Great Ocean road - Wikipedia Great Ocean road Great Ocean Road Surf Coast Highway Victoria Great Ocean Road memorial arch at Eastern View General information Type Highway Length 243 km ( 151 mi ) Opened 1932 Route number ( s ) B100 Former route number State Route 100 Major junctions East end Surf Coast Highway, Torquay, Victoria West end Princes Highway, Allansford, Victoria Location ( s ) Major settlements Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Wye River, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, Lavers Hill, Port Campbell, Peterborough Highway system Highways in Australia National Highway Freeways in Australia Highways in Victoria The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 243 kilometres ( 151 mi ) stretch of road along the south - eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford. Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I, the road is the world 's largest war memorial. Winding through varying terrain along the coast and providing access to several prominent landmarks, including the Twelve Apostles limestone stack formations, the road is an important tourist attraction in the region. Contents 1 General 1.1 Great Ocean Road Marathon 1.2 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race 2 History 2.1 Construction effort 2.2 Completion and early usage 2.3 Great Ocean Walk 3 See also 4 References 5 External links General The Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and travels 244 kilometres westward to finish at Allansford near Warrnambool, the largest city along the road. The road is two lane ( one in each direction ), and is covered by a speed limit changing between 50 kilometres per hour and 100 kilometres per hour. Great Ocean Road as viewed from Teddy 's Lookout, south of Lorne The road is considered a tourist attraction in the area, in which much of the road hugs coastline affectionately known as the Surf Coast between Torquay and Cape Otway and the Shipwreck Coast further west of Cape Otway, providing visibility of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. The road traverses rainforests, as well as beaches and cliffs composed of limestone and sandstone, which is susceptible to erosion. The road travels via Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell, the latter being notable for its natural limestone and sandstone rock formations including Loch Ard Gorge, The Grotto, London Arch ( formerly London Bridge ) and The Twelve Apostles. At the stretch of the Great Ocean Road nearer to Geelong, the road meanders along the coast, with tall, almost - vertical cliffs on the other side of it. Road signs put up along the road warn motorists of possible rockfalls, which have occurred before. London Arch The city of Geelong, close to Torquay, experiences great benefit from Australian and international visitors to the road ; with Geelong Otway Tourism affirming it as an invaluable asset. The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria ( RACV ) listed the road as the state 's top tourism experience in its Victoria 101 survey, based on spots recommended by members and the public on what they would recommend to visitors. However, according to a survey performed by the Surf Coast Shire, residents have expressed concern that there are not enough safe crossings along the road. Great Ocean road marathon A 45 kilometre section of the Great Ocean Road, between Lorne and Apollo Bay, is the location of the annual `` Great Ocean Road Marathon ''. First run in 2005, the current marathon record of two hours, 27 minutes and 42 seconds was set in 2011 by James Kipkelwon of Kenya who also won the event in 2012. Cadel Evans Great Ocean road Race In July 2014 former World Road Cycling Champion and Tour de France winner Cadel Evans announced that the Great Ocean Road would play host to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in early 2015, including elite races for men and women and a mass participation People 's Ride. History Island Archway on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Taken as a 6 segment panorama showing the surrounding coastline. The Great Ocean Road was first planned towards the end of the first world war, when chairman of the Country Roads Board, William Calder, asked the State War Council for funds to be provided for returned soldiers to work on roads in sparsely populated areas in the Western District. By the time of World War I, the rugged south - west coast of Victoria was accessible only by sea or rough bush track. Besides being dedicated as a memorial, it was also envisaged that the road would connect isolated settlements on the coast, and become a vital transport link for the timber industry and tourism. Surveying for the road, tentatively titled the South Coast Road, started in 1918 -- with the road suggested to travel from Barwon Heads, follow the coast west around Cape Otway, and end near Warrnambool. In 1918, the Great Ocean Road Trust was formed as a private company, under the helm of president Howard Hitchcock. The company managed to secure £ 81,000 in capital from private subscription and borrowing, with Hitchcock himself contributing £ 3000. Money would be repaid by charging drivers a toll until the debt was cleared, and the road would then be gifted to the state. Construction effort Great Ocean Road Construction on the road began on 19 September 1919, built by approximately 3,000 returned servicemen as a war memorial for fellow servicemen who had been killed in World War I. An advance survey team progressed through dense wilderness at approximately 3 kilometres a month. Construction was done by hand ; using explosives, pick and shovel, wheel barrows, and some small machinery, and was at times perilous, with several workers killed on the job ; the final sections along steep coastal mountains being the most difficult to work