The White Hat Guide to the Great Ocean Road and its hinterland

 

 

This area extends along the south-west coast of Victoria from Port Phillip Bay through to the South Australian border. It includes Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne, Wye River, Kennet River, Port Campbell, Apollo Bay, Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. The hinterland includes Colac, Cobden and Winchelsea.

The Great Ocean Road itself was built by returned servicemen after the First World War as a memorial to fallen comrades. With its stunning coastal scenery it probably constitutes Australia's most spectacular and unusual war memorial.

 

See also our entries under these places of particular interest:

Warrnambool
Camperdown

Some places of interest in the Great Ocean Road region:

Barwon Park A historic bluestone mansion with 42 rooms and an enduring reminder to the wealth and success of the Western District graziers of the 19th century. The mansion also includes a room celebrating the achievements of the local soprano, Marjorie Lawrence. More information at The White Hat Guide to Barwon Park. 11am to 4pm Wednesdays & Sundays (closed Christmas Day) , Winchelsea

Cape Otway Lighthouse Located in beautiful Otway National Park this 1848 lighthouse tower is now the oldest on the Australian mainland. Daily from 9am ,

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Muesum A recreation of a coastal settlement fro the 19th century. This museum contains significant artefacts from the wreck of the Loch Ard near Port Campbell. Entry fees apply. 9am-5pm (last entry 4pm) daily (except Christmas Day) Merris Street,,

Some markets in the Great Ocean Road region:

Anglesea Community House Market An outdoor market with over 150 stalls selling a wide variety of goods. 9am to 4pm, every Easter Sunday Anglesea Community House, Great Ocean Road, (Mel ref 196 F6)

Anglesea Foot ball Club Market An outdoor market with up to 100 stalls selling a wide variety of goods. This is one of several markets operated by community groups during the summer months in the wonderful outdoor setting on the riverbank. One Sunday in March Riverbank, Great Ocean Road, (Mel ref 196 F6)

Anglesea Lions Club Market An outdoor market with over 150 stalls selling a wide variety of goods. One Sunday in January Lions Park, Great Ocean Road, (Mel ref 196 F6)

Anglesea Market An outdoor market with up to 200 stalls selling craft, jewllery, food & a wide variety of goods. Plenty of family entertainment. This is one of several markets operated by community groups during the summer months in the wonderful outdoor setting on the riverbank. If you are visiting Anglesea for this market, why not stay overnight and make a weekend of it. White Hat recommends these holiday parks and this beach house. 9am—4pm, New Year's Day, one Sunday in January, Sunday before Melbourne Cup Day Riverbank, Great Ocean Road, (Mel ref 196 F6)

Apollo Bay Farmers Market Apollo Bay Farmer's Market showcases some of the finest culinary delights being produced in and around the Otways. The market offers fabulously fresh local produce including: wine, meat, olives, fruit and veg, honey and lots more. 9am to 1pm, 3rd Sunday of month Youth Club (Moore Street), Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay Market An outdoor market with 20 to 50 stalls selling home made produce and handcrafted goods as well as local produce. Stalls are only available to local residents or rate payers and hence this market truly reflects the craft and produce of the Otways region. 8.30am to 4pm, Saturdays Foreshore,, (Mel ref 626 J10)

Birregurra Sunday Market in the Park Birregurra is at the foot of the Otway ranges 45 min from Geelong enroute to Lorne & Apollo Bay. The markets feature quality craft & local produce in a relaxing rural atmosphere.There are a variety of local shops to visit also. 2nd Sunday of month, December to April 58 kmSW of Geelong via Princes Highway,

Camperdown Rotary Craft Market Home made & home grown goods. Historic tours (including the famous clock tower) available. 9am - 3pm, 1st Sunday of month Little Manifold Street,, (Mel ref 626 G7)

Camperdown Show Society Sunday Market An indoor market with a range of goods. from 9.30am, 4th Sunday of month Cmperdown Showgrounds, Princes Highway., (Mel ref 626 G7)

Colac Lions Sunday Market An outdoor market selling a wide range of goods including local produce. 9am - 2pm, 3rd Sun of month Memorial Square, Hesse Street,, (Mel ref 626 J8)

Cowrie Community Market An outdoor market selling produce, art & craft with an emphasis on edo-friendly products. Live music - buskers welcome. 10am-3pm, 3rd Sunday of month, September-April Torquay Esplanade betwee Gilbert & Anderson Streets, Torquay

Derrinallum Town and Country Market Derrinallum Town and country Markets are an initiative of the Derrinallum Progress Association. We have a large variety of stalls including plants, toys, felt craft goods, coffee, icecream, cakes and biscuits, bread, Lions club BBQ, music. New stallholders welcome 3rd Sunday of month, October to March Under the elms in the Avenue, Main Street, Derrinallum (at the base of Mount Elephant)

Lorne Kindergarten Annual Easter Market Over 60 stalls with gourmet food, children's rides and lots more. 10am to 4pm, Saturday 11 April 2009 (to be confirmed) Lorne Foreshore, Lorne

Moriac Makers & Growers Market ,

Moriac Makers & Growers Market Celebrate all that is sustainable, innovative, hand and homemade at the newest market in the region. Specialising in clothing and textile design, art and jewellery, fresh organic produce and tasty homemade food, the Moriac Makers & Growers Market is where quality and quirky come together. Imagine seeds and stitches, jewellery and jam, sewing mchines and local seasonal produce accompanied by live acoustic music to soothe and inspire. Here craft is cool and excellence is expected! Head to the hinterland and tap into some real country soul. Coming dates: 8th January 2012; 6th May 2012 9am to 2pm, selected Sundays Moriac Community Centre, Moriac

