The Twelve Apostles
Victoria’s Great Ocean Road remains one of Australia’s iconic stretches of coastline. We were fortunate enough to make the beachside village of Airey’s Inlet our base for the month of January. Plenty of time to experience the stunning natural attractions, put in some quality beach time, and have lots of fun!
We didn’t drive the entire Great Ocean Road – a 664 kilometer three day touring drive from Geelong to Port Fairy. Instead we used our base to scope out the best of the region for families with young kids. This post is the result – my suggestion for ten great things to do with kids when visiting the Great Ocean Road.
Spend time at the beach
Swimming at Port Campbell Beach
This may sound like a given however even in summer the weather on the Great Ocean Road can be wild and wooly. With our young children, and particularly our toddler we felt safest away from the rough surf of the Great Ocean Road. The best beaches for families that like us have a toddler are Eastern Beach at Geelong and the patrolled beach at Port Campbell. Neither of these had surf but were beautiful places for the little kids to get wet. The exquisitely beautiful beaches at Anglesea, Torquay, Lorne and Fairhaven have rougher surf that was suitable for my seven year old, but made me wary with my little ones. Aireys Inlet doesn’t have a patrolled beach (the nearest one being Fairhaven) however the Inlet itself is a safe place for kids to swim with supervision.
Families with older kids – the Great Ocean Road is the perfect place for kids (and parents) to learn to surf. During the school holidays there are plenty of options for surf lessons and surf camps to build surfing skills.
Eastern Beach Geelong
Aireys Inlet is a safe swimming place for kids
Go on a rock pool ramble
Could there be anything more miraculous for a child (and me) than exploring an ocean side rock pool and discovering the extensive marine life there? There are rock pools scattered along the Great Ocean Road that are perfect for family adventures at low tide (remember to check the tide charts before you go). My own suggestions are Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary at Aireys Inlet and the rock pools at Lorne.
Rock pool rambles at the Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary
Visit the Split Point Lighthouse
Tours of the Split Point Lighthouse are family friendly
The Split Point Lighthouse was built in 1890 in response to ten shipwrecks along the coast. At 34 metres high she looms above the town of Aireys Inlet. Tours last around 45 meters and allow visitors to view the coast from a different perspective. We were particularly impressed at how well our guide catered in her historical tour to the needs and interests of the children in the group. Tours begin on the hour and run between 10 and 4 during summer and over the Easter holidays and 11-2 the remainder of the year.
Surfworld Torquay
Australia’s National Surf Museum
Australia’s National Surf Museum – Surfworld Torquay is located behind the surf outlets in Australia’s surf capital of Torquay. Surfworld is a great rainy day option for families. It is only small – plan to spend about 45 minutes there but the surf memorabilia, surf movies showing all day long, and surf inspired play made visiting it a success for us. What was inspiring for me about this museum was the story of surfing – how what was a rogue sport not too long ago has influenced Australian and worldwide culture, become a multi-million dollar industry, and shaped tourism in Australia.
Go on a nature walk
The Twelve Apostles Marine National Park
There are loads of nature walks all along the Great Ocean Road. When we travel with kids we pack for variable weather and you will need to do this when visiting the Great Ocean Road if you want to make the most of your time outdoors. The cliffside walks around the Shipwreck Coast including the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park give spectacular views of rocky pillars, arches and gorges. At the top of the cliffs the environment is dry and almost mediterranean making the cliff tops interesting in themselves. Erskine Falls near Lorne providers a paved staircase for walkers down into a rainforest gully. Once at the valley floor there are more traditional walking paths for the more intrepid. Check out my article on tips for getting kids excited about hiking. Around Aireys Inlet there are boardwalks that are family friendly places to stroll.
Twelve Apostles Marine National Park
Walking to Erskine Falls near Lorne
Feeding the seagulls Aireys Inlet – there are boardwalks around the Aireys Inlet that are great places to walk with kids.
Go Berry Picking
Located in the Pennyroyal Valley Gentle Annie Berry Gardens and Cafe provide a picturesque backdrop for a pick your own berry experience. Gentle Annie Berry Gardens are a twenty minute drive from Lorne and for those based further afield, is worth the drive. Families can pick berries, fruit and veggies which are priced but the kilogram. The Cafe is sublime – just the most stunning berry desserts are on offer. I am not sure what it is about berry picking by every time we go as a family I feel all my stress evaporate through the process. So it was at Gentle Annies.
Gentle Annies Berrie Gardens
Drop a Line.
Fishing with young kids is only for the patient. Snags, tangled lines and the occasional dropped rod is par for the course. While older children who are experienced fisher folk may enjoy beach fishing (and there are some great fish to be caught off the beaches) esturine fishing in the inlets, or pier fishing along the Great Ocean Road may be a more manageable option for young kids. Anglesea Inlet, Aireys Inlet and the Lorne Pier are all worth a try. It is worth asking the locals at some of the bait shops what is biting at the time of your visit so you chose your bait wisely.
Fishing at Anglesea Inlet
Trampolining
Jumpz outdoor trampolines at Anglesea were a hit with my own kids. Sessional pricing allows kids to bounce till their hearts content and I have heard that management are generous in allowing kids to run over session if it is not too busy. Jumpz is located inside the Great Ocean Road Resort and offers 360 degrees of jumping – including off the walls. Thirty and sixty minute jumping sessional tickets, and unlimited tickets may be purchased by resort guests.
Jumpz at Anglesea
Go on an eco-adventure
Winner of a 2015 RACV silver award in Ecotourism Ecologic offers family friendly tours during the summer school holidays. These include fossil hunting, beach detective activities, stand up paddle boarding and snorkel safaris. We participated in a beach detective activity which involved the kids investigating a beach crime scene and discovering who the criminals were in the death of native wildlife. It was smart, engaging and fun.
On a “Beach Scene Investigation” with Ecologics school holiday program
Visit a theme park
As Geelong is officially the start of the Great Ocean Road I’m including this one. Either way, for families staying on much of the Great Ocean Road Adventure Park Geelong is an easy day trip. In term of memorable summer activities, visiting Adventure Park Geelong, with its watersides, rides and attractions should be high on the list.
Lazing on the lazy river at Adventure Park Geelong
This article is dedicated to my grandfather, Russel Esler who I never met and who worked on the road gangs making the Great Ocean Road in the Depression. He didn’t know it but his work, and the work of thousands of others was opening up part of Australia for generations, and his own great grandkids to enjoy.
You make it sound like a must-visit, with so many options for families! And I love your dedication to your grandfather. I bet he’d be delighted to know the results of his hard work.
Yes Sarah, it’s a must visit for people spending time in southern Australia. I didn’t actually know that my grandfather worked on one of the road crews until this visit to the Great Ocean Road. My dad stayed with us for a few days and told me about it then. Some family knowledge I loved learning.
Sarah, I didn’t have any idea about my grandpas history on the great ocean road. My dad visited us there and told us about it for the first time. I was stoked to hear about it.
These are some great suggestions! We are headed to the great ocean road next month, early April, at the start of our 2 month roadtrip around Australia. Look forward to doing many of these activities with my kids!
Well I am so glad you’ll be exploring this part of the world! Happy if some of the tips are useful.
Samiya I’m glad I’ve given you some inspiration so close to your road trip.
We would love to take this trip!
Do it Amy – it’s stunning.
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Did you ever watch that weird Australian kids show Round the Twist? A great deal of it was filmed in Aireys Inlet. But for now it’s time to push on round the bend in the road.