Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is not just a coastal road - it is an experience. It winds for 240 kilometers along rugged cliffs, wild beaches and green rainforests. For me, it was the ultimate road trip feeling: windows down, favorite song on and just drift along. A new wow moment was waiting around every bend.

Our starting point: Point Impossible Beach. White sand, turquoise blue water and so much peace and quiet that we could hardly believe how close we still were to Melbourne. After a short coffee break, we - of course - stopped at the Memorial Arch for a photo. But the real highlight here was the white sandy beach at Queenscliff Coastal Reserve.

Further south in Lorne, we enjoyed a beautiful view from Teddy's Lookout when the first big goosebump moment came: On our drive to Lorne Scenic Beach, we saw our first wild kangaroos! We were so excited! After that, we had to calm down first. We stopped for a quick swim at Sheoak Falls. Freezing cold, but one of our highlights of the road trip.

We drove past the most beautiful views to the Kennet River Coastal Reserve. Because we also wanted to see wild koalas! We had to look pretty closely - the fluffy koalas sleep so hidden in the trees. But we did see a few here and there. Exhausted from the day, we only went to Apollo Bay. We had a delicious dinner there and fell into bed tired.

After walking around Apollo Bay the next morning and having breakfast there, we continued into the rainforest. Otway National Park is home to the last primeval forests in southern Australia! We walked along the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk, which impresses with its moss-covered trees and huge ferns. We then made a short stop at Cape Otway Lighthouse and enjoyed the view.

And then it finally came: the moment I had been looking forward to so much - the Twelve Apostles. Huge limestone pillars jutting out of the sea while the waves crash against them. The famous rocks are one of Australia's tourist hotspots. Understandable: the view of the rock formation felt magical. But the light was also somehow special.

After we had all soaked up the panorama, we stopped at Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and The Grotto. Every stop is a little work of art - and you always ask yourself: How can a place be so beautiful?

I've put together a list of all the places on the Great Ocean Road on Google Maps. You can find the list here.

Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula has a completely different vibe - more elegant, more relaxed, but at least as beautiful as the Great Ocean Road. Even the famous Bathing Boxes here are an eye-catcher: much less touristy than the well-known little houses in Brighton, but just as colorful, charming and perfect for a few photos.

But what really impressed me was the nature. The view from Fort Nepean to the tip of Point Nepean National Park is just wow - rugged rocks, deep blue, wind in your hair. On a clear day you can see as far as Melbourne, which is kind of crazy because you feel so far away here.

My personal favorite, however, was Portsea Surf Beach. The beach itself is beautiful, but the best part was the view from above - turquoise water, roaring waves and a few surfers. A real postcard motif. But Sorrento Ocean Beach and Shelley Beach also invite you to linger.

The path to Bushrangers Bay is very special, too. It's a short hike, but you'll be rewarded with a magnificent view. It was similar at Coppins Lookout, Cheviot Hill or London Bridge Lookout: you stand there, look out over the rugged coastline - and think to yourself for the tenth time that day: how can it all be so beautiful?

In addition to all the nature, you should also pay a visit to Sorrento and Portsea. These cute towns enchant with their cozy cafés and chic stores. You can also set off on one of the popular dolphin tours from here. Or you can visit a wine tasting at one of the exclusive wineries in Red Hill instead.

I have put together a list of all the places on the Mornington Peninsula on Google Maps. You can find the list here.

Phillip Island

Most people come to Phillip Island (only) for the Penguin Parade - and yes, this little spectacle really is something special. In the evening, hundreds of little penguins (which grow no larger than 33 centimetres) waddle out of the sea onto the beach, right past the rows of astonished spectators. The moment when the first little penguins emerge from the waves is simply adorable. And the beach itself, where it all happens, is beautiful even without the penguins. Actually, I sat in the front row on the sand and was able to see the penguins particularly well. (Entry to the parade costs around EUR 16. Please note: The penguins must not be illuminated with the flash of your cell phone).

But Phillip Island has much more to offer than the penguin parade. The island has some truly beautiful nature and impressive viewpoints. I particularly liked Woolamai Surf Beach. Nearby, the Cape Woolamai Circuit Walk, which takes you through a rugged, dramatic landscape - past the cliffs and great viewpoints such as Pinnacles Lookout and Pyramid Rock Lookout - is also worthwhile.

