Our favourites on the Great Ocean Road 

Drive up to the lighthouse at Aireys Inlet and park at the top of Reserve Road in the bays. Once you leave the car park, head towards the lighthouse, and you'll find the beach on the right-hand side. Walk down to the beach, keeping to the left, which leads you along and under the lighthouse, revealing some enchanting caves to explore. Enjoy breathtaking views back across the main beach. If time allows, don't forget to walk up to the lighthouse, as both the lighthouse and its lookouts are dog-friendly too

We decided to trek to this lookout from the beach, following a route on AllTrails. However, the walk along the road proved to be less safe than anticipated. For a safer and more convenient experience, I recommend driving up to the car park at the top. From there, it's a pleasant and brief walk to the lookout, offering breathtaking views that stretch along the coast

This place was absolutely INCREDIBLE; it felt like we were on another planet! We navigated the gravel road with our 4x4, but it's manageable in a regular car if taken slowly and carefully. Surprisingly, dogs on lead are allowed, contrary to my initial assumption due to it being a national park—there are signs at most entrances permitting dogs. Initially heading in the wrong direction to the beach, we quickly corrected our route and stumbled upon one of the most pristine and secluded beaches with breathtaking views. It was wild, beautiful, and entirely deserted, except for the company of wallabies. I brought a long line for Alma, providing her the freedom to explore the beach and cliffs safely. If you can spare a couple of hours here, there's so much to see and explore. We're already planning to return very soon!

This 5 km loop walk guides you through some of the national park. No need to worry, though—dogs are welcome on-lead! The hike is incredibly scenic and relatively easy. For navigation, consider using the AllTrails app, especially in areas that might be confusing. We parked at the St George River beach car park, which is also dog-friendly and highly recommended for a visit. Cross the road to access the hike's starting point. To cap off the experience, we chose to ascend the hill to the lookout, and for an even more spectacular view, continue to Teddy's Lookout, a worthwhile climb

Part of the Great Ocean Walk, you can start your journey from Apollo Bay or, as we did, park outside the campground (Marengo Holiday Park). Our hike took us along the beaches and rock pools, but be sure to check the tide as it might be impassable during high tides. We continued hiking until we reached the national park at Shelley Beach, as there were no signs indicating any restrictions for dogs 

This charming beach town has it all! We thoroughly enjoyed our pitstop here during our journey. Our go-to spot is Captain Hooked, the local fish & chip shop on the main high street. Opting for takeout, we take a short drive to the nearby dog-friendly beach called Lorne Dog Beach. While weekends bring in a crowd, it's a fantastic beach to explore