10+ Incredible Airbnbs on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria
From airy beach shacks to cosy hideaway cottages, this list of the best Great Ocean Road airbnbs has your summer, or winter, holiday accommodation well and truly sorted!
The Great Ocean Road is one of the most spectacular regions in the world, and probably the place we miss most when we’re away from home.
Sleepy coastal villages with cute cafes, world-class surf beating against ochre cliffs, lush rainforests and misty waterfalls - when Melburnians crave an escape from the big smoke, this is where we come.
Over the last few years, hundreds of amazing Airbnbs have popped up all along the 243km of the Great Ocean Road, which can definitely make finding your perfect stay a little trickier - especially if you’re not familiar with the region.
That’s where this guide comes in; as Melburnians we know this stretch of road pretty dang well, so we’ve compiled this list of the lightest and airiest beach shacks, cosiest cottages, and most beautiful coastal airbnbs on the Great Ocean Road to help make your decision easier.
Whether you’re planning a getaway with the gals, a cheeky couple's escape, or a long-overdue summer family holiday, this guide to the best Great Ocean Road airbnbs (and towns!) has you covered.
10+ INCREDIBLE GREAT OCEAN ROAD AIRBNBS
WHERE TO STAY ON THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
The first step to choosing your perfect airbnb in this part of the world is choosing which Great Ocean Road town to stay in! Below, we’ve recommended some of our favourite towns in the region, and why:
TORQUAY AND SURROUNDS
Torquay and its surrounds is the place to be if you’re looking for some of Victoria’s best surf and equally good grub. This is the closest town to Melbourne, and is popular with both daytrippers and those just starting their Great Ocean Road explorations. It's basically a surfing mecca, great for learn-to-surf schools, family beach days, and the foreshore is packed with trendy eateries and boutiques to wile away the hours post salty swims.
AIREY’S INLET
Airey’s Inlet is a small, picturesque township towards the start of the Great Ocean Road, famous for the Split Point Lighthouse and a pretty beach that eventually joins with Fairhaven. It’s a pleasant, quiet town, great for young families and those seeking a bit more calm and relaxation.
LORNE
The most ‘happening’ of all the Great Ocean Road towns, Lorne is a great place to base yourself if you’re looking for easy access to the main highlights, a great beach, and a vibrant main road full of great cafes and bars. There’s also great access to some famous Great Ocean Road highlights, like Erskine, Hopetoun, and Triplet Falls. Over the summer months, Lorne is absolutely heaving with holidaymakers, so you’ll need to book your accommodation well in advance.
FORREST
Technically the tiny eclectic town of Forrest is thirty or so minutes drive from the Great Ocean Road, but it definitely deserves a place on this list thanks to its accessibility to the Otways National Park and Lake Elizabeth, endless hiking adventures, and the many mountain biking trails in the area. It’s also home to the Forrest Brewery, and plenty of quirky cafes & restaurants featuring local produce.
APOLLO BAY
We tend to stay in Apollo Bay when we visit the Great Ocean Road, mostly because it’s kind of in the middle of everything. The Twelve Apostles are about 1.5 hours away, while access to Cape Otway, the Otway National Park and plenty of waterfalls and hiking is easy too. The long, calm Apollo Bay beach is great for families, although the town’s popularity as a base for exploring Port Campbell National Park means it can become a bit chaotic through the daytime with tour busses and groups. While a decent coffee can be found, we’ve never found the food options in town overly impressive.
SKENES CREEK
This little township is on the doorstep of Apollo Bay but manages to escape the craziness of busloads of tourists that flock there during the day. Situated on a picturesque surf beach, Skene’s Creek is idyllic and quiet, a perfect haven for those looking for a quieter retreat. Plus, two of our favourite Great Ocean Road airbnbs (Skenes Creek Beach House and The Shack Skenes Creek) can be found here!
