> AIREYS INLET The Split Point Lighthouse – guided tours available - rises above this seaside resort town with its safe, sandy beaches.

> ANGLESEA Anglesea has safe surf beaches and sheltered river waters perfect for canoeing and other water-based activities. The mob of kangaroos at the local golf course are another feature of the town as well as an international standard mountain bike riding track.

> APOLLO BAY It is not hard to see why this part of the Great Ocean Road was also called Paradise by the early settlers. Apollo Bay is set in the picturesque green foothills of the Great Otway National Park - a major resort town boasting long sandy beaches.

> BARWON HEADS Sitting on the mouth of the Barwon River, this friendly village offers both ocean and flat water activities. Barwon Heads also has two excellent golf courses.

> COLAC A thriving rural city Colac is well positioned as a gateway to the wonders of the Great Ocean Road coast, Great Otway National Park and one of the world’s biggest volcanic plains. Lake Colac is home to abundant native wildlife.

> GEELONG On the shores of Corio Bay Geelong, the city of 200,000 has a marvellously refurbished waterfront replete with restaurants, quality accommodation, seaside baths and two Botanic Gardens. Other waterfront activities include jet boat rides, scenic helicopter flights and historic carousel rides.

> LORNE Lorne is a major resort with a long, sandy beach set on Louttit Bay as one natural feature and the soaring green hills of the Great Otway NP behind the town. The town is close to the widest array of waterfalls, within easy walk of car-parking.

> QUEENSCLIFF Elegant hotels testify to flamboyant days, while simple cottages echo a modest past. A fort, lighthouses, beaches, restaurants, galleries and maritime museum are a few of the attractions.

> TORQUAY Here the Great Ocean Road begins. Home to surfing companies Quiksilver and Rip Curl, Torquay is the place to learn all about surfing and buy surfwear.