Never doing that again, there really IS only like 4 and half apostles like everyone says. I went yesterday.
It's really just a stop, not to be cliche but I "enjoyed the journey" passing through and stopping in towns (Geelong, Lorne, Torquay, Anglesea, Apollo Bay etc) I've never been to before and I guess people watching and seeing what everyday life might be like there than the 12 apostles themselves. (Also the endless views of the ocean) I felt a bit nauseous bc of the hills, sooo many turns and lots of hills/elevation so yea stopping in the towns is a good idea. I drove to Adelaide before (the other route through Ballarat, not GOR)
Idk I think the towns are probably more interesting and I'd probably want to check out more stuff thoroughly, mainly food, cafes and checking out different shops, small businesses and events going on (Feel free to leave some recs)
The Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie is in Bellbrae (In the middle before Anglesea) and not as far as I thought which is kinda cool, haven't been there but I saw it passing through and I've been to Yarra Valley one and i'd assume it's probably the same.
I had a friend from SA drive from Adelaide to Lorne in June, she did about a week or two.
It seems there's just a shop atm, there's a few, not a lot of souvenirs, magnets, keychains, postcards, stuffed koala. One coffee van, $126 million for the new centre is such a waste of money.
I don't think it's as crowded (probably more on a weekend) it's fine.