Private Great Ocean Road Day Trip from Melbourne: 12 Apostles

A full day on the Great Ocean Road without the tour bus crowds

A private Great Ocean Road day trip from Melbourne takes you to the 12 Apostles and stops along the coast: hotel pickup and drop-off, water, and park entry included. You set the pace and choose which stops matter most, moving through the route with a live guide instead of a fixed itinerary. The tour runs ten to fourteen hours depending on how long you linger at each point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Great Ocean Road private day trip

• Visit famous surfing beach
• Stop at Great Ocean Road chocolate factory
• See Split Point Lighthouse and memorial arch
• View coastline from Teddy’s Lookout
• Spot wild koalas in open wilderness
• Enjoy fresh fish or vegetarian lunch
• Visit 12 Apostles lookout

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Melbourne hotel and heads straight toward the coast. Your first stop is a famous surf beach where you can watch the waves and take in the shoreline before the drive turns onto the Great Ocean Road itself. The route winds through eucalyptus forest and past small towns: Lorne sits partway along, with Teddy's Lookout offering a view of the road snaking down the hillside toward the water below. Because the tour is private, you decide how long to stay at each spot: a quick photo or a longer walk, a meal stop or a skip.

The chocolate factory on the Great Ocean Road is a standard pause: coffee, tea, desserts and house-made ice cream, all optional. Before reaching the 12 Apostles, you'll pass Split Point Lighthouse, which marks the geographic border between the Pacific and Indian oceans. The memorial arch there is a common photo point. Wildlife appears along the way: koalas in the open bush, not behind glass, and the chance to hand-feed parrots. Lunch is a fresh fish meal (vegetarian and gluten-free options available) at a stop the guide chooses or you request.

The 12 Apostles Lookout is the endpoint: the rock formations rising from the water that define this stretch of coast. Entry is included, and you have time to walk the viewing platforms and take the photographs the site is known for. The return to Melbourne takes the same route, arriving back at your hotel after ten to fourteen hours depending on stops and pace.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Melbourne accommodation.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• private guide and driver.
• entry to the 12 Apostles Lookout.
• stops at the surf beach, chocolate factory, Split Point Lighthouse, Teddy's Lookout in Lorne, and wildlife viewing areas.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by BILBY TOURS

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private driver and car for the full day so you can stop whenever wildlife or views catch your eye, rather than following a group's fixed itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What's the difference between this private tour and a group Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne?

A private tour means no fixed schedule and no waiting for other passengers. You choose which stops matter, how long to stay, and whether to skip a site entirely. A group tour runs on a set itinerary and departure time, and you move with the group pace.

Is lunch included in the Great Ocean Road day trip?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but the guide will stop at a restaurant where you can order fresh fish, vegetarian or gluten-free meals. You pay for your own meal at that point.

Can I see koalas on this Great Ocean Road tour?

Yes, the tour includes a stop in the open wilderness where you can see koalas in their natural habitat, not in a zoo or wildlife park. You'll also have the chance to hand-feed parrots during the day.

What time does the private Great Ocean Road tour leave Melbourne?

Pickup happens from your hotel. The specific time is arranged when you book. The full day runs ten to fourteen hours depending on how long you spend at each stop.

How many people can go on this private Great Ocean Road tour?

A maximum of eleven people can book together on one tour, making it suitable for couples, families and small groups who want to travel as one party.

Is the 12 Apostles entry fee included?

Yes, entry to the 12 Apostles Lookout is included in the tour price, along with hotel pickup, drop-off and bottled water throughout the day.