Great Ocean Road Day Trip from Melbourne: A Small-Group Coastal Journey with Nature Encounters

Embark on a small-group coastal journey along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, exploring breathtaking landscapes and encountering native Australian animals. Capture the magic of the Twelve Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge and contribute to koala conservation by planting a tree in their habitat.

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Apollo bay township - Spend some time exploring the quaint coastal town of Apollo Bay. A sleepy little town located at the foothills of the Otways. Enjoy some free time to explore the long sandy beaches or enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many locally sourced food offerings.
  • Great Otway National Park - Enjoy exclusive access to the Great…
What's Included
  • Selected City Centre Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Live commentary on board
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Embark on an awe-inspiring adventure along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road with a knowledgeable guide who will drive you through 243 kilometers of the world’s most stunning coastal scenery. Enjoy a delightful lunch at the charming coastal town of Apollo Bay. Immerse yourself in nature while observing a variety of Australian native animals in their natural…

Location
Mercure Melbourne Southbank
Riverside Quay
Please meet your guide at the entrance of Mercure Melbourne Southbank hotel.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(263 Ratings)
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Marbarcork
Apr 26, 2025
Incredible Road Trip - My Husband, Myself and Our son were picked up at our hotel at 7.30am. We were lucky enough to have an amazing guide called Sarah. This was a small group tour so there were 9 passengers and Sarah. Within an hour we did a bathroom and coffee stop. This was much appreciated because of the early start. Sarah kept us informed as to our plans as we travelled along and shared her immense knowledge of the area with us. We travelled with a pretty good group of people who followed Sarahs directive on timing etc and so we were able to remain in front of the large bus tours all day ,avoiding the crowds and giving us prime viewing and photo opportunity . Lunch was not included in the tour but Sarah stopped at Apollo Bay at a Bakery that was famous for its Scallop pies. I must confess I did not have the scallop pie but we did try some if the other pies and sausage rolls on offer and they were delicious. At different stops we were able to get out and walk around. It was a very busy but enjoyable day with stunning scenery and an amazing guide who had to drive a very long distance and kept us entertained throughout the day.. I think the highlight of the day for me was The 12 Apostles (7.5). To actually see them in person was incredible. Thank you Oceania and Thank you Sarah.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
841cliffs
Apr 25, 2025
A great Great ocean road - A great day out with Adam on the Great Ocean Road. A fantastic guide and driver. Very accommodating and knowledgeable and found us koalas, kangaroos and kookaburras.
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Georgina_a
Apr 25, 2025
Everything and more experience .... - The tour guide was friendly and helpful. Plenty of stops to take in views. Helicopter ride was perfect to see 12 Apostles. Nice relaxed pace, the driver was an excellent driver thank you!
Review provided by Viator
Keith1812
Apr 5, 2025
Truly wonderful day - We were collected from our hotel 10 minutes early which was a good omen and the tour just got better. The Guide was Sarah who mentioned to me that she was interested in bird watching and am I. It was a small group and Sarah kept the trip very interesting and stopped regularly to point out interesting views etc as well as leading us on short walks. A thoroughly enjoyable experience lead by a wonderful guide who had to undertake a lot of driving
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Rwkchang
Mar 31, 2025
Great Tour - Highly Recommend - Highly recommend this tour organizer. We had Kevin as our driver along the Great Ocean Road and he was fantastic. Lots of great information and funny dude. Made a lot of great stops along the way, including getting to see wildlife like kangaroos and koalas. Definitely worth it and much thanks for a wonderful day.
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Letylooh
Mar 23, 2025
I recommend 100% - It was a beautiful experience, I went alone and Sarah, the guide, made me feel confident. At some point given the turns on the road I felt dizzy and she was very worried that I would feel good, after a while I felt super good and I could enjoy the ride. We could see koalas in their habitat and the 12 apostles was wonderfuloooooo, it was like being in a movie. I recommend it 100%.
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Jenniferm9629
Mar 22, 2025
Breathtaking views; awesome guide - We had a great experience with Sarah, our tour guide, on The Great Ocean Road tour. She managed the group and timing with great care and skill and was extremely knowledgeable. She kept us informed throughout the day on timing, stops, sights, etc so that we could plan accordingly - essential and most appreciated on such a long days’ journey. She also set the tone for a very pleasant day with 9 strangers! The Ocean Road is breathtaking. California meets Hawaii meets Ireland! I recommend this tour with Oceania. The bus was comfortable and clean. Stops were well timed. And the smaller bus/group made it much easier to navigate and enjoy the busy route! Twelve hours of traveling makes for a long day and all of these factors contributed to a great experience. Many thanks to Sarah for making it a day well spent!!
