The main attraction on the Great Ocean Road is the rock formation known as the 12 Apostles. The eight (not 12 as one would assume) limestone pillars (up to 45m-high) were formed by erosion, and it was erosion that caused one of these pillars (there were originally nine stacks) to collapse in 2012.
The rock formation is part of the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park, which operates the visitor centre 7km east of Port Campbell. The visitor centre has a cafe, some informative displays about the 12 Apostles and other rock formations nearby and a network of walking tracks and boardwalks that enable you to get a good view of the 12 Apostles. There is also a helicopter company based at the centre that offers scenic flights in case you want to get some killer photos of the 12 Apostles.
This part of the Great Ocean Road as several similar rock formations that are just a short drive from here. These include Loch Ard Gorge (just a three-minute drive west of the 12 Apostles) and London Arch (formerly known as London Bridge before part of the formation collapsed in 1990 leaving two tourists stranded).
The Three Wise Monkeys is a good city pub in a former bank that is a popular backpackers’ haunt with three floors of bars, a good atmosphere and live music.
Adelaide Airport is located between the city centre and West Beach. The airport has frequent flights to most Australian destinations including Alice Springs, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and also handles some international flights.
Many hostels in Adelaide offer free pick up from the airport but it is best to phone ahead to book first. The JetBus (routes J1 and J2) and JetExpress (route J1X) buses are the cheapest way to travel between the airport and the city centre. The trip costs just $5.10 ($3.20 off peak) and you can use Adelaide Metro Singletrip and Daytrip tickets on JetBus and JetExpress services.
If you’re arriving on a late flight you’ll need to take a taxi into town, which will cost around $15.
Adelaide’s city centre is completely surrounded by parkland including the beautiful Botanic Gardens at the north east of the city. The gardens make a great picnic spot and also features the Palm House, a huge conservatory that recreates a tropical rainforest.
The Adelaide Central Bus Station is located at 85 Franklin Street and is close to several backpackers hostels.
Premier Stateliner and several other smaller companies run to destinations within South Australia, Firefly coaches go to Melbourne and Sydney and Greyhound coaches go to Melbourne, Sydney and across the outback to Alice Springs.
There are quite a few travel agencies in the area around the Adelaide Central Bus Station that sell discounted tickets and travel passes.
Adelaide Central Market is a good place to stock up on fresh food and grab a snack.
It seems that every Australian City has a prison turned into a museum and Adelaide is no exception. Adelaide Gaol was operated as a prison as recently as 1988 and was the scene of 49 hangings.
Train service is pretty good out of Adelaide with trains to Alice Springs, Broken Hill, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Trains terminate at the Adelaide Parklands Terminal (formerly the Keswick Interstate Rail Terminal) about 2km southwest of the city centre.
Both the Ghan to Alice Springs and Darwin and the Indian Pacific to Perth are rated as Australia’s top train journeys. Although you’re really just looking at desert for hours on end, it is a much more comfortable option than the bus. The train is usually more expensive than travelling by bus, but the discounts offered by flashing your HI/YHA or VIP card make this a travel option worth considering. Check the budget travel agents around Franklin Street for the best deal.
Adelaide River Queen Cruises is one of the companies that operates cruises departing from the Windows on the Wetlands Visitor Centre and from the Adelaide River Bridge.
Adelaide’s zoo is home to around 1500 animals including an excellent South-East Asian Rainforest exhibit.
There are not many nightspots in town, but the Agnes Water Tavern has cheap pub food, good beer and a relatively lively bar.
If you’re not driving, Transwa coach services are the best way to get to Albany even though the services are fairly infrequent.
Transwa coaches stop outside the old train station and visitor information centre on Proudlove Parade and run from here to Esperance and Perth via Bunbury, Margaret River and other destinations in the southwest.
The 4 ha Albury Botanic Gardens at the western end of Albury’s city centre have an impressive collection of plants and features a rainforest walk.
Albury’s LibraryMuseum features a gallery with exhibits relating to Albury’s history and culture.
Most Melbourne–Sydney coaches and trains pass through Albury. Albury train station handles NSW TrainLink trains to Melbourne and Sydney as well as V/Line trains to Melbourne.
NSW TrainLink also operate coaches to Echuca; V/Line coaches go to Adelaide, Canberra, Shepparton and Seymour and Greyhound coaches stop at Albury train station en route between Melbourne and Canberra.
The coach and train station is on Railway Place near the corner of Young Street (Riverina Highway) and Smollett Street not far from the town centre.
You can travel to Albury on NSW TrainLink trains and coaches using the
Discovery Pass rail pass
Alchemy is a bar and restaurant in a historic pub with good atmosphere and tasty food.
