7 incredible places to stay on Victoria's Great Ocean Road

Brae, Birregurra: There are few things as delightful in life as not having to drive after enjoying a world-class meal and wines. And at this three-hatted establishment, you can achieve just that. Feast on chef Dan Hunter's hyper-regional and just as seasonal fare, then waddle up to one of the six on-site suites. Built using recycled materials and powered by solar energy, they're not only kind to Mother Nature, but also boast top-notch flourishes such as a star-gazing skylight and underfloor heating. And it ain't over yet: next morning, wake up to a sensational house-made breakfast - with flaky pastries, wood-fired sourdough and single-origin coffee - right in the comfort of your room. From $795 per suite per night; braerestaurant.com

Drift House, Port Fairy: At Drift House, it's not just the luxury of space (suites range from 44-64 square metres here), creature comforts (from open fire places to deep standalone bathtubs) and intimacy (just 12 guests in six rooms) that does the trick. It is the luxury of being in the heart of Port Fairy, too, replete with gorgeous stone churches and charming 19th-century cottages. Go for a wander and build up an appetite, then head back to the onsite restaurant, where you can feast on porcini and ham croquettes one day, and 12-hour slow-cooked lamb shoulder the other. From $595 per suite per night (minimum two nights); drifthouse.com.au

Anglesea Family Caravan Park: Heated swimming pools, children's playgrounds, a brand-new camp kitchen, laundry services, mini golf course... is there anything this caravan park doesn't tick when it comes to families? And that's before we get to the accommodation, which ranges from adventurous bush-camping sites to luxurious cabins and cottages, complete with state-of-the-art kitchens and spacious living rooms. Oh, and did we mention proximity to the Anglesea River and all the activities you can enjoy there? From $191 per night for cabins that sleep two; angleseafamilycaravanpark.com.au

Ocean House, Lorne: Sometimes you just want the whole place to yourself. For those occasions, check into the stunning Ocean House in Lorne, with lush eucalypt forests on one side and panoramic ocean views on the other. At $2076 a night, this may seem prohibitively expensive, but gather a group of 10 friends or family, who can stay in the house's five stunning bedrooms, and you'll soon see the price drop. greatoceanroadholidays.com.au

Sky Pods, Cape Otway: Lush rainforests, trickling waterfalls and rich fauna... this is Great Ocean Road, but not as you know it. Go off grid in one of the two Sky Pods, located on an 80-hectare property on the craggy coast of Cape Otway, with glass walls that bring the outside in. Spend the day gaping at the Southern Ocean, with just koalas and kangaroos for company, and when night falls, turn your gaze to the sky for a spectacular light show only an isolated hideaway like this, far from the big smoke, can offer. From $435 per night; skypods.com.au

RACV Torquay Resort: If your holiday is not complete without at least one spa treatment, a few rounds of tennis and golf, lots of eating and drinking, and some time spent in the gym working off those calories, then book a room at this one-stop-shop, where you can spend your whole weekend and enjoy all those things without having to leave the resort even once. Accommodation ranges from golf-course-view rooms and suites with ocean vistas to sprawling havens perfect for families. From $423 per night; racv.com.au

Steam Carriage, Forrest: Rustle up a small group of friends or family and take a step back in time by checking into a vintage train carriage converted into a three-bedroom holiday home, with comfortable beds, plush linen, a freestanding claw-foot bathtub, wood-fired heater, a small but well-equipped kitchen, and an outdoor area with swing chairs and hammock. Located in the town of Forrest in the Otway Ranges, Steam Carriage is one of the six accommodation options by the Dufflebird Collection. The carriage won't move, but the memories you'll create here will move you for a lifetime. From $335 per night (minimum three nights); dufflebird.com.au

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Pictures: Visit Victoria.