Best Sunset Spots on the Great Ocean Road
There’s nothing like a magnificent sunset. The kaleidoscope of bright colours that cover the sky is a breathtaking sight.
There’s nothing better than a panoramic view with a twist. Explore the Great Ocean Road to watch the sunset over mountains, ocean, plains, and parks. Take a picnic mat, a thermos flask, and a camping chair.
Among these iconic spots are the 12 Apostles, but you can also find lesser-known spots, such as the Marriner’s Viewpoint in Apollo Bay. Take your camera and visit these unique places for unforgettable memories.
Bells Beach
Bells Beach is the most famous sandy beach in Australia. It’s not just renowned for its sunsets. The Rip Curl Pro, the world’s oldest surfing tournament, is conducted annually at this premier surfing destination.
Many travellers include Bells Beach as a highlight on their Great Ocean Road tour, thanks to its iconic waves and breathtaking coastal views.
Even if you’re heading to Bells for the surf, the boardwalks and lookouts are some of the unique places to watch the sunset over the Great Ocean Road. Parking is available at many surf access spots. Bells Beach serves as the primary viewing location. Other viewpoints along the boardwalk are Southside and Winky Pop.
Sunset is a great time of day to enjoy the golden light. Sunrise is another excellent option. It’s less crowded than the morning surf.
Point Addis
A protected marine park south of Torquay, Point Addis, is the sunset spot along the Great Ocean Road. This beautiful spot is known for its breathtaking coastal views and surfing waves.
This is a fantastic place for sunset, with stunning ocean breathtaking views and beautiful sky colours. It’s quieter than other sunset spots because it’s a little out of town.
Point Addis has a beach that can be reached on foot. It is lively in summer, but at dusk, it is almost empty. If you want a longer walk in the late afternoon, the Surf Coast Trail, 8km trail connecting the two beaches, offers sweeping views.
Teddy Lookout
Perched high above Lorne, Teddy Lookout is considered one of the best viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road. From the car park, you can walk to the viewing platforms.
Teddy’s Lookout offers spectacular views. The Great Ocean Road stretches along the shore, where you can view the mouth of the St. George River. This perfect spot provides an excellent road view.
There are two viewpoints here. You can go up to the first one and higher up the trail. However, you may also descend to the lower platform for a beautiful valley and river view. These platforms are accessible from Lorne or down the river from the car park.
This is a great place to watch the sunrise and sunset.
Apollo Bay Beach
Although several beaches along the Great Ocean Road provide beautiful views, Apollo Bay is my favourite. Its coastline is the most calm and relaxed. The beach, which runs along a long sandy bay, has lots of parking places and access points.
A path along the bay makes it ideal for jogging or walking. However, you should be at sunset at the bay’s southern end, close to the coastal reserve and boat dock.
Marengo Caravan Park sunsets are stunning, and an excellent spot for swimming and beach walks.
The Twelve Apostles
Found off the coast of Victoria, these limestone boulders are considered Victoria’s most popular tourist attraction. Although there are only 12, these magnificent rock formations attract thousands weekly tourists.
The Twelve Apostles can be best admired during sunrise and sunset. A walk around the circle will lead you to several viewpoints that offer unique perspectives. It provides a wide variety of angles and heights. It is lovely to see the apostles at sunrise and sunset. However, it’s not that easy if you’re not staying in Port Campbell.
At sunset, the sun sets behind the 12 Apostles, visible from the observation deck. The sunrise is usually visible over the coast, but you won’t be able to see it. The lighting allows you to take the best photos from the limestone chimneys.
The first platform on the trek features a close-up of the 12 Apostles, the most recognizable picture. If you continue walking and reach a minor point, you can see the limestone stacks on both sides.
For beachy views with minimal crowds, arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise or sunset. There are fewer people here in April and September than in summer, unless you come on a weekend or during school holidays.
Johanna Beach
Johanna Beach is one of my little obsessions. There’s something about this secluded surfing beach that keeps me coming back here repeatedly. It’s 44 kilometres from Apollo Bay, right off the Great Ocean Road. It can be reached via Red Joanna Road, which passes through farmland.
