Traveling as a family along the Great Ocean Road? Fantastic! You’re in for a treat.

There are heaps of fun things to do on the Great Ocean Road with kids, and in this article, we list 10 of the best. Living just 20 minutes from the start of the Great Ocean Road, we’ve visited the area countless times. First with our own children and now with our grandchildren.

To help you plan your Great Ocean Road trip, we’ve put together this list of Great Ocean Road attractions that both you and your kids can enjoy together.

Although the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road are one of Victoria’s most recognizable sights, there is a lot more to see and do along this incredible coastline. It’s possible to visit the Great Ocean Road as a day trip from Melbourne, but it makes for a very long day, especially when traveling with kids.

I recommend staying in Anglesea as it’s extremely family-friendly with lots to do for kids. The Great Ocean Road Resort is ideal as it’s right opposite the river and has a trampoline park.

Ready to find out what to do on the Great Ocean Road with kids? Let’s start! 

Here are the 10 best things to do on the Great Ocean Road with kids.

1) Learn The History Of Surfing At The Australian National Surfing Museum.

Torquay is considered to be Australia’s surfing capital, so where else would you expect to find the Australian Surfing Museum?

One of the more educational Torquay attractions, the museum is a great place to learn the history of Australia’s surf culture and the world’s in general.

There are interactive displays and extensive collections of surfboards, memorabilia, videos, and photographs from different eras.

Some of the displays are quite funny, and kids love the graffiti-covered surfboards that a shark has bitten.

While the Hall of Fame pays homage to Australia’s surfing champions, the Board Room explores the evolution of surfboard designs.

If you’re lucky, you might even get to see the in-house surfboard shaper working on one of his creations.  

2) Enjoy A Treat At The Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery

Indulge in chocolate heaven at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. Nestled in 15 acres of beautiful grounds, this place is a must-visit for chocolate lovers, those with a sweet tooth, and especially kids!

The enormous showroom is filled with an endless array of delectable chocolates of every flavor you could imagine. And the best part? Free tastings to help you make your selection!

The chocolates are made on-site and you can watch them being created through a huge window. It’s guaranteed to entertain the little ones.

Once you’ve picked your favorite choices, head over to the onsite café to grab a bite to eat. It’s situated next to a large lawn where the kids can play supervised while the adults relax with a coffee.

For the ultimate in indulgence treat yourself and your loved ones to the Family High Tea. Where you can enjoy a delectable assortment of sweet and savory treats, unlimited hot chocolates and milkshakes, and a fantastic chocolate fountain with dipping delights.

3) Have Bouncing Fun At Jumpz Trampolines

Let the kids burn off some energy at Jumpz outdoor trampolines in Anglesea. 

Located at the back of the Great Ocean Road Resort, Jumpz is a trampoline playground where kids can literally bounce off the walls.

This place was built with the whole family in mind as there’s also an outdoor bar and kiosk, a sunken lounge and firepit area, and live music at weekends.

There’s also barbecue facilities if you prefer to bring your own food, and when the kids tire of the trampolines, there are bocce courts and other games to keep them amused.

4) Take A Kangaroo Tour At A Golf Course!

One of the more unusual activities in Anglesea, a kangaroo tour at the local golf course, is an unforgettable experience.

Anglesea Golf Course is known for the mob of 300 Eastern Grey kangaroos that live there.

The course has long been the kangaroos’ home, who hang around on the fairways feeding on the grass.

In the past, tourists would just turn up and wander around the course, hoping to spot one of the roos, making a nuisance of themselves in the process. So, the club started their Kangaroos Tours to allow visitors to see them in safety. 

The tours are run by volunteer guides full of information about the needs and habits of the kangaroos. Visitors are taken to see the jumping marsupials in golf buggies, stopping for photo opportunities along the way.

Although wild, the kangaroos are quite docile, allowing the buggies to get up close. Keep your eyes peeled for baby joeys! 

5) Get Out On The Water With Anglesea Paddle Boats

For some great family fun that everyone can enjoy, head to the Anglesea Paddle Boats.

Located next to the Anglesea Bridge, you can’t miss the colorful boats on the riverbank and cruising on the water.

There are various watercraft to choose from, including paddle boats, canoes, aqua bikes, and motorboats.

Each option will take you along the picturesque river under the bridge to Coogarah Park.

The family-run business is open every day in summer and on weekends in winter. Boats can be hired from 15 minutes up to an hour.

It’s also worth exploring the river area on foot. The banks of the river are lined with a terrific accessible path and fishing jetties, and there’s an excellent children’s playground as well.

6) Zip Through The Trees At Live Wire Park

For active families traveling the Great Ocean Road, Live Wire Park is a must-stop. 

One of the fun activities in Lorne, Live Wire Park is Australia’s first completely off-grid elevated adventure park.

The park offers a variety of circuits, with the Super Circuit designed for adults and teenagers and the Short Circuit perfect for kids over 110 centimeters tall.

