We’ve just returned from a fabulous coast-to-coast trip of Victoria, and we’d like to share with you some simply amazing Great Ocean Road scenic sights and astounding accommodation finds you really shouldn’t miss!

We’ll list them in the order in which we stayed at them, because if we had to pick a favourite – well, we simply couldn’t do it!

Here are our picks of where to stay on the Australian Great Ocean Road…

No time to read? Just watch the video…

No.1 – Cumberland Lorne Resort

2 hrs drive from Melbourne

The Cumberland Lorne Resort is the best located hotel in Lorne. It’s situated directly opposite gorgeous Lorne Beach and right upstairs from bakeries, eateries and shops. This means you don’t have to drive or park to get to all those lovely Lorne boutiques, cafes and restaurants!

The resort features huge apartments – many of them with stunning ocean views. They are fully serviced and fitted out, with open-plan living areas, full kitchens, a laundry and big, comfortable bedrooms. Here, the family can spread out in comfort without having to worry about spending the holidays living on top of one another!

Amenities on site include an underground car park, gardens, barbeques,  a (beautifully warm – bliss!) heated indoor swimming pool and tennis court.

These apartments are ideal for both short or longer holiday stays. Suited for singles, couples or large families, the Cumberland Lorne Resort is a great place to settle in and relax, and explore the nearby sights.

Prices

Apartments start from $207 per night

Take a look for yourself – watch our apartment walk-through

Learn more or book at the official Cumberland Lorne Resort website here

Things to do near here

Visit Lorne Beach (1 minute walk, lifesaver-patrolled family beach), Teddy’s Lookout (2 minutes drive), Lorne Pier (2 mins drive), Live Wire tree climbing and zip lining (7 mins drive) and (Erskine Falls (15 mins drive).

While in Lorne, you might like to try…

Feel like climbing  through the trees? How about Australia’s newest and highest zipline? Watch our fun day out at the fun new Lorne family attraction, Live Wire Park

No. 2 – Cape Otway Lighthouse

1 hr 20 mins drive from Lorne
3 hrs drive from Melbourne
1hr 14 mins drive to the Twelve Apostles

It would be difficult to find a more historic, unique place to stay along the Great Ocean Road, than Cape Otway Lighthouse, or Lightstation, as it is more formally known. So historic, that it is even known for its ghost in residence!

Accommodation consists of the haunted Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage (we had our own rather strange happenings here, both times we stayed!), which is a delight to stay in. A very large period house, the cottage is located at the end of the Lighthouse footpath which can sleep up to ten people easily. The big kitchen is set up to cater for many, as is the large dining room, living room and bedrooms with doubles and bunk beds. In winter, a wood fire and electric bedroom column heaters keep things nice and cosy.

During opening hours wifi is available in the café, along with yummy cooked meals, coffee and souvenirs. Be prepared to manage without the internet or even your mobile phone after hours, however there are some big advantages to this escape from the attention-seeking modern world. With no calls from work or text messages from friends, you can really relax together and perhaps play a board game or watch a DVD together. Or you can simply curl up in front of the fire with a shipwreck book from the cottages shelves – the choice is yours!

If you are really desperate, you can wander down to the Lighthouse where you may get a weak mobile phone signal.

At the end of the day, it’s the sheer isolation of this unique accommodation choice which makes the Cape Otway Lightstation totally unique. With little more than a handful of guests or perhaps a resident scientist staying on site after hours, you’ll find yourselves masters of your domain. It’s great fun to have free-run of the vast grounds of historical buildings, lookouts, rolling parklands and of course that amazing lighthouse!

Prices

Quoted upon enquiry

Learn more or book at the official Cape Otway Lightstation website here

Things to do near here

There is little reason to leave Cape Otway during your stay, as there is plenty to do and see! There are several historically significant buildings to explore. The most famous of course is the Cape Otway Lighthouse, which you can climb during opening hours. Be sure to visit the Aboriginal bush tucker hut and talks, whale art installations, World War 2 bunker, Telegraph building and more – and it’s all free with the price of your accommodation!

Don’t forget to keep your eyes open for the numerous members of the local koala population in the Otway National Park forest too, which you have to drive through to reach Cape Otway. Just watch out for the haphazardly pulled-over cars and people staring and pointing upwards!

Take a look for yourself – watch our tour of the Cape Otway Lightstation and attractions

No. 3 – Port Fairy Horizons Beach House apartments

3 hrs 20 mins direct drive from Melbourne

2 hrs 30 mins from Cape Otway

Whilst no longer strictly part of the Great Ocean Road which ends at nearby Warrnambool, the historic town of Port Fairy is a Victorian coast highlight which is far too good to miss. An absolute feast of natural beauty, Port Fairy is steeped in coastal Victorian history and it’s streets are lined with a plethora of beautiful old buildings.

Located just about as close as you can be to the incredible expanse of Port Fairy Easts Beach you’ll find the indulgent Horizons apartment. This beach house has been split into two gorgeous accommodation options – one upstairs (the Penthouse), and one down (Horizons). Both are big enough to sleep families of up to six people. These beautifully modern apartments are a deluxe way to enjoy this stunning part of the world in comfort, but without the massive price tag.

