short but steep hill out of Port Campbell it’s only 8.5km to the spectacular Loch Ard Gorge and 12km to the 12 Apostles.
Then you will have the increasingly steep climb up to Laver’s Hill where the small store is your last chance to get supplies before Apollo Bay. There’s a couple of steep descents and climbs out of Laver’s Hill as the road head back toward the coast.
The road flattens as it follows the Aire River for an hour or two before suddenly climbing up into the Otway Ranges going into the rainforest. You’ll eventually find your way into Apollo Bay on the long fast descent that leads into town and the famous shark burgers at Nauti-Gals café.
I stayed at the cabin site there, but keep in mind this is very busy place on week-ends, alternative is the camping ground. (I stayed at my friend house Jim & Lisa where I love to spend time with them surfing and cycling in the past)
Apollo Bay to Torquay, 101km
This is the spectacular part, the road gets a little busier out of Apollo Bay but that’s because it hugs the coast, from cliff top to beach level and the views are spectacular. At 45km Lorne is good stop for lunch. After Lorne the road continues to zigzag into Anglesea (68km) from where the last big climb will show you on the way to the famous Surf Coast. If you’ve got the energy take the right to Point Addis at 80km and then immediately left onto the trail that leaves the first car park and follows the cliff top past Bells Beach and into Torquay. Bells Beach got it fame from the movie "
Point Break
", it is home of Australia famous surfing brands.
Torquay to Queenscliff, 40km.
Follow the coast on the road to Bremlea. The road is quieter than heading into Geelong and there are some beautiful beaches around Barwon Heads. Stay next to the coast and you’ll be in Barwon Heads for morning tea. Across the river the road winds into Ocean Grove. Head out of town and take a right at Shell Road and follow the signs to Queenscliff. Queensliff has elegant architectural buildings – Victorian era hotels, a military fortress guarding the entrance to Port Phillip, old churches and quiet fishermen’s cottages. The town has grown from fishing village to become a fashionable holiday destination for Melbourne’s elite and it is now filled with art galleries, bed and breakfasts and cafes. Take the afternoon off and have a look around. I stayed at a local bed and breakfast. Enjoyed nice talks and beers in local restaurants.
Great place!
Queenscliff to Melbourne (via Sorrento) 95km
The Searoad ferry departs Queenscliff for Sorrento every hour from 7am to 6pm and the trip takes about an hour. You can see dolphins swimming along the ferry.
From there just keep the beach on your left all the way to Melbourne. The route is simple and easy, turn left at Safety Beach (25km) to stay on the coast.
The Mt Martha shops (35km) are a great place for lunch, and then stick to the coast for as long as you can past Mornington.
Take care as you go through Frankston (51km), traffic is getting heavier.
Cruise along Beach Rd into Melbourne; all the way to Station Pier and then take a right along the bikepath to the city.
That's it!
It is a great road for cycling and it is possible to be enjoyed by anybody (as long as you are fit enough to ride 100km on a day)
People are very friendly all the way, weather is great, the views are spectacular, it is relatively cheap and simple.
I never made any booking prior to this ride, just took the train and gone.
Remeber: wearing helmet on a bicycle is COMPULSERY in Australia.
More cycling tours
here.
Lonely Planet Cycling Australia
Cold Beer and Crocodiles: A Bicycle Journey into Australia 
Bike Australia, Cycling Australia From Perth to Sydney
Australia Team Cycling Jersey
Living and Working in Australia: A Survival Handbook (Living & Working in Australia)
In a Sunburned Country
Lonely Planet Melbourne & Victoria (City Guide)
, SW-7971
, SW-7972
, CS-6700
, CS-6600, CS-5700
, CS-5600
. (does Not work with 11/28)
, CN-6701, CN-6600, CN-5700, CN-5701
, CN-5600.
, EW-7970
, Double setting SM-EW79F-E (with SC-7900) or SM-EW79A-E or Time Trial setting SM-EW-79F-I (with SC-7900) or SM-EW79A-I
.
, RD-6770, FD-7970
, FD-6770 derailleurs.
, BR-7800
, BR-6700
, BR-6600-S/-G, BR-5700
, BR-5600-S/-L, 
, SW-7972.
(France
) and is about 81 km from the center of Saint-Quentin.
and tubular tires, alternatively, mount your clincher wheels with the Tufo C S33 Pro tubular clincher
it is tubular that can be mounted on a clincher rim. Add some Tufo sealant
in your pocket just in case and there you go.
, Shimano HG-50 9 speed 12-25
, Shimano HG-73, Dura Ace 7700 down tube shifters
, Tektro 510A alloy dual pivot calipers, DiaCompe DC204N brake levers, FSA Tempo 50/34 crankset, Weinmann LP18 Wheelset
, Kenda Kontender 23c wire bead tires
, Brev. M Perforated saddle, Masi Alloy,27.2x300mm seat post, MKS sylvan
w/MKS steel toe clips w/leather accents & nylon straps
.
