Twelve Apostles tour from Melbourne: Inland route, small group

Descend Gibson Steps to the beach, then spend the afternoon at the Apostles and the Shipwreck Coast's other formations.

A private tour from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles and five other Great Ocean Road landmarks, guided and small-group only (up to seven passengers), using an inland route to maximize time at the sites. The day includes Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell, London Bridge and The Grotto, with a guide sharing the region's maritime history and natural story. National park fees and bottled water are included. Lunch is a stop in Port Campbell where you buy your own meal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Twelve Apostles1h
2. Loch Ard Gorge1h
3. Great Ocean Road20m

Great Ocean Road highlights tour

• Descend Gibson Steps to beach
• Visit the Twelve Apostles
• Explore Loch Ard Gorge
• Lunch stop at Port Campbell
• Visit The Grotto lookout and steps
• Explore London Bridge

The experience

The inland route cuts through to the Twelve Apostles faster than the winding coastal road, so you spend less time driving and more time at the formations themselves. Gibson Steps takes you down to the beach for a close view of the limestone cliffs and the offshore rocks called Gog and Magog: access depends on weather and safety conditions. The Twelve Apostles, Victoria's most visited natural landmark, sits next to Loch Ard Gorge, another limestone formation carved into the coast. Your guide walks you through the maritime history and geology of the Shipwreck Coast as you move between stops.

Port Campbell, a small seaside village, is the lunch stop. You choose where to eat and what to order. After lunch, The Grotto (part cave, part archway, part blowhole), frames the Southern Ocean from both an upper lookout and a lower viewing platform reached by steps. London Bridge, one of the Great Ocean Road's most recognizable formations, rounds out the afternoon if time allows. One of its piers collapsed years ago, but the remaining arch is still worth the visit.

The tour runs eight hours total. You travel in a luxury Mercedes with a maximum of seven passengers, which keeps the group small and the vehicle air-conditioned. Pickup from your Melbourne hotel is included, as are all national park fees and bottled water. The guide speaks English and knows the region's stories: the dramatic coastline, the wrecks that gave the coast its name, the natural forces that shaped the stone.

What’s included

• All national park fees are covered.
• bottled water is provided.
• the vehicle is air-conditioned.
• pickup from your Melbourne accommodation is included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to11h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Awesome Leisure Group

Is this one for you?The inland route and small-group size (maximum seven passengers) mean you spend most of the eight hours at the landmarks rather than on the road, which suits anyone with limited time or cruise ship passengers needing to return to the city by evening.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

5 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is Gibson Steps and why do we go there?

Gibson Steps is a descent to the beach that opens onto dramatic views of towering limestone cliffs and two offshore rock formations called Gog and Magog. Access depends on weather and safety conditions on the day.

How much time do we spend at the Twelve Apostles?

The tour is built around the Apostles and the other formations nearby (Loch Ard Gorge sits right next to them), so you have substantial time to walk and photograph. The inland route means less time on the road and more at the sites themselves.

Where and when do we eat lunch?

Port Campbell, a seaside village, is the lunch stop. You choose which restaurant or cafe to visit and order what you want. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

What is The Grotto?

The Grotto is a natural formation that is part cave, part archway and part blowhole, carved into the coast. You can view it from an upper lookout or descend steps for a closer look at how it frames the Southern Ocean.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour involves walking and descending steps at multiple stops: Gibson Steps, The Grotto, and the other formations. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.