In 2021 Monash University ran a collaborative Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Planning and Design Studio to speculate on ways to address climate change adaptation in the small coastal towns Skenes Creek, Apollo Bay and Marengo on the Great Ocean Road (GOR). The studio began with the premise that to deal with the big problems facing these towns, bold ideas and actions are needed, which in this case was to explore the opportunities and benefits of retreating the GOR. Moving the road removes the need to continuously defend it and instead allows for nature based processes to take place. Students were invited to explore and visualise the opportunities presented by the freeing up of the foreshore to the public realm, while also addressing other pressing local issues.