Explore Australia Explore Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles - Day Tour

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A small group day tour of the Great Ocean Road that leaves Melbourne early to avoid the crowds, visiting Maits Rest, Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles.

Days

12.5 hours, early start

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Melbourne / Melbourne

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Mini-coach with a guide, from Melbourne CBD pick-up points

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Explore Australia Explore Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles - Day Tour

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Included experiences

Great Ocean Road — coastal drive
Maits Rest — rainforest walk
Koala spotting in eucalyptus trees
Gibson Steps — beach below the cliffs
Loch Ard Gorge
12 Apostles

Explore Australia Explore Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles - Day Tour

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Itinerary

Map

EARLY START: MELBOURNE TO THE MEMORIAL ARCH

Your guide collects you in central Melbourne at first light, to reach the coast ahead of the crowds. Past Geelong and the surf towns, the Great Ocean Road begins to hug the cliffs. It was built between 1919 and 1932 by about 3,000 soldiers home from the First World War, many working with picks and shovels, and it is the world's largest war memorial. At Eastern View you stop at the Memorial Arch, the timber gateway that honours them, for your first photos of the day.

MORNING: KENNETT RIVER AND MAITS REST

At Kennett River, look up into the manna gums: wild koalas sleep in the forks of the branches, and king parrots, rosellas and lorikeets come in close. Further on, inside Great Otway National Park, the boardwalk at Maits Rest loops through cool temperate rainforest of myrtle beech, tree ferns and mountain ash, some of the trees several hundred years old. It is named after Maitland Bryan, a forest overseer who rested his horse here. Lunch is at a café along the way, at your own cost.

AFTERNOON: GIBSON STEPS AND THE TWELVE APOSTLES

The road turns back to the sea at the Shipwreck Coast, named for the ships lost on its reefs in the days of sail. At Gibson Steps, 86 steps cut into the cliff lead down to the beach, with two stacks rising from the surf beside you. Then it's the Twelve Apostles, limestone stacks up to 45 metres tall that the Southern Ocean cut from the cliffs. There were never twelve; until the 1920s they were known as the Sow and Piglets. Walk out to the lookouts and count how many still stand.

LATE AFTERNOON: LOCH ARD GORGE AND HOME

Your last stop is Loch Ard Gorge, named after the clipper Loch Ard, wrecked here in 1878 on her way from England. Of the 54 people on board, only two survived: apprentice Tom Pearce, who washed into the gorge, and Eva Carmichael, whom he pulled from the water. Walk down to the small beach between the sheer cliffs and read their story on the boards along the path. Then it's the long drive back to Melbourne, arriving in the evening.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-ups in Melbourne CBD between 6:00am and 6:30am: Mercure Melbourne Southbank (9 Riverside Quay, Southbank), Regent Theatre (191 Collins Street), Her Majesty's Theatre (219 Exhibition Street) and Mail Exchange Hotel Southern Cross (688 Bourke Street — wait at the bus stop). Please arrive at least 10 minutes before departure.
Fitness: Relaxed.

What to bring

Comfortable trainers or walking shoes
Refillable water bottle
Cash or card for lunch and snacks
Warm layers for unexpected weather
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat

What is included

National park fees
Return transport from selected pick-up locations
Tour guide

Not included

Lunch
Drinks and snacks
Gratuities

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

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 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.

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 2 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)

I did the Great Ocean Road tour and was very happy. Our guide was professional yet personal, mixing facts about the sights with jokes.

Claes Lundgren Verified· Travelled 23rd October 2026

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(5/5)

The Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles tour was a great experience. Our guide gave us lots of information about the spectacular scenery, and we got to see and photograph koalas, kangaroos and cockatoos. A day very well spent.

miguel feliz Verified· Travelled 14th October 2026

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