Hike & Seek Small Group - 12 Apostles, Great Otways & Great Ocean Road Day Tour

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A small group day tour from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles, Great Otway National Park and the Great Ocean Road, with beaches, a rainforest waterfall hike and koala spotting.

Days

12 hours, 7:30am to 7:30pm

Group size

Small group, 4 to 10

Start / finish

Melbourne / Melbourne
Melbourne CBD, 7:30pm

Return

Melbourne CBD, 7:30pm

Transport

Return transport from 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne CBD; no hotel pick-up

Meals

Snacks included; lunch at a local cafe at own cost

Route

Map of Hike & Seek Small Group - 12 Apostles, Great Otways & Great Ocean Road Day Tour

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Included experiences

12 Apostles — 1km boardwalk walk
Gibson Steps — walk down to the beach
Great Otway National Park — rainforest hike to a waterfall
Californian Redwoods — forest walk
Kennett River — koalas, king parrots and kangaroos
Apollo Bay and Lorne — Great Ocean Road stops

Hike & Seek Small Group - 12 Apostles, Great Otways & Great Ocean Road Day Tour

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Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: MELBOURNE TO THE 12 APOSTLES

Your day starts at 7:30am outside the National Gallery of Victoria on St Kilda Road, which opened there in 1968 behind its famous water wall. With no more than ten in the group, you head west and stop for coffee at a country cafe on the way. Rather than crawl along the coast with everyone else, the route goes inland first, so you reach the 12 Apostles by mid-morning. A boardwalk of about a kilometre runs along the cliff top above the limestone stacks, carved from the mainland by the Southern Ocean. One of them collapsed into the sea in 2005, and the rest are slowly following.

LATE MORNING: GIBSON STEPS AND LUNCH IN THE OTWAYS

A few minutes away, Gibson Steps take you down the cliff face to the beach, where you stand at sea level under two huge stacks called Gog and Magog. Hugh Gibson, a local settler, cut the first steps into the cliff in the 1800s. Then it's up into the hills for lunch at Lavers Hill, a small town on the ridge of the Otways, where you buy your own meal at a local cafe (vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are on offer).

AFTERNOON: HOPETOUN FALLS, THE REDWOODS AND KOALAS

The afternoon goes deep into Great Otway National Park. A rainforest walk leads down through tree ferns and myrtle beech to Hopetoun Falls, where the Aire River drops about 30 metres into a fern gully. Nearby, the Redwoods are a grove of Californian redwoods planted in 1936, standing in neat rows beside the river. Then your guide takes you somewhere quiet to look for wild koalas in the gum trees.

LATE AFTERNOON: THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD TO LORNE

Back on the coast at Apollo Bay, there's free time for an ice cream by the harbour. From here you drive the most famous part of the Great Ocean Road, built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 as a memorial to those killed in the First World War. You stop at one of your guide's favourite lookouts, then at Lorne, on Loutit Bay, for a walk on the beach or a snack. Near Aireys Inlet, home to the Split Point Lighthouse since 1891, you look for wild kangaroos grazing in the late light, then head back to Melbourne for about 7 to 7:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne — directly outside the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria), near the large thumb sculpture.
Departure time: 7:30am.
Finishes: Melbourne, about 7 to 7:30pm depending on traffic.
Fitness: A 1km boardwalk stroll, the 70m Gibson Steps and a Grade 2 rainforest hike.

What to bring

Comfortable trainers or hiking boots
Water bottle (1L)
Cash or card for lunch (around $35)
Warm layers, just in case
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
Swimsuit and towel for an ocean swim (optional, summer months)

What is included

12 Apostles and Gibson Steps
Grade 2 hike to an Otways waterfall
Californian Redwoods
Great Ocean Road stops at Apollo Bay and Lorne
Kennett River to see koalas
Rain ponchos and first aid
Tour guide

Not included

Lunch (around $35)
Hotel pick-up

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 1 review

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)

A fantastic Great Ocean Road tour with a well-planned itinerary and a knowledgeable, passionate guide. Spotting a wild koala was a highlight, there were plenty of stops for the coastline and lush rainforest, and the small group made it personal.

Gabrielle Church Verified· Travelled 22nd January 2025

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