Nestled on Melbourne's doorstep, the Great Ocean Road isn't just one of Australia's most iconic drives; it's a landscape photographer's dream come true. This legendary stretch of coastline offers an unparalleled smorgasbord of photographic opportunities – from dramatic waterfalls and pristine beaches to rugged mountains, secluded bays, and the world-famous Twelve Apostles.
While this guide is crafted with landscape photographers in mind, offering insights into optimal light, compositional tips, and essential gear, it also serves as a fantastic itinerary for anyone exploring this breathtaking region. Below, I'll share some of my personal favourite locations along the Great Ocean Road. Keep in mind that for landscape photography, optimal light often dictates your schedule, so always cross-reference with a map and plan your visits accordingly.
Hopetoun Falls
If you're a waterfall lover, Hopetoun Falls deep within Otways National Park is an absolute must-visit. Despite its secluded feel, it boasts a well-maintained walking track and excellent access. There are a few stairs, so take your time, but the reward is immense. When you reach the bottom, a well-placed deck offers an ideal vantage point overlooking the majestic waterfall and its unique rock formations. The surrounding forest provides a noticeable cooling sensation, creating a tranquil atmosphere for your shoot. You'll often find newly fallen trees, offering dynamic compositional elements that change with each visit.
Depending on the light filtering through the dense canopy, you might need a neutral density (ND) filter for that coveted silky water effect from long exposures, though on overcast days, ambient light might be sufficient. My tip: visit outside of golden hour. The dappled light peaking through the forest can add a magical touch to your waterfall shots, freeing up prime golden hour light for coastal locations.
Pro Tip: Be sure to check out the Californian Redwoods just around the corner while you're here. Details below! More information for Hopetoun Falls and other waterfalls in the region can be found on this useful website: https://www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/lets-go-chasing-waterfalls/
Gibson’s Steps
Gibson's Steps holds a special place as my favourite in the Twelve Apostles region, primarily for its unique access to both elevated viewpoints and the beach below, allowing for incredibly diverse compositions from sweeping coastal vistas above to intimate rock pool scenes below.
Its distance from major light pollution also makes it a prime location for astrophotography – I highly recommend visiting between May and November for the best Milky Way visibility in Australia. While capturing sunset or sunrise here has been a mixed bag for me, often battling strong winds, sea fog, or completely cloudless conditions, my perseverance paid off on one memorable sunrise with a spectacular pure pink sky. Don't give up; keep returning for that elusive, perfect shot.
12 Apostles
The Twelve Apostles, with their iconic storm-carved coastline, are undoubtedly the highlight of the Great Ocean Road. Be prepared for crowds of tourists and photographers, but don't let that deter you from experiencing this natural wonder. While I'm still chasing that 'perfect light' myself, the location is stunning for both sunset and sunrise. For that classic, postcard-worthy shot, sunset is often preferred as it bathes the stacks in warm, directional light.
Arrive early to allow ample time to scout the various viewpoints, and perhaps even explore Gibson's Steps beforehand. The most iconic viewpoint is just a short, accessible walk from the car park. For more information, visit: https://visit12apostles.com.au/
Although technically not directly on the Great Ocean Road (just moments from its official entrance), the following locations are between Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road and are definitely worth checking out if you're planning a closer-range trip.
Point Lonsdale Pier & Point Lonsdale Lighthouse
Point Lonsdale offers a surprising array of photographic subjects, easily accessible from Geelong. While there's much to explore, my primary focus was the historic Point Lonsdale Lighthouse and pier. I was incredibly fortunate with the light during one particular sunset, experiencing a near 360-degree pink sky! This allowed for incredible compositions from both ends of the pier – a truly winning moment.
While the pier often shines brightest at sunrise and the lighthouse at sunset, nature can surprise you. The lighthouse, the obvious focal point, can be challenging compositionally until you discover its secrets. On one low tide visit, I was able to walk out further, finding a unique composition with a stunning reflection of the lighthouse in the soft, golden light.Browse this informative website for more: https://www.visitgeelongbellarine.com.au/destinations/point-lonsdale/
Point Lonsdale Beach - Low Tide
While the amazing pier and lighthouse are nearby, don't overlook the subtle beauty of the beach itself. At low tide, the receding waters reveal many fascinating rock formations that create compelling points of interest for your photographs.
