Heads up – new Great Ocean Road cycling rules coming into effect!

🔥 The crisp morning air fills your lungs as you prepare to tackle one of the world’s most scenic coastal rides, but hold up – there’s some new rules you need to know about before hitting the Great Ocean Road this cycling season!

🔄 What’s Changing

Alright mate, listen up ’cause there’s some pretty important changes coming to the Great Ocean Road cycling scene. From March 2025, they’re introducing a new reservation system for popular sections during peak times. That means you’ll need to book your slot in advance if you wanna ride the Apollo Bay to Twelve Apostles stretch between 10am-3pm on weekends. They’re also upgrading 50km of dedicated cycling paths, adding more rest stops with bike repair stations, and implementing a new speed limit of 25km/h in shared sections. Fair dinkum, these changes are gonna make things heaps safer for everyone!

📅 When It Takes Effect

The new rules kick off March 1st, 2025, just in time for the start of the peak cycling season. That means you’ve got a couple of months to get your head around the changes before they’re enforced. The reservation system will be mandatory from the first weekend of March, so if you’re planning a ripper ride along the coast during Easter or September school holidays, you’ll wanna get your booking sorted ASAP. The good news? The new cycling paths and facilities will be ready to go from day one, so you’ll have better spots to stop for a brekkie and refuel!

👤 How It Affects You

So what does this mean for your plans? Well, if you’re a casual rider doing a day trip, not much changes really – you can still turn up and ride most of the road without booking. But if you’re planning a proper multi-day adventure or wanna tackle those iconic coastal sections during busy times, you’ll need to get organised. The Parks Victoria website is where you’ll make your bookings, and it’s gonna cost you a tenner per person for the popular sections. Think of it as a small price to pay for less traffic and better riding conditions! Plus, with the new rest stops, you’ll actually have proper facilities instead of just dodgy roadside bushes to hide behind!

✅ What You Need to Do

Right, here’s the lowdown on what you gotta do before your next Great Ocean Road cycling adventure. First up, check the Parks Vic website to see if your planned route needs a booking – the Apollo Bay to Twelve Apostles and Lorne to Anglesea sections are the main ones affected. If you do need a booko, snag one at least 48 hours before your ride, ’cause they’ll sell out fast during peak times. Make sure you’ve got your ID on you when riding, ’cause they’ll be doing spot checks. And most importantly, download the new Great Ocean Road Cycling app – it’s got all the maps, booking info, and even real-time updates on path closures. Trust me, this app is gonna be a game-changer for anyone planning a proper ride down this way!

💡 Tips & Warnings

✅ Book your popular section rides at least 48 hours in advance, especially during school holidays
❌ Don’t assume you can just turn up and ride during peak times without a booking
⚠️ The weather can change quickly along the coast, so always pack layers and check forecasts before heading out

🚀 Any questions about the changes? 🚀

#GreatOceanRoad #CyclingAustralia #VictoriaAdventure #BikeLife #OutdoorAU #TravelAustralia #GreatOceanRoadCycling

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The Roo Move Editorial Team is dedicated to helping Australians discover outdoor adventures across the country. Our team researches and creates comprehensive guides, gear reviews, and trip reports based on extensive research, official sources, and community insights. We cover everything from hiking and camping to surfing, mountain biking, and fitness activities. Our mission is to make Australian outdoor activities accessible to everyone – from first-time adventurers to experienced outdoor enthusiasts. Contact us: [email protected]