Five ways to spend autumn along the Great Ocean Road

The crowds start to drift away, the light softens, and the road begins to reveal its quieter, more intimate beauty. From March to May, every curve of the coast invites you to linger a little longer, breathe a little deeper, and truly connect with the landscape.

Five ways to spend autumn along the Great Ocean Road:

1. Wild Encounters 

Autumn is when the Great Ocean Road feels most alive. In the gentle hush of morning, kangaroos and wallabies emerge to graze beside winding coastal roads, while koalas cling lazily to eucalyptus branches, unbothered by the world below.

With fewer crowds, autumn offers a chance to encounter the more elusive wildlife: platypuses in the still waters of Lake Elizabeth, echidnas foraging in peaceful forests, and little penguins waddling ashore beneath the Twelve Apostles lookout.

As autumn draws to a close, the Southern Right Whale migration season arrives, with these gentle giants often spotted from dramatic clifftop lookouts.

2. Glowing Views

There is something extra special about autumn light. It softens the edges of limestone cliffs and deepens the blues of the ocean, transforming familiar landmarks like the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge into something entirely new.

As the region lulls, views from Teddy’s Lookout, Marriners Lookout and Cinema Point feel personal - as though the coastline is revealing itself just for you. Slow down, take a deep breath and soak it all in.

3. Bountiful Harvest

Autumn is a season of abundance, and the Great Ocean Road region celebrates it wholeheartedly.

Take your time wandering the Otways Harvest Trail, where you can stop in at farm gates, wineries, and local producers sampling the region’s best flavours and artisanal delicacies.

Meander through community markets from Torquay to Warrnambool, filling your shopping bags from stalls laden with fresh local produce and farm-fresh goods.

If you are wanting a glimpse behind the menu, join a guided walk through Brae Restaurant’s 20-acre organic farm, where seasonal produce is grown, harvested and enjoyed garden-to-plate.

4. Hit the Trails

Autumn is when the landscape truly invites you to walk. The heat softens, the paths quieten, and the forest comes alive with colour and texture.

Coastal trails like the Surf Coast Walk reveal sweeping ocean vistas, while rainforest walks in the Otways lead you through fern-filled gullies and beneath towering trees.

The Great Ocean Walk, stretching from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, becomes a journey of reflection as you traverse majestic forests, rugged clifftops and dramatic shores. If tackling the whole thing feels ambitious – simply choose a section and enjoy it.

Or weave your way through tall forests, rolling farmland and wetlands from the foodie hub of Timboon to the coastal village of Port Campbell on the newly opened Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail.

5. Outdoor adventures

If you’re feeling adventurous, autumn strikes the perfect balance between energy and calm. The surf is still powerful but less crowded, mountain bike trails are more inviting, and cooler days make it easier to stay out longer.

Find yourself kayaking along sheltered inlets, snorkelling in marine sanctuaries, exploring rock pools teeming with life, or horse riding through the Great Otway National Park, autumn is the season to really get out there and enjoy it all.

Let the season’s slower rhythm take hold - you might be surprised by how it changes you.

When you feel the pull of an autumn escape, our Great Ocean Road Parks offer the perfect place to stay.