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When I was young, on a road trip, I used to play a game with my younger brother and sister.

Upon the first glimpse of the ocean, we would cry out, "I see the sea," — wordplay that I thought frightfully clever at a tender age. It's a habit that has stuck with me decades later.

As our white van traced the windy asphalt of the Great Ocean Road in the humid heat of February and the azure waters of the Southern Ocean came into view, I'd internally yell those four words to myself.

It didn't get old, no matter how many times I glimpsed the dramatic coastline on this four-day trip.

The Great Ocean Road is considered Australia's premier scenic coastal drive. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

This 243 km stretch of coast, which spans all the way from Torquay to Allansford, is widely considered Australia's premier scenic coastal drive. Many words have been written about the area's beauty, iconic landmarks, and sweeping vistas.

It has all that and more…

But this region is also hiding a secret.

While other travel guides will tell you about the must-see landmarks, they fail to capture the fact that this is Australia's unsung food bowl. Yes, I happily discovered that the Great Ocean Road and the surrounding Otway Ranges is an underappreciated food mecca.

Here is the ultimate itinerary for both the beauty and the bites, covering where to stay, what to do, and — most importantly —where to eat and drink.

The route and where to stay: From the city sprawl to the rugged coast.

My journey began in Melbourne, where we met Jimmy Kambouris of Lorne Tours, a very passionate local. Now, you can choose to do a self-drive tour, but if you do so, I recommend stretching the drive over five or six days to allow you to navigate the B100 (the Great Ocean Road) with ease.

Many travellers make the mistake of rushing this trip to fit it into a weekend. Taking more time will allow you to properly sink into the distinct microclimates and landscapes, from the salt spray of the coast to the volcanic plains of the west.

Tips aside, for us, the real magic kicked off about 90 minutes south-west in Anglesea, our first port for night one. We stayed at The Monty, an affordable motel that has had a mid-century makeover and brings a touch of Palm Springs to Victoria. It is a masterclass in how to blend form and function, and the staff are very hospitable and friendly.

The Monty offers a touch of Palm Springs on The Great Ocean Road. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

The rooms are playful and vibrant. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

The next day, we pushed further west, and the landscape shifted dramatically.

The road wound through iconic surf towns like Lorne, before ducking into the lush, ancient rainforests and towering timber of the Otway Hinterland, bringing us to the beautiful town of Apollo Bay; our second port of the trip.

Here, we stayed at The Great Escape in Marengo. Set on a lush acre between the beautiful townships of Apollo Bay and Marengo, it offered a tranquil base for exploring the Otways.

Day three, and our goal was to reach Killarney, home to Basalt Wines. This is where we were to lay our head for the night. We headed to Basalt Retreat, which features two boutique villas. As the only vineyard accommodation situated directly on the Great Ocean Road, these purpose-built, luxury adults-only cabins are nestled right among the vines of Basalt Wines.

The retreat offers a secluded escape designed for guests to unwind and reconnect within the landscape of this established 24-year-old vineyard.

Basalt Wines offers the only vineyard accommodation on the Great Ocean Road. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

Personally, I found this a highlight of the trip. But the adventure was not done.

Day four saw the scenery once again shift, as it opened up onto the raw, limestone drama of the 12 Apostles and Port Campbell.

Where to eat and drink (and eat again).

Now to the tasty part. Fair warning, if you do as I did and eat at each of these (I have zero regrets), you will want to bring some comfortable clothes.

Nina & The Coast (Anglesea): Start your culinary journey with a bite at Nina, a vibrant New Mexican cantina situated in The Monty that's slated to open in April 2026. Nina offers vibrant and bold flavours, in a relaxed setting. I was lucky enough to preview the menu, and my personal highlights included the prawn aguachile and blackened salmon.

A short stroll away is Nina's "big sister" restaurant, The Coast, which showcases modern Australian cuisine with an emphasis on locally-sourced produce.

Nina's prawn aquachile and blackened salmon. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery: Located just 10 minutes between Torquay and Anglesea, this is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth! Here you can delight in free chocolate and ice cream tastings, take part in workshops where you can learn how to make Dubai chocolate and indulge in a brunch/lunch at the Pod Café (if you have room left, that is).

Grand Pacific Hotel (Lorne): For a lunch with a view, stop at this historic hotel overlooking Louttit Bay. They serve shared platters of savoury, Italian-inspired cuisine that perfectly match the coastal atmosphere. I'm still dreaming of roast squash with guanciale and miso butter...

I'm still dreaming of this whole spread, come to think of it. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

Apollo Bay Fishermen's Co-Op: Since 1948, this iconic building has overlooked the local fishing fleet. It is the essential stop for local seafood, and if you time your trip right, the only place to try the world-famous Southern Rock Lobster.

