Great Ocean Road Melbourne: Twelve Apostles & Wildlife Day Trip

243 kilometers of coastline, one day, under 11 people in a van

You get picked up from your Melbourne hotel at 8am and spend the day driving 243 kilometers along the Great Ocean Road in a small group under 11 passengers. You stop in Apollo Bay for lunch, visit the Great Otway National Park to see kangaroos and koalas in their habitat, and finish at the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. The minivan and guide handle the whole route. You just show up on time and bring a camera.

Options for this experience

3 options

From AU$ 257 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

English-language Great Ocean Road tour 07:59, 08:00 and 08:01 Day trip to the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne, guided in English

Spanish-speaking guide 08:00 Guide who speaks Spanish; pickup is included

Italian guided 08:00 Guide who speaks Italian; includes pickup

None of these options right for you? See 5 alternatives ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Great Ocean Road and Coastal Highlights

• Explore Apollo Bay town
• Visit Great Ocean Road Ecolodge
• See Twelve Apostles
• Visit Loch Ard Gorge

Stops and time spent at each 3 stops

1. Great Otway National Park Entry included 30m
2. Twelve Apostles 45m
3. Loch Ard Gorge 45m

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup from Melbourne city centre and drop-off at the end, transport in an air-conditioned minivan, and live commentary from your guide throughout the 243-kilometer drive.
• You'll have free time in Apollo Bay to buy lunch at local restaurants, access to the Great Otway National Park wildlife area, and time at both the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
• Entry fees to attractions are separate.

Times

• Every day except Saturday 08:00 08:01
• Saturday 07:59 08:00 08:01

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 11 2 private ›

Live guide English, Spanish and Italian Another language? ›

Audio guide Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. You can choose from 18 pickup points.

Book up to 10h before

Ages Adult (16 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby

Operated by Oceania Tours and Safaris

Prices and times updated today

Traveler reviews

4.76 ★★★★★ Excellent 307 verified traveler reviews 87% rated it 5 stars

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The experience

"So we're leaving at eight?" That's the question you'll ask your hotel concierge the night before, because the pickup window is tight and the drive south from Melbourne starts early. The minivan collects you from your city centre hotel and heads straight into the kind of coastal road that makes you understand why people plan entire trips around it. You're on the Great Ocean Road now, and the next 243 kilometers are the whole point: limestone cliffs, wild ocean, the kind of light that changes every twenty minutes.

First stop is Apollo Bay, a small town tucked into the foothills of the Otways where you get free time to walk the long beach or grab lunch at one of the local spots. The guide knows the place and can point you toward the good food without the tourist markup. After that comes the Great Otway National Park, where the Ecolodge sits right in the middle of the animals' space: kangaroos actually roam around you, and if you look up into the eucalyptus trees, you'll spot the koalas that barely move. It's not a zoo. It's their place, and you're just standing in it.

The final stretch takes you to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, the two formations that justify the whole drive. The rock stacks rise out of the water like something from a different planet, and the gorge cuts deep into the cliffs with a kind of drama that photographs can't quite catch. Your guide stays with the group, never more than eleven people, and fills in the geology and the shipwreck stories without talking over the moment itself. By the time you're back in Melbourne, you've seen three completely different landscapes and eaten lunch on the coast, all without arranging transport, timing yourself, or worrying about which road to take.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English, at 07:59, 08:00 and 08:01. In Spanish and Italian, at 08:00.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What time does the tour start and where do I get picked up?

The tour departs at 8:00am from your selected city centre Melbourne hotel. You're responsible for being ready on time. Missing the pickup means cancellation fees apply.

How many people are in the group?

Small groups only: no more than 11 passengers per minivan.

Is lunch included?

No. You have free time in Apollo Bay to buy lunch at local restaurants. The guide can recommend options.

How long is the drive?

The Great Ocean Road covers 243 kilometers. The full day trip includes stops at Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park, and the Twelve Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge.

Is the minivan air-conditioned?

Yes, transport is by air-conditioned minivan.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, live commentary from the guide, and transport by minivan. Lunch and entry fees to attractions are not included.

Is this tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

No, the tour is not normally suitable for cruise ship passengers due to the fixed 8am start time and full-day duration.