Watch the sunset behind the 12 Apostles, stand among the world’s tallest trees, explore an extinct volcano, and see native Australian wildlife, including lazy koalas, kangaroos, emus and echidna. Walk a section of the Great Ocean Walk, stay in a brewery and experience the Surf Coast lifestyle with its famous beaches. And that’s just the start of it.
Tour Inclusions
- See the Great Ocean Road at your own pace and avoid the crowds.
- Watch the sunset behind the 12 Apostles.
- See landmarks along the Great Ocean Road that other tours miss.
- Explore an extinct volcano with native Australian wildlife.
- Join a guided Aboriginal cultural nature walk.
- Stay in a boutique guesthouse with shared facilities and sample a local brew (at your own cost).
- Walk a section of the Great Ocean Walk.
- See the limestone formations and spectacular coastline from the sandy beach at Gibson Steps.
- Take Instagram-worthy photos among the Otways Redwoods.
Tour Details
- Tour Code: GOR2-B / GOR2-S / GOR2-P
- Runs: Sundays (*select departures)
- Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
- Departure: 9:35 am
- Returns: 7:00 pm
- Accommodation: 1 Night in a Guesthouse
- Facilities: Shared bathroom facilities
Full Itinerary
Day 1 – Melbourne to Port Campbell
We start the day with a drive through the ancient lava flows of western Victoria and head to the seaside town of Warrnambool. We detour to Tower Hill to see Australia’s most recently extinct volcano and native Australian wildlife. Join a guided walk with Worn Gundidj to learn about the traditional Aboriginal lifestyle and get up close to some of Australia’s most famous icons.
We then drive the Great Ocean Road in reverse, starting with the Shipwreck Coast and its landmarks, the Bay of Islands, The Grotto and London Bridge. We have some time to explore the village of Port Campbell. In the evening, we sample local beers from Sow & Piglets Brewery with dinner and watch the sunset at the 12 Apostles.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Sow and Piglets Guest House (formerly Port Campbell Hostel) or similar (private rooms or 6-8 bed shared accommodation, all rooms use shared bathroom facilities)
Driving Distance: 380km
Hike Distance: 2km
Day 2 – Port Campbell to Melbourne
Day 2 starts with an early morning descent down the stairs to the secluded beach at Loch Ard Gorge before the crowds arrive at this perfect spot. Then, we walk a section of the Great Ocean Walk and descend to the beach at the Apostles at Gibson Steps. We then retreat into the Otway rainforest, where the hidden Redwoods of the Otways will blow your mind. Here, the tallest and second tallest trees in the world stand side by side.
We then continue on our journey and drive past the townships of Apollo Bay and Lorne and enjoy the Aussie beach life. We visit the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery for some treats and one of Australia’s most popular surf beaches. The tour concludes around 7:00 pm.
Breakfast N/A
Driving Distance: 300km
Hike Distance: 3km
Tour operator reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary schedule during seasonal weather fluctuations and/or park closures.
Pickup Times
- 6:55 AM: Space Hotel, 380 Russell St, Melbourne
- 7:00 AM – Ibis on Therry, 15-21 Therry St, Melbourne
- 7:05 AM: Pegasus Apartments Hotel, 206 A'Beckett St, Melbourne
- 7:10 AM: Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St, Melbourne
- 7:15 AM: Windsor Hotel, 111 Spring St, Melbourne (Exclusive to Hotel Guests)
- 7:25 AM: The Savoy Hotel, 630 Little Collins St, Melbourne
- 7:35 AM: Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St, corner of Market St, Melbourne
*Please arrive 5-10 mins prior to your nominated pickup location and time, so as not to delay or miss your tour. We ask you to wait outside the front of the hotel and not inside the foyer.
Tour Inclusions
- Any meals not listed in the itinerary. If you have special dietary needs, please bring snacks, as options are limited in the outback.
- Hotel transfers to/from the nominated pick-up point pre/post-tour itinerary
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal expenses
What To Pack
- Water Bottle - 2L
- Hiking shoes (recommended)
- Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Prescribed medications
- Camera
- All-weather clothing
- A sense of adventure!
- Binoculars for bird watching
Tour Inclusions
- Return to/from Melbourne
- 1-night accommodation with shared bathroom facilities (Port Campbell)
- 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
- Aboriginal cultural experience
- National Park entrance fees
- Guided walks (~5km total)
- Guaranteed sightings of the Australian array of wildlife in its natural habitat
- Air-conditioned mini-coach
- Local Commentary
- Inner-city pick-up/drop-off points
Gallery
What To Bring
- A wide-brimmed hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Tropical strength insect repellent
- Swimwear and beach towel
- Refillable water bottle
- Comfortable walking shoes/boots
- Camera
- Money for lunch and snacks (alternatively BYO as we will have an eski onboard for chilled items)
- Small day bag
- Hand sanitiser
Important Notes
- This tour will only depart if we have 8 passengers or more. We will wait until one week before departure to cancel if minimum numbers aren’t met.
- The itinerary may be subject to change due to cultural reasons, seasonal weather changes, operational logistics and accessibility.
- Please email our Reservations Team ([email protected]) at least 48 hours prior to departure to confirm pick-up location and time.
- Travel Insurance is highly recommended.
- COVID-19 – together we can stop the spread, please seek medical attention and stay at home if you are feeling unwell
- Remember to double-check your exciting tour plans with the tour operator! Just ring them at 03 9393 1300 within seven days of your departure.
- Before you embark on your adventure, let the tour perform the operator's pre-existing medical conditions.
Check Availability & Book
FAQ
What’s special about Great Otway National Park?
Great Otway National Park in Victoria, Australia, is home to many different ecosystems, ancient rainforests, coastlines and waterfalls like Erskine Falls and Triplet Falls. It’s also a wildlife haven with koalas, kangaroos and many bird species, so it’s a nature lover’s paradise.
What is the Great Ocean Road?
The Great Ocean Road is a 243km long road along the southeastern coast of Australia between Torquay and Allansford in Victoria. It’s famous for its coastal views, tall cliffs and the Twelve Apostles.
What are the Otways?
The Otways, also known as the Otway Ranges, is a region in southwestern Victoria, Australia. Great Otway National Park is part of the Otways and has many outdoor activities like hiking, excellent camping opportunities and wildlife viewing.
Are there any shipwrecks on the Great Ocean Road?
The Shipwreck Coast along the Great Ocean Road has a long history of shipwrecks, with over 200 documented. One of the most famous is the Loch Ard Gorge, which was named after a shipwreck in 1878.
When should I visit the Great Ocean Road and the Otways?
The best time to visit the Great Ocean Road and the Otways is during the Australian spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) when the weather is mild and outdoor activities are more enjoyable. However, the region is beautiful all year round, with each season having its own charm.
Are there any lighthouses on the Great Ocean Road?
There are several historic lighthouses along the Great Ocean Road rugged coastline. One is the Cape Otway Lightstation, Australia’s oldest working lighthouse which has stunning views of the Southern Ocean and the national park.