Discover an amazing photography adventure along the famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia! Anyone lucky enough to experience this beautiful coastal drive will find some of Australia’s best photo spots, from charming seaside towns like Port Campbell, Apollo Bay, and Lorne to the iconic Twelve Apostles. These world-famous natural rock formations in the sea are slowly eroding with each wave, making every photo a special opportunity to capture nature’s fleeting beauty.
I was super excited to capture this scenic drive with my SX-70 Polaroid camera. I chose my easy-to-use SX-70 Sonar model, which made snapping these shots a breeze. Unlike my manual-focus SX-70, the Sonar version is quick and simple to operate, so I thought, “What could go wrong?” Well, that’s a different story because, yeah, these Polaroid photos taken along the Great Ocean Road aren’t perfect. But oh well — there’s always the chance of going on a Great Ocean Road drive again.
I did the Great Ocean Road trip in a less common direction — starting from the west since I was coming from Adelaide instead of Melbourne. I first visited Port Fairy, then headed up to Warrnambool, Port Campbell, Apollo Bay, Lorne, and finally Torquay. I even explored Geelong and Barwon Heads, adding even more epic spots to my photography journey.
Now I have a solid list of the absolute best photo locations along the Great Ocean Road — places that hold a little extra magic and offer unforgettable scenery. Whether it’s rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, or famous rock formations, these spots are perfect for capturing stunning landscapes and coastal panoramas.
I only packed one packet of SX-70 film, which gave me eight shots, but I only ended up with seven because I gifted one to a friendly guy at Apollo Bay who took a Polaroid of me. That’s the beauty of instant photography: capturing spontaneous moments and sharing the Polaroid magic.
So, here I’m sharing these seven Polaroid photos and stories from my unforgettable Great Ocean Road adventure. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a travel lover, or just looking for inspiration for your next coastal road trip, this journey is packed with tips, stunning scenery, and plenty of visual magic. Let’s dive into the best photo spots along Australia’s most famous scenic coastal drive!
Port Campbell: Top Scenic Photography Spots on the Great Ocean Road
My Great Ocean Road photography adventure started in Portland and then Port Fairy, a charming coastal town famous for its historic waterway that’s the heart of the community. I planned to capture a beautiful shot at a scenic wharf, but with only eight shots of Polaroid film, I had to choose my moments carefully. So, here I decided to take plenty of photos with my iPhone and digital cameras to ensure I didn’t miss any of the stunning scenery.
Warrnambool also proved to be an incredible photography destination. I was tempted to snap a Polaroid of a beautiful black swan on Lake Pertobe, and I even visited the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, home to the Minton Loch Ard Peacock — one of Australia’s most valuable 19th-century shipwreck artifacts and a rare piece of ceramic art. I still wonder if the goddess Hera had anything to do with the shipwreck, since the peacock is sacred to her. The Star of Greece in South Australia, linked to another shipwreck, also has a likely connection to the Greek gods.
But I didn’t get around to taking an SX-70 Polaroid until I reached the picturesque town of Port Campbell. This spot is absolutely charming, with a breathtaking beach cove and a vibe perfect for landscape and coastal photography. I managed to capture my first SX-70 Polaroid of the distant jetty, which turned out great — except for that smudge mark in the bottom right corner. Not sure if it was dirty rollers or a batch issue with the film, since it happened with all of them, but that’s just part of the fun and annoyance with instant photography!
Top Photography Spots Near Port Campbell
There are tons of amazing photography spots near Port Campbell, and some of the most iconic are just a short drive away. Before you even reach Port Campbell, you can check out the Bay of Islands and the Bay of Martyrs.
Photography fact: the Bay of Islands is famous for its stunning sea stacks and rugged cliffs — perfect for dramatic shots. The Bay of Martyrs, on the other hand, was named after a tragic massacre of the first Australians and is equally photogenic with its wild coastline. But even with all these epic locations, I didn’t end up taking an SX-70 Polaroid there — I had to be super selective with my shots.
Closer to Port Campbell, you’ll find The Grotto and London Bridge, two incredible rock formations that look like they’re straight out of a fantasy world. The Grotto is a natural sea wall with a beautiful hole through it, and London Bridge is a massive rock arch that surprisingly collapsed in 1990, leaving some visitors stranded! I was so tempted to snap a Polaroid at these spots, but again, I had to choose my shots carefully.
My first Polaroid close to Port Campbell actually happened later, when I was driving to Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles — two of the most famous landmarks on the Great Ocean Road. Loch Ard Gorge is named after a tragic shipwreck, and the Twelve Apostles are these towering limestone stacks rising from the ocean, often shown in Victoria’s tourist brochures.
