Oceania Tours Great Ocean Road (English M2)

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A small group day trip along the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne, with more time to enjoy the views of one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world.

Days

11 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Melbourne / Melbourne

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Small group coach with Melbourne hotel pick-up and drop-off

Meals

No meals are listed as included; lunch stop in Apollo Bay at own cost

Route

Map of Oceania Tours Great Ocean Road (English M2)

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Included experiences

Apollo Bay — lunch stop
Otway Ranges — forest walk
Twelve Apostles
Loch Ard Gorge
Great Ocean Road — photo stops and wildlife spotting

Oceania Tours Great Ocean Road (English M2)

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: MELBOURNE TO THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Your guide collects you from your Melbourne hotel early, and the small group means more time at each stop. The road west soon reaches the coast and the Great Ocean Road itself. About 3,000 returned soldiers built it by hand between 1919 and 1932, with picks, shovels and explosives, and it is dedicated to the men who died in the First World War, which makes it the world's largest war memorial. Along the way there are lookouts over the surf, a coffee stop and plenty of chances to pull over for the camera. Keep watching the gum trees and paddocks for koalas and kangaroos.

MIDDAY: LUNCH IN APOLLO BAY

Lunch (at your own cost) is in Apollo Bay, a fishing town where the green hills of the Otways roll right down to the sea. Its harbour still shelters a working fleet that brings in crayfish and fish, so seafood is the obvious choice from the cafés and restaurants along the foreshore. If you'd rather eat quickly, there's time for a walk on the beach or out along the harbour wall.

AFTERNOON: A WALK IN THE OTWAY RANGES

After lunch the road turns inland and climbs into the Otway Ranges, the wettest corner of Victoria, where the highest ridges catch close to two metres of rain a year. That rain feeds cool temperate rainforest of myrtle beech, tree ferns and giant mountain ash, one of the tallest flowering plants on earth. Your guide leads a forest walk in the Great Otway National Park, where the air is damp and full of birdsong. Look up for the tree ferns' umbrellas, and down for fungi on the fallen logs.

LATE AFTERNOON: THE TWELVE APOSTLES AND LOCH ARD GORGE

The day ends at the Twelve Apostles, limestone stacks up to 45 metres high that the Southern Ocean cut from the cliffs over millions of years. There were never twelve, and one collapsed into the sea in 2005. You can spend about 80 minutes here with the visitor centre and lookout, or ride with your guide to Loch Ard Gorge and Mutton Bird Island before rejoining the group. The gorge is named after the Loch Ard, wrecked in 1878; only two of the 54 people aboard, Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael, survived. Then it's the drive back to your hotel in Melbourne, arriving around 7pm.

Map

Good to know

Departure time: About 8am from your Melbourne hotel, back at about 7pm.
Meeting point: Pick-up from your Melbourne hotel.
Fitness: Relaxed.

What is included

Melbourne hotel pick-up and drop-off
Guided small group tour
Forest walk in the Otway Ranges

Not included

Lunch

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.