Great Ocean Road: Reverse 12 Apostles Tour, Max 11 Guests

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (496 reviews) 93% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/26

Duration11h 30m

GroupUp to 14

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Reclining seats and fewer crowds: the reverse route that skips the tour-bus lines

You start where others finish, traveling the Great Ocean Road in reverse with a small group of 14 or fewer in a comfortable van. Pickup from Melbourne CBD, Southbank, or Docklands is included, along with all national park entry fees, a knowledgeable guide, and Wi-Fi for the drive. You'll see the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps, and the Otway rainforest at quieter times, finishing at Bells Beach and returning to Southern Cross Station by late afternoon.

11h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Great Ocean Road reverse tour highlights

Pickup from Melbourne CBD area
Coffee stop at local bakery
Visit Twelve Apostles rock stacks
Explore Loch Ard Gorge trails
View Razorback coastline platform
Walk Gibson Steps limestone cliffs
Lunch break at local eateries
Discover Otway rainforest vegetation
Stop at Kennett River for wildlife
Visit highest viewpoint on tour
Learn Great Ocean Road history
Final toilet stop and buy treats
End trip at Southern Cross Station

The Experience

Because they follow the same route as everyone else. This Great Ocean Road tour flips the script — you start at the Twelve Apostles when the light is still soft, then travel backward along the coast while other groups are still queuing at the car park. The van holds a maximum of 14 passengers, which means you're not jostling for space at Gibson Steps or waiting for a clear shot at Loch Ard Gorge. The Mercedes Sprinter has reclining seats, Wi-Fi, and cold water, so the drive itself isn't something you endure — it's part of the day.

Pickup happens from Melbourne CBD, Southbank, or Docklands in the early morning, and your guide starts talking the moment you leave the city. You'll stop for coffee at a local bakery to hear about the farming history of the region, then head straight into the limestone cliffs and coastal wilderness. Gibson Steps puts you at the base of towering rock faces with the Southern Ocean rolling in; Loch Ard Gorge opens up with blowholes, offshore stacks, and the story of a shipwreck that still shapes how locals talk about the coast. The Razorback — a jagged spine of rock rising from the sea — comes next, timed so you're not fighting the crowds that pile up at the famous stops. After that, you push into the Great Otway National Park, where the rainforest is thick enough that the light changes color, and the trees are some of the oldest on the continent.

Lunch is at a town stop where you buy your own meal, then Kennett River for birdlife and a quiet stretch of coast. The highest point on the tour comes after that — your guide will tell you when you're about to reach it. You finish at Bells Beach, where the Great Ocean Road actually meets the ocean, and walk on a volcanic rock beach before heading back to Southern Cross Station. The whole day is structured so you're moving when the light is best and stopping when other tours are still stuck in traffic. All national park fees are included, so there's no fumbling at gates or surprise costs.

If you want to add a helicopter flight over the Apostles, that's optional and booked separately. Most people don't, but the option is there if the coast from above is something you've always wanted to see.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Melbourne CBD, Southbank, or Docklands in a Mercedes Sprinter van with reclining seats and Wi-Fi.
All national park fees are covered, along with bottled water throughout the day.
You'll have an experienced guide sharing local insights at each stop — Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, the Razorback, Great Otway National Park, Kennett River, and Bells Beach.
Lunch is on your own at a town stop.
The tour ends with a final toilet break and sweet treat opportunity before drop-off at Southern Cross Station.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Awesome Leisure Group

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want the Great Ocean Road without the crowds and prefer a small group where you can actually hear the guide and get a clear photo. The reverse route and early start are what make the quieter experience possible, and the full day out — roughly 10 to 12 hours — is what fits all the major stops in one trip.