We could spend a week taking our time driving along the Great Ocean Road, with so many hidden gems along the way and options to make you want to stray up into the green hills making countless detours. It can be overwhelming deciding which lookouts to take your precious time exploring!
Thanks to our 20+ years of experience running Private Great Ocean Road Tours, we have the inside knowledge of which Top 3 Hidden Lookouts of the Great Ocean Road will never fail to amaze you, and which ones are ALWAYS worth taking that detour for;
1. Teddy's Lookout
Hidden up behind Lorne, you would not even see the signs for this beautiful spot unless you already ventured up and turned right when you hit the second roundabout coming into Lorne. But if the beautiful coloured beach houses don’t tempt you up that way already, definitely make the climb and of course watch out for the chance of spotting wild Koala’s chilling in the trees on the back streets of Lorne, on your way.
With a convenient picnic shelter and the chance to often see cockatoos and rosellas darting around the bush, this very rewarding lookout for such a short walk from the carpark affords you a fantastic view of the Great Ocean Road!
The winding curves around the point of the Saint George River meeting Bass Strait emphasise the incredible work of the returned soldiers who built this stretch of road. Get ready for stunning pictures and if you are lucky it is often possible to spot a host of marine life in the clear blue water as you gaze out to the ocean.
2. Castle Cove
Ok so this lookout is not so much ‘hidden’, more just easy to miss!
Having driven through the beautiful lush green farmland of Glenaire you rise up a steep hill, where it is very easy to keep going past the turn as you catch a slight glimpse of the ocean, only after you have passed the turn off and see there is a really awesome view behind you do you realise there is nowhere to turn round and go back!
Don’t let this one pass you by, with fantastic panoramic views out into the Southern Ocean, Castle Cove is one of the Southernmost points of the Great Ocean Road trip, and also being part of the Great Ocean Walk means you can claim to have walked a part of this historic trail! A secluded walkway takes you eight out to the cliff edges in safety where you can breath in that fresh sea air and have a good leg stretch before continuing the drive through the trees of the Otway forest.
3. Bay Of Islands
People think the highlight of the Great Ocean Road is just the 12 Apostles, and while yes, they are breathtaking, going that little bit further along the Shipwreck Coast and heading to the peaceful and majestic sight of the Bay of Islands is a very welcome change of pace, especially if you have encountered crowds at the Apostles.
While the island formations in the bay are not as tall as the Apostles, these flatter coastal formations are home to an array of wildlife, as well as being a dramatic reminder of how the Ocean carves out the soft limestone cliffs, sculpting secret caves and arches, which spark the imagination giving thoughts to the how the landscape appeared to the local Gunditjmara people pre-colonisation.
Take time to explore the lookout paths and take in the uninterrupted views without the crowds which can be found at the eastern spots. Keep your eyes peeled for nesting seabirds and information about the significant indigenous history of the region with evidence of the Gunditjmara People’s middens, which give a valuable insight into the diet and way of life for the Aboriginal people.
While these are 3 of our absolute favourite hidden lookouts, there is a treasure trove worth of other secluded spots that we love and want to share with visitors. Of course if we published them here they wouldn’t be such a secret, so get in touch with our team who will help you plan the perfect Private Great Ocean Road Tour, using our in-depth knowledge to tailor your trip to something truly personal that you will remember for a lifetime!
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Rosemaria Cord Archibald