Great Ocean Road: Koalas, 12 Apostles & Forest Walk Day Trip

Summary

Wind-carved cliffs, wild koalas and forest air along Victoria’s coast

You’ll feel ocean wind on your face at Torquay Surf Beach, spot wild koalas with help from your guide near Kennett River, taste morning tea biscuits somewhere along winding cliffs, and stand awestruck by limestone giants at the 12 Apostles—all packed into one day trip from Melbourne.

What’s the experience like?

You know that sound when a bus door hisses open and you catch the first whiff of salt? That’s how my Great Ocean Road day started—right outside my Melbourne hotel, still half-awake. Our guide, Dave (who somehow knew every twist in the road), grinned as we piled in. He handed out these crumbly biscuits for morning tea later—I pocketed two, just in case. The drive out of the city was quiet except for someone’s playlist leaking from their headphones. Then suddenly, there it was: that endless blue line where the sky meets the sea at Torquay Surf Beach. I swear you can smell the eucalyptus even before you see it.

We stopped at this house perched on a single concrete leg—looked like something out of a Bond movie. Everyone craned for photos but I just stared at how it almost floated above the cliffs. At the big Great Ocean Road sign, some tourists were trying to get their group selfie right (took them ages). Dave told us about the old soldiers who built this road after WWI—I didn’t know that part. The wind picked up as we got closer to Apollo Bay; my hair tasted like salt by then. Lunch was on our own—fish and chips for me, eaten on a bench while watching locals argue about footy scores.

I’d never seen a koala outside a zoo before. Dave led us down a gravel path near Kennett River and pointed up—there she was, curled into herself like a furry comma high in the gum tree. Parrots flashed red and green through the branches; one nearly landed on my shoulder (I flinched—everyone laughed). The forest walk after lunch felt different: cool shade, damp earth underfoot, those towering mountain ash trees that make you feel tiny but safe somehow. It smelled like wet bark and something sweet I couldn’t name.

The 12 Apostles came late in the afternoon when the light turned gold—honestly, I didn’t expect to feel much (thought it’d be just another postcard view), but standing there with wind roaring in my ears and spray stinging my cheeks… yeah, it got me. Loch Ard Gorge was quieter; we all went silent for a minute looking at those jagged rocks and thinking about shipwrecks and luck. On the way back, everyone dozed off except Dave humming softly up front. I still think about that view sometimes when city noise gets too much—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Great Ocean Road coastal and wildlife tour

• Pickup from Melbourne CBD hotels
• Stop at Bells Surfing Beach for photos
• Photo stop at the most photographed house
• Photo stop at Great Ocean Road sign
• Visit Apollo Bay for lunch and walk
• See koalas and parrots in natural habitat
• Guided forest walk among tall trees
• View 12 Apostles from sea level beach
• View 12 Apostles from lookout
• See Razorback rock formation
• See Island Archway rock stacks
• Visit Loch Ard Gorge for ground level views
• Stop at Colac for dinner
• Return to Melbourne CBD hotels

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Great Ocean Road tour?

Yes, pickup is included from selected Melbourne CBD hotels.

Do we see wild koalas on this day trip?

Yes, there’s a stop to see koalas and colorful parrots in their natural habitat near Kennett River.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No, lunch is not included but you can buy food in Apollo Bay or Colac.

How long does the Great Ocean Road tour last?

This is a full-day tour returning to Melbourne in the evening.

Are there guided walks during this trip?

Yes, your guide leads a forest walk among some of the world’s tallest trees.

What are some main stops on this day trip?

The tour visits Torquay Surf Beach, Apollo Bay, 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and more.

Is morning tea included?

Yes, morning tea is included as part of your day trip experience.

Can children join this Great Ocean Road day trip?

Yes, infants and small children are welcome; prams or strollers are allowed.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from selected Melbourne CBD hotels, all transportation by air-conditioned vehicle along the Great Ocean Road with plenty of photo stops—including Torquay Surf Beach and Apollo Bay—a guided forest walk among giant trees, time to spot wild koalas and parrots with your local guide’s help near Kennett River, plus morning tea biscuits served somewhere along those winding coastal cliffs before returning to Melbourne in the evening (lunch and dinner are not included).