The Great Ocean Road Tour | 12 Apostles Tours isn’t just another thing to tick off the list — it’s one of those journeys that actually lives up to the hype. I’ve driven this bit of tarmac more times than I can count, and it still gets me. From the Southern Ocean to the Otways rainforest, this bit of Victoria has a way of making you remember just how bloody alive this country is.
Don’t rush it in a day. This is a road to be meandered — slowly, curiously and preferably with a thermos of coffee and the windows down.
Highlights
- We’ll take you on a journey along the Great Ocean Road, from Anglesea right through to Loch Ard Gorge – this drive is truly one of the world’s most beautiful
- We’ll stop off at the historic Memorial Arch and snap some photos at the iconic Great Ocean Road sign – this is your chance to get that perfect postcard shot
- We’ll take you on a guided walk through the incredible ancient rainforest of Great Otway National Park – it’s like stepping back in time
- You’ll see native Aussie wildlife in their natural habitat – and who knows, you might just spot a kangaroo or two
- We’ll take you to the stunning Island Archway, and to the Razorback too – these views are just breathtaking
- You’ll get to explore the beautiful cliffs and beach at Loch Ard Gorge – this is one of the highlights of the tour
- And finally, you’ll get to admire the 12 Apostles in all their glory, bathed in the golden light of the afternoon sun – it’s a truly unforgettable experience.
Tour Details
Tour code: GOR-B (so that you know what to look for)
We run this tour: Every day
Tour duration: 12 hours (a long day, but trust us, it’s worth it)
We leave Melbourne at 7:35 in the morning, and get you back by 8:30 pm
What’s included: National park entry fees, WiFi on the bus, morning tea and a snack, and chances to see native wildlife in the wild
Want to upgrade? You can add extras like a driver-guide who knows the area like the back of his hand, local commentary to bring the coast to life, and audio translation in 10 different languages
Itinerary
Join us as we cruise along the utterly stunning 192 kilometres of the Great Ocean Road, taking in the best bits of Victoria’s southern coastline from Anglesea all the way to Port Campbell National Park. We kick off at the Memorial Arch – a National Heritage-listed war memorial and the real entrance to the Great Ocean Road – and snap a quick photo in front of the iconic Great Ocean Road sign before we get underway on one of the world’s most epic coastal drives.
Great Ocean Road Wildlife Spotters
Keep your eyes peeled for Aussie natives on the lookout for the day, you might just catch a glimpse of some roos & listen out for the calls of the Kookaburras, King Parrots, Yellow Robins, Fairy-Wrens and loads of other iconic birds.
Coastal Honky-Tonks, Beaches Apollo Bay
We mosey on into the laid-back coastal town of Apollo Bay on the eastern side of Cape Otway – a little seaside haven surrounded in all directions by temperate rainforest, waterfalls, streams & lush greenery. You’re on your own for lunch – grab a bite to eat at a quiet cafe or head down to the pristine beach for a picnic.
Cape Otway The Rugged Great Otway National Park
Get yourself ready to battle the ancient rainforest of Great Otway National Park alongside your guide. Gaze in awe at all those massive eucalyptus trees & lush ferns, take in the wetlands & native birdlife while we fill you in on all the ins & outs of the park’s one-of-a-kind ecosystem.
The 12 Apostles
Be amazed by the world-famous 12 Apostles. Watch the waves crash below and the sun paint the cliffs gold from the viewing platform. From here, you can see Gibson Steps and Gog and Magog – a highlight of the tour.
Loch Ard Gorge
Discover the dramatic Loch Ard Gorge and hear the stories of the shipwrecks. Learn about the 1878 Loch Ard shipwreck and its two young survivors while you see Island Archway, Razorback, Salt and Pepper Shakers.
Back to Melbourne
We stop in the town of Colac for dinner at your own expense.