PORT CAMPBELL
Most of the iconic Great Ocean Road attractions, like the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps etc can be found within a stone’s throw of Port Campbell, which makes booking an airbnb in Port Campbell a great idea if you’re planning to spend the majority of your time at these. The town is small, but still has a great selection of cafes and restaurants too.
WARRNAMBOOL
Look, technically the guidebooks say Warrnambool is part of the Great Ocean Road, and while we necessarily agree, we’ve still included it on this list. This is mostly due to its status as the largest town in the region, and a gateway for those looking to head onto other parts of Victoria once you’re done exploring here.
OUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO AIRBNB
Before we jump into our Great Ocean Road Airbnb guide, if you’re not already a keen user of Airbnb, we recommend reading our guide to Airbnb to help you get acquainted with the platform and its wonderful quirks first.
It’s fair to say we love Airbnb, and our handy little guide will help you guys love it too - from setting up your own account, through to tips and tricks to get the most out of your stay.
AIRBNB GUIDE | Our essential guide to getting the best out of Airbnb
DISCOUNT | Sign up using our Airbnb code below, and get up to £30 / $40 off your booking!
THE BEST AIRBNBS ON THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
SEA JOY STUDIO, JAN JUC
This one’s for the wave-chasers and surf-lovers, a light and airy A-frame beach shack just a stone’s throw from the iconic Bells Beach just near Torquay, probably the most famous beach along the surf coast if not the whole of Victoria.
Nestled amongst a native garden, with local feathered friends (King Parrots and Rosellas) paying visits and a salty ocean breeze all around, the quiet 1-bedroom Sea joy Studio is about as ‘Aussie summer’ as it gets.
The Surf Coast Walking Track is also pretty much on your doorstep, along with a bunch of cafes and shops a short walk away. The veggie garden onsite is also a great added bonus!
THE DETAILS
Sleeps | 2 people
Amenities | Kitchen, A/C heating, Wifi, linen, generally essentials
BOOK | Sea Joy Studio
Image courtesy of Airbnb
A RIVER BED COTTAGE, AIREY’S INLET
While you’ll find most of the properties on this list of Great Ocean Road airbnbs are suited for decent-sized groups of people, the River Bed Cottage in Airey’s Inlet is the perfect nest for solo travellers or a couple looking for a romantic beach escape.
Located right on the river not far from the beach, this airbnb provides each access to the famous Split Point lighthouse and the cafes and restaurants of Airey’s Inlet. It’s a great base for a beach holiday or weekend away — especially when it also involves a relaxing spa bath!
THE DETAILS
Sleeps | 2 people (no children)
Amenities | Kitchen, spa bath,
BOOK | A River Bed Cottage
Image courtesy of Airbnb
TRANQUILITY @ LORNE, LORNE
There might be a TV at Tranquility @ Lorne - but you definitely aren’t going to need it thanks to the outrageous 180° views to admire from this glass-walled architectural delight.
Nestled amongst the treetops of Lorne (keep a watch out for the resident Koalas!), and with views from Airey’s Inlet through to Lorne Beach Pier, this Great Ocean Road airbnb is an impressive holiday rental perfect for entertaining groups of friends or family in.
With three bedrooms (2 queen bedrooms, 1 twin), two bathrooms, a spacious living and entertainment room, plus a turfed outdoor balcony and well-equipped kitchen, there’s plenty of space and comfort to be found here.
Location-wise, it’s a short walk down the hill to the Lorne Footbridge over the Erskine river and into town, where great cafes and shops can be found (have a break burger at the bottle of milk!).
THE DETAILS
Sleeps | 8 people (3 bedrooms; 2 queen, 1 twin). Pets welcome outside only.
Amenities | kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, TV + Netflix/cable, terrace, espresso coffee maker
BOOK | Tranquility @ Lorne
Image courtesy of Airbnb
RIVER HOUSE 1, LORNE
Sleek and contemporary, the Lorne River House is close enough to all the action of buzzing Lorne, but with a quiet, relaxing vibe.