Bells Beach, Torquay
Torquay stands out as one of my favourite towns along the Great Ocean Road, not just for its world-famous beaches but also for its vibrant atmosphere and activities. While the town is bustling, I found landscape photography at Bells Beach to be quite challenging initially, often struggling to find compelling foreground elements. It required considerable patience to find those key details that bring a photograph to life.
For this particular photograph, the interplay of a simple twig in the foreground, the smooth movement of the long-exposure water, and the soft light on the bluff in the background converged to create one of my all-time favourite images. It's a testament to looking for the subtle details that elevate a scene. Check out this website for a great write-up on life in Torquay: https://www.torquaylife.com.au/. I stayed at the Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park, which is a must, especially if you have young kids: https://torquaycaravanpark.com.au/
Jan Juc, Torquay
Just a small suburb of Torquay, Jan Juc might not immediately spring to mind as a photographic hot spot. However, at low tide, this unassuming beach reveals incredible, intricate rock formations. Combined with a dramatic light show, it can lead to unexpected and truly stunning photographs along the Great Ocean Road.
Aireys Inlet Beach
Below the iconic Split Point Lighthouse, an entrance leads to a beach featuring intriguing rock formations. These offer fantastic opportunities to experiment with an ND filter, transforming the crashing waves into serene, silky water for striking long-exposure photographs.
Aireys Inlet Split Point Lighthouse
The Split Point Lighthouse is one of the most iconic and popular destinations on the Great Ocean Road, offering picturesque views and a rich history. For more information, be sure to check out these helpful websites:http://www.aireysinlet.org.au/ https://www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/towns-and-villages/aireys-inlet/https://www.travelvictoria.com.au/aireysinlet/
Beauchamp Falls
The Great Ocean Road boasts some of the best waterfalls in Victoria (the best in my opinion!). While Hopetoun Falls attracts many visitors, Beauchamp Falls offers a quieter, equally magnificent waterfall experience. For photographers, I highly recommend waterproof shoes or gumboots; the best angles are often found by carefully crossing the stream to capture the waterfall in its full glory. Its slightly more secluded nature means fewer crowds, allowing for a more serene shooting environment.
Lorne, Teddies Lookout
Teddies Lookout in Lorne offers an absolutely breathtaking vantage point for sunrise photography. Perched high above, it delivers sweeping panoramic views of the coast, the winding Great Ocean Road, and the surrounding mountains. With just a short, well-maintained 100-metre walk from the car park, it's incredibly accessible, even before dawn.
For those new to sunrise photography, this is an absolute must-do location – easy access combined with epic, rewarding views. If capturing long-exposure headlight trails is your passion, this is arguably the best spot along the Great Ocean Road to do so. This particular photograph, I believe, perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Great Ocean Road: the iconic twisted road framed by mountains to the right and the vast coastline to the left.
Wreck Beach
Wreck Beach demands careful planning: ensure you visit at low tide and allow sufficient time before sunset, as the walk down the many stairs can be quite dangerous in fading light. The reward, however, is a poignant journey to the anchors of the Marie Gabrielle and the Fiji shipwrecks. This location evokes a powerful, almost eerie feeling, serving as a stark reminder of the ocean's immense power. Find more information and walking details here: https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/Great-Ocean-Road/Things-to-do/Outdoor-activities/Walking-and-hiking/VV-Wreck-Beach-Walk
Clifton Springs
For landscape photographers who appreciate a moody, atmospheric scene, the old pier at Clifton Springs is a dream. Located approximately 100km from Melbourne CBD and a stone's throw from Geelong, it offers a unique depth to your compositions. It's also a lovely spot to grab fish and chips while you await the perfect light.
Be warned, though, this location is often swarming with other landscape photographers, so be prepared to share the prime spots! (Haha). Also, consider bringing waterproof pants or waders; for my shot, I ventured knee-deep into the winter waters, but you can certainly capture stunning images from the shoreline.