on. Anecdotal evidence from ABC archives in 1982 suggested workers would rest detonators on their knees during travel, as it was the softest ride for them. The soldiers were paid 10 shillings and sixpence for eight hours per day, also working a half - day on Saturdays. They used tents for accommodation throughout, and made use of a communal dining marquee and kitchen ; food costing up to 10 shillings a week. Despite the difficulty involved in constructing the road, the workers had access to a piano, gramophone, games, newspapers and magazines at the camps. Additionally, in 1924, the steamboat Casino became stranded near Cape Patton after hitting a reef, forcing it to jettison 500 barrels of beer and 120 cases of spirits. The workers obtained the cargo, resulting in an unscheduled two - week - long drinking break. Completion and early usage The Hitchcock Memorial at Mount Defiance Tickets paying the toll fee circa 1930 On 18 March 1922 the section from Eastern View to Lorne was officially opened with celebrations. However it was then closed from 10 May 1922 for further work ; opening again on 21 December along with tolls to recoup construction costs. The charge, payable at Eastern View, was two shillings for motor cars, and 10 shillings for wagons with more than two horses. In November 1932, the section from Lorne to Apollo Bay was finished, bringing the road to completion. The road was officially opened with Victoria 's Lieutenant - Governor Sir William Irvine holding a ceremony near Lorne 's Grand Pacific Hotel, and the road subsequently being acknowledged as the world 's largest war memorial. At the time, newspaper The Age commented -- `` In the face of almost insurmountable odds, the Great Ocean Road has materialised from a dream or ' wild - cat scheme ', as many dubbed it, into concrete reality ''. Hitchcock had however died of heart disease on 22 August 1932, before the road was completed, though his car was driven behind the governor 's in the procession along the road during the opening ceremony. A memorial was constructed in Hitchcock 's name on the road at Mount Defiance, near Lorne, and he is still affectionately considered the Father of the Road. In the face of almost insurmountable odds, the Great Ocean Road has materialised from a dream or ' wild - cat scheme ', as many dubbed it, into concrete reality Rood, David ( 10 April 2007 ). `` Road 's still great, 75 years on ''. The Age. Retrieved 26 June 2010. In its original state, the road was considered a formidable drive ; fitting only a single vehicle comfortably at a time. Areas with sheer cliffs would be most hazardous, with only few places for drivers to pull over to allow others to proceed in the opposite direction. On 2 October 1936, the road was handed to the State Government ; with the deed for the road presented to the Victorian Premier at a ceremony at the Cathedral Rock toll gate. It was at this time that the tolls were also removed. In 1962, the road was deemed by the Tourist Development Authority to be one of the world 's great scenic roads. It also had sections widened between the Lorne Hotel and the Pacific Hotel to improve traffic, while aiming to preserve its character. Despite improvements, the road was still considered a challenging drive ; the Victorian Police motor school even using it for training around 1966. Over its life, the Great Ocean Road has been susceptible to natural elements ; in 1960 the section at Princetown was partially washed away by water during storms. It experienced landslides on 11 August 1964, and in 1971 ; both closing sections of the road near Lorne. Because of the terrain surrounding the road, it was also closed due to bush - fires in 1962 and 1964 ; particularly in areas with nearby camp - sites. In January 2011 a section of the overhanging cliffs collapsed due to heavy rain. In 2011, the road was added to the Australian National Heritage List. Great Ocean Walk In 2004, the Great Ocean Walk opened, connecting 104 km of walking trails that follow the coastline near the Great Ocean Road, stretching from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles. See also Australian Roads portal Great Ocean Walk Howard Hitchcock List of highways in Victoria Loch Ard Gorge London Arch The Grotto The Twelve Apostles References ^ Jump up to : Rood, David ( 10 April 2007 ). `` Road 's still great, 75 years on ''. The Age. Retrieved 26 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Doncaster site to house shops, offices and flats ''. The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010. Jump up ^ Waters, Kim ( 20 May 2010 ). `` Critics slam policy to ban coast wind farms ''. Star News Group. Retrieved 9 June 2010. Jump up ^ Campbell, David ( 2 January 2006 ). `` Preserving the fragile Great Ocean Road ''. The Age. Retrieved 25 June 2010. ^ Jump up to : Goggin, Eleanor ( 30 May 2010 ). `` Surfing the vineyards on the Ocean Road ''. Sunday Independent. Independent.ie. Retrieved 8 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` The Lonely Planet online guide to the road ''. Retrieved 19 May 2008. Jump up ^ Harper, Jane ( 17 July 2008 ). `` Geelong has a billion reason to thank tourists ''. The Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 9 June 2010. ^ Jump up to : Grant, Roger ( 9 June 2010 ). `` Extra Tiger flights make Geelong a must - see ''. www.geelongadvertiser.com.au. The Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 9 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Great Ocean Road ' top tourism experience ' ''. couriermail.com.au. Queensland Newspapers. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Surfcoast.vic.gov.au '' ( PDF ). Surf Coast Shire. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 13 March 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011. Jump up ^ Dickens, Carl ( 17 May 2010 ). `` Ocean Road to glory for marathon ''. Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 30 June 2010. Jump up ^ Eliza Sum ( 22 May 2012 ). `` Highton man second in marathon ''. Retrieved 22 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race announced ''. sbs.com.au. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014. Jump up ^ Southern, Roger J. `` Calder, William ( 1860 -- 1928 ) ''. adbonline.anu.edu.au. Australian National University. ISSN 1833 - 7538. Retrieved 24 June 2010. ^ Jump up to : Downes, Stephen ( 26 November 1982 ). `` Great Ocean Road turns 50 ''. The Age. p. 12. Retrieved 25 June 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Moment in Time -- Episode 27 ''. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ^ Jump up to : Wynd, Ian. `` Hitchcock, Howard ( 1866 -- 1932 ) ''. www.adb.online.anu.edu.au. Australian National University. Retrieved 24 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` The Great Ocean Road ''. The Sydney Mail. 24 April 1935. Retrieved 25 June 2010. Jump up ^ Davis, Michael ( 14 April 2007 ). `` Hard road to honouring Diggers ''. The Australian. Retrieved 26 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Double Lines Needed On Ocean Road ''. The Age. 10 June 1961. Retrieved 29 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Great Ocean Road in World Class ''. The Age. 15 August 1962. p. 4. Retrieved 25 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Widening of Lorne Road ''. The Age. 8 September 1962. Retrieved 29 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Tighter averages on poor roads in tough run ''. The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 December 1966. Retrieved 29 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Washaways ''. The Age. 23 April 1960. Retrieved 29 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Landslide Closes Great Ocean Road ''. The Age. 12 August 1964. Retrieved 25 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Ocean Road open -- but watch out ''. The Age. 9 December 1971. Retrieved 29 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Fire Survey Finds Another 200 Homes were Lost ''. The Age. 20 January 1962. Retrieved 29 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Great Ocean Road Closed ''. The Age. 8 January 1964. Retrieved 29 June 2010. Jump up ^ Johnston, Matt ( 7 April 2011 ). `` Great Ocean Road added to Australia 's national heritage lis ''. HeraldSun. Retrieved 7 April 2011. Jump up ^ `` Great Ocean Walk ''. Visit Victoria. Tourism Victoria. Retrieved 22 December 2011. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Great Ocean Road. Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Great Ocean Road. Great Ocean Road -- Official state government tourism site Retrieved 21 August 2017. Great Ocean Road Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Ltd. Retrieved 21 August 2017. Local accommodation website for the Great Ocean Road Retrieved 21 August 2017. Geographic data related to Great Ocean Road at OpenStreetMap Great Ocean Road travel guide from Wikivoyage Road infrastructure in Victoria Freeways Calder Freeway Goulburn Valley Freeway Hume Freeway Princes Freeway ( Geelong Ring Road ) Western Freeway Highways Bass Highway Bellarine Highway Borung Highway Calder Highway Calder Alternative Highway Glenelg Highway Goulburn Valley Highway Hamilton Highway Henty Highway Hopkins Highway Kiewa Valley Highway Loddon Valley Highway Mallee Highway Maroondah Highway McIvor Highway Melba Highway Midland Highway Monaro Highway Murray Valley Highway Nepean Highway Northern Highway Omeo Highway Princes Highway Pyrenees Highway South Gippsland Highway Strzelecki Highway Sturt Highway Sunraysia Highway Surf Coast Highway Warburton Highway Western Highway Western Port Highway Wimmera Highway Bypass routes Old Hume Highway Old Princes Highway Princes Highway ( Geelong ) Tourist routes Great Alpine Road Great Ocean Road Murray Valley Highway Phillip Island Road Visitor attractions on the Great Ocean Road Attractions Bay of Islands Coastal Park Bells Beach Cape Bridgewater Gibson Steps Great Otway National Park The Grotto Loch Ard Gorge London Arch Point Addis Marine National Park Port Campbell National Park The Twelve Apostles Twelve Apostles Marine National Park Towns Aireys Inlet Anglesea Apollo Bay Barwon Heads Bellbrae Camperdown Colac Eastern View Fairhaven Geelong Jan Juc Lavers Hill Lorne Moggs Creek Peterborough Port Campbell Port Fairy Princetown Separation Creek Torquay Warrnambool Wye River Coordinates : 38 ° 44 ′ 01.77 '' S 143 ° 41 ′ 14.17 '' E ﻿ / ﻿ 38.7338250 ° S 143.6872694 ° E ﻿ / - 38.7338250 ; 143.6872694 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Great_Ocean_Road&oldid=816795208 '' Categories : 1932 establishments in Australia Tourist attractions in Victoria ( Australia ) Tourist attractions in Geelong Otway Ranges Warrnambool Highways in Victoria ( Australia ) Scenic routes in Australia Australian military memorials Coastline of Victoria ( Australia ) Victorian Heritage Register Hidden categories : All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from October 2017 Articles with permanently dead external links Use Australian English from September 2015 All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English Use dmy dates from October 2012 All accuracy disputes Articles with disputed statements from August 2017 Coordinates on Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikivoyage Български Čeština Dansk Deutsch Français 한국어 Bahasa Indonesia עברית Magyar മലയാളം Bahasa Melayu Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский Svenska Українська 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 23 December 2017, at 19 : 15. 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Question: where does the great ocean road start and end
Answer: Torquay