Hidden Beaches Along The Great Ocean Road

By Ian Helmcke.

It is no secret that the Australian shoreline is undeniably beautiful. From the white sand beaches of Western Aus to the rugged limestone cliffs in Victoria, opportunities for travelers to stop and take in the awe-inspiring view are plentiful - but there is the problem: you’re not the only one - plenty of other people are out there seeking the same views. What would have otherwise been a secluded and surreal location becomes a survival scenario as you wade through a field of tourists with selfie sticks (yes, they are still used in 2024) clambering over one another for a photo. There is a solution, though, for the savvy adventurer … understanding which crowded spots are most worthy as well as knowing some hidden locations along The Great Ocean Road changed how I experienced Australia and I hope it will for you as well.

12 Apostles.

If you ever happen to find yourself down under in southern Victoria, coasting the sunny iconic road with windows down, I would highly recommend braving the crowds to witness a sunset at the 12 Apostles. This iconic view is an Australian staple and while it remains a huge tourist trap the view is undeniably breathtaking. Imagine the White Cliffs of Dover overlayed with the rugged ocean beaches of the Pacific Northwest. Massive pillars of eroded limestone stand solid against the crashing tide. Even though there was only one lookout spot, and it was shoulder to shoulder crowded, I was still glad to witness such a spectacular view.

The real magic of this place, however, revealed itself right after sunset and thankfully, when most of the spectators had left on their tour buses. Down along the beach, something emerged from the water – first one, then two, then several more started to appear like bowling pins being toppled over by the waves: Penguins! They had just come in from a long summer day and began to make their waddle back to their nests for the night.

Australia is known for impressive wildlife, but I did not expect to come across one of the coolest animals God ever made. As the night got darker, the stars came out above us, bro-friend Blake and I took the opportunity to get some long exposure photos capturing the view – and we were the only two people on the lookout by this point. There is something wonderful in seeing the shadows of the 12 Apostles basking in the stunning moonlight. The giant broken sections of coastline stood out in front of the horizon line, almost as if they were chasing the recently departed sun.

Readers Note: Take the chance to talk with people. While the masses were still there, I had the opportunity to meet a local Aussie named Harry. He was an older, larger man with a camera and backpack full of stories (basically an Australian Santa.) He shared how he took photos of Formula One cars back in the 70’s, which is quite impressive given cameras then were only film and not digital.

Three Mile Beach.

The Great Ocean Road has many pull-offs, but we found the best beaches and views were the ones requiring a hike to reach the shoreline. If you are looking to be swept into another world, stop by Three Mile Beach. But be warned, this hike to the coast is down a narrow trail on the edge of a cliff - adventure isn’t without risk, and the reward of an isolated tropical paradise is 100% worth it! The water at this spot was the clearest blue I had ever seen.

Port Campbell.

If you’re looking for a central point to stay while making your journey through The Great Ocean Road, I’d highly recommend the small city of Port Campbell. The motels are affordable as we paid just $200 AUD a night. There are a few cafes where you can get a decent breakfast and that oh-so-vital cup of morning coffee before heading out for the next leg of your journey. Cell service is spotty at best in this region, but no worries since I recommend unplugging from the constant chatter of social media and just take in the surrounding natural beauty.

Childers Cove.

The best hidden spots are about a 20-minute drive from Port Campbell. One of them, Childers Cove consists of two parts. We stopped at the furthest one and had the entire place to ourselves. I swear the beach looked like it belonged in the Mediterranean Sea and not southern Australia. The water was warm, and we took time to run joyfully through the crashing waves before making our way to the next hidden destination.

Sandy Bay Beach.

Blake taking a long exposure of the sunset

Sandy Bay Beach is like the 12 Apostles but with one major difference - you’re able to experience these massive rock formations up close. That is the beautiful secret of Sandy Bay Beach: this location has four distinct pillars located at the far end. It’s a 10-minute walk to get there and it was ideal for our final night on The Great Ocean Road. Maddie, Blake’s wife, brought a picnic basket so we all could have an improvised dinner of chips and grapes. I enjoyed the company of great friends and we witnessed a stunning evening show in the warm shade of these colossal giants of limestone.

Wildlife.

The Great Ocean Road is teeming with animals, so keep an eye out for all sorts of wildlife, ( and maybe even those elusive penguins !). We came across one called an Echidna on our walk to Childers Cove - it’s a creature with hedgehog and anteater vibes and which is apparently quite rare to witness ( if you happen to see this black Pokémon looking thing waddling around, consider yourself lucky!).

And to top it off a few miles down the road while driving we just happened to encounter a group of miniature ponies. Maddie has a way with animals, so we stopped and all of them just sauntered over and let her pet them.