Great Ocean Road Drive

The Great Ocean Road Drive artwork celebrates the iconic Memorial Arch, the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. Driving towards this arch and the distinctive sign complete with retro font has long evoked a well of nostalgia.

Many years ago as a single mum with an 8 and 2 year old, I began to mark the school holidays with a  trip to Lorne. One night at the Cumberland Lorne was all I could afford, but for that night it made me feel like I was giving the kids a holiday somewhere a bit special. The indoor pool and spa made us feel like we were at a resort and we could hang at the trampoline park, get take-away and visit the Erskine falls on the way home.

Driving to Lorne and passing under the arch was a reminder I was doing my best. We continued to take the same annual trip until the pandemic struck, although now the kids are much older and not as excited at the prospect of hanging out with their boring mum. I still have a soft spot for the Cumberland, even if the mobile phone coverage is sketchy.

Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch History

The arch was originally built in honour of the 3,000 returned soldiers who worked on the road and its creation during World War I. They started construction on the Great Ocean Road in 1919 and completed the 243 kilometres stretch of road in 1932. There is also a sculpture that was commissioned on the road’s 75th anniversary on the side of the arch. The sculpture is of two returned soldiers working on the Great Ocean Road.

During the construction of the road, some soldiers lost their lives due to the gruelling task of building a road by hand. The road itself was built as a memorial for all those who lost their lives in the war. It is the longest war memorial in the world. The Great Ocean Road extends from the town of Torquay to Allenstown.

The Memorial Arch is made out of wood, with the sides being made out of stone and cement for support. The first arch that was erected weighed in at 50 tonnes. The arch was put up in 1939, and was replaced a few more times over the decades, including a time when a truck ran into the side of the arch, and another new arch was created in 1983 when bush fires set it ablaze ruining the monument.

In the 1970’s, the government had plans to take the Memorial Arch down, as they saw it as a hazard to drivers, but it was shot down as it was considered a lack of respect for the returned soldiers of World War I. But with all of the rebuilds and tear downs, the original sign still sits on the top of the arch, for all to see.

The Gift of Nostalgia

The Great Ocean Road Drive poster would make an ideal gift for lovers of the Great Ocean Road, holidays in Victoria and of course, people like me who feel an enormous sense of nostalgia each time they drive underneath it. The artwork comes in A4, A3, A2, A1 and A0. Let me know if you want a tea towel.

Ref https://greatoceanroadmelbournetours.com.au/attractions/memorial-arch/