This is how to drive on the culinary side of Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Road isn't just about enjoying the amazing scenery, it's also about eating & drinking. Make sure you have plenty of time to enjoy the culinary side of Great Ocean Road. You don't have to be a Masterchef to enjoy the yummy snacks and dishes that can be found on this road trip

Great Ocean Road: eating & drinking

Not only will you eat well during your time on the Great Ocean Road but you’ll never be too far from a good tipple either. The coastline and its surrounding areas are peppered with wineries, distilleries and stylish seafront boozers so drinking is a worthy affair in these parts. And when it comes to food, you can rely on quality local produce as well as the freshly caught seafood – and fish just seems so fitting with the glorious ocean views. If you’re after a gastronomical awakening in Southern Australia, here are some highlights that you won’t want to miss along your journey.

Seafood

Freshly caught seafood is a staple in Australia and with all of the country’s major cities set along the coast, the Aussies are definitely well-practised when it comes to cooking their catches. Apollo Bay is a great shout if you want fresh seafood along the oceanfront. Crustaceans are all the rave here in this neck of the woods so go ahead and order a soft shell crab or prawns for your supper.

Or go for the simple yet oh so tasty Aussie classic: fish & chips. You can't go wrong with fresh fish fried in good & healthy oil combined with fresh chips or fries as our American friends would say.

Fish and Chips on the Great Ocean Road (photo: Seb Reivers on Unsplash)

Great Ocean Road Breweries

Local brewers benefit from the pure waters of the Otway rainforest and offer everything from artisan ales and craft pilsners to delicious stouts. Fans of craft beer will have a great time exploring the culinary side of Great Ocean Road.

Salt Brewing Co. (formerly Rogue Wave Brewing)

Salt Brewing is an iconic coastal Australian pub and brewery. It is also a Sea Shepherd supporter. They donate 10% of Moby Pale Ale's profits to Sea Shepherd to protect and preserve oceans. Tasty beer supporting a great cause. Other amazing craft beers to expect here are:

• Cranky Mrs - a Double IPA (DIPA) loaded with Cascade, Mosaic and Centennial hop
• Salt - a lager with a low hop profile, which will remind a lot of European Space Travellers to the beers they drink at home
• Ink - a rich and delicious coffee-infused stout, it's like the beer version of an Espresso-Martini
• And of course the famous Moby Pale Ale, a blend of Australian, New Zealand & American hops. Drink it to support Sea Shepherd.

Prickly Moses Brewery

"Make the most of a prickly situation" is the motto of this brewery. Their beers are green, not in colour but when it comes to the carbon footprint. The brewery uses rainwater and solar energy to produce their great brews. How great? Almost a 4-star rating on Untappd, given by over 20,000 craft beer fans. Some highlights of their beer range are:

• The Saboteur IIPA - a brew that is high on hops, high on alcohol (10.4% ABV) and high on flavour. A beer that is not for the faint-hearted.
• Sinister Porter - the dark side of the Prickly Moses Brewery: Winter Wild Apollo Bay collaboration brew
• Chardonnay IPA - where the world of beer meets the world of wine: "American style IPA blended with a chardonnay chosen by winemaker Scott McWilliam for its tropical fruit characteristics, which blends perfectly with the chosen hops and lengthens the palate".

The Prickly Moses range can be tasted at the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse. The brewpub that calls itself the "number 1 craft beer destination on the Great Ocean Road". Things to expect here: beer garden, craft beer, local wine, local produce, live music, and live sports.

Or you can taste 'em in Queenscliff, Victoria at the Queenscliff Brewhouse.

Forrest Brewing Company

This brewery is located 2 hours from Melbourne, an hour from Geelong and the Surf Coast or about 30 minutes from Lorne, Apollo Bay or Colac. It's the perfect beer stop when exploring the Great Ocean Road. Breweries come in all sizes and this one is definitely micro. The names of the brew aren't as exciting when compared to other breweries, but the taste is definitely there.

• Pale Ale - a very refreshing Pale Ale with apple flavours and a hint of caramel malt.
• Irish Red - this brew combines flavours of dark caramel, chestnut and a touch of roasted barley. 
• Silvertop - a crisp Kölsch, the beer style that is one of the two that made German city Cologne so famous. This one is an Australian take on this German beer style. Very refreshing.

Check out the website of the Great Ocean Road brewery and pay them a visit on your next road trip.

Great Ocean Road Wineries

Bellbrae Estate is located just 5 minutes away from Bells Beach in Torquay. Come here to sample the tasty Longboard Pinot Noir, the ‘Winki Pop’ Sparkling Shiraz, or the classic ‘Southside’ Sauvignon Blanc. And don’t forget to stock up on your favourites in the wine shop before you go. There’s plenty of room in your Spaceship so make sure you grab a few bottles for those cosy nights in the camper.

From Princetown, you can also take a detour up the C166 to the fantastic Newtons Ridge Estate, a great vineyard and winery.

Experience Cheese World

What are great wines and amazing craft beers without good cheese? It's a match made in heaven. Therefore, a stop at Cheese World is mandatory when exploring the culinary side of Great Ocean Road. It can be found 10 minutes east of the coastal city of Warrnambool and it's only a 45-minute drive from the famous 12 Apostles, which is in the dairy epicentre of South West Victoria.

On this cheesy road trip stop you can taste and buy amazing Warrnambool cheddar cheeses that are manufactured right across the road from Cheese World by the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory. Choose from a mild Colby Cheddar or a Vintage Cheddar (matured up to 16 months)... And of course, all cheddar varieties in between. It will be the cheesiest stop on your Great Ocean Road trip and it soooo worth it.

Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie

Chocolate lovers and ice cream fans, this is the road trip stop you don't want to miss. Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie will be the sweetest stop on your road trip. Just make sure to take your time as there are 250 different chocolates, lots of decadent desserts and fresh home-made icecream to choose from. And with every chocolate purchase, you support local cocoa farmers. Check out their website for more info.

If you rather would like to get your hands "dirty", Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie organises workshops as well.

Yummy chocolates anyone? (photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash)

More travel tips for your Great Ocean Road road trip

Now that you've seen the culinary side of Great Ocean Road, you know why we recommend taking your time and to take at least 3 days for a proper Great Ocean Road trip. It's only a 243 km long coastal road but this road deserves the full attention of foodies and fans of tasty road trip stops. Just don't forget to stop & to check ouit all the amazing sights and beautiful scenery on this trip.

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