The Guide | Australia's Surf Coast Highway

After a family wedding in Sorrento, we had one day to see the sights along the Great Ocean Road, a winding 151-mile-long stretch of coastline. Our roadtrip was cut many miles short by massive bush fires just south of Lorne, so we headed into the hills on our way back to Melbourne to see the tiny town of Deans Marsh and treat ourselves to a lovely blackberry pie at Gentle Annie Berry Gardens. If time is on your side, you really want to make your way through the Great Otway National Park to the southernmost point of Cape Otway and head northwest to see The Twelve Apostles, The Gibson Steps and London Bridge.

Uncle Jack's 
82 The Terrace, Ocean Grove, VIC
Fuel up with an excellent breakfast at Uncle Jack's in Ocean Grove before you hit the road.

Florence + Threads
Shop 3/82 The Terrace, Ocean Grove, VIC
You can't resist the duds, stylin' sunglasses and home goods at this cute little shop neighboring Uncle Jack's.

Bells Beach
Torquay
You might have heard of this pristine patch of coastline in films like Point Break and The Endless Summer. The Rip Curl Pro Surf & Music Festival—the world's longest-running surfing competition since 1960—also calls it home every Easter.

Split Point Lighthouse
Federal St, Aireys Inlet VIC
This red-capped lighthouse is picture perfect and an easy walk to stretch your legs.

Teddys Lookout
100 George Street, Lorne
Stop here for a gorgeous overview of the St. George River and the Great Ocean Road coastline. 

Gentle Annie Berry Gardens + Cafe
520 Pennyroyal Valley Road, Pennyroyal, VIC
Detour through Victoria's farm country to pick your own berries, vegetables and fruits from the orchard and grab a jam or berry syrup for friends back home.

Explore other short drives from Lorne at www.visitsurfcoast.com.

All photography © Ali McLaren | McLaren & Co.