Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour
This day trip from Melbourne covers the best of the Great Ocean Road, including breathtaking coastal views, native wildlife, and historic sites. The tour departs Melbourne early, offering a full day of exploration along this famous route. You'll see the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, enjoy morning tea in Torquay, spot koalas in their natural habitat, and visit iconic rock formations like the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
Features
- Morning tea on Victoria's Surf Coast
- Drive along the Great Ocean Road
- Twelve Apostles visit
- Loch Ard Gorge visit
- Koala spotting in Kennett River
- Apollo Bay visit
- Hotel transfers
Your Day at a Glance
Departing Melbourne, the tour starts with morning tea in Torquay. The drive along the Great Ocean Road offers stunning coastal views, with stops at the Memorial Arch and various scenic points. In Kennett River, you'll spot koalas and local birds. Lunch is in Apollo Bay, followed by a drive through the Otway Ranges with a rainforest walk. The highlight is visiting the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell National Park. The tour concludes with a dinner stop in Colac before returning to Melbourne.
Meeting Point & Times
When booking you will be prompted to select your hotel and given a pick-up time.
Melbourne hotel pickups start at 7am. Please arrive at your meeting point 10 minutes prior to your allocated pickup time. We typically arrive back in Melbourne at around 8:45 pm.
What To Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Camera
Torquay & Morning Tea
In Torquay, we stop for our first opportunity to visit the beach and to enjoy a complimentary morning tea. Departing Torquay, we set out along the Great Ocean Road itself, as your experienced driver-guide provides informative commentary about the road’s history and its place in Australian folklore.
The scenic journey along the Great Ocean Road is a highlight in itself, as we absorb some spectacular coastal scenery, with new views being revealed around every bend. We make plenty of scenic stops, including, of course, a photo opportunity at the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch at Eastern View.
Koala Spotting
At the township of Kennett River, we make a brief detour into the sweetly-scented eucalyptus forest to locate some of the local koalas in their native habitat. There is a large koala population here and numerous sightings are guaranteed! We also have an opportunity to see colourful local birdlife, including crimson rosellas and king parrots.
Apollo Bay & Otway Ranges
We then continue towards our lunch stop in Apollo Bay with another photo stop at Cape Patton on the way. After lunch, we follow the Great Ocean Road away from the ocean and into the mountains. The tour proceeds through the impressive Otway Ranges, where we stop to enjoy a stroll in the cool temperate rainforest. Here our guide accompanies the group through the forest, where we stop to learn a little about the world’s tallest flowering trees and other ancient rainforest species.
The Twelve Apostles & Gibsons Steps
And then it’s onwards to the world-famous Port Campbell National Park and its iconic array of rock formations. You’ll be awestruck by the majestic monoliths of the Twelve Apostles. Here, guests can descend the steps to Gibsons Beach below for beach level views of two of the Twelve Apostles.
Loch Ard Gorge
Just down the road is the heart of the Shipwreck Coast, the Loch Ard Gorge where 52 lives were lost and only 2 souls survived the wreck of the Loch Ard in 1878. Your guide will recount the legend of the Loch Ard, bringing the gorge to life in a way you never imagined. We take time to explore here, with more rock formations to see, including the Razorback, the Dumpling Pots and the delightful Island Archway.
A dinner stop is made on the journey back to Melbourne before enjoying a stunning view of the illuminated city as we cross the Westgate Bridge again. With drop off right back to your inner city accommodation, you’ll remember this day as a true highlight of your Australian holiday.
Instant Booking & Mobile-Friendly Tickets
Check availability & book here to secure the Great Ocean Road Adventure. Pre-booking is essential. Please do not turn up on the day without a booking. If you require hotel transfers, please have your hotel name ready when booking so we can send you a pick-up time with your confirmation.
Special Child & Family Rates
We offer special rates for families. Please check the booking form for up-to-date family pricing.
Departure Times & Locations
When booking you will be prompted to select your hotel and given a pick-up time. If your hotel does not appear in the list please meet the tour at the default departure point.
