Surveying of the road, tentatively titled the South Coast Road, started in 1918. It was suggested that it run from Barwon Heads in the east, follow the coast west around Cape Otway, and end near Warrnambool. In 1918, the Great Ocean Road Trust was formed as a private company, under the helm of president Howard Hitchcock. The company managed to secure £81,000 in capital from private subscriptions and borrowing, with Hitchcock himself contributing £3000. The money was to be repaid by charging drivers a toll until the debt was cleared, and the road would then be gifted to the state.
surveying of the road tentatively titled the south coast road started in 1918 it was suggested that it run from barwon heads in the east follow the coast west around cape otway and end near warrnambool in 1918 the great ocean road trust was formed as a private company under the helm of president howard hitchcock the company managed to secure £81000 in capital from private subscriptions and borrowing with hitchcock himself contributing £3000 the money was to be repaid by charging drivers a toll until the debt was cleared and the road would then be gifted to the state