The Great Ocean Road in Dec/Jan – both a total blast and a bit of a nightmare – you’ve got sunburnt road-trippers, coastal towns heaving with tourists, and beaches so good you really don’t even notice how mad the carparks are. I’ve been driving this stretch more times than I can shake a stick at, and every summer has its own vibe – long daylight hours, cool ocean air, and that unmistakable smell of sunscreen and salt that means it’s a holiday for sure.
Travelling here over the holidays isn’t exactly for wimps, but with a bit of planning ahead, it’s absolute gold. From the surf breaks in Torquay to the Twelve Apostles’ late arvo glow, this route is all about finding your own pace and just soaking it all in. I’ve done a few trips with Great Ocean Road Tours over the years, and every time they remind me why this drive never gets old.
How Hot Is It, And What’s It Actually Like?
Dec & Jan are the peak summer here on Victoria’s south coast – so you can expect long, warm days with average temps ranging from 22 to 28°C and the occasional stinker pushing past 35°C out in the sticks. Nights are pretty cool by the coast – perfect excuse to grab a cold one from your esky and enjoy the breeze rolling in from Bass Strait.
You need to keep an eye out for bushfire warnings – especially out in the sticks between Lorne and the Otways when it’s going off hot. Always check Vic Emergency before you head off – closures can happen fast here & you don’t want to get stuck on some detour with a hot car and no shade.
| Month | Average Temperature | Rainfall (mm) | Daylight Hours | Visitor Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 22–27°C | 35 | 15 hrs | High |
| January | 24–29°C | 30 | 15 hrs | Very High |
Source: Bureau of Meteorology, 2024 data
If you’re signing up for a Great Ocean Road Tour during this season, most tour operators plan to get out early to beat the heat and traffic—a good move that can make all the difference to your day.
Doing a Self-Drive Tour the Right Way
If you’re planning a self-drive tour (or even just driving yourself down the Great Ocean Road), the single best piece of advice I can give you is to get out early and take it easy. You’re not on a highway here – you’re on a tiny ribbon of asphalt carved into the side of cliffs, with bends sharp enough to spill your coffee all over the car. From Torquay to Allansford, it’s around a 240km journey – roughly a four-hour-plus drive without even stopping for a coffee. In reality, you’ll probably double that time, then add even more for the inevitable beach detours and photo stops.
The stretch of road between Anglesea and Apollo Bay – known as the Surf Coast – is probably the most famous bit of the whole trip, and it’s chock-a-block with lookouts, surf beaches, and seaside towns that look like they were plucked straight out of a postcard. You’ve got Torquay’s Bells Beach – a magnet for surfers – and then there’s Lorne, which offers a pretty good mix of cafes, waterfalls, and public campgrounds tucked away in the gum trees. For something a bit quieter, then look up Aireys Inlet or Johanna Beach – both are gems that barely get any day trippers.
Whether you’re driving on your own or joining a guided Great Ocean Road Tour, the key is to take your time. Stop for a coffee, watch the surf roll in, and let’s face it – the landscape is going to be calling the shots on your schedule anyway.
Where to Stay — From Beaches to Bush
Accommodation around the time of the Christmas break books out months in advance, so it’s worth getting something locked in as soon as possible. Prices go up a bit, but if you’re flexible, you should be able to snag a good spot. Here’s the lowdown :
- Public campgrounds: There are a few throughout Great Otway National Park – handy if you don’t mind a bit of roughing it. Expect cold showers, basic loos and mosquitoes in abundance.
- Holiday parks: Torquay, Lorne, and Apollo Bay all have beachfront caravan parks – a bit pricey, but right in the thick of it all.
- Airbnbs and cottages: If you want something a bit quieter, then try staying in a town like Deans Marsh or Forrest – there are heaps of places to rent for the night under the eucalyptus trees. Perfect for escaping the summer madness.
If I had to pick, it’s got to be Johanna Beach Campground. It’s windswept, raw and right next to one of Victoria’s best bits of sand. Just be sure to bring a tent with some sturdy pegs – or you might find it has other plans for your poor old tent.
Lots of people doing a Great Ocean Road Tour will often stop overnight in Apollo Bay, using it as a halfway point before heading into the Otways proper.
Top Tourist Attractions
You can drive the Great Ocean Road so many times and still stumble upon new corners you hadn’t seen before. Some of the most popular tourist attractions are well-known, but others hide in plain sight just off the beaten path behind unmarked turns or trails.
The Must-See Highlights
- The Twelve Apostles – early morning or late evening is best if you want to dodge the crowds and get some truly stunning photos.
