Region in Victoria, Australia
Great Ocean Road for solo travelers
Is Great Ocean Road good for solo travel?
Victoria's Southern Ocean coast, with surf towns, rainforest and the Twelve Apostles. Best by car from Apollo Bay or Lorne; scenic, cool and wet, with limited public transport and few cheap beds in summer.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Very safe for solo women. Plan accommodation ahead in peak season and avoid isolated beaches after dark. |
How to meet people in Great Ocean Road
Hostels in Apollo Bay and Lorne, surf schools in Torquay, group walks on the Great Ocean Walk and day tours are the easiest ways to meet people.
Good things to do alone
- See the Twelve Apostles at sunrise
- Walk the Great Ocean Walk to Cape Otway
- Surf or learn to surf at Torquay
- Spot koalas at Kennett River
- Walk Lorne's Erskine Falls and rainforest
Where to stay in Great Ocean Road
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Apollo Bay | Main base: shops, cafés, beach and access to Otways rainforest |
| Lorne | Beach town with cafés and surf; pricier and busier |
| Torquay and Anglesea | Surf towns near Geelong with the best transport links |
Solo travel across Australia
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Melbourne | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Byron Bay | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bondi Beach | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Brisbane | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Gold Coast | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Perth | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cairns | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Adelaide | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Hobart | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Whitsundays | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Noosa | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Blue Mountains | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Sunshine Coast | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Great Ocean Road | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| K'gari | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Port Douglas | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Fremantle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Newcastle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Launceston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Manly | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Magnetic Island | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Uluru | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Darwin | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Canberra | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Margaret River | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Broome | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Alice Springs | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Great Ocean Road good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Victoria's Southern Ocean coast, with surf towns, rainforest and the Twelve Apostles.
How do you meet people in Great Ocean Road?
Hostels in Apollo Bay and Lorne, surf schools in Torquay, group walks on the Great Ocean Walk and day tours are the easiest ways to meet people. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Great Ocean Road?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Great Ocean Road safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe for solo women. Plan accommodation ahead in peak season and avoid isolated beaches after dark.
More about Great Ocean Road
Going to Great Ocean Road solo?
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Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.