Great Ocean Road: 12 Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge Small-Group Day Trip

Summary

Coastal cliffs, rainforest walks, koalas and shipwreck tales on the Great Ocean Road

You’ll taste salt on your lips at Torquay’s surf beaches, watch wild koalas nap overhead, and walk beneath ancient ferns in Otway rainforest before standing small beside the Twelve Apostles’ limestone towers. With a local guide sharing stories (and snacks), this Great Ocean Road day trip from Melbourne feels personal—sometimes even a little haunting—and always honest.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the wind — sharp, salty, almost sweet as we stepped out near Torquay for morning tea. I was still half-asleep until our guide, Ben, handed me a cup of something strong and pointed out surfers bobbing like seals in the gray-blue water. There’s this old wooden arch marking the start of the Great Ocean Road; we all took photos but honestly I was more interested in the eucalyptus smell drifting over from somewhere behind the parking lot.

Driving along those winding roads, Ben kept tossing out stories — how soldiers built this stretch after World War I, why the cliffs look like layered cake (I still don’t get it), where to look for koalas. We actually saw three up in the trees near Kennett River — one scratched its belly and everyone got quiet for a second. Lunch was in a seaside town whose name I can’t pronounce right; fish and chips eaten with cold fingers because the wind never really lets up here.

The Otway rainforest surprised me. It’s colder under those tall trees than you’d think — damp air, soft ground, everything green except for these bright orange fungi that Ben said were harmless but looked radioactive. And then suddenly you’re back out on open road again, chasing patches of sunlight all the way to the Twelve Apostles. They don’t look real from above; you have to go down Gibson Steps to feel how massive they are with your toes in the sand. A couple next to me argued about whether there were ever actually twelve rocks (there weren’t). I just stood there listening to waves thumping against stone.

Loch Ard Gorge felt heavier somehow — maybe it’s all those shipwreck stories or just how quiet it gets when everyone stops talking at once. The cliffs glow gold late in the afternoon. Ben told us about Eva Carmichael surviving alone after her ship went down here in 1854; someone behind me sniffled a bit but pretended not to. On the ride back to Melbourne most people slept or stared out at nothing. I kept thinking about that wind and how it tasted different by each stop — sharper by the ocean, softer under trees, almost gone by dusk.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Great Ocean Road full-day coastal tour

• Depart from Melbourne
• Stop at Memorial Arch for photo
• Enjoy morning tea in Torquay
• Spot koalas in natural habitat
• Explore Otway Ranges rainforest
• Visit Loch Ard Gorge and learn history
• Marvel at Twelve Apostles and Gibson Steps
• Lunch in a Great Ocean Road town
• Return to Melbourne

Top questions

How long is the Great Ocean Road day trip from Melbourne?

The full-day tour typically lasts around 12 hours including travel time.

Is hotel pickup included for this Great Ocean Road tour?

Yes, pickup from selected hotels in Melbourne is included.

Are meals included on this small-group tour?

A morning tea is included; lunch is at your own expense during a stop in a seaside town.

Will we see koalas on this Great Ocean Road day trip?

The tour includes a stop where you can often spot koalas in their natural habitat.

What are the main stops on this itinerary?

You’ll visit Torquay for morning tea, Memorial Arch, Kennett River (for koalas), Otway rainforest, Twelve Apostles (including Gibson Steps), and Loch Ard Gorge.

Is there WiFi on board during the tour?

Yes, WiFi is available on board the vehicle.

Are national park fees included?

Yes, all entry fees are covered as part of your booking.

Is this Great Ocean Road tour suitable for families?

The tour suits all fitness levels and offers specialized infant seats if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from selected locations in Melbourne, comfortable transport with air conditioning and onboard WiFi, national park entry fees covered throughout every stop along the Great Ocean Road route, friendly guiding with plenty of local stories (and help spotting koalas), plus morning tea served at Torquay before you reach those famous coastal views and limestone stacks.