Apollo Bay Distillery: A short stroll from the Fisherman's Co-Op will bring you to the only gin distillery on the Great Ocean Road. Housed in the town's historic post office, its boutique gins and vodkas are crafted in a copper column still, with each spirit tied to the region's nautical folklore and treacherous shipwrecks. Guests can enjoy artisan gin flights featuring local botanicals, alongside seasonal dishes and locally roasted Hello Coffee. The relaxed space even houses the anchor of the ill-fated SS Casino.

Gin and lobster are a match made in heaven. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

Graze (Apollo Bay): This spot offers an evolving modern Australian dinner menu that prioritises seasonal fresh produce in a sophisticated yet relaxed setting.

The Perch (Lavers Hill): Located at a high point along the road, this stop is perfect for a scenic long lunch, as it offers views over the Otway Hinterland to the coast. Arrive early to explore its small vineyard before enjoying a menu crafted from the finest local produce in its rustic space.

The Perch offers a variety of small and large plates to share. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

Ocean Road Abalone Farm Tours: Just outside Port Fairy, Southern Ocean Mariculture has spent nearly 30 years perfecting the sustainable farming of Tiger Abalone. Their land-based farm tour offers guided tours that walk you through the entire life cycle of these premium molluscs. The experience concludes with a curated tasting of handcrafted speciality abalone dishes, allowing you to sample the fresh, local harvest directly from the source.

Basalt Vineyard: In addition to accommodation, the vineyard has a cellar door that offers wine tastings of cool-climate varieties grown in volcanic soils, paired with light Mediterranean-inspired dining.

Basalt Vineyard is a gift that keeps on giving. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

The Stump (Port Fairy): Victoria's oldest continuously licensed hotel, "The Stump" serves a traditional pub menu that captures the historic heart of the town.

Basalt Wines (Killarney): Situated between Port Fairy and Warrnambool, Basalt Wines' cellar door has evolved from a humble shed into a warm and inviting space. Here you can enjoy wine tasting, sampling a seamless blend of cool-climate wines, alongside light Mediterranean-inspired dining.

Pavilion Café & Bar (Warnabool): For a breakfast with a view, look no further. This architectural café is housed in a stunning building overlooking the water with views of the Southern Ocean and Middle Islands.

Otways Distillery (Birregurra): Based in the foothills of the Otways, this boutique micro-distillery crafts small-batch gins, vodkas, and limoncellos using locally sourced and foraged botanicals. Creativity is the name of founder Sally Richardson's game — she thrives when she's pushing flavour boundaries. Her Forrest Gin is an award-winner and was inspired by "the place I am lucky enough to call home." She used lemons, river mint and rosemary from her own garden to create its signature blend. This Italian simply couldn't resist taking home a bottle of her Blood Orangecello.

Sally Richardson blends passion with hospitality. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

Brae (Birregurra): Brae is a well-renowned three-hatted restaurant led by chef Dan Hunter, which makes for the ultimate gastronomic finale. It's long been on my bucket list, and visiting was a privilege not lost on me.

Set in a country cottage, this environmentally-focused restaurant features a signature tasting menu that uses produce grown on its own farm, or sourced locally. Fair warning, you will need to book well ahead for this one, and tasting menu prices start at around $370pp. But for anyone who loves food and the environment, it's the perfect way to round out a trip to this region.

What to do on the Great Ocean Road.

The spectacular landscape of the Great Ocean Road is iconic for a reason, but the magic for me was in the quiet moments.

Moments such as an afternoon stroll along Anglesea Beach as the sun dipped below the horizon, or spotting wild koalas perched in the swaying gums, or talking to locals about the region's resilience after experiencing both bushfire and floods.

I found joy in these quiet moments. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

I'll never forget the dawn walk at Wildlife Wonders in Apollo Bay, watching the bush wake up, and grabbing a coffee as an emu watched on.

Trading the blue for the green at Maits Rest Rainforest Trail felt like stepping into another world, walking over ancient roots and fern gullies.

Witnessing the bush wake up on a Wildlife Wonders dawn tour is a privilege I will not forget. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

I started my last day at Deep Blue Hot Springs in Warrnambool, arriving at 7:00 AM for a "Sanctuary bathing" session.

Immersing myself in the warmth of the geothermal rock pools was the ultimate way to calm both muscles and mind after days of coastal hiking (and eating).

The mineral-rich waters provided a quiet moment of reflection before I freshened up to continue the final leg of the adventure.

Deep Blue Hot Springs offers multiple pools to unwind in. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

Finally, to the star attraction: the 12 Apostles.

A trip to the region wouldn't be complete without witnessing their majesty firsthand. But while the countless lookouts are breathtaking, we opted for a different perspective and took a private flight with 12 Apostles Helicopters. With prices starting from $195 per person, it's a costly treat, but again, well worth the splurge.

The only way to see the 12 Apostles and get a sense of the scale of this coastline. Image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.

In my humble opinion, this is the only way to truly grasp the scale of this rugged coastline.

Mamamia travelled as a guest of Great Ocean Road Tourism. All opinions expressed in the article are the authors' own.

Feature image: Raffaella Ciccarelli.