There are two bedrooms with en suites, amazingly comfy King beds and access to the verandah nestled amongst the treetops. The house is full of stylish modern touches, with bonus points for the hammock, outdoor shower, Foxtel and playstation, and Weber BBQ.
The River House in Lorne also has its own walking track along the Erskine River, which will take you down to the supermarket (400m away), or into the centre of Lorne town just 1km away.
THE DETAILS
Sleeps | 4 (2 king bedrooms)
Amenities | Kitchen, Entertainment area, outdoor shower, hammock, indoor fireplace and A/C
BOOK | The River House no 1, Lorne
Image courtesy of Airbnb
HIDEAWAY COTTAGE, APOLLO BAY
Hideaway by name and hideaway by nature, this charming cottage 10-minutes drive from Apollo Bay is definitely one of the best airbnbs on the Great Ocean Road.
Made from hand-crafted mud brick, the straight-from-a-fairytale-esque cottage set amongst the gum trees of the Otway is the perfect airbnb for those looking for a rustic rural retreat or a space to detox from the world in.
The two-level cottage has all the creature comforts you need (two bedrooms, well-equipped kitchen with wood-burning stove, cute terrace), plus a hammock, wood-fired pizza oven, and fruit trees galore. Keep an eye out for the resident koalas, too!
For those with slightly larger groups, you can also book the Tuck Away cabin onsite (sleeps 3-4) for an additional $50 and make it a celebration.
THE DETAILS
Sleeps | 4 people (2 bedrooms, 3 beds). Pets allowed.
Amenities | Kitchen, indoor fireplace, linen, cot, coffee maker. No wifi or A/C
BOOK | Hideaway Cottage, Apollo Bay
Image courtesy of Airbnb
THE SHADY SHACK, APOLLO BAY
Light, bright, and with retro touches to die for, The Shady Shack in Apollo Bay is a great option for those looking for the ultimate beach escape along the Great Ocean Road.
The 3-bed house in the heart of Apollo Bay and just a few minutes walk from the beach, cafes and restaurants on the main road it’s definitely a convenient and comfortable choice.
The Shady Shack has air con, good quality kitchen and cookware, and sleeps six - plus you can also bring your furry friends along too. Hooray!
THE DETAILS
Sleeps | Six people (3 bedrooms). Pets welcome!
Amenities | Kitchen, air-con, linen, patio and backyard, heater
BOOK | The Shady Shack, Apollo Bay
Image courtesy of Airbnb
SKENES CREEK BEACH HOUSE, SKENES CREEK
Sometimes, all you need is a quiet break in a beautiful place to recharge your batteries, and the Skenes Creek Beach House is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Nestled between the beautiful Otways and the Great Ocean Road, this treetop haven is just a few minutes walk from the beach, and 5-minutes drive from all the liveliness of Apollo Bay’s main road. In the summer, it’s perfect for beach holiday, while the cosy fireplace is perfect for unwinding after a frosty hike in winter.
While the modern retro style of the beach house is reason enough to book it, the reason it’s one of our favourite airbnbs on the Great Ocean Road is for the thoughtful touches throughout. 2 yoga mats are available for your use, there’s a games studio to keep kids big and old occupied during inclement weather, while the cast iron bath sunk into the private outdoor deck is perfect for cooling off in the warmer months, or stargazing in a warm bath during winter.
THE DETAILS
Sleeps | 4 guests (2 bedrooms). No pets.
Amenities | Full kitchen, linens, indoor fireplace, yoga mats, travel cot and baby bath available too.
BOOK | Skenes Creek Beach House
Image courtesy of Airbnb
THE SHACK, SKENES CREEK
This little beach shack in Skenes Creek is your chance to relive those classic, nostalgic summers of every Aussie’s childhood; long, hot afternoons spent running across hot sand, leaping into foamy waves, sticky hands soaked in lemonade icy-poles, and the taste of fresh watermelon devoured on the back steps of a simple beach shack.
