Great Ocean Road: Reverse 12 Apostles Tour & Koalas Max 11

Summary

Early light on limestone cliffs, rainforest air & koalas along the Great Ocean Road

You’ll start your Great Ocean Road day trip by reaching the Twelve Apostles before anyone else gets there—quiet sea air and soft morning light included. Walk below towering cliffs at Gibson Steps, hear shipwreck stories at Loch Ard Gorge, spot wild koalas and parrots with your guide, then eat fresh coastal food in Apollo Bay before winding back toward Melbourne.

What’s the experience like?

We pulled out of Melbourne while it was still sort of quiet—just that in-between hum on the streets. Our guide, Anna, had this way of talking that made you want to listen but also just look out the window for a bit. Instead of following everyone else, we went straight inland toward the Twelve Apostles. I didn’t realize how different the light would feel that early—soft on your face, kind of gold but not warm yet. When we stepped out at the lookout, there were only a few other people around. The wind was salty and sharp. Anna pointed out which stacks used to be connected to the land—I tried to imagine it but mostly just stood there with my hands in my pockets, trying not to drop my phone over the rail.

Afterwards we walked down to Gibson Steps—the cliffs really do make you feel small (in a good way). The sand was cold through my shoes. I overheard someone say “Gog and Magog” about those giant rocks in the water; honestly I’d never heard those names before. At Loch Ard Gorge Anna told us about the shipwreck—she got quiet for a second when she mentioned how young some of them were. The sea smelled almost sweet down there, weirdly enough. I still think about that part sometimes.

The drive along Great Ocean Road itself was all twists and flashes of blue out the window. We stopped at Apollo Bay for lunch—Anna rattled off three places and I picked one mostly because it had outside tables (the fish was good). Somewhere near Kennett River we tried spotting koalas up in these scraggly eucalyptus trees; one guy in our group got really into it and started naming them after his family members. There were these bright parrots too—one landed so close I could see its claws gripping the branch.

I liked walking through Great Otway’s rainforest more than I expected. It felt damp and old, like everything had been growing forever. Anna kept saying “look up!” but honestly I kept looking down at all these tiny ferns by my feet. By Lorne, most of us were pretty quiet—maybe tired or maybe just full from lunch or maybe just thinking about how weirdly nice it is to watch waves from above instead of being right next to them.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Great Ocean Road reverse tour highlights

• Morning tea stop for coffee
• Travel from Melbourne to Twelve Apostles
• Walk on beach near limestone cliffs
• View impressive limestone formations
• Visit Loch Ard Gorge and Razorback
• Drive through Great Ocean Road National Park
• Coastal drive along Great Ocean Road
• Drive through Great Otway National Park
• 20-minute rainforest walk
• Lunch stop at coastal town
• Spot koalas and orange-bellied parrots
• Take photos at Lorne lookout

Top questions

What makes this Great Ocean Road tour different?

This tour runs in reverse: you visit the Twelve Apostles first thing in the morning before crowds arrive.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points are included.

How many people are on each tour?

The group size is capped at 11 guests per minibus.

Are entry fees covered?

Yes, all National Park fees are included in your booking.

Will I see koalas on this tour?

The tour guarantees koala spotting near Kennett River during the drive.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included but there’s a stop at Apollo Bay with recommended options.

Can children join this tour?

No children under 7 years old can join due to vehicle regulations.

What should I bring or wear?

Dress for changing weather—it operates rain or shine—and wear comfortable shoes for walking.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from central Melbourne points, bottled water throughout the journey, all National Park entry fees covered up front, live commentary from your professional local guide (plus an interactive audio guide if you want), guaranteed time with wild koalas, and a self-guided city audio tour for later wandering back in Melbourne.