10 Best Things for Solo Travellers to Do on the Great Ocean Road

More and more Aussies are realising they don’t need to wait for the perfect travel buddy, the solo adventures are where it’s at.

The Great Ocean Road is the ultimate place to hit reset, meet new people, and soak up nature at your own pace. Here’s 10 ways to make the most of a solo Great Ocean Road escape, with a Great Ocean Road Parks base offering your home away from home.

1. Walk the Great Ocean Walk (and Make Friends on the Trail)

Nothing brings people together like a good hike. Whether you do a short section or go all-in for the full 110km, you’ll cross paths with fellow adventurers who love a post-hike chat over a drink at the nearest pub. Bonus? The scenery, from towering cliffs to secluded beaches, is next level.

2. Book a Sleepcation & Embrace Solo R&R

Solo travel doesn’t have to mean non-stop adventure. The sleepcation trend is all about slowing down, resting, and fully recharging. Book a cosy cabin, riverside glamping or a beachside campsite, bring a book, and let the sound of the water do the rest.

3. Learn to Surf at Apollo Bay or Torquay

Solo but not alone, that’s the beauty of a surf lesson. Apollo Bay and Torquay have great beginner-friendly waves, and group lessons are the perfect way to meet fellow travellers. Even if you wipe out more than you stand up, the post-surf banter is always worth it.

4. Soak in the Warmth at the Deep Blue Hot Springs

One of the best things about traveling solo? You can indulge in pure relaxation without worrying about anyone else’s plans. The Deep Blue Hot Springs in Warrnambool offer geothermal pools, sensory caves, and salt rooms. Perfect for an autumn wind-down.

5. Chase Waterfalls in the Otways

If you love solo adventures, the Otways are a must. Erskine Falls, Hopetoun Falls, and Beauchamp Falls are all stunning, and autumn makes them even more magical. Bring your camera (or just soak it in) and enjoy the peace of being surrounded by lush rainforest.

6. Hit the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse & Join a Tasting Table

Solo travel is actually a great excuse to linger over a good meal, browse local produce or enjoy a drink somewhere with a view. The Great Ocean Road Brewhouse in Apollo Bay has a huge selection of craft beers, and if whiskey, gin or wine is your preferred poison, then their tasting tables are a great way to strike up a convo with fellow travellers.

7. Whale Watching in Warrnambool

Almost every year between May to October, female Southern Right whales return to the waters of Warrnambool’s Logans Beach to calve. The whales often swim within a hundred metres of the shore. Try your luck viewing them from a specially constructed platform in the sand dunes or from the beach.

8. Take a Sunset Walk at the Twelve Apostles

There’s something special about watching the sun set over the Twelve Apostles, especially when you can take it in at your own pace. Nothing puts you right in the moment quite like it. The golden light makes it even more spectacular.

9. Sleep Under the Stars at a Great Ocean Road Park

Nothing beats a clear autumn night under a star-filled sky. Whether you’re in a tent, a van, or a cozy cabin, staying in a Great Ocean Road Park lets you disconnect, breathe, and fully embrace solo travel at its best.

Choose a quieter time of year and enjoy the simple pleasure of having space to yourself.

10. Explore the Shipwreck Coast and Loch Ard Gorge

Step back in time and uncover the fascinating maritime history of the Shipwreck Coast. Loch Ard Gorge, just a short drive from the Twelve Apostles, is one of the most breathtaking stops along the route. With stunning cliffs, hidden beaches, and dramatic shipwreck stories, it’s the perfect solo exploration spot.

So, if you’ve been waiting for the right time or right person to explore the Great Ocean Road, this is your sign to go solo. With our Great Ocean Road Parks as your home base, adventure, connection, and the ultimate reset are all waiting.

If you've been waiting for the right time or right person to explore the Great Ocean Road, this is your sign to go solo. Choose your place to stay, set your own pace and make the Great Ocean Road your next solo escape.