Hit The Road Tours Great Ocean Road Small Groups Premium Tour

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A premium small-group Great Ocean Road day from Melbourne with hotel pick-up, running in reverse to reach at least four attractions on the 12 Apostles coast before the crowds.

Days

Full day, about 12 hours

Age

7 years and over

Group size

Small group, 12-seat minibus

Start / finish

Melbourne / Melbourne
Melbourne CBD hotel, around 7pm

Return

Melbourne CBD hotel, around 7pm

Transport

12-seat minibus with Melbourne CBD hotel pick-up

Meals

No meals are listed as included; breakfast and lunch stops at own cost

Route

Map of Hit The Road Tours Great Ocean Road Small Groups Premium Tour

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Included experiences

12 Apostles — lookouts before the crowds
Loch Ard Gorge — beach and shipwreck story
The Razorback and Gibson Steps
Great Otway National Park — 20-minute rainforest walk
Kenneth River — wild koalas and parrots
Lorne — beachfront stop

Hit The Road Tours Great Ocean Road Small Groups Premium Tour

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Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: MELBOURNE TO THE 12 APOSTLES

Your hotel pick-up in Melbourne's city centre is early, around 6:30am, as this tour runs the Great Ocean Road in reverse. Rather than following the crowds along the coast, your guide drives inland first to reach the famous rocks before the coaches do. The breakfast and coffee stop is in a country town on the way, a chance to stretch your legs. Then it's across the volcanic plains of the Western District, once dotted with sheep stations, to the Southern Ocean, with good music and good chat on the way in a roomy 12-seat minibus.

LATE MORNING: THE 12 APOSTLES COAST

At the 12 Apostles the limestone stacks rise up to about 45 metres from the sea. The waves cut them from the cliffs over thousands of years, and there were never twelve; one of the stacks collapsed in 2005. You'll see at least four sights on this stretch. The Razorback is a thin, jagged fin of limestone being eaten away by the sea. Loch Ard Gorge is named after the clipper wrecked here in 1878, when only two of the 54 people aboard survived. At Gibson Steps you can walk 86 steps down to the beach and look up at the cliffs.

MIDDAY: LUNCH AND THE OTWAY RAINFOREST

Lunch is in Port Campbell or Apollo Bay, with time for a walk down to the beach for photos. Heading east, the road climbs into the Great Otway National Park, one of the wettest parts of Victoria, where you take a 20-minute walk through cool temperate rainforest. Look for giant tree ferns, mossy myrtle beech trees and clear streams under a dark green canopy. It's a very different world from the cliffs you saw an hour earlier.

AFTERNOON: THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD HOME

Now you drive the Great Ocean Road itself, built by soldiers returned from the First World War between 1919 and 1932 as a memorial to those who didn't come back. Through Apollo Bay your guide shares the stories of the coast. At Kennett River, wild koalas often doze in the gum trees beside the road, and king parrots and crimson rosellas come down to see what's going on. The last stop is Lorne, on the curve of Loutit Bay, for one more look at the beach before you're dropped at your hotel around 7pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from your Melbourne CBD hotel at around 6:30am; the time is confirmed the day before.
Finishes: Melbourne, around 7pm.
Minimum age: 7 years. Under 7s must use child restraints under VicRoads rules, which aren't available in the minibuses, and will be refused boarding without a refund.
Please note: If you are travelling with people on a different booking, let us know at least 24 hours ahead; with multiple buses, seats together can't be guaranteed otherwise.
Cancellation: Full refund if cancelled up to 48 hours before the tour. No refund after that.

What is included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Melbourne CBD
Spacious 12-seat minibus
Guide
At least four attractions on the Twelve Apostles coast

Not included

Meals and coffee stops

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

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.

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.

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.