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Great Ocean Road History
Great Ocean Road History
The Great Ocean Road has become an icon for not only Victoria, but Australia. This spectacular coastal road twists and turns approximately 270 km along the Victorian southern coast line. The diverse scenery attracts visitors from all over the globe and nowadays this region boasts over 8 million visitors annually, making this destination one of the most popular in Australia. The history of the region is certainly as fascinating as the unique scenery!
For thousands upon thousands of years, the southern coast of Victoria has been home to Gunditjmara People and Wathaurong people of South West Victoria. There is little recorded European documentation of the history of the Wathaurong due to the loss of the traditional way of life since colonization. This area shows significant evidence of a sophisticated system of aquaculture and eel farming as well as stone dwellings.
Prior to the construction of the Great Ocean Road, communication and trade between small coastal villages was quite difficult. Means of communications were subject to rough seas and harsh inland routes through the Otway Ranges as there was no direct road. In 1918, a committee was formed known as The Great Ocean Road Trust, with Cr Howard Hitchcock declared as president. The committee intended on constructing a spectacular scenic coastal road to entice tourists to Victoria, whilst not everyone agreed with this proposition at first, it was agreed upon once it was stated that the road would become memorial site to all those who fought during World War 1.
Construction began in 1919 and went on to employ nearly 3000 ex-service men in the process. The idea behind employing ex-service men was to ease them back into mainstream society by working outdoors and maintaining the mate ship they know during the war. The Great Ocean Road would go on to become one of the world’s largest memorial sites. The development of the road was a lengthy operation which took almost 14 long years. Many of the workmen lived in tents or small campsites along the road with their families and were on roughly 10 shillings per 8 hours working day. There was no machinery used during the construction, only hand tools. The first half of the Great Ocean Road was open in March 1922, tolls were introduced on the road in December of that year to recoup some of the costs back. The final installment opened in November 1932 to much anticipation. Victoria’s Lieutenant-Governor, Sir William Irvine, declared the road officially open at a ceremony near Lorne’s Grand Pacific Hotel, the site where the first survey peg for the road was hammered into the ground 14 years before.
The Great Ocean Road now stands Australia’s most adored coastal drive. By taking a trip along this remarkable accomplishment, you will encounter the best of Victoria’s nature, including Skyscraping Mountain Ash Eucalyptus trees, incredible wildlife spotting, dramatic coastal views and occasionally the odd whale or dolphin exploring close to land. The road takes you through the old settlements of Lorne, Wye River and Apollo Bay just to name a few.
The south west coast of Victoria has become a hot spot for tourists and locals alike. Each year there are many events held at the coastal towns, which injects a positive and exciting atmosphere to the region. Such events as the Apollo Bay Folk Festival, the Pier to Pub swim at Lorne and the Great Ocean Road and Otway Classic Ride entice people from all walks of life to experience the magic of this historical road.
Bunyip Tours, 570 Flinders St, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3000
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