Surf Coast Times & Bellarine Times

A campaign to officially bookend the Great Ocean Road is gathering momentum in the lead-up to the 80th anniversary of the iconic coastal route.

The world-class tourist destination officially begins in Torquay and ends at Allansford, where the 243 kilometre stretch of road meets the Princes Highway.

Geelong Otway Tourism is lobbying for “highly sculptured” signs in both towns, so visitors can easily identify the beginning and end of the road, which is visited by an estimated 2.5 million people each year.

It is also believed that a sign in Torquay would offset the tourist traffic bypassing the town due to the layout of the Geelong Ring Road.

“At the moment it’s possible to start the Great Ocean Road journey without knowing it, so we want to rectify that with a major gateway entrance,” GOT executive director Roger Grant said.

“I envisage a highly-sculptured piece of work, similar to what’s currently at Eastern View.

“Whatever form they took, the signs would need to be highly visual and high quality.”

The Surf Coast Shire fully supports the idea and mayor Brian McKiterick said it would be particularly fitting if it occurred this year, given the road’s 80th anniversary in late November.

“The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s great coastal drives and a significant asset to the Surf Coast, so highlighting its heritage in Torquay and all our coastal towns is important,” he said.

“This marker would be more than a symbol – it would ensure that the whole Surf Coast benefits more from this important attraction.”

Mr Grant alluded to the possible involvement of RACV in the project.

“The RACV is responsible for a somewhat controversial construction at the beginning of the Great Ocean Road, so maybe they’d be interested in the possibility of a partnership considering any sign would be basically next to the golf course,” he said.

An RACV spokesperson said the company would not speculate on its involvement in the project until it received an official proposal.

On a recent visit to the region, Premier Ted Baillieu threw his support behind the campaign.