2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour
Join us on 2 full days of adventure and exploration as we travel up the Great Ocean Road exploring all the best highlights. Suitable for ages 18-35.
We travel to the Port Campbell to experience the majestic 12 Apostles and explore the historic Shipwreck Coast. On this tour, we drive the road in the opposite direction, starting from the south-west coast and working back, which allows us to avoid the crowds from other tour buses, and we get the boring part of the drive out of the way first, saving the best of the Great Ocean Road to last.
- Ages 18-35 only
- Knowledgable & Experienced Guide
- Air-Conditioned Vehicle
- Taxes & Fees
- Flinders Chase National Park
- Great Ocean Road
- McKenzie Falls
- Twelve Apostles
- 1 Dinner, 1 Lunch
- Morning Tea
- Vegetarians OK
- Hostel Accommodation
- Trip length:
- 2 Days
- Group size:
- Max 21
- Start:
- Melbourne
- End:
- Melbourne
- Vehicle:
- Airconditoned 4WD Mini Bus
- Sleep:
- Hostel and Cabin
- Physical Demand:
- Comfortlevel:
Itinerary
One of the most scenic drives in Australia
The road itself is listed by the Australian National Heritage and is rich with amazing sights, landmarks, and history – including the famous Twelve Apostles limestone formations.
On this tour, we drive the road in the opposite direction, starting from the south-west coast and working back, which allows us to avoid the crowds from other tour buses, and we get the boring part of the drive out of the way first, saving the best of the Great Ocean Road to last.
A two-day tour means we can take our time along the way, so that you will never feel rushed. The only timeline we have is to ensure we arrive on time at the Twelve Apostles for sunset.
The tour is packed with amazing destinations and activities as outlined below:
Day 1 – Melbourne to Port Cambell
- Depart Melbourne and head to Victoria’s south-west coast (three-hour drive), stopping for morning tea along the way, with tea, coffee and biscuits provided
- Arrive at Logans Beach, Warrnambool, a fantastic surf beach (year-round) and also a place to see whales nurse their young (winter treat)
- After shopping for lunch in Warrnambool, we head to Tower Hill, a large, ancient, sunken volcano in a National Park, home to koalas, kangaroos and emus
- We drive for 30 mins to the Great Ocean Road and stop to look at the amazing sights (if the weather allows, we have plenty of time for a swim at one of these spots):
- Bay of Islands
- Bay of Martyrs
- The Grotto
- London Bridge
- Then we head to the Twelve Apostles for a sunset viewing experience
- After sunset, we wait for around 30 minutes to see the Little Penguins returning from their day’s fishing to their nests below the cliffs
- It is an easy 10-minute drive to the Port Campbell Hostel, where we will have dinner (in summer, dinner is before the sunset trip to the Twelve Apostles)
Day 2 – Loch Ard Gorge back to Melbourne
- We leave around 8 am, after breakfast, and drive 10 minutes to beautiful Loch Ard Gorge, the scene of a tragic shipwreck and a heroic rescue
- After that, it’s back to the Twelve Apostles to see them in daylight – here is your opportunity for a helicopter flight (optional but highly recommended at $145 for a 15-minute flight)
- Then it’s off to Gibson’s Steps to see one of the Apostles from the beach
- A beautiful one-hour drive through the Great Otway National Park takes us towards Maits Rest, where we will do a guided rainforest walk
- We stop for lunch in the seaside town of Apollo Bay
- In the afternoon, we wind our way along the Surf Coast towards Bells Beach, driving the original stretch of the Great Ocean Road that hugs the ocean all the way (about two hours of stunning scenery) – we may see some surfers at Bells Beach
- Back to Melbourne (one and a half hour drive up the highway), arriving from 7.00 pm onwards
Start & Finish
Tour Starts:
Melbourne CBD Area
- 07:20 - Adina Apartment Hotel
- 08:30 - Bunnings Waurn Ponds
- 07:40 - Crown Towers
- 07:10 - Grand Hyatt Melbourne
- 07:35 - Immigration Museum
- 07:00 - Melbourne Marriott Hotel
- 06:55 - Pegasus Apart Hotel
- 07:05 - Space Hotel
- 07:25 - The Savoy Hotel
Tour Finishes
Melbourne CBD Area at approximately 6pm
What to bring
CLOTHING
- Comfortable hiking/walking shoes
- Warm jacket and long pants. Night times temperatures can drop down 5 degrees celcius
- Long Sleeve shirt for protection from the Sun and Mosquitoes
- Shorts and T Shirts for daytime hikes and walks
- Swimwear
- Hat and sunglasses
EQUIPMENT / OTHER
- Sunscreen
- Towel & toiletries
- Insect repellent
- Refillable water bottle
- Mp3 Player / iPod
- Rechargers
- Torch
- Camera
What is included
TRANSPORT
- 4WD - Custom-prepared airconditioned mini bus
ACCOMMODATION
- Accommodation at the hostel is in a mixed dorm room
MEALS
- Dinner (let us know if you have dietary requirements)
- Buffet continental breakfast
- Afternoon tea
OTHER
- National Park entry fees
- Friendly and experienced guide
Personal travel insurance is not included but visitors are advised to have it. This can be organised through your travel agent.
Trip Info
Preparing for the trip
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 should I pack?
Depending on where in Australia you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.
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 will carry an first aid box and our guides are all certified in First Aid.
How much luggage can I take?
You may bring a backpack and suitcases and it will be stored securely in our trailer or under the bus during the trip. We recommend bring a smaller day pack to store your daily essentials such as drinks, jackets and sunscreen while on tour.
