So, you’re looking for Great Ocean Road accommodation. Congratulations on booking a trip to one of the most scenic places to visit/road trip in Victoria (if not Australia as a whole) – you will love it! But trust me when I say I feel you on the struggle of finding the best places to stay on the Great Ocean Road.
It’s first of all difficult to decide WHERE on the Great Ocean Road to stay. This depends if you are doing a road trip and will want to book a few different places along the way, or if you are going for a weekend getaway to one place only.
You can opt to stay in one of the main beach towns along the coastline so you can be close to shops and restaurants, or you can choose a secluded vacation rental that you’ll have all to yourself.
Below I have included a mixture of Great Ocean Road accommodation options that are popular, unique, budget-friendly, luxurious, or great for bigger groups. The perfect Great Ocean Road accommodation option for you depends on your needs, but I will outline below what type of trips each place will be best for. There’s something for everyone, I am sure of it!
See Also:
- Places to Visit in Melbourne
- Best Melbourne Day Trips
- Melbourne Weekend Getaways
- Great Ocean Road Itinerary
The Best Towns to Stay in for Great Ocean Road Accommodation
The best places to look for places to stay on the Great Ocean Road are:
- Torquay (at the beginning – also Anglesea and Airey’s Inlet nearby)
- Lorne (near the middle – largest town)
- Apollo Bay (also near the middle)
- Port Campbell (closest to the 12 Apostles)
If you are doing a road trip, consider checking out my specific 2-3 day Great Ocean Road Trip Itinerary here where I recommend spending the first night in Port Campbell (watching the sunset over the 12 Apostles) and the second in Apollo Bay before making your way back to Melbourne.
If you’re a weekend warrior looking for a beach getaway – keep reading! You are sure to find some awesome places to stay on the Great Ocean Road that you will love. I’ve sorted them into Airbnb’s/Rentals, luxury, budget, and group/family-friendly apartments.
Great Ocean Road Accommodation around Torquay
Torquay is where the Great Ocean Road begins. It’s not necessarily the most exciting part of it, but it’s a lovely beachside town with great waves for surfing and wind for kitesurfing.
Many people beginning a Great Ocean road trip choose to stay in Torquay on their first night, or oftentimes smaller nearby towns of Anglesea or Airey’s Inlet. Here are my top picks for Great Ocean Road accommodation in this area.
Torquay Hotel Motel – Nice Hotel With Restaurant and Bar
Capacity: 2, 3, 5 or 8 people
Amenities: Parking, restaurant/bar, wifi
Good For: Couples or families looking for a nice but affordable hotel room or house
Torquay Hotel Motel is centrally located in Torquay on Bell Street, blocks from the main beach and Spring Creek as well. This is a popular option for those looking for a place to stay on the Great Ocean Road that won;t brek the bank, but is well-equipped with the comforts of a nice stay.
Torquay Hotel/Motel feels quintessentially Australian, with shaded verandah’s out the back over outdoor seating and an ultra modern pub/restaurant in the front. They offer basic rooms, family rooms, and also a huge family house with a spacious living room and room for eight people.
Peachy Place: SUPER Cute and Retro Colorful Cabin
Capacity: 2
Amenities: Parking, wifi, pets, outdoor area + BBQ, kitchen
Good For: Couples or solo travelers looking for a quaint and unique stay that won’t break the bank
Peachy Place is just the perfect little hideaway for a road trip stopover or even a long weekend. This little cabin just exudes fun vibes with its bright, colorful, and eclectic decor. While it is quaint, it’s surprisingly spacious inside with a separate living room, kitchen, and even workspace area as well as a bedroom (which is debatably the most fun room of it all)!
This vacation rental is somehow able to accomplish being right in the center of Torquay, yet feeling as remote as can be! It’s directly off the Great Ocean Road itself, with the beach, market, and all shops within a ten minute walk. This would be my choice for Great Ocean Road accommodation as I love unique stays.
Rock Break Apartment – Amazing Beachside Airbnb for Families/Groups
Capacity: 8
Amenities: Kitchen, Laundry, parking, outdoor shower
Good For: A family getaway and beach break
The Rock Break apartment is the quintessential beach getaway located in the small town of Anglesea along the Great Ocean Road. This would be a great option for Great Ocean Road accommodation for groups who are looking to spend a few days relaxing on the beach and surfing.
It’s a 2-minute walk to one of the safest beaches in the area, and has space for the whole family (including a room of bunk beds for the kids)! It’s secluded enough to feel that you’re on a getaway in the trees, but all the amenities and viewpoints of Anglesea are also minutes away. Check out the outdoor shower too!
