Great Ocean Road Memorial

Overview

The Memorial Arch at Eastern View is the symbolic gateway to the coastal drive. It honors the returned servicemen who built the Great Ocean Road between 1919 and 1932—often called the world’s largest war memorial. This is a quick, meaningful stop to stretch your legs, grab the classic photo under the timber arch, and appreciate the story behind the road.

What You’ll See

• A timber arch spanning the highway with commemorative plaques and bronze statues that explain the road’s history and dedication.
• Short, flat strolls around a signed viewing area; most people spend about 10 minutes here before continuing the drive.
• A broad beach just over the dunes—nice for a breather if conditions are calm and you have a few extra minutes.

A Bit of History

The road linked isolated coastal towns and was built by around 3,000 returned servicemen using early 20th‑century methods. The first memorial arch went up in 1939 and has been rebuilt several times (including after a major bushfire in 1983 and a storm in 1990). It also commemorates W. T. B. McCormick, an honorary engineer for the Great Ocean Road Trust.

Planning Your Stop

• Facilities: there are no toilets at the arch; use nearby options at Fairhaven Beach, Aireys Inlet Reserve, or Urquhart’s Bluff car park.
• Safety: this is a highway-side pull-in. Watch for turning coaches and fast traffic when crossing for photos.
• Timing: parking is limited and turns over quickly—expect the heaviest crowds late morning through mid‑afternoon.

Best Time to Visit

Aim for early morning or after 5 pm for easier parking and softer, side-lit photos. Weekends and peak summer (December–February) are busiest; weekdays outside school holidays are the calmest. It’s open all hours, so sunrise or a golden-hour swing-by can be wonderfully quiet.

Quick Verdict

Worth the stop—short, meaningful, and photogenic. Stay long enough to read the plaques; it adds weight to the miles ahead.