Where can I store my luggage whilst on tour?
During the tour your main luggage will be stored in our trailer. This trailer is always locked however we cannot guarantee the complete safety of your gear from theft or damage. This is why it is so important to purchase a good travel insurance.
If you need to store your luggage whilst away on tour, this can be done through your accommodation. Most hostel and hotels will store your luggage safely free of charge.
Will I be able to do any laundry whilst on tour?
Generally you will not have enough time to do laundry whilst on tour. You will be having far too much fun! However, for longer tours heading towards Adelaide involving hostel style accommodation you may have the opportunity to wash your clothes if really need. Please enquire by contact us directly via email or phone.
Do I need a sleeping bag?
For all camping tours in the Northern Territory you will need a sleeping bag. The Northern Territory can get very cold at night, especially during the months of June and July. If you don't have one then they are available for hire. Please refer to the "What to bring" section of the tour page for pricing.
How fit do I need to be?
Our tours are made 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/walking up to 5km each day.
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.
Can I get online whilst travelling?
For tours incorporating hostel/hotel style accommodation you may have the opportunity to use wireless internet or use of nearby internet cafe.
This will vary from tour to tour so please contact us directly for more accurate information.
For camping tours internet will not be available.
Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?
If you are using Telstra as your mobile service provider than most likely yes! Their coverage of Australia is quite extensive so you shouldn't have too much trouble.
Private tours and families
Is it possible to travel in a private group?
Definitely! Just choose an existing itinerary or destination and contact us we can help you arrange the trip as a private tour.
If your looking for a customised itinerary we can tailor make a tour to suit your requirement.
Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip. Our team can help you decide on destinations best suits your needs and give you additional information on the best time to visit, cultural expectations, weather conditions and so fourth.
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.
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.
Can I just do a section of this tour and not the whole trip?
Unfortunately it is not possible to only do a part of the tour. Passengers generally need to stay with the tour from start to finish.
However, drop off locations at the end of the tour made me negotiated.
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 we generally say 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.
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 this tour for me?
Our tours are made up of small groups with a range of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds. Generally people who travel with us are between 20 and 45, though we also get alot passengers much older onboard - everyone is welcome! On tour we get equally as many males as females and everyone shares an enthusiasm for the out doors, nature, adventure and culture.
Our tours are for those wanting to really explore Australia and share the experience with likeminded travellers. Whether we are camping by a billabong in Kakadu National Park or sharing a cabin in Tasmania, our travellers want more than just a site seeing tour. They are chasing a hands on group experience.
The trips are packed with many highlights and the pace can be fast. There may be some long drives and passengers should expect to help out when setting up camp or cooking food - this is a group adventure. However, there’s always time to chill out, have a cold beer ( or wine! ) and soak up your surroundings.
As always, if in doubt then contact us directly with your concerns.
What type of groups go on these tours?
Onboard our tours there are usually around 5 - 24 people ( depending on the tour and destination ). Lost In Australia's travellers want to explore the country and develop a real sense for the land, nature and its people. We travel in small groups which allows us to get from destination to destination quickly and effortlessly whilst being flexible and free!
Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?
We have many travellers jumping onboard our tours by themselves. Those travelling by themselves are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that will last a life time.
Those who do travel by themselves will probably be sharing 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. For camping tours, generally there are enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.
For more information please contact us directly.
How many people will be on tour?
Group sizes vary from tour to tour. You can find the size of your group by checking out information at the top right hand corner of the tour page. Group sizes range of 5 - 24 people.
Is there an age limit?
We get a large range of travellers from all over the world and from a very large age range. We get people of all ages joining these trips; generally our travellers vary between 21 - 45 though we also get many happy travellers in their 60s and 70s. Some tours however have a restriction on children under the age of 16 - 18. This will depend on the destination so please email us for more info.
Do I need to be able to swim?
Not really. The centre of Australia is quite dry and there is very few places where we are allowed to swim. However, for tours heading upwards towards Darwin there may be areas for swimming. If you aren't able to swim then you don't need to go into the water. In many cases there may be shallow areas when you can still get wet without having to actually swim. Please contact us for more information.
Cost and Fees
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.
Will I need additional money?
Visitors are advised to bring some cash as ATMs and banks can be few and far between depending on where we are during the trip. Its handy to have some extra cash as we do stop by local shops and cafe.
Do I need to tip our guide?
If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip the guide, then that is completely up to you. However, tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.
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.
Whilst on tour
What will the food be like?
Our emphasis is on fresh food wherever possible and our meals are nutritious and varied on these tours. If you are vegetarian or gluten intolerant we can cater for you, but if you have very specific dietary needs you may need to provide your own food, please discuss this at time of booking. For breakfast we supply cereals, fruits, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch is usually a self-serve picnic sandwich and salads; in the evening we have a cooked dinner - This can vary between pastas, bbqs, rices and other hearty food to keep you energized! We always carry water in the vehicle and you will often have the chance to buy your own drinks, ice-creams etc at stops. Please refer to each individual tour/package to establish which meals are included.
Can you cater of special diets?
We can certain cater for most dietary needs. Please advise us at the time of your booking so arrangements can be made. For travellers with more extreme diets we may ask that you bring along additional snacks.
Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?
Definitely - We know Australia inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations.
Where do I meet the tour?
Our tour guide picks up from all major hotels and hostels. For pick locations in suburban or rural areas please contact us to arrange a meeting point and time.