The Pole House – Famous and Unique Great Ocean Road Accommodation
Capacity: 2
Amenities: wifi, parking, TV, coffee, balcony, VIEWS!
Good For: Couples staying in one of the most iconic houses in Australia!
The Pole House truly is one of the most photographed and iconic houses/Airbnb’s not only in Victoria, but in Australia as a whole! It has been recently renovated, and is now open for business again. Be quick, though; it books up VERY fast, but I could not leave it out on a list of the best places to stay on the Great Ocean Road.
As it literally is on a pole, it provides complete 180+ degree views of Fairhaven beach, which is just up the road from Airey’s inlet and not too far along the Great Ocean Road from Lorne. You truly won’t want to leave the property as it’s that unique and incredible.
Great Ocean Road Accommodation around Lorne
Lorne is one of the most popular destinations along the Great Ocean Road. Many local Victorians or Melburnians have a holiday home here, come out for weekend trips over the summer, or have even come here for school trips.
Many visitors to Melbourne choose to spend a night here on their Great ocean road trip. It would be great to spend the first or second night of a road trip too. See if any of the Lorne accommodation options strike your fancy!
Cumberland Lorne Resort – Amazing Luxe Beachside Resort
Capacity: 2-5
Amenities: Walkable to beach and town (central), wifi, parking, pool, gym, sauna, BBQ, sea views/balcony
Good For: Couples or friends looking for central resort-style accommodation
Cumberland is one of the most well-known Great Ocean Road accommodation options in Lorne. It would be impossible to be more central than this – it’s literally attached to the main strip of shops and restaurants in the town and each apartment and room is walking distance to the beach (and everything else).
It’s 4.5 stars and has all the perfect amenities for a weekend getaway – this would be one of my top recommendations if you are looking for something a bit luxe for a splurge! This would be a great stopover OR a great place to spend the whole weekend.
Lorne Hotel – Budget-Friendly Beachside Hotel
Capacity: 2-5
Amenities: Walkable to beach and town (central), parking, wifi, pub onsite
Good For: more budget-friendly rooms on the sea (but book early)!
The Lorne Hotel is one of the few Aussie pubs that actually has a hotel as well as a pub! This Great Ocean Road accommodation has a few different kinds of rooms available, from a classic 2-person hotel room up to a two-bedroom apartment. If you can snag the lowest level of room, it would probably be one of the best values for a hotel room this close to the ocean AND the town on the whole Great Ocean Road.
It’s The Cumberland Resort’s cheaper younger sister, and actually located in a similar area to it as well. It has classic amenities and is very affordable for a 4-star hotel… oh, and the pub is downstairs!
Great Ocean Road Sunrises – Romantic Airbnb for Couples
Capacity: 2
Amenities: kitchen, parking, breakfast, close to sea, kitchen, laundry, balcony
Good For: An apartment near the sea for couples
‘Great Ocean Road Sunrises’ is an amazing apartment that would be perfect for a couples’ getaway. It’s located down the beach in Lorne – close enough to the town that you could walk, but far enough away that it still seems like a getaway.
Great Ocean Road Sunrises is a large studio, which is why it’s nicely suited for couples who are keen to create a romantic time away. It’s the kind of place that you could relax in for hours listening to the sea, but make sure that you take some time to visit the ocean as well!
Great Ocean Road Accommodation around Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay seems like a smaller beach town than Lorne, but actually has a larger population (not far over 1500, but grows exponentially in the summer). As its name suggests, it’s situated along a large generally calm bay. There’s a main strip of shops and pubs right along the waterline, and they have some great events over the summer months.
Apollo Bay would be a great place to spend a weekend or a stopover on a road trip between Port Campbell National Park and the Otways. If you choose Apollo Bay for your Great Ocean Road accommodation, here are my top picks from largest/most luxurious to budget:
7 Falls Apartments – Luxe Apartments for Larger Groups
Capacity: 7-8
Amenities: Parking, walkable to town/beach, wifi, laundry
Good For: Beachside accommodation for bigger groups
We stayed at the Seven Falls Apartments with my family on my Great Ocean Road trip, and it was SO luxurious! Each of the 7 Falls Apartments has THREE floors, awesome views, two decks, 3-4 rooms, and great kitchens. They’re amazing.
This apartment complex DEFINITELY has the best price around for the size of the apartment and proximity to the beach. MY parents loved it here! You can also see the sea from some balconies as well!
The Bay Beach Bungalow – Quaint + Cozy Beachside Vacation Rental
Capacity: 2
Amenities: Wifi, Kitchen, Parking, Coffee
Good For: Quaint + Cozy accommodation for couples
This little charming beach bungalow is as modern and sleek as can be, and right next to the water in Apollo Bay. It has a little patio perfect for reading, looks right out towards the beach, and has a very comforting feel to it.
