The Great Ocean Road is unquestionably one of the great drives of the world. Stretching from the sleepy town of Torquay to the South Australian border, the road weaves along the southern coast of Victoria revealing breathtaking vistas and stunning landscapes.

The road travels through rolling hills, plunging cliffs, pristine beaches, quiet fishing villages and lollipop sunsets. But rather than just travelling the well-worn paths why not use the road as an opportunity to do something different.

Learn to surf in Torquay, take a walk over the trees at Great Otway National Park, play golf on a course littered with kangaroos, sample some of the country’s finest wines in one of the world-class restaurants that dot the route, or take a helicopter ride over the crumbling cliffs of the Twelve Apostles.

There are a myriad of different ways to see this road. Here is a collection of ideas to help you on your way:

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Surfing lessons

Though tiny, Torquay is Victoria’s surfing capital and a major holiday resort town, with an entire economy based around beach culture. Some of the biggest names in surfwear and accessories are based here, with huge retail outlets at Surf City Plaza selling everything imaginable connected with the surfing. The Surfworld Museum is a Mecca to wave riding with a bunch of displays to explore hands on. For the real experience though, why not just jump in the ocean a few hundred metres down the road.

Go Ride a Wave has been teaching Surfing for 15 years and their instructors almost guarantee to have you standing up within a single lesson. Wetsuits, boards and instruction for two hours are all provided. Classes are run in Anglesea, Torquay, Ocean Grove and Lorne.

Go Ride a Wave; tel: 1300 132 441

Lunch with a view

Offering brilliant contemporary Australian seafood and a superlative local wine list, Scorched is an outpost of fine cuisine on the coast of Victoria. An innovative menu with plenty of vegetarian options and big glass windows that open out to a view of the sea have made Scorched a popular destination for urban foodies who rarely stray outside the Melbourne city limits.

Scorched, 17 The Esplanade, Torquay VIC 3228, tel: (03) 5261 6142

Eat and sleep in style

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