Cape Otway Light Station
Built in 1848, Cape Otway Light Station is not just an important piece of Australian history – often the first sight of land for European migrants – but also makes for an incredibly striking photograph. Learn from my mistake: don't arrive 10 minutes before closing time! There's an entrance fee, and you might be turned away.
Check their official website for opening hours when planning your visit https://www.lightstation.com/explore/lighthouse/, as they typically open and close outside of prime golden hour. I was incredibly lucky to catch golden hour for the photograph below, as sunset in winter aligned perfectly around 5:15 pm that day. The entry fee is well worth it for the historical tour and the breathtaking sights.
Port Fairy
Port Fairy is another one of my absolute favourite places to be. This charming little town, nestled on the outskirts of the Great Ocean Road, truly makes me feel like I've entered another country. While the iconic lighthouse is the most famous photographic subject, the walk to it reveals fascinating mountains and dramatic water displays. Find some more information on Port Fairy here: https://www.portfairyaustralia.com.au/
Port Fairy Lighthouse
The Port Fairy Lighthouse offers a multitude of compositional opportunities for both sunset and sunrise. Be prepared for a lengthy and somewhat 'spooky' walk along the causeway, especially in the dark – a torch or headlamp is essential, and a friend is recommended if you prefer company! After scouting the location the day before, I braved this walk alone at sunrise, and while it was a bit of a challenge, I'm incredibly happy with the capture.
Queenscliff Pier
The surprising width of Queenscliff Pier immediately grabs your attention. While the most obvious composition is often straight down the middle, explore the beach for other interesting foreground elements, such as the coastal plants. I found blue hour to be particularly suited to this location, enhancing its mood and colours.
I highly recommend bringing an ND filter to slow your shutter speed; not only will it smooth the water, but a sufficiently long exposure will also magically make any walking tourists and fishers vanish from your frame, leaving a pristine scene.
Apollo Bay
A stop in Apollo Bay is non-negotiable – not only for refueling with coffee and a meal, but also for its truly amazing sights. The beach itself is stunning, and along the shoreline, several walking tracks lead to fascinating rock formations. I serendipitously stumbled upon some vibrant seaweed along the rock formations at Shelly's Beach, providing unique foreground interest that beautifully complemented the mid-ground rocks and distant coastline.
The Visit Apollo Bay website https://www.visitapollobay.com/ proved incredibly helpful; despite living relatively close, I never knew whale watching was a major attraction here! Among other things, Apollo Bay truly is a place to linger and explore.
Barwon Heads Bluff
Barwon Heads on the Bellarine Peninsula is a popular holiday destination, boasting proximity to the Great Ocean Road, Geelong, and a host of activities. While the beaches are undeniably beautiful, I found photographing them to be quite the challenge, often struggling to find strong compositions due to a lack of prominent foreground elements or dynamic light. I arrived five hours before sunset and thoroughly explored the area before finally settling on this particular spot, halfway down a walkway to the beach, proving that patience and thorough scouting pay off.
Californian Redwoods
Just around the corner from Hopetoun Falls, you'll discover the awe-inspiring Californian Redwoods, often referred to as the 'giant trees.' These monumental trees are an absolute must-see and arguably the most ideal spot for a tranquil lunch break. Planted 85 years ago, this plantation of Californian Redwoods offers a truly humbling and amazing experience to be amongst such giants. Consider bringing a wide-angle lens to fully capture their imposing height.
Triplet Falls
Triplet Falls is definitely worth a visit, though it's one of those rare locations that often feels more breathtaking in person than captured in a photograph. The photo below is actually of a more subtle stream off one of the falls, which I personally preferred. However, getting to this specific vantage point can be quite a challenge; I recommend sticking to the main path and focusing on capturing the majestic Triplet Falls themselves. Be aware that the scene is incredibly detailed, making a clean composition quite difficult, but it's an amazing place to simply be and observe!
The Great Ocean Road is a treasure trove for landscape photographers, offering an endless array of scenes waiting to be captured. This guide merely scratches the surface of the incredible beauty on offer. I hope these insights and tips help you plan your next photographic adventure along this iconic stretch of coastline. What are your favourite Great Ocean Road photography spots? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!