Around And About Great Ocean Road Tour

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Want to see the Great Ocean Road but only have a day to spare? This one-day tour from Melbourne covers all the highlights the road has to offer.

Days

12 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group, max 11

Start / finish

Melbourne / Melbourne

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Pick-up from most Melbourne city hotels and hostels

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Around And About Great Ocean Road Tour

View map

Included experiences

12 Apostles — morning visit before the crowds
Port Campbell — join the Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road — coastal drive east to Bells Beach
Bells Beach

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: INLAND TO THE SHIPWRECK COAST

This tour runs the Great Ocean Road backwards, which is the point. Pick-ups start around 5:10am, the 12-seat minibus leaves Melbourne at 6:15am, and rather than crawling along the coast it heads inland through the dairy country around Colac, with a stop for the toilets and a coffee (at your own cost). The road meets the coast at Port Campbell, the small town at the centre of Port Campbell National Park. By heading straight for the far end first, you reach the famous lookouts in the morning, before the day-trip coaches arrive.

MORNING: LONDON BRIDGE TO THE 12 APOSTLES

The first stops come quickly. London Bridge was a double-arched headland until 1990, when the span joining it to the mainland fell into the sea and two visitors had to be lifted off by helicopter. The Arch is a smaller rock arch the waves are still carving. At Loch Ard Gorge, with the Razorback and Island Archway close by, the clipper Loch Ard was wrecked in 1878 and only two of the 54 on board survived. Then the 12 Apostles, limestone stacks up to 45 metres high that once had the less romantic name of the Sow and Piglets. Want to see them from above? A helicopter flight can be added at your own cost.

MIDDAY: THE OTWAY RAINFOREST

Lunch is at Lavers Hill (at your own cost), up on the ridge of the Otway Ranges, then the road winds down through the Otway forest. At Maits Rest a short boardwalk loop takes you under myrtle beech and giant tree ferns in cool temperate rainforest, damp and green even in summer. Further east at Kennett River, look up into the manna gums: it's one of the best places in Victoria to see wild koalas, and king parrots and crimson rosellas often come down to visitors.

AFTERNOON: THE SURF COAST AND HOME

From here the road hugs the cliffs, with stops at lookouts along the way and a quick break in Lorne for the beach and the shops. The Memorial Arch marks the road itself, built between 1919 and 1932 by about 3,000 returned First World War soldiers, which makes it the world's largest war memorial. After Fairhaven Beach, the last stop is Bells Beach, home of an Easter surf contest held since the early 1960s; look for kangaroos grazing on the clifftops. Then it's the freeway home, back in Melbourne city at about 6pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from most city hotels and hostels in Melbourne.
Suits: All ages.

What to bring

Your own water bottle

What is included

Pick-up from most Melbourne city hotels and hostels
Chilled water (bring your own water bottle)
Park fees

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 5 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)

“Beat the crowds!”

Walter had us up very early and did the route in reverse, so we had most stops to ourselves. He's a great storyteller with real local knowledge, spotted wallabies, a kookaburra, kangaroos, koalas and parrots for us, and knew every toilet stop. We felt really cared for.

Chris and Rebec... S Verified· Travelled 1st July 2026

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(5/5)

“A day to never forget”

Walter was informative and accommodating, the weather was beautiful and we were lucky to see whales, a koala and kangaroos.

Sightsee722423 Verified· Travelled 1st June 2025

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(5/5)

“The Great Ocean Road Trip”

Walter was as amazing as the tour. We left early and got back late, he clearly explained each stop and its timing, and we got pristine photos before the crowds. Beach walks, caves, rainforest, Bells Beach surfers and an optional helicopter flight where we saw a whale and calf.

travelheather4850 Verified· Travelled 1st July 2022

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(5/5)

“Highly recommended day on Great Ocean Road”

All the main highlights with time to look around and even a helicopter ride. Walter was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

kat r Verified· Travelled 1st July 2022

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(5/5)

“Well planned and fun”

Walter was kind and patient, and his planning beat the traffic.

Nikitas_8919 Verified· Travelled 1st January 2022

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