This Great Ocean Road tour includes all entry fees and is led by a friendly, knowledgeable guide who will share stories and local knowledge. Travel in comfort on a modern air-conditioned bus with an experienced driver, departing and returning from your inner-city Melbourne hotel.
What to Bring: Sense of adventure, warm clothes, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes, camera.
Details
Our central meeting point for this tour will be the Immigration Museum (east-side), 400 Flinders St, please wait on Market St, Melbourne @ 7:35AM
- 6:50 – Pullman Albert Park – 65 Queens Road Albert Park
- 6:55 – Pegasus Apartments Hotel – 206 A’Beckett St Melbourne
- 6:58 – Brady Apartment Hotel Hardware Lane – 388 Lonsdale St Melbourne
- 7:00 – Melbourne Marriott Hotel – corner Exhibition St & Lonsdale St Melbourne
- 7:00 – Nomads St Kilda Beach – 17 Carlisle St St Kilda
- 7:05 – Space Hotel – 380 Russell St Melbourne
- 7:10 – Grand Hyatt Melbourne – Russell St entrance Melbourne
- 7:15 – Windsor Hotel – 111 Spring St Melbourne
- 7:20 – Adina Apartment Hotel – 189 Queen St Melbourne
- 7:20 – Mercure Melbourne Southbank – 9 Riverside Quay Southbank
- 7:25 – The Savoy Hotel – 630 Little Collins St Melbourne
- 7:25 – Crown Towers – 8 Whiteman St Queens Bridge St, Southbank
- 7:30 – Pan Pacific Melbourne – 2 Convention Centre Pl South Wharf
- 7:30 – The Great Southern Hotel Melbourne – 44 Spencer St Melbourne
- 7:35 – Immigration Museum – 400 Flinders St corner Market St Melbourne
- 9:25 – Bunnings Waurn Ponds, 237 Colac Rd, Geelong
Please arrive 5-10 mins prior to your nominated pickup time so as not to delay or miss your tour.
- Water bottle
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm and cool clothing
- Rain jacket
- Camera
- A sense of adventure
- National Park entry fees
- Australian flora and fauna viewing
- Guided rainforest walk (fitness level easy)
- Morning tea and special wildlife sightings included
- Onboard WiFi is available on our vehicles
- Hosted by an experienced driver guide
- Comprehensive local and entertaining tour commentary
- Modern air-conditioned comfortable coach travel, reclining seats and spacious legroom
- Selected Melbourne inner-city pick-up/drop-off points available, for additional locations call our reservations team
- Audio translation app service, available in 10 languages (Cantonese, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish) / Headphones not included.
* If you cannot find your desired pickup location, please contact our office for a more exhaustive list of locations.* It is strongly recommended that you arrive at your pickup location at least 10 minutes before departure time. Please be patient and do not panic if your bus is running a few minutes late. If your bus has not picked you up within 10 minutes of your departure time, then contact our office on 03 9393 1300
For private tour groups contact our charters team on [email protected] for more information.
Booking Online
FAQ
How do I see the 12 Apostles?
The best way is from the viewing platforms along the Great Ocean Road. For a unique perspective, consider a helicopter tour.
Are there any fees to see the 12 Apostles?
No, the 12 Apostles are free and open to the public all year round.
How long should I spend on the Great Ocean Road?
You could spend several days exploring the coastline and the Otway Rainforest. Our one-day tour covers all the highlights for a full experience.
What is the Great Ocean Road Tour?
This tour follows one of Australia’s most famous coastal drives, showing you the best of the coastline and iconic landmarks like the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and the Otway Rainforest.
What are the 12 Apostles?
The 12 Apostles are the limestone stacks along the shore of Port Campbell National Park. Only eight remain today but they are a must see especially at sunrise or sunset.
H3
Yes, you can buy it at the cellar door during the tour. You may find wines that are only available at the Australian winery. Plus, award-winning wineries often have special deals at the cellar door so that you can snag a great deal.
