There’s a certain irony in rushing to experience one of Australia’s most scenic road trips. For many, the Great Ocean Road becomes a checklist: snap a photo at the 12 Apostles, grab a coffee in Lorne, then head back to the city. But if you’ve ever returned from a getaway feeling more drained than rested, you’re not alone.
More travellers are seeking a different kind of experience, one that swaps urgency for stillness, and selfies for presence. That’s where slow travel comes in.
Slow travel is about depth over distance. It’s about connecting more meaningfully with the land, its people, and your own pace. Along the Great Ocean Road, it could mean a forest trail with no endpoint, a farmers market with time to linger, or a clifftop cabin without Wi-Fi. This region rewards those who don’t rush.
1. Stay in a Tiny Cabin in Forrest
Forrest, nestled in the Otways, offers one of the most peaceful overnight escapes in the region. It’s not quite coastal, but that’s part of its charm. Surrounded by towering trees, mossy paths, and quiet bushland, the town sets the pace for everything that follows.
Tiny cabins and eco-pods here are thoughtfully designed for disconnection. Many are solar-powered or off-grid, inviting you to rest without the pull of screens or schedules. Step out onto your deck in the morning, and you might spot a wallaby grazing nearby, or hear the distant croak of frogs after rain.
Days here unfold gently. Explore the nearby Yaugher trail network, wander to Lake Elizabeth, or enjoy a long, unhurried lunch at Forrest Brewing Co. What you do doesn’t matter as much as how you do it: slowly, with space to breathe.
2. Try Forest Bathing in the Otways
The Otways aren’t just a place to hike, they’re a place to be quiet. Forest bathing, a form of slow, sensory walking that originated in Japan, is ideally suited to this region’s moss-covered gullies and filtered light.
Head to Maits Rest or Melba Gully, where cool air and birdsong help clear the noise of everyday life. There’s no need to rush. This isn’t exercise, it’s awareness. Stop to watch light move across a tree trunk. Listen to dripping leaves after rain and breathe.
Whether you know the term or not, forest bathing is something many visitors stumble into without realising. The Otways just lend themselves to presence.
3. Walk a Section of the Great Ocean Walk
You don’t need to walk the full 100 kilometres to enjoy the Great Ocean Walk. In fact, choosing a single section and exploring it slowly might be the better way.
Try the stretch from Johanna to Ryan’s Den, where headland views unfold gradually and ocean cliffs give way to tea tree tunnels. Or walk from Princetown through dune country and low forest toward Gellibrand River. Whichever section you choose, you’ll notice more when you let go of finishing and focus on feeling.
There’s freedom in knowing you can stop, turn around, and sit wherever you please. That’s the essence of slow travel.
Explore Great Ocean Walk itinerary options
4. Sunrise Yoga on Johanna Beach
Few places feel as vast and elemental as Johanna Beach. Here, the Southern Ocean roars in uninterrupted from Antarctica, and the sun rises behind coastal hills with soft, amber light.
Roll out your mat on the sand. Or don’t. Just move gently, stretch, or sit in stillness. The point isn’t a perfect pose, it’s starting your day grounded and quiet.
This is a beach for those who prefer to tune into nature rather than a schedule. The waves, wind and seabirds offer all the rhythm you’ll need.
Tip: Bring a warm layer of clothing. Even in summer, the early morning breeze can carry a chill that wakes you up in the best way.
5. Spend a Morning at the Apollo Bay Farmers Market
Held on select Saturdays, the Apollo Bay Farmers Market offers an honest, local experience that aligns perfectly with the slow travel mindset. You won’t find tourist traps here, just hand-labelled preserves, homegrown produce, and friendly conversations.
Ask a stallholder what’s in season. Try a regional cheese. Chat with a grower about their soil. These are the kinds of exchanges that stay with you.
If you’re staying nearby, use what you gather for a picnic lunch later in the day. Or simply enjoy being part of a market that still feels local.
Find other Local Attractions in Apollo Bay
6. Log Off in a Clifftop Eco-Lodge
Between Cape Otway and Wongarra, you’ll find cabins and lodges perched above the coastline, some barely visible from the road, yet offering sweeping views of sea and sky.
What they don’t offer is also important. No TVs. No reception. No “smart” features trying to optimise your stay. Just space. Windows open to the horizon. Wood fires on cool nights. Solar panels soaking up sun.
This is where you unwind without being told to. Where the wind through coastal gums becomes your soundtrack. For couples or solo travellers seeking reconnection or solitude, few settings are more quietly restorative.
Discover eco-friendly couples getaways
7. Dine at Paddock-to-Plate Cafés Without the Rush
Across the region, small eateries and cafés are making the most of local produce, often grown, baked, or brewed just down the road. In Aireys Inlet, you’ll find menus that change with the season.
In Port Fairy, the Taste Trail guides you to cheesemakers, boutique growers, and farm-style cafés where the meals are matched by stories. These are not places to eat quickly. They’re places to settle in and stay for that second cup.
Slow travel doesn’t mean going without. It means savouring more. And there’s nowhere better to do that than at a table where the food’s been grown with care.
Explore foodie experiences in Aireys Inlet
Follow the Port Fairy Taste Trail
8. Watch the Sunset with a Local Pinot in Hand
You don’t need an itinerary to enjoy a sunset. You just need the right spot, and a little time.
Childers Cove, Griffiths Island and The Gables are all west-facing gems, offering panoramic views without the crowds. Bring a rug. Pour a glass of something regional. Watch the sky shift from gold to rose to indigo.
Some moments feel like a ceremony. This is one of them. No distractions. No rush. Just the day ending, as it always does, but this time, you’re watching.
Find local attractions around Port Fairy
Plan your escape along the Great Ocean Road
Slowing down isn’t a luxury. It’s a choice, and a valuable one. Along the Great Ocean Road, it might look like one forest walk taken without urgency. One conversation with a grower. One moment of stillness you actually remember.
The road is still here, winding its way past cliffs, rainforest and wide open beaches. But the experience? That’s entirely yours to shape.