The Shack is a classic 50s wood-panelled beach cabin just a short walk from ‘Skenies’ beach with a modern twist and all the mod-cons (like air con!) you’d need. It’s simple, full of natural light and greenery, and absolutely perfect for a young family, a couple, or small group of friends looking for the ultimate summer escape.
THE DETAILS
Sleeps | Four (1 queen bed, 2 single beds)
Amenities | Kitchen, air con, indoor fireplace
BOOK | The Shack Skene’s Creek
Image courtesy of Airbnb
THE WREN’S NEST, FORREST
This gorgeous cottage is the perfect little escape for those seeking a bit of time out from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Located on the main road in Forrest, a small village in the Otways (about 30-min from the main Great Ocean Road), the beautifully-designed Wren’s Nest is also just two doors down from the popular Forrest Brewery.
Perfect for families or small groups of friends, it has two bedrooms (can be queen or split into singles), the kitchen of our dreams, and an indoor fireplace and hot tub that are the perfect relaxation remedy after a long day’s hiking, mountain biking (plenty of trails nearby!), or general adventuring!
If you’re looking for a cottage with easy beach access this may not be your perfect pick (the closest is about half an hour’s drive away) - but for a cosy winter escape or base for outdoor adventures, it can’t be beaten.
THE DETAILS
Sleeps | Four (two bedrooms; two queen beds or four singles)
Amenities | kitchen, fireplace, spa, pets welcome (outside), BBQ, outside decking
BOOK | The Wren’s Nest
Photo courtesy of Airbnb
THE COTTAGE WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE TREES, PORT CAMPBELL
This Great Ocean Road airbnb in Port Campbell is all of our future home goals; light, bright, surrounded by nature, and with breathtaking views over the ocean and nearby hills.
The Cottage sleeps six in three spacious rooms, and is perfect for a group of friends or a young family looking for a Great Ocean Road getaway. Barely a minute from Port Campbell’s main road full of restaurants and boutiques, it’s also only 10 minutes drive from the famous Twelve Apostles.
In the evenings, get the BBQ going and settle onto the veranda to unwind and take in the sunset. If you’re travelling with little ones, there’s also a cot provided along with plenty of kids toys to keep them occupied too!
THE DETAILS
Where | Port Campbell
Sleeps | 6 (1 king bed, 1 queen bed, and 1 queen bed + cot)
Amenities | Kitchen, indoor fireplace, linens, cot
Price | £££
SUNSET OVER SEA, WARRNAMBOOL
This gorgeous Great Ocean Road airbnb is allll about the view; its position on the highest point of Warrnambool means epic views over green valleys, Hopkins River, and Logan’s Beach.
As the ‘Sunset over Sea’ name suggests, it’s perfect for watching some epic Great Ocean Road sunsets right from the comfort of your kitchen and living room!
We love the super retro vibes in this airbnb, with unique arched doorways, hanging planters, thick patterned pile rug and pops of muted colour. The house sleeps 9 in 4 different bedrooms, and is also super accessible with plenty of step-free access and wide hallways too.
THE DETAILS
Where | Warrnambool
Sleeps | 9 people, 4 bedrooms (1 king bed, 1 queen bed + cot, 1 bunk bed, 1 queen bed)
Amenities | Air con, cable tv, kitchen, cot, coffee maker
Price |
BOOK | Sunset over Sea
MORE GREAT OCEAN AIRBNBS
Still haven’t found your perfect Airbnb? Search for more airbnbs on the Great Ocean Road here, or use the interactive map below to find your perfect accommodation or experience on the Island.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD AIRBNB TIPS
THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD IS A YEAR-ROUND DESTINATION
Often people think of the Great Ocean Road as a summer escape, but in our view it’s definitely an all-year round destination.