- Loch Ard Gorge: A sheer, breathtaking limestone bay with a pretty grim shipwreck story that’s guaranteed to send shivers down your spine.
- Gibson Steps – an absolute must-do – you get to walk down to the beach and get a seriously humbling perspective on the sheer scale of those cliffs.
- Great Otway National Park – this place has got everything – rainforests, waterfalls, and glow worms – and it gets even better when the sun goes down.
Some Hidden Gems To Keep An Eye Out For
- Melba Gully: This place is known as the ‘jewel of the Otways’ – it’s a real gem – and gets its own special light show after dark.
- Wye River – a tiny village with a top-notch pub with a view over the ocean – it’s pretty popular with locals, so you might need to book ahead.
- Point Addis Marine Park – tourists easily miss it, but it has some of the best snorkelling and coastal walks on the entire road.
A lot of Great Ocean Road Tours will tell you what to expect and when, but there’s nothing that beats having a local guide who knows where to point their car so you can stop at the view that is definitely worth the detour.
Timing Your Trip – How To Avoid the Holiday Season Chaos
Between Boxing Day and the middle of January, the Surf Coast can feel like a never-ending car park – it’s that busy. The worst of it is between 10 am and 4 pm, especially if you are driving through Lorne and Apollo Bay – you will not be alone. Do your big drives early in the morning or around dinner time – not only will you beat the crowds, but you get to watch the sunset, which is probably the highlight of the whole trip.
Save yourself some serious stress and fuel costs by picking a place to hang out in for a couple of nights and then making a few trips out to explore the surrounding area. You won’t regret it.
If your trip plans involve the Twelve Apostles, then I’d say get up at the crack of dawn – its not just the light that makes it worth the effort, it’s also a great way to avoid all the other visitors too.
Wildlife, Safety and Some Basic Rules of the Bush
You’ll probably catch a glimpse of some koalas at Kennett River, wallabies in the Otways and possibly even a few rogue emus if you stray from the beaten path. When you are driving in the mornings or evenings, be ultra careful – collisions with roos are a real risk. And yes, the mozzies can be pretty fierce in some areas too, so pack some serious repellent – and I mean serious.
If you are out camping or on a bush walk, just remember a few basic rules – pack out what you pack in, don’t light fires if there is a total fire ban on, and make sure you follow the traditional owner signs – some areas have real cultural significance.
Many Great Ocean Road Tours now include a proper cultural interpretation session from the local traditional owners, so you get a real feel for the history and stories behind these landscapes.
What to Bring – A Quick Checklist
Before you hit the road, grab these essentials:
- loads of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50
- at least 2 litres of water per person per day
- a good wide-brimmed hat and some decent insect repellent
- swimmers and a towel for any emergency dips
- a portable charger and a set of offline maps
- a basic first aid kit and some extra petrol for the really remote bits
Trust me – nothing ruins a trip faster than running out of juice in the middle of nowhere, between Lavers Hill and Princetown, when your GPS decides to go on strike.
Final Thoughts – My Summer Road Takeaway
The Great Ocean Road in December and January – what a ripper of a time to be there! It’s hot, it’s full on, and it’s got a whole lot of Aussie character. Providing you’re prepared and not in a rush, it’s an adventure that’ll leave you with lifelong memories. And yeah, the crowds can be a real thing, but so is the magic. There’s pretty much nowhere else on the planet where you can go from lush rainforest to beach to towering limestone cliffs all in one day.
Just take it easy, show a bit of respect to the land, and remember the most important thing is not how fast you get from one end to the other, but what you see and experience along the way. When i do trips with Get Lost, i always tell my travellers – the road is the star of the show, not the end destination. Don’t get me wrong, the destination is sweet, but really – it’s all the bits in between that count.
Whether you join a tour or do it yourself, the main idea is to be flexible and keep an eye on your esky (ice box) – you know, for the beers & snacks.
FAQ
Will I be safe driving the Great Ocean Road in Summer?
Yeah, but you gotta be on your toes cause the heat and traffic can be pretty brutal. Pull over often – especially on the windy bits.
Can you camp just anywhere along the route?
No, only at campsites designated by the parks people – either Parks Victoria or the Otways. Wild camping is out of the question.
Do they patrol the beaches in the swimming spots in Dec and Jan?
Most of the main beaches, like Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay, are patrolled every day in summer.
How busy are the tourist spots?
Bloody busy – especially between Xmas and the middle of Jan. If you want to avoid the crowds, try early mornings or late afternoons.
What’s the best way to do the Great Ocean Road?
If you want to be able to take your time and pop into all the little coastal towns and hidden gems, a self-drive is the way to go. Give yourself at least two full days, or join a tour if you’d rather have someone else drive.