Driving the Great Ocean Road Today: What You’d Miss From the ’80s 🚗🌊

Australia’s Great Ocean Road remains a bucket-list drive, with its cliffs, rainforests, and iconic Twelve Apostles. But if you last cruised it in the 1980s, you’ll notice some bittersweet changes. Here’s what’s *not quite the same* today: ### 1. **The Solitude of the Open Road 🛣️** In the ’80s, this route felt like a hidden gem. Fewer tourists meant empty lookout points and quiet beaches. Today, summer brings bumper-to-bumper traffic 🚙💨, crowded parking lots, and selfie sticks at every turn. The magic of having waves or rainforests *all to yourself*? Rare now. ### 2. **Raw, Unmanaged Landscapes 🌿** Decades of erosion and tourism have reshaped the coast. The Twelve Apostles had nine limestone stacks in the ’80s; today, there are eight (one collapsed in 2005). Fences and boardwalks now protect fragile sites like Loch Ard Gorge, replacing the free-roaming access of the past. ### 3. **Quirky, Local Pit Stops 🎪** Gone are many family-run diners and rustic guesthouses. Quaint towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay now buzz with branded coffee chains 🏪, sleek vacation rentals, and souvenir shops hawking mass-produced koala keychains. The road’s original charm—think roadside fruit stands and hand-painted “Crayfish for Sale” signs—has faded. ### 4. **The Thrill of the Unknown 🗺️** Before GPS and Instagram, travelers relied on paper maps and local tips. Discovering hidden coves or waterfalls felt like a personal victory. Now, every secret spot is geotagged 📍, and TikTok influencers swarm “underrated” gems like the Grotto or Mait’s Rest. ### 5. **Wildlife Encounters (Without the Crowds) 🐨** Kangaroos and koalas once appeared unexpectedly along the route. Today, wildlife reserves and guided tours offer controlled experiences (for good reason—habitat protection!). But the joy of spotting a snoozing koala *without* a dozen cameras clicking? Rare. ### 6. **Affordable Adventure 💸** In the ’80s, petrol, fish-and-chips, and motels were cheap. Now, parking at major sites costs up to $15/hour, and coastal Airbnb prices rival Sydney’s. Even the iconic Apollo Bay scallop pie 🥧 has doubled in price! ### 7. **The “End of the Earth” Vibe 🌍** Cell service was nonexistent here in the ’80s, adding to the road’s remote allure. Today, 4G coverage and constant connectivity mean fewer “off-the-grid” moments. ### **How to Reclaim the ’80s Vibe** 🌟 - **Go Off-Season:** Visit in autumn/winter for misty cliffs and empty trails. - **Ditch the Itinerary:** Skip the Apostles at sunrise; explore lesser-known stops like Blanket Bay or Cape Otway Lightstation. - **Support Local:** Eat at pubs with chalkboard menus, not flashy bistros. **The Bottom Line** 🚗💨 While the Great Ocean Road is still stunning, it’s lost some of its wild, untamed soul. Yet, with a little effort, you can still find echoes of its ’80s spirit—just don’t expect to have them all to you