bigfred 

I was going to reply to this thread sooner. But didn't, figuring the cyclingal would have already finalized plans.

Mrs. Fred, myself and another couple road the Great Ocean Road over the Xmas/NYE holiday last year. While it's definately busy, we didn't suffer any issues. The drivers of Victoria were/are the most courteous we have ever encountered. We covered from Warnambool to Phillip Island. Using my in-laws place in Geelong as a base of operations. Accommodations in the Loorne to Torquaay area are the most challenging aspect, as there's a music festival that consumes everything.

The train can get you from Melbourne to Geelong and out to Warnambool. Or, back again. They won't guarantee room for bikes. But, we had absolutely no issue with that. The only issue we did have was when they consolodated two scheduled runs into one, because of low ticket sales. It really was a show up and see when the next train might be coming sort of afair.

Make sure to take tires that will allow you to use secondary roads. We were a bit out of place with our 23-28mm. And would have happily taken more of the off the beaten path options if we had slightly wider tires.

The only reason to go to Phillip Island was to see the penguins come ashore. Otherwise its just a summer holiday town. But, we used the two ferries between there and the Bellamarine Peninsula and found a couple wineries that we enjoyed on the Pornington Peninsula. So, all in all we still enjoyed that portion of the trip.

We did try to get on the road reasonably early each day. Summer holiday makers don't seem to be out and about in their cars 'til mid day or so.

We enjoyed ourselves. But, again, accommodation between loorne and torquaay was the crux.