Melbourne & Great Ocean Road: Private Tour with Guide

Summary

Custom Day Trips from Melbourne with a Local Guide

Choose your own adventure around Melbourne with a private guide who’ll tailor every stop to your interests—whether that’s native wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary or dramatic views along the Great Ocean Road. Enjoy local stories, flexible timing, and hotel pickup for an experience you’ll remember long after you’ve left Victoria’s coast behind.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the way the air changed as we drove out of central Melbourne — city smells fading, eucalyptus taking over. Our guide, Sarah, had this easy way of pointing out things you’d never spot on your own (like the bakery where she gets her favorite lamingtons — we stopped, obviously). She asked what we wanted to see, and honestly, I didn’t know how to choose between penguins at St Kilda or heading all the way out for a day trip along the Great Ocean Road. In the end, we just let her steer.

We ended up at Healesville Sanctuary first. There’s something about seeing a wombat up close that makes you feel like a kid again — they’re chunkier than I expected. The keepers chatted with us about breeding programs and why cockatoos yell so much (still not sure I get it). After that, Sarah handed us cold water bottles and cranked up some local radio as we headed south. The drive along the Great Ocean Road is longer than it looks on a map — winding, sometimes foggy, cliffs dropping right into wild surf. She told stories about WWI vets building the road by hand; I tried to imagine that kind of work in this wind.

Lunch was fish and chips in a little coastal town — nothing fancy but salty and hot and perfect after all that sea air. We watched surfers wipe out while gulls circled our table. On the way back toward Melbourne, we made a quick stop at Point Nepean National Park because Sarah said sunset there was “worth it.” She was right; there’s this hush over the old quarantine station as dusk comes in, just magpies calling somewhere far off. It felt like time slowed down for a minute.

I still think about how easy it was to just ask for what we wanted — more time at St Kilda Beach? No problem. A detour for coffee? Done. Not every tour feels like you’re traveling with someone who actually lives here, but this one did. And yeah, I probably butchered “Healesville” when I tried to say it — Sarah laughed but didn’t correct me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Melbourne and Surroundings Tour

• Visit Healesville Sanctuary
• Drive along the Great Ocean Road
• Relax at St. Kilda Beach
• Explore Point Nepean National Park

Top questions

How long does the private tour from Melbourne last?

You can book either a half-day or full-day tour depending on your schedule and interests.

Is hotel pickup included in this Melbourne tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your private tour package.

Can I customize my itinerary on this private tour?

Yes, nearly all requests can be met—just let your guide know what you want to see.

Are meals included during the day trip?

No meals are included by default; however, your guide can recommend places and help with reservations.

Is transportation accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, transportation is wheelchair accessible and suitable for prams or strollers.

What attractions can be visited on this tour?

You can visit places like Healesville Sanctuary, Great Ocean Road, St Kilda Beach, or Point Nepean National Park.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the private tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Melbourne, bottled water throughout the trip, live commentary from your private local guide in an air-conditioned vehicle—with plenty of flexibility for stops or detours along the way before returning comfortably at day’s end.