It would be perfect for both a stop on a road trip or an entire weekend getaway – the location couldn’t be more serene. It’s right across from the water but a little out of the town so it’s quiet yet still convenient, and perfect for those who want a more affordable private house rather than a hotel.
The Apollo – Budget-Friendly Hotel
Capacity: 1-4
Amenities: wifi, walking distance to beach/shops, wifi, underground parking, wellness center
Good For: well-rated and affordable hotel rooms
The Apollo is a well-respected budget-friendly hotel right on the main strip of shops in Apollo Bay. They offer hotel rooms and also two-bedroom apartments. You can walk everywhere from here! If you are looking for even MORE budget-friendly, you can also check out the local Apollo Bay YHA Hostel.
Charming Stopover – Secluded Countryside Airbnb Room
Capacity: 2
Amenities: kitchen, parking
Good for: An affordable remote getaway room for couples or singles
Perhaps one of the best Great Ocean Road accommodation options for couples on a weekend getaway but also a bit of a budget, this awesome little Airbnb is well-rated with hospitable hosts. It slightly resembles a castle, has ocean views from the guest bedroom, its own garden, and looks out over a ‘fern gully’ too.
It’s not actually located in Port Campbell, but rather about halfway between Port Campbell and Apollo Bay (just off the road). It’s a great option for those looking for very unique yet budget Great Ocean Road place to stay and don’t mind being a guest in someone’s beautiful home.
Great Ocean Road Accommodation around Port Campbell
If you are doing a road trip, I highly recommend staying at least a night around Port Campbell so you can watch the sunset over the 12 Apostles. It’s one of the best sunsets in the world!
The town of Port Campbell is about 10-15 minutes away from this famous landmark – one of the most well-known in the country! This part of the Great Ocean Road has the incredible cliffs and rock stacks that the area is known for. Port Campbell is only a small town, but has plenty of perfect places to stay on the Great Ocean Road.
Alkina Lodge – Super Luxe Forest-View Lodges
Capacity: 2-8
Amenities: Parking, views, kitchen, coffee, bicycles, meals on site
Great For: Families or a luxe splurge
The Alkina Lodge is one of the most well-known luxurious Great Ocean Road accommodation options. There are actually multiple 4-bedroom lodges that have spectacular forest views, balconies, and fully stocked bathrooms and kitchens. You can book just a portion or the entire thing.
These lodges are quite remote just south of Port Campbell but are only a short drive from the twelve apostles. This makes them a fantastic option to stay in the area.
Southern Ocean Villas – Apartment for Larger Groups
Capacity: 5-6
Amenities: Kitchen, parking, laundry, wifi
Good for: Modern rooms near town
If you need two or three bedrooms for larger groups or a family, the Southern Ocean Villas is THE place to stay in Port Campbell. These Villas are modern and gorgeous inside, with private patios and fabulous amenities.
I stayed here with my family on the second night of our Great Ocean Road Trip, and we wished we had more days so we could have stayed longer. These villas felt secluded and surrounded by bush while being right across the road from the beach.
Southern Ocean Motor Inn – Budget-Friendly + Ocean View
Capacity: 2 for normal rooms or up to 4 for family/deluxe rooms
Amenities: beachfront, walk to town, wifi, parking
Good for: Affordable hotel rooms with a view
If you just need a regular hotel room, are on a bit of a budget, and are partial to an ocean view/proximity, try the Southern Ocean Motor Inn. It’s right across from the Port Cambell beach/bay, and also pretty affordable for the area. If you are looking for even more budget accommodation, Sow and Piglets Guesthouse and Hostel is popular too.
TLedge @ Peterborough – Incredible Modern House on the Coast North of the 12 Apostles
Capacity: 8
Amenities: kitchen, parking, wifi, washer, A/C, kids welcome, heater, TV, games
Good For: Families for a weekend away
This entire home in Petersborough (the closest town north of the Great Ocean Road) would be perfect for a weekend trip for a family or large group. It’s spacious and sleek with a modern design.
It comes equipped with everything you would need for the weekend and is literally minutes away from some of the main Great Ocean Road attractions by car. You can be at The Grotto or the London Bridge in moments, as well as Skydive Great Ocean Road.
Well, that’s about it for my top recommendations for Great Ocean Road accommodation for now! Did you pick a budget hotel, an Airbnb, or a luxurious option? Do you think I should make more comprehensive guides for each? Let me know in the comments!
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.