One of the world’s most celebrated coastal drives, this 243km stretch of bitumen between Torquay and Allansford takes in a kaleidoscope of landscapes: wild surf beaches, exuberant rainforest of Great Otway National Park, arcadian farmland and the iconic Twelve Apostles. The road forms part of scenic coastal route connecting Melbourne to Adelaide.

While the Great Ocean Road can be tackled as a (long) day trip from Melbourne, the area merits at least a few days of exploration. Its plethora of attractions include the beautiful, $10 million Wildlife Wonders, a not-for-profit sanctuary designed by Brian Massey, art director on The Hobbit films, as well as Otway Fly Treetop Adventures. The latter is the world’s tallest, longest treetop walk, shooting its way between mountain ash, the world’s second-tallest species of tree.