The Great Ocean Road is long, so the best base depends on what you want to see. Lorne and Apollo Bay put you in the middle of the coast and the Otways, while Princetown and Port Campbell put you close to the Twelve Apostles. Most visitors split the trip across two bases. The five hotels described below have free parking, which matters because you will need a car on most of this coast.
Lorne
Lorne is the liveliest town, with a beach, a surf club and plenty of cafes. Cumberland Lorne Resort at 150 Mountjoy Parade has 89 one- to three-bedroom apartments with kitchens, free parking, tennis courts and a gym, and Lorne Beach is a two-minute walk. It suits families and groups who want space. A pool is not in its main amenity list, so check if you need one. From Lorne it is a short drive to Great Otway National Park and Kennett River. Mantra Lorne, in the middle of town, and Great Ocean Road Cottages, which rents whole cottages, are two more Lorne options, so check parking when you book them.
Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is the practical middle of the coast, about halfway along, with a good selection of cafes and easy access to the Otways, Cape Otway Lightstation and the Otway Fly. Captains at the Bay at 21 Pascoe Street is the splurge, with suites, a cottage and apartments, free parking and electric car charging, two minutes from the waterfront. Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn at 173 Great Ocean Road is the mid-range choice, with spa rooms and two-bedroom apartments and a two-minute walk to the visitor information centre. Its front desk closes at 6 pm, so tell the property if you will arrive late.
Princetown
For sunrise or sunset at the Twelve Apostles, Twelve Apostles Motel and Country Retreat at 314 Booringa Road is about eight minutes by car from the precinct. It has motel rooms, cottages and family suites, a restaurant, a playground and free parking, including space for RVs. It suits couples and families who want a quiet country setting. After-hours check-in is not available, so plan your arrival before 9 pm.
Port Campbell
Port Campbell is the only real town near the Apostles, with shops, cafes and the visitor information centre. Port Campbell Motor Inn at 12 Great Ocean Road is the budget pick, with family rooms and apartments, a seasonal outdoor pool open from September to May and a one-minute walk to the national park. Loch Ard Gorge is about eight minutes by car. It suits families, groups and anyone who wants to be close to the sights without paying resort rates. Southern Ocean Villas, near Port Campbell, is a villa-style alternative with more space.
Booking tips
With the Apostles now on timed bookings, a night near Port Campbell or Princetown makes it much easier to pick a good time slot, such as the first slot of the day. Summer, Easter and long weekends fill quickly, so book early. Check check-in times, since several of these properties have limited reception hours, and check whether breakfast is included, because it is not listed at most of them.
How to choose
For a luxury base in the middle of the coast, choose Captains at the Bay. For beachside apartments and family space, choose Cumberland Lorne Resort. For a practical mid-range stay in Apollo Bay, choose Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn. For a quiet base near the Apostles, choose Twelve Apostles Motel and Country Retreat. For a budget stay with a pool, choose Port Campbell Motor Inn.
