Photographer’s Guide to Capturing the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is a photographers paradise with dramatic views, rugged coastline and endless photo opportunities from Port Campbell National Park to Apollo Bay and beyond. This guide covers the best locations, gear and expert tips to capture the coast. Whether you’re an experienced landscape photographer or just a keen photography enthusiast the Great Ocean Road has plenty of amazing shots and experiences.

Top Spots

The Twelve Apostles – Port Campbell National Park
The most popular photo spot on the 2 day Great Ocean Road tour, these limestone stacks rise out of the sea, framed by rugged coastline and cliffs.
Best Time: Golden hour just before sunset or at sunrise for soft, warm light that highlights the rock formations.
- Composition Tips: From the Apostle’s Lookout, frame the cliffs to lead the viewer’s eye to the formations, capture the grandeur of the landscape.
- Pro Tip: A polarizing filter helps to reduce glare on sunny days and enhance the colours of the ocean and rocks.
London Bridge (London Arch)
This natural rock arch near Port Campbell is a great subject, especially when photographed from the viewing platform at sunset.
Ideal Conditions: Late afternoon light softens shadows, and sunsets cast a magic glow on the arch, perfect for dynamic range photography.
- Composition Inspiration: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the arch’s scale against the ocean. Position yourself for reflections on the water and experiment with shutter speed to capture waves crashing against the rocks.
- Bonus: Consider night sky conditions for a moonlight photography session to capture the arch under the stars.

Cape Otway Lightstation

Australia’s oldest lighthouse stands tall against the dramatic backdrop of Cape Otway’s rugged coastline.

Best Time: Sunrise for soft, golden light or moonlight for an ethereal feel.
- Tips: Use 16-35mm focal length to get the lighthouse and coastline in one shot. The contrast between man-made and nature is a great composition.
- Extra: Explore the coastal views around Cape Otway for panos and note the rock formations for extra composition opportunities.
Hopetoun Falls – Otway National Park
Hidden in the forest, Hopetoun Falls is a photographer’s favourite for long-exposure waterfall shots.
Gear: Tripod and ND filter to slow down the shutter for that silky water effect, perfect for the “mini-waterfall” look.
- Best Time: Early morning or post-rain when the forest is at its best.
- Safety: Hiking shoes and be careful on slippery rocks to get to the photo spots around the falls.
Port Fairy and Apollo Bay
Both Port Fairy and Apollo Bay are beautiful coastal towns with beaches, rock formations and seaside views.
Best Time: Blue hour or sunrise when the light is soft for landscape.
- Composition: Experiment with different angles for landscape shots of the beach and include nearby rock formations to add interest to the coastline.
- Bonus: Take time to shoot panos along the beach and capture the essence of the coast.
Bells Beach
Famous for its cliffs and surf culture, Bells Beach is great for dramatic cliffs and surfers braving the waves.
Best Conditions: Sunrise shots with early morning light bouncing off the waves or golden hour for colour and lens flare.
- Tips: Wide angle lens to get the ocean and cliffside. Foreground elements like beach patches to add depth.
- Challenge: Get up close to the cliff edge, different exposure times to capture the surfers and the landscape.
Erskine Falls and Beauchamp Falls
In the forest, these waterfalls are perfect for nature landscape photography.
Pro Tip: Use a polarizing filter to reduce the reflections on the water, bring out the colours of the vegetation and enhance the contrast.
- Composition: Shoot from low angles to get a sense of scale against the falls and giant trees.
- Bonus: Great for practising composition tips like framing and leading lines.

Great Ocean Road Photography

Choose the Right Lens: A wide-angle lens (16-35mm) for the big views and a zoom lens (70-200mm) for isolating cliffs and rock formations.
Slow Down the Shutter: For waterfall shots like Hopetoun Falls and Erskine Falls, slow down the shutter to 1-5 seconds for a smooth water effect.
Polarizing Filter for Coastal Shots: A polarizing filter reduces reflections on water surfaces, makes colours pop on sunny days. Perfect for coastal shots at the Twelve Apostles and London Bridge.
Bring a Tripod and ND Filter: A tripod is essential for landscape photography, especially in low light and for long exposure shots. ND filter is helpful for smooth water in bright conditions.

Itinerary and Photo Tips

Day 1 – Port Campbell National Park
Start at the Twelve Apostles, shoot sunrise from the Apostles Lookout. Then head to Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge for cliff and rock formation shots.
Tip: Bring a wide-angle lens and be prepared for variable weather along the coast.
Day 2 – Otway National Park and Cape Otway
Spend the morning in Otway National Park, Hopetoun Falls and Beauchamp Falls have endless photo opportunities.
Bonus: In the afternoon, shoot Cape Otway Lightstation and Cape Patton’s coastal views at golden hour, light and landscape play.
Day 3 – Port Fairy and Apollo Bay
Finish the trip with an early morning in Port Fairy, then head to Apollo Bay for beach and coastal shots. End the day with sunset at Bells Beach or Split Point Lighthouse.
Pro Tip: Experiment with focal lengths, review images for composition and take your time.

Great Ocean Road Photography Tips

Be Flexible with the Weather: Weather can make or break your photography. Bad weather, like clouds or mist, adds mood to your shots, especially along the cliffs and waterfalls.
Try Different Composition: Use leading lines (e.g. paths or waves) to lead the eye to your subject. The jagged rock formations and cliffs at places like Magic Rock and Apostles Lookout provide natural frames for interesting composition.
Plan for Golden Hour and Blue Hour: Soft light at dawn and dusk makes for great colours and shadows, adds depth to your images. The Great Ocean Road is at its most dramatic during these times.
Night and Astro Photography: Clear skies along the coast make for great night shots. Experiment with different exposure times and try composite images for extra detail. Cape Otway and the Apostles car park are great spots for the night sky.
Image Review and Critique Sessions: Review your images and get feedback, whether from a knowledgeable guide or fellow photographers, to improve your skills and get the shot.

Conclusion

To truly experience the breathtaking beauty and photographic opportunities of this iconic coastal route, consider a Great Ocean Road 2 day tour or extend your adventure with a 3 day Great Ocean Road tour. These itineraries allow you to capture stunning sunrises at the Twelve Apostles, explore hidden gems like Hopetoun Falls, and photograph the rugged charm of Cape Otway’s coastline. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, these tours provide the perfect balance of exploration, relaxation, and inspiration.

FAQ

What’s the best time to photograph the Great Ocean Road?

Spring and autumn have good weather, great scenery and fewer people. Winter has dramatic light and fewer tourists, it’s a great time for landscape photography.

Do I need a guide to photograph the Great Ocean Road?

Not necessary, but a guide with extensive knowledge of photography locations and photo tips can help, provide composition ideas and valuable photography advice. Some tours even include image review sessions for feedback.

What do I need to bring to photograph the Great Ocean Road?

DSLR or mirrorless camera, wide and zoom lenses, tripod, polarising filter, ND filters. Bug repellent, outdoor clothing and comfortable hiking shoes.

Are there any safety considerations for photographers along the Great Ocean Road?

Yes, be careful on slippery rocks, watch the tides on beaches and follow trail signs. Always safety first, especially near cliff edges and fast flowing waterfalls.