Travelling on Victoria’s heritage-listed Great Ocean Road is one of the greatest road trips you can have in Australia. Our Great Ocean Road Private fully customizable tour features amazing scenery, stories and wildlife in a leisurely drive that will have you gasping at every turn.
This 244-kilometre-long stretch meanders through secret bays filled with rock pools, imposing sandstone cliffs, lush rain forests and deserted beaches. Dotted with quaint seaside towns, coastal walks and shipwreck stories makes this region immensely popular.
A highlight of the tour is visiting the Twelve Apostles, limestone karsts that rise majestically out of the water off the coast.
We have a fleet of 7-seater and 11-seater buses for your group and the price is for the driver/guide and vehicle, not per person.
The tour is fully customized and pick up is from your accommodation. We stop often and avoid the crowds, living up to our motto of ‘Let the others rush!’.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Private transportation
✔ Bottled water
✔ In-vehicle air conditioning
✔ All fees and/or taxes
✖ Lunch
✖ Dinner
Pickup Locations
1. Parkville Place Apartments
2. City East Motel
3. Parkville Motel
4. Collingwood Accommodation Melbourne
5. Toorak Manor
6. Royal Derby Hotel
7. Southern Cross Botanica
8. St. Georges Motor Inn
9. Clarion Suites Gateway
10. Tolarno Hotel
11. City Square Motel
12. The Prince Hotel
13. Pegasus Apart'Hotel
14. Brady Hotels Central Melbourne
15. Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Southbank, an IHG Hotel
16. Clocktower Apartment Hotel
17. Apartments on Flemington
18. Best Western Melbourne City
19. Bayview Eden Melbourne
20. Mantra 100 Exhibition Melbourne
Additional Info: We Pick up from all Melbourne CBD Hotels and serviced apartments.
Itinerary
1
Anglesea
We stop to look for kangaroos, whilst enjoying complimentary morning tea on the banks of the picturesque Anglesea River. Anglesea is a beautiful seaside village surrounded by forest and coastal scenery, with the vast expanse of sand surrounding the mouth of the Anglesea river being a popular spot for tourists.
Duration: 30 minutes
2
Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway
The Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway was built in 1939 to commemorate the men lost in World War One, and marks the gateway to this well-known coastal drive. Your guide will take individual, family or group photos with the Great Ocean Road sign hanging from the Memorial Arch in the background, or take your own selfies. A real postcard shot!!
Duration: 20 minutes
3
Lorne
Set amongst tall gum trees, Lorne is an iconic seaside town and a popular destination for many Melbournians. We drive up the mountain to a secluded lookout to enjoy wonderful views of the Great Ocean Road. Your guide will take some time explaining about the local Aboriginal culture, food and bush medicines.
Duration: 20 minutes
4
Mount Defiance Lookout
A spectacular ocean lookout offering panoramic views of the Great Ocean Road and the first permanent resting place of convict William Buckley. Have your camera ready to take amazing photos of the cliffs hugging the Great Ocean Road and the sweeping ocean backdrop. Ever heard of the Australian saying, “you have two chances Buckley’s and none”? Well, your guide will share with you the fascinating story of William Buckley and his tale of survival against all odds.
Duration: 20 minutes
5
Kennett River
Time to spot Koalas in their natural environment, hanging out in the eucalyptus trees and if you’re lucky you can get up close to King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas here. Kennett River is situated in a beautiful setting between the forest and the sea. This spot is always a favourite amongst our guests on our Great Ocean Road tour.
Duration: 30 minutes
6
Lavers Hill
The small township of Lavers Hill is the highest point on the Great Ocean Road and is located inland between Apollo Bay and the glorious Twelve Apostles. If you haven’t already eaten, this is a great place to enjoy a bite to eat. Lunch at your own expense.
Duration: 30 minutes
7
Mait's Rest
Explore a cool temperate rain forest of Beech trees and Mountain Ash gum trees in the Great Otway National Park. This 20 minute walk along a mixture of boardwalks and gravel paths takes you along a valley floor in part of this ancient rainforest. See the giant rainforest trees - some up to 300 years old - rise up through the mists, creating a canopy for the beautiful array of fern gardens and moss on the forest floor. If you are lucky you may see some of the local natural wildlife inhabitants, including Swamp Wallabies, Koalas, Ring Tailed Possums and Grey Kangaroos.
Duration: 30 minutes
8
Twelve Apostles
An iconic view. Take your time to soak up the sight of the magnificent limestone sea stacks that rise from the Southern Ocean and form the official Twelve Apostles; currently there are eight Apostles left, the ninth having dramatically collapsed in July 2005.
These monoliths have been created by the constant erosion of limestone cliffs over 10-20 millions years ago; the stormy Southern Ocean and gusty winds have gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs, then arches, until rock stacks up to 45 metres high have been crafted, completely isolated from the shore. View the Twelves Apostles at sunset or sunrise (on our two-day tour) to see the changing colours from dark in the shadows to a brilliant sandy yellow in the full sun. Nature in all its glory.
Duration: 30 minutes
9
Loch Ard Gorge
The Loch Ard Gorge is a favourite stop off point along the Great Ocean Road. The picturesque gorge is flanked by two yellow-washed cliff faces, a smooth bay and inlet of clear, blue water. Wander the trail down to the Gorge, take in the natural beauty and view the location of Australia’s most famous shipwreck - the Loch Ard - and hear its story of loss and survival. Loch Ard Gorge is the start of the Apostles from the opposite end, where you can also see the Razor Back and Honey Pots rock formations.
Duration: 20 minutes
10
Colac
Colac is situated on a huge, rich volcanic plain and the area is mainly used for agriculture and pastoral purposes. It is on the way home to Melbourne, so a perfect place to stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat if you’re hungry. Colac offers a variety of takeaway cafes, or if you would prefer we can drop you back at your preferred location within Melbourne CBD and you can have dinner at a restaurant of your choice. Dinner at your own expense.
Duration: 30 minutes
Additional info
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