Panoramic ocean view windows along the entire front, huge open living areas and bedrooms with elegant furnishings make for a very pleasant stay. There is a full kitchen with everything you could ever need, a separate laundry, ensuite and bathroom. With room to move and the beach literally a stone’s throw away across a single lane access road, the whole family is going to adore staying at Horizons.

Prices

From $350 per night for 2 x adults, 2 x children

Take a look for yourself – watch our water front apartment walk-through

Learn more or book at the official website here

Things to do near here

Visit Port Fairy Beach (across the road), Port Fairy’s historical town and buildings (2 mins drive), Griffiths Island & lighthouse (3 mins drive), Tower Hill reserve (20 mins drive), Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village (30 mins drive)

While in Port Fairy, you might like to try…

Just thirty minutes drive away at Warrnambool you’ll find the fantastic historical replica maritime village of Flagstaff Hill (don’t miss the light show!). Take a look at Flagstaff Hill in this video we made during our visit.

Have you ever visited the Great Ocean Road, or do you plan to go one day? Perhaps you have your own suggestions? Tell us in the comments below…

All driving times are approximate and do not include breaks. All information is correct as at July 2018, but prices can fluctuate – check supplied website links for any price and availability changes.
Let’s go Mum were hosted guests at all of the above hotels and paid activities, however all opinions remain firmly our own.

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The Great Ocean Road had been long and winding during our Victorian road trip, but as we drew towards its end we were encouraged by locals to keep going – “Don’t miss Port Fairy!”  they said…so on we went, past Warrnambool and continued on down the coast for another 20 minutes to the gem of Port Fairy, and the indulgence of our accommodation – Hearns Beach Villas…

Hearns Beach Villas are quite deceptive when you first approach them. Just a couple of minutes away from the quaint fishing village of Port Fairy, we had decided to go and inspect them before committing to stay. They sat huddled together at the end of a peaceful farming road, curious cows stationed along either side.

I knew that, thanks to their name, there must be a beach there somewhere… I left the family sitting in the car as I looked for a path to get around the side of the villas and up over the low dunes that were blocking my view. Thinking back, I suppose it may have looked a little odd to my waiting family, but I was determined to take a look! After I managed to get to the point where I could finally see, I paused for a moment before returning to the car and blurting out,  “Okay, we have to stay here!”

The secret these beautiful villas were concealing was the most incredible absolute-beachfront views. Beautiful, wild, wave-breaking ocean that looks as thought it could sweep right up into the Villa without too much trouble at all – but of course it doesn’t, as there are dunes below, and then a thin line of black basalt boulders between you and the sea.

Although the view alone is more than enough reason to want to stay at Hearns Beach, the charms of these secluded and very private villas don’t end there.

Hearns Beach Villas are the height of modern luxury. A huge open-plan living area encompasses the dining area sweeping down to the kitchen, then large lounge area. The lounge is furnished with comfy leather sofas and a rocking recliner – all interior decoration is stylish and minimal – easy on the eye. A flat screen TV is mounted above the gas-fire, which charmingly flickers between both lounge and large master bedroom for chilly evenings. In addition to the gas fire is a split-system dual climate control unit to effectively heat or air condition.

There’s a DVD player for movie nights and a great CD stereo system tucked away in the cupboard.

Both the lounge and master bedroom feature floor to ceiling glass windows and sliding doors to take advantage of that incredible view – you can literally wake up in the morning in the massive King bed, staring at the beautiful Southern Ocean crashing against the rocks – just to remind you of where you are staying!

There is a good-sized second bedroom at the other end of the villa which has two single beds and built-in wardrobes containing the various essentials – an iron and ironing board, clothes airer and ducted vacuum cleaner.

In the voluminous luxury bathroom between the two bedrooms you’ll find a separate toilet, a hairdryer in the vanity, an inset glass shower and huge Jacuzzi-spa-bath separated by a large glass viewing window from the master bedroom – again to access the ocean view. Make use of the supplied bathroom accessories for a scented holiday bath from heaven!

The kitchen is central, with a large bench-table, and houses every top-quality convenience you could wish for. Concealed away behind cupboard doors you’ll find a super-quiet LG combined washing machine and dryer, full-size Fisher & Paykel fridge, dishwasher and microwave. Tea and coffee facilities, including a plunger and UHT milk are all supplied, and you’ll find lots of handy appliances hiding in the kitchen draws and cupboards, including a wine chiller, electric frypan, sandwich maker, and of course, toaster.

From both the lounge and master bedroom you can access the large ocean-front deck. The deck is furnished with twin wooden deck chairs and a small table and chairs – perfect for those relaxed morning coffees or beach-side dinner – with a contemplative local wine, perhaps!

It’s not difficult to spend a lot of time on the ocean-front deck at Hearns Beach Villas, simply taking in the sea view. I found myself quite mesmerised by the ocean and its ever-changing currents.

The children found it fun to follow the sandy path down from the deck to go exploring in the small dunes or close to the seashore, waving up at me now and then until I would join them.

