Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles tour from Melbourne

Limestone cliffs, rainforest trails, and a shipwreck gorge in one drive

A full-day Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne takes you through five major stops along Australia's most scenic coastal drive: The Chocolateries, Apollo Bay, Melba Gully's rainforest and Cascades waterfall, the 12 Apostles, and Loch Ard Gorge. A live guide leads the tour, lunch is included in Apollo Bay, and all national park entry fees are covered. The tour runs 13 hours with hotel pickup and air-conditioned coach transport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Great Ocean Road full-day tour

• Drive to The Chocolateries in Bellbrae
• View Australia's photographed holiday home
• Photo at Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch
• Admire panoramic coastline views
• Lunch in Apollo Bay
• Walk through Melba Gully rainforest to Cascades
• See the 12 Apostles limestone stacks
• Visit The Archway, Razorback, Dumpling Pots
• Explore Loch Ard Gorge and shipwreck site
• Rest stop with facilities and refreshments
• Scenic drive back to Melbourne

The Experience

The day starts with a morning drive to The Chocolateries in Bellbrae for tea, then moves through the official Memorial Arch gateway marking the start of the Great Ocean Road itself. You'll pass the most photographed holiday home on the coast before reaching Apollo Bay, a relaxed bohemian town where you stop for lunch. The route gives you time to watch for koalas and take in the panoramic views of the rugged coastline as the road winds along the water.

After lunch, a guided walk takes you into Melba Gully's rainforest to the Cascades waterfall — a short trek through lush trails to reach the peaceful spot. The afternoon centers on the limestone formations that make this stretch famous: the 12 Apostles rising dramatically from the Southern Ocean, then Loch Ard Gorge with its towering cliffs and the beach where the shipwreck story unfolded. You'll also stop at The Archway, Razorback, and Dumpling Pots for more vantage points across the jagged rock formations carved by millions of years of wind and waves. A rest stop with facilities breaks up the afternoon before the scenic drive back to Melbourne.

The coach is air-conditioned and mid-size, with a live Australian guide providing commentary throughout the day. National park entry fees and a free audio guide app are included. Children from age 3 are welcome; infants under 3 cannot travel on this tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport in a comfortable air-conditioned coach.
• live guide commentary throughout the day.
• entry to all national parks and attractions including the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
• morning tea at The Chocolateries.
• a guided rainforest walk to the Cascades waterfall.
• and a free audio guide app for the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Sightseeing Tours Australia

Is this one for you?Most Great Ocean Road tours rush the stops or leave you to navigate between them — this one gives you a live guide, covers all the park fees upfront, and builds in time for both the famous lookouts and the rainforest walk, so the day holds together without you arranging transport or worrying about what's included at each site.

Traveler reviews

4.70★★★★★★★★★★

662 verified traveler reviews

5 ★556

4 ★55

3 ★23

2 ★12

1 ★16

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the 12 Apostles and why is it the highlight of this tour?

The 12 Apostles are towering limestone stacks rising dramatically from the Southern Ocean off the coast near Port Campbell. They're the most photographed rock formation on the Great Ocean Road and the centerpiece of the afternoon — you'll stand at the viewing platform and see them rising directly from the water, sculpted over millions of years by ocean waves and wind.

Do I need to be fit to walk through Melba Gully?

The guided walk through Melba Gully's rainforest to the Cascades waterfall is a short trek suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's part of the tour itinerary and included in the price.

Is lunch included, and what are the options in Apollo Bay?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but you stop in Apollo Bay, a charming coastal town known for local seafood and relaxed dining, where you can purchase a meal during the lunch break.

What time does the tour pick me up and when do I get back to Melbourne?

Hotel pickup is included in the tour. The full day runs 13 hours, so timing depends on your hotel location and the pickup schedule — confirm your pickup time when you book.

Will I see koalas on the Great Ocean Road?

The tour includes stops where you may spot koalas, particularly in the early part of the drive. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the guide will watch for them and point them out when they're visible.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and return transport in an air-conditioned coach, live guide commentary in English, entry to all national parks and attractions (12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and others), a free audio guide app, and morning tea at The Chocolateries. Lunch in Apollo Bay is at your own cost.