"We were not expecting it to be so good, especially the Gorge," said Megan Brown as she enjoyed an evening meal in Warrnambool.

"We are having a blast.

"I used to work with an Australian who told me about the Great Ocean Road, but most of the profile overseas is on Sydney, Bondi Beach, the Gold Coast and Fraser Island."

Ms Brown, a Canadian, flew out from Connecticut in the US last week with fellow teacher Erin O'Connell. After catching up with Canadian friend Michael Korczynski, who had studied in Sydney for three years, they set off on a five-week tour taking in the Great Ocean Road, Darwin, Kakadu, Cairns and the Queensland coast before flying out to New Zealand.

Mr Korczynski said despite the economic recession, Americans and Canadians were still keen to visit Australia.

"Australia is still a priority. We feel very much at home here," he said.