In clear weather you can see a distant table-top island we were told was a large seal colony, and the way this part of the coast is positioned means that you have those spectacular sunsets into the sea.

At the entrance to the Villa from the car park you’ll find another large entertaining deck complete with BBQ and dining setting. You certainly won’t run short of eating area options!

With only two minute drive to Port Fairy, these villas are ideally situated to be within easy reach of the pubs, restaurants, galleries and surf beaches of Port Fairy, an idyllic fishing village and historic whaler and sealer port, now famed for its beauty, culture and history.

It’s also just a ten minute drive from the villas to the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve for koala spotting, and only twenty minute to Warrnambool, a large city centre with lots of shops and other tourist attractions, including the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village – a must for families.

A Hearns Beach Villa video tour…

To get a feel for Hearns Beach Villas, you might like to take a stroll with me through the one we spent two nights in, in this short walk-through video…

 Hearns Beach Villas are located at 13-17 Thistle Place, Port Fairy in Victoria. Phone +61 3 5568 3150. You can view the official Hearns Beach Villas website here for more information and to book a Hearns Beach Villa.

Hearns Beach Villas location on Google Maps…

You can read all of the Let’s Go Mum! Victorian road trip blogs as we meander along the Shipwreck Coast of the Victorian Southern Ocean here.

Have you been to Port Fairy or Hearns Beach? Tell us in the comments below…

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We awoke at Hearns Beach to the sounds of crashing waves this morning, and with a simple turn of the head on the pillow, there they were in unobstructed view – the Southern Ocean in all its glory.

We decided to spend just one more night in the Hearns Beachside Villas (you can read our review of the magnificent Hearns Beach Villas here) – it was too good to leave behind just yet! Plus we wanted to take a leisurely look at Port Fairy, so we drove into the town centre for a look around (just 5 minutes away). We called into the Port Fairy tourist information centre and they were more than helpful, stocking us up with a pile of info brochures and region maps – there is so much to see in Port Fairy!

Port Fairy isn’t named after fairy folk or goblins, but after a ship (much to the kid’s disappointment). It’s a small but very picturesque fishing village. There’s an inlet river lined with sail boats, walk ways and foot bridges. Many heritage buildings can also be found along the river, as well as all over the town – there are over 50 National Trust heritage buildings in Port Fairy!

Just down the road from the riverfront we found a beautiful sandy surf beach fronting the huge bay – which also happens to host many submerged shipwrecks!

The kids got to play on the beach in front of us for ages too, as it was here at the bay that we visited the surf life saving club café for lunch – “Charlie’s on East”. The food was seriously good there – we ordered a huge steak sandwich, stack of pancakes and toasted sandwiches, and unanimously agreed that they were really extraordinarily delicious! Add in the fact that the view from the café is a stunning beach and bay panorama and you’re onto a winner for that special meal in Port Fairy – don’t miss this restaurant!

After lunch we just went for a drive simply to view the beautiful stone buildings scattered everywhere. We found a large playground for the kids to play in for a while, and then we drove down the main street and saw a building that looked so old we just had to stop and go in it! It was Victoria’s oldest licenced hotel “The Stump”. Here we snacked on the pub-staples – lemonade and chicken potato chips, and grabbed a nice bottle of Moscarto on the way out – to have when we were sat on the balcony by the ocean later that evening.

We headed back then, not wanting to spend too much time away from our wonderful villa at Hearn’s Beach, and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the balcony whilst the kids played on the sand dunes below.

As the day drew to a close, and we all sat on the balcony and watched something unusual for us Eastern-staters – Port Fairy is geographically situated in a way that you can watch the sun go down “into” the sea. I joked with the girls that they should listen for the hissing sound as the sun hit the sea! It was a beautiful sunset at the end of a lovely day.

Today’s route…

You can read our previous Road Trip! daily posts here:

Read the Road Trip! Day 1 blog here  -Canberra to Gundagai to Wangaratta
Read the Road Trip! Day 2 blog here – Wangaratta to Glenrowan to Aireys Inlet
Read the Road Trip! Day 3 blog here – Aireys Inlet to Lorne
Read the Road Trip! Day 4 blog here – Lorne
Read the Road Trip! Day 5 blog here – Lorne to Apollo Bay to Cape Otway
Read the Road Trip! Day 6 blog here – Cape Otway
Read the Road Trip! Day 7 blog here – Cape Otway to 12 Apostles to Port Campbell
Read the Road Trip! Day 8 blog here – Port Campbell to Warrnambool to Port Fairy
Read the Road Trip! Day 9 blog here – Hearn’s Beach & Port Fairy
Read the Road Trip! Day 10 blog here – Port Fairy to Warrnambool to Ballarat
Read the Road Trip! Day 11 blog here – Sovereign Hill gold mining village, Ballarat
Read the Road Trip! Day 12 blog here – Ballarat and the road home…

Tomorrow we will be heading inland to Ballarat…we’ll check in with you then!

Have you travelled (or want to) travel to Port Fairy or Hearns Beach with your family? Comment here!

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