Great Ocean Road
- Thread starter Ashevo
- Start date
I've only towed my soft floor on the GOR, but if you take your time and pull over occasionally to let traffic past you will be fine. There are some pretty tight hairpins, but nothing that is unmanageable.
Great twisties on the bike, however some parts of the great ocean road ok for towing but will be slow and busy over Jan it depends what part of the GOR you are going might be better to shoot through to Birregarra and come out near Apollo Bay dont forget sometime in Jan they also have Rip Curl classic at Jan Juc/ Bells beach anf unless you have already booked a site you may be struggling at this late in the year as some people depending on where book twelve months in advance
The hardest part towing along sections of the GOR is keeping your eyes on the road as the scenery is just spectacular.
I've towed the section from Torquay to Wye River yes its narrow and winding in sections but as mf mentioned it maybe busy down there so make the most of the pull over spots if required.
I've towed the section from Torquay to Wye River yes its narrow and winding in sections but as mf mentioned it maybe busy down there so make the most of the pull over spots if required.
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We did the gor this time last year. When we researched it we were told that the winds typically came from the west (for that time of the year anyway). As a result we took the highway from Melbourne to warrnambool. Popped the van into a park at warnambool and did warrnambool to port fairy sight seeing. The next day we took the van to port Cambell ( with a few site seeing stops along the way) but from that base we went and saw the 12 apostles etc, next day we went on to anglesea with site seeing stops along the way. We were in our bt50 (a very capable towing vehicle) and a 17.56-2 ob and didn't have any trouble at all. We didn't hold up traffic or not feel in control. Scenery is spectacular so as cd said hardest part is keeping your eyes on the road.
Hi Andrea, sounds like a plan! I hope your getting that pool in ready for summer
.....sorry to go off topic!
I've towed along the GOR a few times and found if you're not in a hurry, it is fine for towing. Remember to be courteous to other motorists by using the 'Slow vehicle turn out lanes'. Most places can still be busy right up until Australia Day weekend, so could be an issue getting campsites. Also, some of the tourist spots in the Port Campbell National Park don't have parking for vehicles with vans. If you don't mind a bit of free camping, check out Aire River, and also Johanna, both either side of Cape Otway. Good luck and enjoy your trip.
I've towed vans both ways over the years, no issues at all, just take your time,
If you want to spot some Koala's head up Grey River Road, Kennett River, along the GOR
Cheers
If you want to spot some Koala's head up Grey River Road, Kennett River, along the GOR
Cheers
Apollo bay the kiaora is clean and neat, be sure to go to maits rest rain forest abjout 7km out of town on the south side. At Lorne Erskine falls is a favourite too. As Andrea said we do the same,daytrip out from parks,go back for the van move on to next town and start over again. Cheers Pace.
I'd say ( and no offence meant to anyone who is a cyclist) but the one to watch out for are the cyclists due to their vast numbers and random spots that the either roll around together in or when they are more that 2 a-breast cycling in a tight and winding area. admittedly for myself ( And I have also done the GOR twice, once with my Dove and then again with the 16.49-3) and at times just trying to get around them with knocking them over/cutting them off etc can be difficult especially with the traffic in front and behind you, and as @cruza driver said the view is just as distracting coz its so beautiful down that way.
Just enjoy the drive and have lots of patients, especially during that time of year your going down.
Just enjoy the drive and have lots of patients, especially during that time of year your going down.
Don't get me started on cyclists. I understand and agree that they are road users and have all associated rights etc, but what comes with rights is courtesy. Unfortunately I've found this is an aspect that many cyclists seem to ignore with their "I have a right to use the road" attitude.
Not sure from what end you are coming from, but port fairy is a place to visit for a day or so also.
Hi again,
Stayed at Warrnabool for two nights and did the maritime museum walked along the beach, tower hill, Hopkins Falls, the maritime light and laser show. The swim and spa at the caravan park was a big hit after all of that. On Sunday head from Warrnabool to Port Campbell.
Missed Childers Cove but did Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, Peterborough, The Grotto, London Bridge, The Arch and then into Port Campbell.
Was going to do some travelling around with out the van but the weather closed in and we did some walks from the caravan park.
All of the above (except the Arch) had parking for vans, although I reckon that in peak periods this would be at a premium, but so would all parking.
We where able to park at the Arch and another caravan pulled in as well. No big issues getting out, however it is not as easy as the others which have one-way loops. If there are a lot of cars parked on both sides it may start to make it interesting. The good thing is that the turnover of cars is high and you would not be stuck for long. Best at the Arch to turn around on entry so that you are facing out.
I would say that we have only done a small portion of the road and although narrower than the highway it has not been a difficult tow. Some of the entry/exits to places are on crests and require a decisive pull away onto the road (depending on direction) especially if in busy periods. This section has not been any more difficult than some of the coastal roads in SA. The manual has been good and helpful with maintaining a slow speed on some of the small descents. Will see how we go for the rest of the trip (off to Apollo Bay tomorrow).
It would seem that some of the access roads to the beaches or other areas do have signs indicating that they are not suitable for caravans and camper trailers. We did not check them out so can not comment if this is correct or not.
Cheers
Steve
Wildlife at Tower Hill & Bay of Islands
Stayed at Warrnabool for two nights and did the maritime museum walked along the beach, tower hill, Hopkins Falls, the maritime light and laser show. The swim and spa at the caravan park was a big hit after all of that. On Sunday head from Warrnabool to Port Campbell.
