The best centrally located supermarket is the Woolworths supermarket in the QV Centre on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston Streets in the city centre.
Woolworths supermarket (QV Melbourne)
Aldi supermarket (Melbourne)
There are several supermarkets in Melbourne’s city centre, but Aldi is the cheapest. This supermarket is convenient if you’re staying in some of the hostels at the northern end of the CBD including Discovery Melbourne, Elizabeth Hostel, Nomads Industry and Space Hotel.
Coles Central supermarket (Elizabeth Street, Melbourne)
There are several supermarkets in Melbourne’s city centre including a Coles Central supermarket on Elizabeth Street near Flinders Street Station. This supermarket is handy if you’re staying at Flinders Station Backpackers (which is across the road), the Greenhouse Backpacker or United Backpackers.
Mount Buller coach stop
During the ski season there are V/line coaches to Mansfield and Melbourne. Coaches depart from the Village Centre on Mount Buller Road.
Mansfield coach stop
There are daily V/line coaches from Mansfield to Melbourne and during the ski season coaches also go up to Mount Buller.
Whale watching in Warrnambool
The southern right whale can be seen May–Oct; the best viewing spot is at Logans Beach
where a viewing platform has been constructed.
Surfing at Torquay
Although Torquay’s beaches are popular with more experienced surfers, it is also possible
to learn to surf here. Go Ride a Wave offer a two-hour lesson for $80 ($65 if you book in advance) and three two-hour lessons for $180.
Portland coach stop
V/line coaches go to Warrnambool and Mount Gambier in South Australia. Coaches stop at Hently Plaza.
Portland Visitor Information Centre
12 Apostles & the 12 Apostles visitor facility
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).