7 Best Hotels in Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Set up high in the green, rolling hills, these three luxury villas are designed for couples, with views over Port Campbell and the Southern Ocean. Located near from the township, the adults-only villas are set on 30 acres of farmland (say hello to their miniature Irish donkeys), and are self-catering, but the hosts can supply a breakfast hamper of locally sourced produce including free-range eggs, organic yogurt, and honey. But if the log fire beckons, take the hamper up a notch with the addition of local wine, cheese and crackers, all drawn from the 12 Apostles Food Artisan Trail, a great self-drive tour. The hosts can supply maps and advice on when to beat the crowds at the Twelve Apostles, and the villas are close enough for guests to drop into Port Campbell for dinner. For large groups, the new, nautical-theme beach house down in the village in Port Campbell sleeps up to 12 in four bedrooms (from A$880).

Set high in the Otway Ranges overlooking the Great Ocean Road and the sea, this is a wonderful place to dine or bed down for the night. The elevated accommodations among the eucalyptus trees have uninterrupted ocean views from floor-to-ceiling windows and timber balconies. The studios can accommodate four people. The restaurant draws people from all over the region for modern Mediterranean cuisine, with a Greek touch.

Small and perfectly formed, this intimate hotel on the Great Ocean Road has its heart in France. Run by two former nurses seeking the quiet life, they have filled their boutique hotel with works by Australian artists, with a backdrop of Parisian decor. While all four rooms are different---the most popular is No. 3, with its outdoor bath---all have fireplaces and private verandas with ocean views. Toiletries are by Melbourne’s own Aesop and the rate includes a breakfast in the courtyards of fresh pastries and a platter of seasonal fruits and veggies, omelets, from strawberries to avocados, and mangoes in summer.

You can fall asleep listening to waves rolling ashore at this huge complex on 12 acres near the water's edge in Lorne. Choose from a standard room or the self-contained one- or two-bedroom apartments, which have their own kitchen and laundry. Most have nice touches like hot tubs, and all have garden or sea views and direct path access to the beach. There is a stylish restaurant and bar, as well as a good day spa. It's very popular so, despite its size, book in advance.

One of Victoria's oldest inns, this beautifully restored 1845 Georgian-style building overlooks Port Fairy's working wharf from King George Square. The locally sourced seasonal dishes on the daily changing menu may include ingredients like fresh-off-the-trawler seafood, bacon and pork from nearby farms, local buffalo cheese, and organic apple juice from a local heritage orchard. The restaurant serves dinner only. Accommodations are a mix of its popular ground-floor queen suites with snug sitting rooms and iPod docking stations and the cheaper storybook attic bedrooms. The roaring fireplaces are perfect for whiling away the hours with a good book, while breakfast is served in the light-filled conservatory with views of the charming cottage garden.

Ideally situated on the edge of Port Campbell National Park, within short walking distance of the town center and beach, these self-catering villas are stylishly furnished and fitted with polished timber floors and high ceilings. Picture windows look out to the bushland surrounding the villas, which include scenic decks and accommodate up to five or six people.