Great Ocean Road Tours

The Great Ocean Road officially starts at Torquay on the Surf Coast and finishes at Allansford, near Warrnambool. Our tours depart from Melbourne, with the route and stops varying depending on the tour package you choose. Some itineraries include highlights such as the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, while others cover different sections and attractions along the way.

Roughly 275 kilometres, or about three hours each way by the inland route. The coastal route takes longer because it winds. Our tours use one route out and the other back so you see both, which is why the day runs long.

Plan on a full day. Pickup is early morning in Melbourne and you are back in the city in the evening.

The Reverse tour (starts from $175) runs the itinerary backwards, so you reach the Twelve Apostles when most coaches have gone. Same sights, quieter viewing platforms, better light for photos. The standard 1 Day tour (starts from $95) follows the usual direction and is the cheapest way to see the road.

Koalas may be spotted during the tour, but sightings aren’t guaranteed as they are wild animals. Their movements and behaviour can vary from day to day, so there may be times when they’re easier to spot than others. Keep an eye on the trees during your visit, as koalas may be resting or moving between them.

Any month works. December to February is the warmest and busiest. March to May gives clear days and thinner crowds. June to August brings big surf and dramatic light at the Apostles, with whales passing the coast between June and September. Winter days are shorter, so tours move quickly.

The Sunset tour (starts from $155) is timed so you are standing at the Twelve Apostles as the light drops, which is when the stacks turn gold and the crowds thin out. If photos matter to you, it is the pick. If you want the cheapest look at the coast, take the 1 Day tour.

There were never twelve. Eight limestone stacks remain after one collapsed in 2005. The rest of the coastline is still eroding at roughly two centimetres a year, which is how the stacks formed in the first place.

Yes. The 2 Day tour ($399) gives you time at Loch Ard Gorge and the Otway rainforest without the rush, and includes an overnight stop. There is also a two day combination with the Grampians ($590).