Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles Day Trip from Melbourne: Experiencing Coastal Wonders

Embark on a breathtaking day trip from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and witness the coastal wonders of the 12 Apostles, surf beaches, koalas, rainforest, and more.

Duration: 13 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Melbourne - We depart from Melbourne at 7:35am sharp, and head over the Westgate Bridge towards the surf coast capital. It’s recommended guests eat breakfast before the tour as we don’t stop until mid-morning.
  • Anglesea Visitor Information Centre - Once we have left Melbourne, we head down to the Surf Coast, passing through gorgeous seaside townships such as Anglesea, Lorne and Airey’s Inlet, we stop along the way for some morning tea and to breath in the fresh sea air whilst spotting surfers out on the water, with the proximity to Antarctica you will learn why this is great surf but also why wet suits are a necessity!
  • Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway - A monument to mark the original starting point of the Great Ocean Road.

After some photos at the iconic Memorial Arch and a lesson on the history of the soldiers who built this road and dedicated it to their fallen comrades, we will wind through more stunning views (of course stopping for pictures!)

  • Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre - A welcome lunch break is taken in Apollo Bay at the end of the surf coast, you’ll have plenty of time to explore this seaside community and eat from one of the many local cafe or pubs (at own expense).

Once you have explored Apollo Bay, grabbed any souvenirs you wish to buy, or tasted some delicious ice cream then it is back on the bus to head inland to the Green Coast.

  • Great Otway National Park - till on the Great ocean Road but now continuing up into the lush green Otway’s we drive through towering Eucalyptus trees until we arrive at a patch of Cool Temperate Rainforest. You will be amazed at the difference in scenery as we take a walk through the tree ferns and, marvel at the ‘ancient relics’ - the Myrtle Beach trees that provide perfect canopy shade and originate from when Australia was part of a super continent known as Gondwanaland. Breath in the fresh air before we take a relaxing drive out to the dramatic Shipwreck Coast!
  • Loch Ard Gorge - Also in the National Park we head down to Loch Ard Gorge, site of one of Australia’s most well know shipwrecks, hear the dramatic tale of Tom and Eva and then head down to the beach to look for the caves. This is also where you will find rock formations such as Island Archway, Razorback and the ‘Salt and Pepper Shakers’ too.
  • Twelve Apostles - Once out of the trees and back by the Southern Ocean we arrive in Port Campbell National Park, home to the iconic 12 Apostles. We will spend about 40mins at the Apostles where you will enjoy free time to take in the views from every angle, walk along the boardwalks, and get the perfect pictures of this wild and rugged coastline.
  • WWI Memorial - After a full day of exploring we say goodbye to the Great Ocean Road and turn back inland to drive back to Melbourne via country roads. We pass through farmlands en route to the country town of Colac, here you can grab a quick bite for dinner (at own expense)..
  • Melbourne - We return to Melbourne late in the evening, at approximately 8:00pm.
What's Included
  • Live tour commentary in English
  • Expert driver-guided experience
  • Comfortable air-conditioned coach
  • Convenient roundtrip transportation from Melbourne
  • Opportunity to see Australian wildlife in their natural habitat
  • Included admission to Great Ocean Road National Park
What's Not Included
  • All Meals
  • Personal expenses
Additional Information

Embark on a day’s journey from Melbourne along the renowned Great Ocean Road. Renowned for its surfer-friendly beaches, koala habitats, lush rainforests, the historic Shipwreck Coast, and the picturesque 12 Apostles, this coastal highway has much to offer. Visit the breathtaking Loch Ard Gorge and enjoy the splendid views from the top-rated vantage points in Port Campbell National Park. Take a leisurely stroll through coastal towns like Apollo Bay and allocate time to discover other stunning beaches and nature trails.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Infants and children do not travel free, protective seats are available on request at the time of booking
  • Not suitabled for wheelchairs, prams or stroller accessible, please do not bring on tour as you will be asked to leave at the hotel.
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • For this tour we have a translation app that can translate all guide commentary to the languages listed above. The traveler just needs to ask their guide or request this on the date of departure and we can advise them of how to download and listen.
Location
Immigration Museum (Museums Victoria)
Flinders Street
Our default pickup location will be Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St, corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 7:35am. If you would like to arrange an alternative pickup point, please contact our reservations team on +61393931300.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(425 Ratings)
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Diana_g
Aug 19, 2024
Good tour - Great tour and enjoyed. Guided by friendly and kind driver Joe. Appreciated the long day taking care by him.
Review provided by Viator
Yzbrhtqkyd
Aug 17, 2024
Amazing trip - This is a must do trip, from start to finish Graham our guide was so informative & helpful, plenty of stops for bathrooms, we were able to enjoy stops without feeling rushed. Once at the sights Graham was so helpful with taking photos for everyone , he also arranged for a helicopter trip that was so amazing, fabulous day would highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
Emma_p
Aug 16, 2024
Stunning trip - Our driver Graham was in a league of his own, total gentleman we loved him . Anyone reading this remember it’s a long day so take extra snacks , timings are key if you want to see everything so be on time and you will be able to view the most amazing things on route and at your stops . I had a knee injury and even I had the time to hobble quickly and see all the stunning points . If your travel sick or feel motion sick let your driver know as you get on and try and sit near the front like me , I made friends with the business students from Albania at the front . Fab day , made extra special thanks to driver . Emma UK teacher
Review provided by Viator
Mirian_b
Jul 31, 2024
New 12 Apostles bridge - Jacob. He was our tourist guider, and he made us an excellent day. my friend and I were amazed by the beauty of nature around the trip. Thanks, Jacob again. lt highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
Philippa_w
Jul 15, 2024
View of a Life Time - The whole day was well organised and thoroughly enjoyable - I will carry the view of the 12 Apostles as the sun set with me forever.
Review provided by Viator
Hyacinth_b
Aug 7, 2024
Wonderful Reverse Tour and Tour Guide - It was an amazing tour. I didnt know it was going to be done in reverse, but it was better that way. It was less crowded and the view of the 12 apostles in the morning was amazing. Our tour guide, I forgot to get his name, was well informed, fun and very nice. He even had sandwiches for us, which I believe wasn’t part of the tour I paid for. He even offered to help us take beautiful pics along the great ocean road arch. My daughter said this was the only tour she listened all the way thru since he was not boring. I wish I knew his name so he can be acknowledged in this review. Thanks to him the long drive was not boring at all. I rated it 4 stars though, coz we wished we skipped the rainforest and spent more time in Apollo bay. There was nothing much to see and do in the rainforest. We also did not get to see any koalas. sadly. but other than that, it was great!!
Review provided by Viator
Anustup_b
Sep 2, 2024
Great Ocean Road trip is a good trip in right weather and with proper seat arrangement - Though the beauty of nature was awesome but being a photographer and you tube account holder, got very bad seat and unable to capture videos and photos. Weather was also very bad. Driver was more interested to listen song rather than narrating about the location. Only narrated reaching near the spot
Review provided by Viator
Tim_l
Aug 16, 2024
Not that impressive - Not much that I can tell about, but overall compare it to US park is total view . For me it just the view of ocean that you can visit or camping.. back home is a lot more to see
Review provided by Viator
Janette_l
Aug 16, 2024
okay - wasted on great ocean road but still beautiful viewing too short to view on apsotles only 30 minutes before closed would be nice 1 hour so people dont have to be rush to take photos
Review provided by Viator
Moumy_d
Aug 12, 2024
Great Ocean Road Tour - Guide was good to share his knowledge. However, the tour didn't include some good spots like tallest and oldest trees. 12 Apostles didn't have enough time to follow the steps down to the beach.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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