If you don't have your own car or can't get a lift (it's always worth checking hostel notice boards), you might want to consider one-way car rental , usually available from the big-name companies in Melbourne. There are plenty of parking spots where you can pull over and admire the view, but even so the unfortunate driver will miss out on a lot of the scenery; with narrow roads, steep cliffs and incessant hairpin bends you need to keep your eyes glued to the road. In summer the road is filled with cyclists , and although the routes are exhilarating they are really only suitable for the experienced and adventurous.

 

V/Line (tel 13 6196, www.vlinepassenger.com.au ) has a "Great Ocean Road" bus service from Geelong to Apollo Bay, calling at Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne and points in between. Their Coast Link bus service from Apollo Bay goes along the Great Ocean Road to Warrnambool on Friday (plus Mon in Dec & Jan). There's a train service from Melbourne, via Geelong and Colac, to Warrnambool (2-3 daily), with connecting buses to Port Fairy, Portland and Heywood (1-2 daily) and on to Mount Gambier in South Australia (1 daily). From Warrnambool you can also return to Melbourne on the inland road, or go north to Ballarat. There's no public transport to Nelson.