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Great Ocean Road by Ank Kumar –

10 Remarquable Facts about Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 240-kilometre stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford. Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. 

Winding through varying terrain along the coast and providing access to several prominent landmarks, including the Twelve Apostles limestone stack formations, the road is an important tourist attraction in the region. In December 2020, legislation went into effect to legally protect the Great Ocean Road  called the Great Ocean Road Environs Protection Act 2020.

Here are 10 remarquable facts about Great Ocean Road.

1. The Great Ocean Road is considered a tourist attraction in the area

The road is considered a tourist attraction in the area, in which much of the road hugs coastline affectionately known as the Surf Coast, between Torquay and Cape Otway, and the Shipwreck Coast further west of Cape Otway, providing visibility of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. 

The road traverses rainforests, as well as beaches and cliffs composed of limestone and sandstone, which is susceptible to erosion. The road travels via Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell, the latter being notable for its natural limestone and sandstone rock formations including Loch Ard Gorge, The Grotto, London Arch (formerly London Bridge) and The Twelve Apostles.

2. The Great Ocean Road was first planned towards the end of World War I

St Georges River along the Great Ocean Road by Bob Tan –

It was built by approximately 3,000 returned servicemen as a war memorial for fellow servicemen who had been killed in World War I. An advance survey team progressed through dense wilderness at approximately 3 kilometers a month. 

Construction was done by hand; using explosives, pick and shovel, wheelbarrows, and some small machinery and was at times perilous, with several workers killed on the job; the final sections along steep coastal mountains being the most difficult to work on.

3. The Great Ocean Road is the World’s Biggest War Memorial

The Great Ocean Road was built by around 3,000 returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and was dedicated to soldiers who were killed during World War I, making the road the world’s largest war memorial. 

It was a hard job: the work was done by hand using explosives, pick and shovel and wheel barrows, with tents for accommodation.

4. The Great Ocean Road stretches for 243 kms and is a two-lane road

Great ocean road by Summi –

It runs past dramatic coastal scenery and passes through pretty coastal villages. The speed limit ranges from 50 kmph to 100 kmph so watch for signs, and take it easy as the road winds and has some sharp turns, so it can become dangerous in poor weather conditions. Ideally you should take turns driving as the passenger will be able to enjoy some stunning views.

5. The Great Ocean Road is a great place to spot native Australian Wildlife

People don’t always think of the Great Ocean Road as a wildlife destination, but in fact if you look in the right places it’s a great place to search for wildlife in its natural habitat.

At Alkina Lodge they are regularly visited by kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and native birdlife such as kookaburras. Not too far away you can usually see koalas at Kennett River. There’s also the chance to see whales migrating past between May and October.

6. The Great Ocean Road hosts the annual Great Ocean Road Marathon

Great Ocean Road by Paul Carmona –

A 45 kilometre section of the Great Ocean Road, between Lorne and Apollo Bay, is the location of the annual Great Ocean Road Marathon. First run in 2005, the marathon is part of the Great Ocean Road Running Festival.

The course record of 2:27:37 was set in 2019 by English runner Nick Earl. Earl broke the previous record of 2:27:42 set in 2011 by James Kipkelwon of Kenya, who also won the event in 2012.

7. In 1918, the Great Ocean Road Trust was formed as a private company

Surveying for the road, tentatively titled the South Coast Road, started in 1918 with the road suggested to travel from Barwon Heads, follow the coast west around Cape Otway, and end near Warrnambool. In 1918, the Great Ocean Road Trust was formed as a private company, under the helm of president Howard Hitchcock. 

The company managed to secure £81,000 in capital from private subscription and borrowing, with Hitchcock himself contributing £3000. Money would be repaid by charging drivers a toll until the debt was cleared, and the road would then be gifted to the state.

8. Construction on the Great Ocean Road began on 19 September 1919

The Great Ocean Road by edwin.11 –

It was built by approximately 3,000 returned servicemen as a war memorial for fellow servicemen who had been killed in World War I. An advance survey team progressed through dense wilderness at approximately 3 kilometers a month. 

Construction was done by hand; using explosives, pick and shovel, wheelbarrows, and some small machinery and was at times perilous, with several workers killed on the job; the final sections along steep coastal mountains being the most difficult to work on. Anecdotal evidence from ABC archives in 1982 suggested workers would rest detonators on their knees during travel, as it was the softest ride for them.

9. The Great Ocean Road was officially opened with Victoria’s Lieutenant-Governor Sir William Irvine

In November 1932, the section from Lorne to Apollo Bay was finished, bringing the road to completion. The road was officially opened with Victoria’s Lieutenant-Governor Sir William Irvine holding a ceremony near Lorne’s Grand Pacific Hotel, and the road subsequently being acknowledged as the world’s largest war memorial.

Although Hitchcock had died of heart disease on 22 August 1932, before the road was completed, his car was driven behind the governor’s in the procession along the road during the opening ceremony. A memorial was constructed in his name on the road at Mount Defiance, near Lorne, and he is still affectionately considered the Father of the Road.

10. In 1962, the  Great Ocean Road was deemed one of the world’s great scenic roads

In 1962, the road was deemed by the Tourist Development Authority to be one of the world’s great scenic roads. It also had sections widened between the Lorne Hotel and the Pacific Hotel to improve traffic, while aiming to preserve its character. 

Despite improvements, the road was still considered a challenging drive; the Victorian Police motor school even used it for training around 1966.