Loch Ard Gorge: One of the Top Photography Spots on the Great Ocean Road
I’ve always had a soft spot for Loch Ard Gorge ever since I saw it in the 1982 Aussie musical adventure film, The Pirate Movie. There’s a scene in the movie shot right at this spot, and it totally stuck with me. So, when I finally saw it in person, I was pretty excited — though, unfortunately, the staircase down to the beach was closed, so I couldn’t go all the way down to explore. Still, I managed to snap an SX-70 Polaroid there, and that made the visit pretty special. Sometimes, even when things don’t go exactly as planned, you get a cool shot and a good reason to come back again!
The Twelve Apostles: Iconic Photography Spot on the Great Ocean Road
The Twelve Apostles are seriously impressive — especially when you see just how many tourists flock there. Wow! It’s like a sea of cameras, and honestly, I’d bet you’ll find more photographers here than anywhere else along the Great Ocean Road. It’s got that iconic vibe that draws everyone in. So, here’s my SX-70 Polaroid shot of the Twelve Apostles — a little piece of that epic scenery, captured before it all eventually disappears.
Apollo Bay: A Greek God Photography Spot
Apollo is the Greek god of music and light, so I thought, why not wear black to soak up all that divine light? Well, here’s what actually happened — a pretty lousy SX-70 Polaroid of me, snapped by a friendly Asian stranger named Alfred (at least, that’s what I remember). I’m not blaming him at all, but I still have no idea why my feet got mysteriously cut off or ended up so low in the frame, especially when almost half the picture is just sky. Classic photo fail, but at least I’ve got a Polaroid of me in Apollo Bay.
Look, it’s kind of like that mysterious Polaroid I got during the Pinnacle Walk in the Grampians, where the sky took up most of the Polaroid photo. The guy from Melbourne who took this pic at the Apollo Bay lookout, called Marriner’s Lookout, even asked if I wanted a full-body shot. I said yeah — turns out, things don’t always go according to plan, as my feet seem to be missing. But hey, sometimes those imperfect shots turn out to be pretty memorable!
I think wearing black totally drained all the color from the sea. Honestly, if I’d set my SX-70 camera dial any darker, I probably would’ve looked like a shadow — definitely not my smartest wardrobe move. It was overcast when I took that shot, so the lighting wasn’t ideal. But a bit later in the day when the sun came out, I went back to Marriner’s Lookout to get another shot of Apollo Bay — and this time, I nailed it. Here it is!
This shot of Apollo Bay is the first SX-70 Polaroid I genuinely feel proud of, especially how the blue sea turned out — it really captures that vibrant, dreamy vibe. I’d say it’s on par with George’s incredible Polaroids, like some shots found in his Polaroid Diaries: With The Polaroid SX-70 in Anafi, Greece — a stunning island connected to Apollo and Jason and the Argonauts too. Yep, George Pavlopoulos is the same guy who helps out with the Greek Lessons on Greek Gods Paradise!
Teddy’s Lookout: Top Photography Spot on the Great Ocean Road
Lorne is a super popular coastal town on the Great Ocean Road, and one of the best spots to visit for some cool photos is Teddy’s Lookout. It’s a must-see for anyone into ocean photography — the views are amazing, and it’s super easy to get to from the car park since it’s right there. A lot of visitors stop by here to snap some great photos of the beautiful coastline where a river enters the sea.
Here’s my mum at Teddy’s Lookout — I had to do a little convincing to get her to let me snap a photo of her. Once I saw the Polaroid, it somehow gave me a Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis vibe, which was pretty interesting. Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but hey, it’s part of the charm! Anyway, Teddy’s Lookout is one of those must-visit spots you absolutely don’t want to miss when you’re in town. The view’s incredible, and it’s perfect for capturing some epic shots!
Polaroid Photo of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet
My last SX-70 Polaroid was of the Split Point Lighthouse in Airey’s Inlet — and honestly, the views from the top are absolutely stunning. You’ve got to snap lots of photos up there because the scenery of the surrounding area is just next level. The lighthouse itself is pretty iconic, but the real magic is the panoramic ocean and coastline views you’ll get from the top.
So yeah, hopefully this gives you some solid photography tips for your Great Ocean Road trip in Victoria — because let me tell you, it’s one of the most epic drives you’ll ever do.
Ultimate Great Ocean Road Travel & Photography Tips for Stunning Coastal Shots
For even more Great Ocean Road inspiration, check out my Great Ocean Road Guide: 30 Spectacular Attractions You Must See.
Plus, if you’re planning to explore Australia by road, don’t miss The 12 Best Road Trips in Australia — packed with ideas and tips to fuel your adventure!
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