Options of driving or cycling the Great Ocean Road together with the Great Ocean Walk attract visitors from all over Australia as well as overseas. The road and the coastal hiking trail take people on an odyssey of stunning seascapes, beaches and cliffs, with the iconic 12 Apostles rocks and London Arch at Port Campbell National Park definitive highlights. For overnight or multiday stays that won’t break the bank, Great Ocean Road backpackers and hostels are the ideal choice.
There are more than 10 different establishments on the 243km coast which are specifically geared towards backpackers and budget travellers. Apollo Bay has the biggest choice, but there are other ones in the resort towns of Port Campbell, Lorne, Anglesea and Torquay.
Surfside Backpacker is two minutes’ walk from Apollo Bay’s surfing beach. It is a friendly spot with a spacious lounge, a pool table and a fully equipped kitchen. It has a range of accommodation including dorms and rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Pascoe Street runs north of Surfside and both an Australian YHA and Apollo Bay Backpackers Hostel are on it.
The YHA is a homely Great Ocean Road backpackers option with added extras that include a rooftop deck and a kitchen that even has a bread-maker. Apollo Bay Backpackers has all the standard conveniences including a well laid out kitchen and a washing machine. Lorne is 30kms up the coast and Erskine River Backpackers is a popular stopover for travellers.
Port Campbell Hostel is adjacent to the national park of the same name and offers easy access to surfing beaches and the world-renowned rocks known as the 12 Apostles. It provides value for money accommodation with a spotlessly clean kitchen, lounge and dining hall. Anglesea Backpackers is another excellent option within easy walking distance of Bells Beach. This establishment has both private rooms with ensuites and dorms.