At the western tip is also Nobbies View Point, where the waves crash against dark rocks and, with a bit of luck, you may even spot seals. But Red Rocks Beach with its reddish sand and calm water is also very special.

However, I particularly liked the Forrest Caves. At low tide, you can go straight into the caves - perfect for a bit of adventure (and pretty cool photos!). Phillip Island totally surprised me - sure, the penguins were a highlight, but I was rather impressed by the wild, varied nature.

I've put together a list of all the places on Phillip Island on Google Maps. You can find the list here.

Wilsons Promontory National Park

Wilsons Promontory - or simply “The Prom” - is one of those places where you immediately understand why Australians love their nature so much. The National Park has it all: wild beaches, impressive viewpoints, huge dunes and hiking trails through untouched landscapes. If you feel like it, you can also go camping here. Find all information about camping in Wilsons Prom here.

My personal adventure began with the ascent to the Big Drift - huge sand dunes in the middle of the National Park. I was all alone up there, the wind was blowing hard and the sand was whipping me in the face from all sides. But I was determined to get to the top. When I finally reached the top, with a view of seemingly endless waves of sand, I felt like I was in the middle of the desert. Even though I literally had sand everywhere afterwards (really everywhere), it was totally worth it. Luckily, my cozy accommodation with a hot shower was waiting for me afterwards.

The National Park has a lot else to offer: Squeaky Beach lives up to its name - the fine, squeaky sand underfoot is almost as special as the turquoise ocean. From the Tidal Overlook Viewpoint you have a fantastic view of the coast, and Whale Rock and Norman Beach invite you to marvel (and take a deep breath).

Wilsons Prom was a place for me to switch off - with an extra portion of sand between my toes.

Raymond Island

Raymond Island is small, quiet, somehow totally charming - and famous for its koalas. The island is perfect for a relaxed day trip. You can reach it with a small ferry from Paynesville. The crossing is free for pedestrians! And you can park for free in the parking lot on Fleischer Street.

The highlight of the island is the Koala Trail. The leisurely circular trail leads across the island and is practically a koala safari. They hang out in the trees everywhere - some doze, others nibble on eucalyptus leaves with relish, and every now and then one climbs a few centimetres further. It's great fun to stroll through the streets looking up and trying to spot one more. (I stopped counting at some point).

Why are there so many koalas on Raymond Island? It's simple: the little balls of fur were deliberately settled here to provide them with a safe habitat. In the 1950s, koala populations in many parts of Victoria had declined sharply - partly due to habitat loss, disease and, in the past, hunting. Raymond Island offers the ideal habitat: the island is car-free, quiet and full of eucalyptus trees.

Raymond Island may not be spectacular, but that's exactly what makes it so charming - nature, tranquillity and lots of fluffy inhabitants

Croajingolong National Park

Croajingolong National Park is wild, remote and just right if you want to experience nature without the hustle and bustle. There are no Insta hotspots or tour buses here - just dense forests, wild coastline and secluded trails. And that's exactly what makes it so special.

My highlight was the ascent to Genoa Peak - just in time for sunset. I was on my own and the higher I got, the quieter it became. Only the wind and the rustling of the leaves could be heard. Once I reached the top, I was rewarded with a breathtaking view: vast forests, rolling hills, golden light. No cell phone reception, no noise - just me and this moment. It was one of those moments that you don't plan but never forget.

Croajingolong National Park is not a place for program points - but a place to take a deep breath, marvel and stop the world for a moment.

What else to discover

As is generally the case when traveling: You can't see everything - even if you'd like to. Along the Victoria Coast, I was mainly drawn to the sea, but there are also many special places inland that have landed on my “next time”-list.

Right at the top: the Cement Creek Redwood Forest. A small forest of giant redwood trees in the middle of the Australian bush - almost like a scene from Northern California. The pictures certainly look like a fairytale forest.

Mount Buffalo National Park would also have totally appealed to me. Rugged granite formations, crystal-clear lakes and sweeping views over the highlands - perfect for hiking and relaxing. And right next door: the Alpine National Park, with green hills, secluded paths and the kind of landscape that makes you want to lace up your hiking boots straight away.

I didn't make it this time - but maybe you will?

I have put together a list of all the places on Google Maps.

You can find the list here.