Missed Childers Cove but did Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, Peterborough, The Grotto, London Bridge, The Arch and then into Port Campbell.
Was going to do some travelling around with out the van but the weather closed in and we did some walks from the caravan park.
All of the above (except the Arch) had parking for vans, although I reckon that in peak periods this would be at a premium, but so would all parking.
We where able to park at the Arch and another caravan pulled in as well. No big issues getting out, however it is not as easy as the others which have one-way loops. If there are a lot of cars parked on both sides it may start to make it interesting. The good thing is that the turnover of cars is high and you would not be stuck for long. Best at the Arch to turn around on entry so that you are facing out.
I would say that we have only done a small portion of the road and although narrower than the highway it has not been a difficult tow. Some of the entry/exits to places are on crests and require a decisive pull away onto the road (depending on direction) especially if in busy periods. This section has not been any more difficult than some of the coastal roads in SA. The manual has been good and helpful with maintaining a slow speed on some of the small descents. Will see how we go for the rest of the trip (off to Apollo Bay tomorrow).
It would seem that some of the access roads to the beaches or other areas do have signs indicating that they are not suitable for caravans and camper trailers. We did not check them out so can not comment if this is correct or not.
Cheers
Steve
Wildlife at Tower Hill & Bay of Islands
Ahhhh, youve taken me back to the exact same trip Pace family has done.
Hows the Pathy handling the towing duties? Pace.
Hows the Pathy handling the towing duties? Pace.
Hi all,
Port Campbell to Apollo Bay today. Leaving Port Campbell and straight into Loch Ard Gorge, then the 12 Apostles and Gibbons Steps and most of the morning was gone but we had only travelled 12 km. Next was onto Cape Otway Lighthouse and then Apollo Bay.
This section goes along the coast and then turns inland where it starts to wined and become hilly. As stated in other posts there are turnouts for slow movers to allow traffic to pass. There was on corner where a portion of the road had fallen down the hill and needed traffic lights to reduce it to a single lane. This drive is not difficult (again stated previously) all about slowing for the corners (using the advisory signs) and driving to what you can not see. Also getting the gears right to get up the hills and slow coming down the hills, but again I preach to the converted.
@Pace We did this trip 27 years ago, so it was interesting to think about the comparison, may be seniors moments but will need to compare photos to see what the differences are. There was definitely less of the walkways and car parks.
The Pathy performs well, I have gone from the auto to the manual as the auto hunted too much and I could not get good economy. The manual is great and has no problem with the 16. With 6 speed it is not hard to have a gear for each occasion.
My only complaint has to be about the people who have decided that a small Kia is suitable for "long vehicles only". First was a hire car with tourists in it that decided to park in between two long vehicle parks. They were soon leaving and I think me putting the bull bar 1" from the rear gave them the hint to move as they pulled up so that I could at least move the car and van into one of the parks. They left soon after. Then when I returned to the car a couple had parked in the middle of the front park and not even inside the lines. As I walked passed I commented "I did not realise that the Kia was a long vehicle", the drive indicated that he had to back in (which was via the exit lane). Seemed that me looking at the car and trying to determine if I could get out was enough to get him to return to the car and park it in the car parking area.
Coming from SA you sometimes need to have pride that we are rated as the worst drivers, because when you do something even halve ok, the rest of Australia is surprised. So it concerns me that Victorians are trying to take over in this department.
Cheers
Steve
Port Campbell to Apollo Bay today. Leaving Port Campbell and straight into Loch Ard Gorge, then the 12 Apostles and Gibbons Steps and most of the morning was gone but we had only travelled 12 km. Next was onto Cape Otway Lighthouse and then Apollo Bay.
This section goes along the coast and then turns inland where it starts to wined and become hilly. As stated in other posts there are turnouts for slow movers to allow traffic to pass. There was on corner where a portion of the road had fallen down the hill and needed traffic lights to reduce it to a single lane. This drive is not difficult (again stated previously) all about slowing for the corners (using the advisory signs) and driving to what you can not see. Also getting the gears right to get up the hills and slow coming down the hills, but again I preach to the converted.
@Pace We did this trip 27 years ago, so it was interesting to think about the comparison, may be seniors moments but will need to compare photos to see what the differences are. There was definitely less of the walkways and car parks.
The Pathy performs well, I have gone from the auto to the manual as the auto hunted too much and I could not get good economy. The manual is great and has no problem with the 16. With 6 speed it is not hard to have a gear for each occasion.
My only complaint has to be about the people who have decided that a small Kia is suitable for "long vehicles only". First was a hire car with tourists in it that decided to park in between two long vehicle parks. They were soon leaving and I think me putting the bull bar 1" from the rear gave them the hint to move as they pulled up so that I could at least move the car and van into one of the parks. They left soon after. Then when I returned to the car a couple had parked in the middle of the front park and not even inside the lines. As I walked passed I commented "I did not realise that the Kia was a long vehicle", the drive indicated that he had to back in (which was via the exit lane). Seemed that me looking at the car and trying to determine if I could get out was enough to get him to return to the car and park it in the car parking area.
Coming from SA you sometimes need to have pride that we are rated as the worst drivers, because when you do something even halve ok, the rest of Australia is surprised. So it concerns me that Victorians are trying to take over in this department.
Cheers
Steve