What do you do when you turn 100? Celebrate it!

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism will celebrate the centenary of the Great Ocean Road on 19 September, 2019. Their celebrations will feature a series of curated events including gala screenings of the new documentary The Story of the Road, pop-up cinemas, public art installations and augmented reality experiences from Torquay to Apollo Bay.

Documentary Film: The Story Of The Road

Clothesline Content filmmakers Jacqueline Tonks and Claire Falkiner bring to life The Story of the Road, exploring the riveting history of this important stretch of coastline and uncovering the harsh reality of life for those who built it.

With untold stories of returned ex-servicemen and civilians who built the road, Tonks and Falkiner take us on a journey that explores the industry, community and surf culture that makes the Great Ocean Road what it is today.

Gala Screenings

With original terrazzo floors, geometrical ceiling lines and 1930’s fixtures, The Lorne Theatre together with Apollo Bay Mechanics Hall will house the first screenings of The Story of the Road from 18 September, 2019.

Immersive experiences are on offer which will see cinema goers transported back to the time when the road first came to be. The experience will be highlighted with a 1920’s inspired brew from Prickly Moses and a recreation of the iconic French 75 cocktail from Great Ocean Road Gin.

Using Otway rainwater, Prickly Moses will brew a 1920’s ‘Australian Lager’ Beer. The classic refreshing crisp Australian lager has a pleasant bitterness derived from hops grown up in the High Country of Victoria. The tipple of choice for many of the workers on the Great Ocean Road, this beer style rose to popularity in the 20’s and 30’s in Australia.

Great Ocean Road Gin will recreate the fabulous French 75, a cocktail made from gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and sugar. The drink dates to World War I and an early form was created in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris and later Harry’s New York Bar by barman Harry MacElhone.

The screenings will also feature Sugarfoot Ramblers, a band of Melbourne musicians who have studied and played contemporary jazz styles, while sharing a love of traditional jazz.  After spending time in New Orleans, Travis Woods and Daniel Berry decided to form this band to explore the classic traditional jazz repertoire.

Tickets available here.

Pop-Up Cinemas

Located in Torquay, Angelsea, Lorne, Wye River and Apollo Bay, these pop-up cinema experiences will transition visitors from the beautiful coastal backdrop to art deco inspired spaces set within modern shipping containers. There they will house a series of screenings for 5-12 visitors at a time, each uncovering the untold stories of the road from beginnings to current day.

Each piece shares stories of indigenous history, the diggers making of the road, the development of the community and what the region is known for today. A history of the past 100 to 40,000 years in some cases.

Open daily from Friday 20 September to Sunday 6 October, 2019, the free 10 minute screenings will feature local stories of the road.

Registration available here.

Curated Arts and Technology Project

Bespoke circular seats, combining artistic expression and augmented reality experiences, will dot the coastline from Torquay to Apollo Bay. They will each provide a space where people can sit down, slow down and immerse themselves in the environment.

The circular seat design holds significance to the region itself, representing the cyclical nature that sees many return to the region for enjoyment, lifestyle, growth or to simply take it all in.

This outdoor installation draws visitors along a trail, incorporating artworks by three local artists, painted in a palette which reflects the Great Ocean Road and its environment with QR beacons, the majority of which connecting to augmented story pieces.

Visitors along the road will also be invited to activate an additional 20+ QR beacons which also connect to educational information about the location, and, at key points of interest, film and augmented stories, long beyond the lifetime of the event.

The Project is funded by the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Victorian Government, the Regional Events and Innovation Fund, the Regional Events Fund and the Victoria Remembers Major Grant Program.

For more information or tickets to events and experiences, click here.