Great Ocean Road: Reverse 12 Apostles Tour in a Small Group
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 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.
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 on the way back
- End trip at Southern Cross Station
- Twelve Apostles 35m
- Loch Ard Gorge 30m
- Great Otway National Park 30m
- Great Ocean Road 3h
What’s included
- Your day includes pickup from Melbourne CBD, Southbank, or Docklands in an air-conditioned 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, and Kennett River.
Times
- Every day 07:00
Before you book
Operated by Awesome Leisure Group
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
Most tours feel crowded because they follow the same route as everyone else. This Great Ocean Road tour flips the script. You start at the Twelve Apostles and travel backward along the coast, which means fewer crowds at the stops. The group stays small, 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 Wi-Fi, reclining seats, and bottled water, so the drive itself isn't something you endure. It's part of the day.
After pickup, 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.
The lunch stop is in a town with a choice of eateries, then Kennett River for birdlife and a quiet stretch of coast. The highest point on the tour comes after that, and it's the guides' favorite stop. Later comes a seaside town that was one of Melbourne's first holiday spots, where the Great Ocean Road actually meets the ocean, and then a walk on a volcanic rock beach before heading back to the city. The whole day is structured around the reverse route, so you reach the stops when they're quieter. All national park fees are included, so there's no fumbling at gates.
Along the coast, keep an eye out for wild koalas and kangaroos.
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 is what makes the quieter experience possible while still fitting all the major stops into one trip.
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Top questions
What's included in the price?
All national park fees, pickup from Melbourne CBD/Southbank/Docklands, bottled water, Wi-Fi, air-conditioned vehicle, and an experienced guide.
Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?
No. The tour involves walking at multiple stops and is not recommended for travelers with walking, mobility, or spinal problems.
Do I need to be fit?
Yes. A moderate level of fitness or better is recommended. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health.
What's the difference between this tour and the standard Great Ocean Road tour?
This tour runs in reverse, starting at the Twelve Apostles and working backward. That means you hit the famous spots when crowds are lighter and light is better for photos.
Is there a toilet stop?
Yes, including a final toilet stop before the tour ends.
Great Ocean Road: Reverse 12 Apostles Tour in a Small Group
11h 30m · EN · at your hotel
from AU$ 135 per person
≈ US$ 96 in your currency
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