These courses feature swinging planks, ladders, and zip lines designed to test balance and problem-solving skills and promote a sense of accomplishment.

For younger kids the Spring Circuit is a lot of fun and features elevated trampoline areas enclosed in nets. They’ll spend ages bouncing around and playing with balls.

The Canopy Circuit is a unique wooden walkway in the trees that rocks as you walk along it. It’s a quick but enjoyable experience for the whole family. 

For the ultimate thrill, ride on the Shockwave Zip Coaster, a 525-metre long zipline. It’s suitable for children aged ten and over.

Entry to the park includes access to the Canopy and Spring Circuits. Additional activities like the Super and Short Circuits and the Zip Coaster cost extra.

7) Admire Erskine Falls In The Otways

There are heaps of different waterfalls in the Great Ocean Road and Otways region.

One of the most popular and beautiful waterfalls to visit is Erskine Falls.

They are located not far from Lorne in the Otway rainforest just past Live Wire Park – so the two can be completed on the same day.

Worth visiting at any time of year, the 30 metre tall waterfall is surrounded by lush rainforest and moss covered rocks.

Unlike some other Otways waterfalls, Erskine Falls doesn’t require a muddy hike to get to it. From the car park it’s just a 5-minute walk to the top viewing platform, however, you’ll need to trapse down 250 steps for a close-up view.

There is a 7.5 kilometre hiking trail through the forest from Lorne to Erskine Falls.

8) Explore The Otways Rainforest At Maits Rest

One of the best short walks in the area, Maits Rest is a great spot for kids to stretch their legs and explore nature. It won’t take up too much of your time either.

The walk takes around 30 minutes and passes through the ancient cool temperate rainforest of Myrtle Beech trees and giant green ferns.

Children are fascinated by the gnarly tree roots and hollow tree trunks and the wildlife that’s often seen here.

Look carefully in the undergrowth beside the tracks, and you might spot the rare Otway Black Snail. A carnivorous snail that can only be found in the Otways National Park. 

9) See The World Famous 12 Apostles

Rising out of the Southern Ocean in Port Campbell National Park, you’ll find the famous 12 Apostles.

These limestone stacks were once connected to mainland Australia, but over time, the wind and waves have pounded them into caves, arches, and finally, the 45-metre pillars you see today.

The highlight of any visit to the Great Ocean Road, and the most visited attraction in the region, it’s best to see the 12 Apostles either early or late in the day, when their colors change with the shifting light.

If you make the effort to get up early and visit at dawn, you’ll avoid the heavy daytime crowds. While in the evening, the kids will delight in the waddling penguins that return to their burrows below the lookout at sunset.

10) Marvel At Rock Formations In Port Campbell National Park

Although the 12 Apostles are the most well-known Great Ocean Road attraction, there are plenty of other fantastic sights to see in Port Campbell National Park.

Just a short 3-minute drive from the 12 Apostles lies Loch Ard Gorge, the site of a legendary shipwreck. Today there’s no shipwreck to see, but giant golden cliffs surround a gorgeous beach.

London Bridge is another stunning offshore rock formation originally a natural archway. In 1990, it partly collapsed, leaving 2 people stranded; it’s now a “bridge” without any connection to land.

For the ultimate rock formation experience that has kids mesmerized, don’t miss The Grotto. This enchanting site resembles a surreal sinkhole combining elements of a blowhole, archway, and cave. There’s nothing else like it. 

11) Learn History Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum is one of the top attractions in Warrnambool and is the ideal place for kids to learn about the area’s history.

Here you can wander through a recreated maritime village, where you’ll encounter 40 buildings filled with rare artifacts and costumed characters who bring the past to life.

As well as the village, there’s a museum on site that is home to the region’s largest maritime and shipwreck collection. The highlight of which is the Loch Ard Peacock, a $4 million relic salvaged from the wreck of the Loch Ard Ship.

The price of a ticket will also give you entry to the nightly Sound and Light Show, which tells tales of the Shipwreck Coast using a 9-metre-tall wall of water. 

12) Have Fun At The Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground

Spanning across a massive 8-hectare area, Lake Pertobe Playground offers kids hours of endless fun.

Suitable for children of all ages, the playground has plenty of climbing options, sandpits, a flying fox, a giant slide, and even a maze.

There are also walking tracks, swing bridges, bird-watching hides, tennis courts, and a skateboard park. If all that isn’t enough there’s a mini golf course right next to the park.

In addition, the park provides sheltered barbecue facilities, perfect for a relaxing family picnic while the little ones play.

Final Words

As you can see there are heaps of fun things to do on the Great Ocean Road with kids. This iconic route makes for the perfect weekend getaway or an exciting school holiday trip. No matter the age of your kids, whether they’re toddlers or teenagers, I hop you found this guide useful.

 

Guest Post by Audrey

Audrey is the principal blogger behind Victoria Uncovered. A site that helps people get the most out of their visit to Victoria Australia. Book Lover | Breakfast Nut | Aussie Gal | She’s usually craving coffee.