This popular spot is famous for its wild waves. It’s best to go surfing and try a few waves, but they are exciting to watch. To the left of the first car park is a non-motorized campsite. Parks Victoria manages this campsite.
This is a good idea for camping because you can see the sunrise and sunset. You may visit two viewpoints. As you pull up, the first space in the parking lot is right in front of your car. As you head towards the beach, it’s to the right. The second one is near the campsite when you walk to the beach.
I prefer the viewpoint to the campsite for sunrise and sunset, but it depends on you. This is my favourite place because it offers a unique view of the wild sea.
The Great Ocean Walk also leads to Johanna Beach. If you follow the path to the right of the first car park, you can see the campsite on the top of the hill overlooking the beach. The clifftop view from the campsite is among the most breathtaking. It is a pedestrian-only area, but you may still go up there to watch the sunset.
Marriner's Viewpoint
Although lesser known than Teddy’s, Marriner’s Viewpoint offers spectacular views of Apollo Bay at sunset. You’ll find it along Marriner’s Lookout Road at the entrance to the town of Apollo Bay. From the car park at the top of the hill, you’ll need to walk 350 meters to get to the viewpoint.
You may see hang gliders taking off from this grassy spot.
Gibson's Stairs
Gibson’s Steps and Gibson’s Beach, near the famed 12 Apostles, are well worth a visit on the Great Ocean Road. The Gibson Steps car park offers stunning views. A hiking platform can also be accessed directly from the car park. Here, you can see the two limestone chimneys of the 12 Apostles.
The best part is that there are stairs leading down to the platform. You can take the stairs to the beach and admire the rock formations and cliffs below. The beach is stunning and provides a unique perspective of the 12 Apostles.
You may admire the light on the freestanding rocks at sunrise and sunset without dealing with crowds at the Twelve Apostles‘ exceptional views.
FAQ
What are the best places to watch sunset on the Great Ocean Road?
Top spots mentioned include the Twelve Apostles, Bells Beach, Point Addis, Teddy Lookout (Lorne), Apollo Bay (especially the southern end near the coastal reserve and boat dock), Johanna Beach, Marriner’s Viewpoint in Apollo Bay, and Gibson’s Steps/Gibson’s Beach for a beach-level perspective.
Is sunrise or sunset better at the Twelve Apostles?
Both are stunning, but different. At sunset the sun drops behind the stacks as seen from the main deck, creating dramatic silhouettes (and bigger crowds). At sunrise you won’t see the sun come up over the water from the main deck, but you’ll get soft, flattering light on the limestone and fewer people. Aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before golden hour; April and September are typically quieter than summer (outside weekends and school holidays).
Where can I avoid the crowds for sunset views?
Point Addis (a little out of town), Johanna Beach (secluded with wild surf), Marriner’s Viewpoint (lesser-known but panoramic over Apollo Bay), and Gibson’s Steps (as an alternative to the main Twelve Apostles viewing area) tend to be quieter than headline lookouts.
How accessible are these viewpoints (parking and walking)?
Bells Beach: Multiple car parks at surf access points; boardwalks and lookouts (Bells, Southside, Winki Pop).
Point Addis: Car access with beach reachable on foot; nearby Surf Coast Trail (8 km) offers sweeping views.
Teddy Lookout: Short walk from the car park to two platforms (upper and lower).
Apollo Bay: Long, flat foreshore path with many access points and parking.
Marriner’s Viewpoint: About a 350 m walk from the car park to the lookout.
Gibson’s Steps: Lookout by the car park plus steep stairs down to the beach.
Johanna Beach: Car park viewpoints; nearby non-powered campsite managed by Parks Victoria.
Any practical tips for planning a sunset outing?
Bring a picnic mat, thermos and a camping chair; arrive early for good light and parking; stick to marked paths and fences on cliffs; be cautious with swell and tides at beach-level spots like Gibson’s Steps and Johanna; consider sunrise for calmer conditions and fewer people; and don’t forget the camera—each site offers different angles and heights for unique shots.
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