The Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch spans the road at Eastern View, between Anglesea and Lorne, and it is the classic first photograph of the trip. The road was built by returned servicemen after the First World War, and the arch commemorates them and the soldiers who did not return. The route was started in 1919 and finished in 1932, and it is often described as the largest war memorial in the world. The arch sits across the roadway with a small stopping area nearby and information plaques that tell the story of the work. A stop takes only a few minutes, and it costs nothing, which makes it an easy way to add some history to a drive that is otherwise about scenery.
What you will see
The arch itself, a roadside parking area and plaques with the history of the road and the men who built it. The setting is quiet bush on the cliff-side stretch of the coast road, so the stop is more about the story than the view. It is good to read the plaques before you continue, because they change how you see the road, with its tight bends, retaining walls and cuttings cut by hand and simple tools.
Taking photos safely
The arch is over a live road and traffic can be busy in summer, so use the pull-in area and take care when crossing. Avoid standing on the carriageway and watch for vehicles coming around the bends. Early morning has the lightest traffic and the best chance of a photo without tour buses behind you. Parking can be tight at peak times, and there are no major facilities at the site, so use the cafes in Anglesea or Lorne.
Who it suits
It suits everyone driving the coast in the usual direction from Torquay, as a short pause that adds context. It is especially good for history lovers and for families who want a quick stop that costs nothing. If you are on a bus tour from Melbourne, you may stop here briefly on the way along the coast, but the route is long and some tours skip it, so check the itinerary. Pair it with Split Point Lighthouse and Bells Beach for a first-hour of heritage and surf on the Surf Coast.
What to expect
The experience
A short roadside stop at the memorial arch, with a pull-in area and plaques about the building of the road.
Best time
Early morning has the lightest traffic and the best chance of a clear photograph.
How long
Ten to twenty minutes, including reading the plaques.
Tips
Use the pull-in area, take care with traffic on the bends and read the plaques before you drive on.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers and first-time visitors who want the classic photo and the story behind the road.
- Families
- A quick free stop, but keep children well away from the traffic.
- Couples
- A short, meaningful pause that pairs with a coffee in Anglesea or Lorne.
- Pair with
- Pair it with Split Point Lighthouse and a Bells Beach stop on the first stretch of the road.
- Time needed
- Ten to twenty minutes.
Good questions
What is the Memorial Arch?+
An arch over the road at Eastern View that commemorates the returned servicemen who built the Great Ocean Road after the First World War.
When was the road built?+
Work started in 1919 and the road was finished in 1932, built largely by returned soldiers.
Is it free?+
Yes. The arch and the information plaques are free to visit.
Where is it?+
At Eastern View, on the coast road between Anglesea and Lorne.
How long should I stop?+
Ten to twenty minutes is enough for photographs and the plaques.