Pombo Mart A very large building (originally a butter factory) with a large range of antiques, collectables, old wares and plenty of surprises. White Hat recommends that if you are travelling the Princes Highway between Geelong and Warrnambool that you take a break at the Pombo Mart. There is a cafe and one of  the proprietors is Peter Brocklehurst "The singing cobbler" continues to ply his trade repairing watches and shoes, cutting keys and engraving. More information at Pombo Mart Thursday to Monday, public holidays and 7 days per week during school holidays 2846 Princes Highway, Pomborneit North

Port Campbell Summer Market A small outdoor market with arts, crafts and refreshments. 10am-3pm, Sundays in Jan plus first Sun after Christmas and Easter Sunday ,

Port Fairy Craft Market Featuring craft and other goods 9am-2pm, 2nd Sat of month plus four Saturdays in Jan , Port Fairy

Port Fairy Farmers' Market 8am - 2pm, 3rd Saturday of month Railway Place,, (Mel ref 626 C8)

Portland Angling Club Sunday Market A small indoor/outdoor market with a range of goods. 8am-2.30pm, 3rd Sunday of month (Sept-April) Foreshore (off Bentwick Street)., (Mel ref 625 K8)

Portland Bentinck Street Sunday Markets Home made cakes & slices and sausage rolls. Flowers, Plants, Craft, Food. BBQ/Sausage Sizzle. New stall holders' welcome - no trash please. More details at Portland Bentinck Street Sunday Markets. An extra Christmas market on 21st December 2009. 10am to 4pm, 2nd Sunday of month (Sept to April) Bentinck Street Lawns, Portland

Torquay Central Farmers Market Local & regional bread, cheese, organics, eggs, vegies, berries, jam and honey. White Hat has not yet attended this market but when we do we will let you know what we think. 8.30am to 1pm, Saturdays Car park, Torquay Central, 41 Bristol Road, Torquay

Torquay Primary School Market A once-a-year market with a variety of goods. 9am-2pm, Easter Saturday Torquay Primary School, 29 Bristol Road,, (Mel ref 237 G5)

Up Markets New Fashion,Vintage and Cultural Art, become a stall holder in Lorne new indoor permanent market, we do all the hard work for you selling your products seven days a week, prime beachfront location in the heart of lorne's lively shopping hub, stalls and wall space available now. 10am to 6pm daily 144 Mount Joy Parade, Lorne

Warrnambool Hillside Market An outdoor market selling a range of quality goods including craft and produce. The most picturesque market in the area with sites of high quality craft and produce. Free entry. 10am to 2pm, 2nd Sunday of month (Nov to April Flagstaff Hill, Merri St,, (Mel ref 626 D8)

Warrnambool Mill Markets A market operated in the same style as the mills markets in Newtown and Daylesford. Stalls are available on a monthly lease and you will find all manner of clothing, jewellery, antiques, collectables and bric-a-brac. The market is located in the factory and gardens created by Fletcher Jones. Fletcher Jones Gardens, Princes Highway, Warrnambool

Warrnambool Spirit of the Sea Market Held in the delightful area of Lake Pertobe - a colourful and mixed outdoor market held just once a year. 14 January 2007 ,

Warrnambool Undercover Market This market has a range of bric-a-brac and variety goods. White Hat can particularly recommend the fresh flowers and produces sold by farmers off the bck of their trucks at this typical down-to-earth country market. Despite the name of the market, there are also a number of outdoor stalls in fine weather. No dogs are allowed. 8.30am to 1pm, Sundays (except last Sun in Oct) Cattle Pavillion, Showgrounds Reserve, Koroit Street, Warrnambool

What's on and things to do in the Great Ocean Road region:

Apollo Bay Music Festival This festival with a large number of performers features, rock, jazz, blues, indie, world and classical music. April 2012 ? Apollo Bay

Cobden Spring Festival An annual community festival with a market, food stalls and entertainment. October 2012 ? (Mel ref 626 F8)

Colac Country Music Festival Truck & Ute Show A festival featuring country music and showcasing trucks and utes. (The ute was invented not far from Colac). Bring a picnic or sample the wares at the food stalls. February 2012 ?

Gnatannwarr Multicultural Festival This festival (previously known as the Tarerer Festival) promotes local indigenous culture through song and dance. March 2013 ?

Koroit Irish Festival Poetry, history music and dance highlighting the Irish heritage of the area. May 2012 ?

Mortlake Buskers Festival Food and craft stalls plus buskers competing in the Australian Busking Championships. March 2012 ?

Moyneyana Festival An annual community festival which has been running since 1948 and adopted the name "Moyneyana" in 1960. Highlights include the New Years Eve Procession, Australia Day activities historic walks, historic buildings open days, a Summer Fair and much more. January 2012 ? Port Fairy

Rip Curl Pro Surfing Carnival This major surfing event is now over 40 years old. The main events are held during the Easter period. April 2012 ?

The Port Fairy Spring Music Festival A festival featuring classical and contemporary music. October 2012 ? Port Fairy

The Wood, Wine & Roses Festival This annual festival features a range of activitie including wood chopping, highland dancing, rose competitions, entertainments and stalls. February 2012 ?

Timboon Railway Music Festival 'Jazz on the Rail' with music and fine dining. March 2013 ? (Mel ref 626 F9)

Warrnambool Fun 4 Kids Festival Creative, imaginative, funny, fascinating, comical, inventive, unconventional, original, visual, moving, charming, engaging, massive, exciting - a festival like you have never experienced before. July 2013 ? Warrnambool