Bunyip Tours Great Ocean Road Tour

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A 12 hour day trip from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road, taking in the Surf Coast, wild koalas at Kennett River, Apollo Bay, the Great Otway rainforest, Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles.

Days

12 hours, full day

Age

All ages

Group size

Max 24

Start / finish

Melbourne / Melbourne
Melbourne, 8:30pm to 9:30pm

Return

Melbourne, 8:30pm to 9:30pm

Transport

Air-conditioned touring vehicle with a guide, Melbourne hotel pick-up

Meals

Morning tea by the beach

Route

Map of Bunyip Tours Great Ocean Road Tour

View map

Included experiences

Memorial Arch — stories of the Great Ocean Road
Kennett River — wild koalas and birds
Apollo Bay — free time
Great Otway National Park — rainforest walk
Loch Ard Gorge — Shipwreck Coast history
12 Apostles — lookout and beach

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: TORQUAY AND MEMORIAL ARCH

Your guide collects you early from your Melbourne hotel and heads south-west past Geelong to Torquay, where Rip Curl was founded in 1969 and surfers are out on the break most mornings. Morning tea is by the beach, with coffee, tea and cake. Then the Great Ocean Road begins. It was built by about 3,000 returned First World War soldiers between 1919 and 1932, and it's the world's largest war memorial. At Memorial Arch at Eastern View your guide tells how the road ended decades of isolation for the coastal towns, which before it could often only be reached by sea.

LATE MORNING: KOALAS AND APOLLO BAY

The road hugs the cliffs from here, with stops at lookouts along the way. At Kennett River you go looking for wild koalas in the manna gums, often with king parrots and crimson rosellas for company, though koalas are wild and never guaranteed. Lunch is in Apollo Bay, a fishing town at the foot of the Otway Ranges, where you buy your own meal from the cafés and bakeries along the foreshore.

AFTERNOON: THE OTWAY RAINFOREST

In the Great Otway National Park, a short walk at Maits Rest follows an 800-metre boardwalk loop through cool temperate rainforest. Giant myrtle beech trees, some centuries old, stand over tree ferns and mossy logs, and the rainfall here is some of the highest in Victoria.

LATE AFTERNOON: THE TWELVE APOSTLES AND LOCH ARD GORGE

In Port Campbell National Park you walk out to the Twelve Apostles, limestone stacks up to 45 metres high, cut from the cliffs by the Southern Ocean. There were never twelve, and the sea brought one down in 2005. For a closer view, walk down the 86 Gibson Steps to the beach at the foot of the cliffs. At Loch Ard Gorge, the clipper Loch Ard hit a reef in 1878, and only two of the 54 people aboard, teenagers Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael, survived, washed into this gorge.

EVENING: COLAC AND HOME

On the way back inland there's a short dinner stop in Colac, a farming town on the shore of Lake Colac, at your own cost. Then it's the run home to Melbourne, where you're back between about 8:30 and 9:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Selected hotels in Melbourne; your pick-up details are on your booking confirmation. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
Finishes: Back in Melbourne between 8:30pm and 9:30pm.
Fitness: Recommended for guests with a moderate level of mobility and fitness.
Please note: Tours are in English; recorded tour information in 16 languages is available through a free app using the onboard wifi. The tour runs rain or shine.
Cancellation: Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour receive a full refund.

What to bring

Clothes for the weather, with light clothing and warm layers
Comfortable walking shoes
Refillable water bottle
Snacks
Power bank (there is no charging on the bus or at many stops)
Card or money for lunch, dinner and other purchases
Headphones for the audio guide app

What is included

Select hotel pick-ups and drop-offs within Melbourne City
Air-conditioned touring vehicle with upgraded seats
Experienced guide
Morning tea by the beach (cake, coffee, tea, hot chocolate)
All national park entry fees
Onboard wifi
Audio guide app in 16 languages

Not included

Meals and drinks — there are meal stops, or bring your own food

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

David was a fantastic guide for our Great Ocean Road day trip, funny, knowledgeable and well organised. From morning tea in Torquay to koalas at Kennett River, the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, his Shipwreck Coast stories brought it all to life.

Zhecheng Xie Verified· Travelled 2nd October 2026

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(5/5)

An amazing Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles day tour. Our guide Lucy was full of positive energy and great stories, helped us spot wild koalas and paced the stops perfectly.

Marco Sun Verified· Travelled 29th September 2026

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(5/5)

A great day on the Great Ocean Road with plenty of scenic stops, morning tea with muffins, a good lunch stop, a rainforest walk, the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Our guide Budgie was amazing and very knowledgeable.

holly farrell Verified· Travelled 8th August 2026

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