In summer, it’s all about the beach escape; sandy toes, salty hair, and the scent of sunscreen lingering in the air, while in winter you can light the indoor fire and cosy up on the couch with a good book or glass of wine. In fact, we visited in June and almost preferred the wild landscapes and dramatic conditions then to when we’d visited at other times of the year!
Most of the airbnbs listed above are perfect for summer or winter adventures, with plenty of indoor fireplaces and cosy indoor spaces to be found.
LINEN ISN’T ALWAYS PROVIDED
For our Aussie readers this might not seem too strange, but anyone reading from outside our borders might be pretty shocked at this statement: linen isn’t always provided with airbnbs here.
Having lived in Europe for the past 5 years, this horrifies us a little — seriously fellow Aussies, basic hospitality overseas far outstrips what we offer back home! — but checking linen that is supplied is something you need to look out for when booking your airbnb apartment along the Great Ocean Road.
We tried to cut out any listings that didn’t provide the basic essentials (linen, towels, etc), but always double check before booking, just in case!
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE DISTANCES
If there’s one thing we wish we could drill into the average traveller to Australia, its that distances are always way longer than they appear on a map.
Add in the fact that it takes longer to drive along the Great Ocean Road than you’d think, factoring in all the twists and turns, traffic delays and epic viewpoint turnouts, and you quickly realise booking accommodation at one end of the Great Ocean Road can still mean 2+ hours drive to the attractions you want to see.
Pay close attention to where you’re booking in relation to what you want to see in the region while you're here.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
WHAT TO DO ON THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
We’ve already written a huge, super comprehensive guide to the best things to do on the Great Ocean Road, but basically if you’re a lover of epic landscapes, being outdoors, and plenty of good food, you’re going to love it here.
From the wild and rugged coastlines of the Port Campbell National Park to the lush rainforest and misty waterfalls of the Otways, with plenty of family-friendly beaches, cute cafes, and vibrant towns in between, there’s something to please everyone.
HOW TO EXPLORE THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Pretty much the only way to explore all of the Great Ocean Road’s attractions is via vehicle, whether your own rental or on a day trip from Melbourne if time is limited.
Here are a few of our fave options:
BY CAR
The Great Ocean Road is made for road trips. If you don’t own your own car, or if you’re a traveller in Australia and need to hire a car, we recommend booking through Rentalcars.com.
BOOK | Rentalcars.com
BY VAN
One of the most common sights you’ll see on Victorian roads is the bright green and purple branding of Jucy Rentals vans. #Vanlifing across the state is one of the most popular ways to discover the area.
BOOK | Book your Jucy Rental
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN AUSTRALIA
Whatever you do, don’t travel through Australia without travel insurance, even if you’re the most experienced traveller.
Whether it be a surfing injury (on the Great Ocean Road, this is entirely possible!), car accident, theft, or lost baggage, things can go wrong in Australia, and insurance is your only way of mitigating the issues!
BUY | Click here to get the best travel insurance deals with World Nomads
EXPLORE THE BEST OF VICTORIA WITH THESE ESSENTIAL POSTS
PHILLIP ISLAND | Top things to do on Phillip Island, and 10 beautiful airbnbs on Phillip Island
LOCH | A guide to the pretty town of Loch, Gippsland
GREAT OCEAN ROAD | The best things to do on the Great Ocean Road, the ultimate guide to visiting Loch Ard Gorge, and the stunning Twelve Apostles, Australia’s iconic coastal attraction
THE BEST OF THE OTWAYS | Our guide to Hopetoun Falls, and the mystical Otway Californian Redwoods
THE BEST OF WARBURTON | Our complete guide to the beautiful Warburton, and the East Warburton Redwood Forest
VICTORIA ROAD TRIP | Our ultimate 7-day Victorian road trip guide
DAYLESFORD | Our Daylesford and surrounds day trip & weekend getaway guide
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT.
Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
PLAN YOUR AUSSIE ADVENTURE WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDES
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