Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles Day Trip from Melbourne: Experiencing Coastal Wonders
4.6
407 Ratings
Melbourne
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
(407 Ratings)
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Johannes_k
Apr 27, 2024
Worth it - It was a great tour, we had a great tour guide with lots of information provided. Got see Koalas, Kangaroos, and the stops for the walks and sight seeing were great.
Review provided by Viator
Ravinder_a
Apr 27, 2024
Great Ocean Rd and 12 Apostles Tour - ILKAY our driver/host made us very welcome and relaxed. The tour was very well delivered in an enjoyable way with intervals of appropriate designed music. Although it is a very long tour ILKAY made it interesting with his sense of humour and knowledge.
Review provided by Viator
Frostyrunner
Apr 15, 2024
A must do trip. - Great trip. Long day but it goes by fast. The stops and viewings were great. Kiwi is a great guide who is also very involved and shares a lot of knowledge.
Review provided by Viator
Gabriele_c
Apr 10, 2024
Spectacular Scenery and Best Tour Guide Ever! - I never knew Australia had rain forests! I learned so much about the history of Australia and Victoria specifically. Vicki was a safe and careful bus driver. She was also highly knowledgeable and entertaining. The scenery she showed us was spectacular! She also told us about the natural history of this part of Australia (plants and animals). This tour may well be a highlight of my time in Australia. I highly recommend this tour and Vicki as a tour guide!
Review provided by Viator
Natashado8509lw
Apr 7, 2024
An enjoyable day - A great day was had on this tour. Be prepared for lots of bus time which can't be helped to get get to each location. Our guide Jordan went above and beyond especially with the smallies on board, he was a natural. Very chill but full of knowledge.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bailey_m
Apr 6, 2024
Great trip would recommend - Kiwi/ Chris was a great tour guide, very chatty and gave us some interesting historical information.
Review provided by Viator
Pascal_g
Apr 2, 2024
Great - It was a good experience with a cool driver. Was very fun. Good lockouts. Never thoukht it will be so good
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_s
Apr 25, 2024
Great day tooo. Much housekeeping - My sister and I had never seen the 12 apostles and we were so excited to go on this tour as Australians . When the coach finally arrived the driver hurried us along to get on the bus because he was running late. Three of us needed go to the bath room as we had been waiting at pickup point for a while. Well, he wasn’t happy as we were running late(as he kept telling us. ) When we got to the next pick up he took us into hotel to go and he pushed us along to the bathroom and I thought he was going to come in as well . He was very unhappy with us . Once back on the bus we apologised to all . The driver decided to give us the housekeeping rules for the next 30 minutes constantly telling us how to use a white bag with a red rim on it instead of saying sick bag. He went on and on and we were all shaking our heads. He was a nice driver but we felt like we were on a school excursion as he kept saying boys and girls. The experience on the coach was not good. The toilets at the last stop on the way home a MacDonalds were disgusting and the tour company should not be using this MacDonalds at Colbar. Even the overseas people were shocked as MacDonalds has a very good reputation overseas. Great tour overall . the driver needs to slow down we all felt we where on a fast train in Europe instead of a scenery trip in Victoria . Thank you for having these tours they are wonderful for both Australians and overseas holiday makers. But driving coaches safely is a priority and should regularly monitored. Sorry for the complaint but you need to know.
Review provided by Viator
Eddy_f
Apr 4, 2024
Incredible nature - Visiting the rocks of the 12 apostles and the surrounding sites. The national parks too. Thanks a lot
Review provided by Viator
Kathleengc2274rm
Apr 12, 2024
Melbourne day trip! - It was a spectacular trip worth seeing. The area is fabulous and the tour guide was great. However the bus was very much too crowded. It sat 28 people but the back seat bench was way too crowded for a 13 hour day!! The seats are 13 inches in width and left no room at all. We were squished with a family of three in the back bench seat. If not for the great tour guide and great location I’d never use this autopia tour company via Viator again. They should have kept the max at 27 guests!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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