Great Ocean Road Cycle

The tour is 7 days long with 5 days of cycling.

This self guided trip involves 5 days of cycling over varied terrain. Daily activity is usually between 5 and 7 hours but some days might be longer depending on your overall pace. Being a self guided trip you determine the pace and schedule.

You will need an excellent level of fitness and good health and be a very confident and capable cyclist to complete the distances. Daily ascents range from 420m to 622m each day, with descents of up to 577m. There are large portions of this trip where you will be cycling on the Great Ocean Road where the speed limit is 80km per hour. About 60% of the time there will be a shoulder to cycle on. In many sections the route is quite windy and traffic will generally slow down.

On day 2 there is about 10km on a quiet road where the speed limit is 100km per hour. You will need to be confident and comfortable cycling on the road with cars. We recommend starting your cycling early each day to avoid as much traffic as possible.

While the vast majority of the route is on sealed roads there are some stretches of dirt road, and at times these dirt roads can be rutted. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions which can also add to the timing and comfort of a trip, for example riding into a head wind will take more time than when the wind is behind you. High visibility clothing is essential.

If you use an electric bike, the grading on this trip is moderate. As of July 2025 a couple of bridges are being replaced on the Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail so short detours over dirt trails are required.

Yes, your luggage will be transferred in between each hotel. Please keep your luggage to one bag per person, that weighs less than 20kg.

Self guided cycling requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. On self guided cycling tours it is expected that you will know how to repair punctures and make minor adjustments to gears, handlebars and seats. For anything more serious, our local partner will be able to assist. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!) Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure.

If you’ve never been on a self guided trip, after the first couple of days you will get the hang of it as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Please be assured that the route material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide a 7 day service hotline in the event of any problems. Using directions and maps can be more difficult for solo travellers as often two heads are better than one when it comes to finding your way. There is a certain level of the unknown that comes with self guided trips, however with a methodical approach potential problems will be averted. The freedom of a self guided cycling trip is something that, once experienced, is sought time and time again.