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Melaniebj580nq
Mar 12, 2025
Make it absolutely necessary - A really great day with Berd(?).He gave us great tips,was very pleasant in his person and thanks to him we were also allowed to see 5 koalas.A very great day
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Goanywhere2014
Mar 11, 2025
Amazing Day on the Great Ocean Road! - We had a wonderful tour today - March 11 with Sarah! She was amazing! Her knowledge of the flora and fauna and the Great Ocean Road is fabulous! She took us to a small street where we saw Koalas and on the way home she found us a place to view some kangaroos!! The Ocean Road stops were exciting and beautiful! I would highly recommend this tour! Everything and more than we expected!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ilarianb
Mar 16, 2025
Fogged windows travel in economy - With a local agency I booked a tour to see the 12 apostles while my husband worked. I receive an email from the agency telling me that the tour lasts from 8 to 19 but to be at 8 to 10 in front of a hotel (not mine) . I ask several times for confirmation and so it would seem. I take a taxi and find myself at 8 to twenty in front of the famous unknown hotel alone in the rain. Nothing comes nobody. My husband gets a phone call from the tour (which is not the agency we are leaning on) saying that was not the appointment and they were annoyed. We already puzzled (we have all the emails for the duration and place). They were annoyed but arrive 30 minutes late so I stay out of the hotel unknown a lot. In the cold (it was raining). I get into the mini van that was already complete and sit in a single seat at the back. I was already tired. The tour starts. 4 Indians including 2 children 2 delightful British sitting next to me and 2 Canadians behind me. From our seats you could not see anything because the windows were cloudy and above all there was a freezing temperature 18 degrees but it was raining outside, then it opened and there were sun and clouds sometimes rain but always 28 degrees inside the van (I thought of bronchopneumonia). There were stops on stops, coffee, bathing several times, 2 times for the vomit of three customers etc. Let’s say a tour that already did not correspond to how I usually travel (30 min at each stop is too much). Spotted the kangaroos, with fogged windows the elderly Canadian behind me asks to go down to take 2 photos (kangaroo with small in a beautiful place). Nothing's wrong with the driver. The Canadian tells me: the lakes baths and coffee we have kangaroos not. I'll give him my pictures to at least have a memory. He was annoyed. Arrived at the eucalyptus trees he and others go down under the flood I did not because I had already seen the koalas up close. On the way back the old man sits next to the driver’s seat (the best seat and the most beautiful view). After 2 seconds they let him down because that is the seat of the lady who took him in the morning. Is it a game I wonder? After other (for me) useless stops to walk in the cold in the forest or to eat ( 1 h) we arrive at 5 (from 8:30 to 5😱😱) to the famous 12 apostles. I do not know how many knots there were but from the photos you will understand. I go back to the van first and ask the driver to take turns for the seats because in front it is business class, next to the driver it is first class where we (British and Canadian) cattle wagon were.... he tells me no. I say sorry I was nine hours late, spin the sessions and put the Canadian gentleman in front. It is objectively right. And the tour takes a different form. He tells me that in Australia it is done this way and not discussed. I say mine and that in all countries of the world for education it turns especially for the elderly and women. Inviperato gets out of the car tells me to sit down and shut up (as if I were his sister) I ask him if the others have paid more. He hands me his boss and I say, I will write emails to the agency. Exclusion argues on the phone about a terrible tour with a stranger .I then shut up in my cold and uncomfortable economy seat. After 1 minute my husband calls me and tells me that the head of the driver if I say another word leaves me x road (total madness, even if I had asked for caviar or to undress). On the street in the middle of nowhere? With 12 apostles who are rocks? I could have come back, I'm nice and polite and I know the world. But my phone was almost dead. Ahhhiiiia I go out (the others had not arrived and I desperately look for a ride among the other tourists who did not return to Melbourne. All indecent. I've never seen anything like it. Plus a wind that carried away. I'll get back in the van. Follows another stage.... 60 minutes to take 4 photos at 12 degrees. I go back up and think. Bad experience, Australian rules different from the rest of the world no respect for the elderly and women. We return to the city 2 h late (lost dinner and good mood for the magnificent landscapes that could finally be seen from my window.) The driver calls me by name and asks me where my hotel is. I'll answer crown. He leaves me at the service entrance. 15 min to find entrance (the service elevator led to places unknown to me and there was no 23 floor!!!) Good end to a day that I would not repeat even for a fee. In English we call ourselves you but I have a surname and 50 years, and I have ideas and education as well as that I know the label well during the trips also of group tours. Inquire and do not use this agency. I'm waiting for an apology tomorrow, which won't come. I attach the photos. mam the others
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $160
up to 11 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).