A drive to remember: Exploring Victoria’s iconic coast in the Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid

There are places in Australia that feel tailor-made for the perfect road trip.  

Crossing the Sea Cliff Bridge along The Grand Pacific Drive south of Sydney, NSW, carving up the corners of 99 bends heading into Queenstown, Tasmania, and of course the Great Inland Way if you’re keen to cover some big distances across Queensland. 

A few greats in there, and so many more we could mention, but none are as iconic as today’s journey. 

We’re headed to a place where the coastal roads hug wild cliffs, where the ocean’s close enough that you can reach out and touch it, and where every corner reveals a view worthy of a postcard.  

Our journey begins less than 90 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, past the urban sprawl, and on our way to rolling farmland, coastal winds, and the open road. 

Welcome to the Great Ocean Road, nearly 250 kilometres of flowing road along Victoria’s Surf Coast, the perfect place to spend some time behind the wheel of the new Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid. 

Peugeot has been around since 1810, manufacturing coffee mills and bicycles in France. It built its first petrol-powered car in 1890, making it one of the oldest car makers in the world. 

As the morning sun glints off the bonnet, we cruise beside the sands of Thirteenth Beach. The water is clear, the breeze is light, and the road ahead one of the finest in Australia.  

This isn’t Europe, but it could be.  

The experience and the scenery feel distinctly like we’ve embarked on the classic European road trip we’ve all dreamt about. It’s fitting then that we’re behind the wheel of an SUV by a European brand with a history of making cars far older than the roads we’re visiting today. 

Thirteenth Beach is named after the 13th hole of the nearby Barwon Heads Golf Club. It’s a local favourite for surfing and has a 4.5km stretch of beach that’s often quieter than nearby hotspots, ideal for a serene morning drive. 

And the Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid? It fits in seamlessly. With its smooth, coupe-like silhouette and striking design, it’s an SUV that’s not trying too hard, it gets it just right. 

By the time we arrive at Bells Beach, Victoria, one of the most legendary surf breaks in the world, the Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid has already turned a few heads. 

The Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid’s sculpted body lines, fresh-faced Peugeot shield grille, and contrasting black diamond roof strike the perfect balance of stylish European flair and the practicality Peugeot has long been known for.  

Peugeot’s distinctive design language is packed with subtle nods to its heritage and identity. The 3D LED “claw-effect” tail-lights are inspired by a lion’s claw – an homage to the brand’s iconic lion emblem. 

It’s the finer details that set the Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid apart, like these distinctive daytime running lights at the front, while at the rear, Peugeot’s signature 3D LED claw-effect lights offer a sophisticated, high-tech edge too. 

Slip into the driver’s seat and the first thing you notice is how premium it feels. The curved 21-inch HD display is the centrepiece of the panoramic Peugeot i-Cockpit™, blending the instrument cluster and infotainment system into one seamless interface.  

And those i-Toggles? They’re customisable touch-sensitive shortcuts that put your most-used features right at your fingertips. 

The Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (compatible Apple or Android device required), along with a crisp and clear 10-speaker Focal premium sound system, perfect for following your road trip route on those high-resolution displays and enjoying some soothing tunes along the way. 

The cabin is wrapped in soft-touch finishes, with heated, cooled, and massaging Nappa leather-accented seats that make even the longest drive feel like a first-class lounge. The panoramic opening sunroof extends well past the front row, so your passengers in the back can enjoy the airy feeling too. 

Out on the open road between Bells Beach and Lorne, Victoria, the Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid settles into a rhythm.  

Bells Beach is home to the world’s longest-running professional surfing competition, the Rip Curl Pro, held annually since 1961.  

When we visited, the setup for the 2025 event was well underway, with the grandstands, marquees, and scaffolding beginning to transform the rugged headland into an international sporting stage. 

It’s as iconic to surfers as the Nürburgring is to drivers. 

It handles tight turns with the confidence of a sporty hatch, and glides through sweeping bends with a premium sense of composure. 

Its hybrid powertrain, combining a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol paired with a 6-speed electrified dual-clutch transmission, delivers a maximum total output of 107kW at 5500rpm, and 230Nm from just 1750rpm.  

More than the numbers, though, it’s the way it delivers them. Smooth, quiet, and with just the right hint of urgency when you want it.  

Peugeot claims fuel efficiency of just 4.9L/100km on the combined cycle, thanks to the hybrid system’s smart integration, which charges the battery under braking and assists the engine when cruising or accelerating. 

The Great Ocean Road was built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and is the world’s longest war memorial, dedicated to those who died in World War I. 

With the road curving along the cliffs and the sea glistening beside us, there’s something poetic about asking our voice assistant to call up a playlist, and letting the Focal audio system carry it through the cabin.  

The wireless charging pad keeps your smartphone powered up too (compatible device required), while the over-the-air updates mean the maps for the integrated satellite navigation are kept up-to-date. 

Integrated satellite navigation in the Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid, offers more than just directions, with real-time traffic updates and speed limit alerts. It can even offer turn-by-turn guidance in areas with limited mobile reception as the maps are stored locally.  

Everything about the Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid’s tech is built around the modern driver. Even the MyPeugeot app lets you remotely check vehicle status, lock/unlock doors, and send navigation routes to the car. Very clever. 

Pulling into Lorne, the Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid feels right at home. This is a town where chic style meets natural beauty, and the boutique shops look out upon stunning seaside views. 

Lorne has long been a hotspot for artists, writers, and creatives. It was the first town in Victoria to be declared a tourist resort in the 1930s and is still a popular spot for holidaymakers year-round. 

A quick park is made effortless by the 360-degree HD camera system. And as the sun dips lower, the cloud rolls in, and the rain starts to fall, there’s time to head to one more lookout for our last chance to take in the views before heading back. 

Beyond the drive, Peugeot’s ownership experience stands out too. A five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, five years of roadside assistance, and pre-paid service plans give you confidence throughout your Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid ownership journey. 

There is a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assist on new Peugeot vehicles. Subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions. Visit peugeot.com.au/owners.html for more details.  
 
Pre-Paid Service Plans are subject to terms and conditions. Click here for more details. 

Whether it’s the winding curves of the Great Ocean Road, the sweeping vistas of Bells Beach, or the friendly bustle of Lorne, the Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid has been the right choice for today’s journey. 

It’s proof that you don’t need to cross continents to have a European trip. Sometimes, all it takes is the right vehicle and the right stretch of road, right here in Australia. 

As we call it a day, the clouds roll in and darkness begins to descend over the coastal landscape, and the Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid’s Adaptive Pixel LED headlights come to life, casting a crisp beam across the road ahead and turning night into day. Another adventure ticked off the bucket list. 

So, is it time to park a Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid in your driveway?  

We think so.