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Looking For The Best Great Ocean Road Tours From Melbourne?
You’re in the right place! In this article, we will help you pick the perfect Great Ocean Road tour for you.
Living near the Great Ocean Road we’ve spent heaps of time in the area enjoying the scenery in between hikes and exploring seaside villages.
If you’re planning a trip here, lucky you! The Great Ocean Road is one of the best coastal drives in the world and offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll never forget.
Taking one of the excellent Great Ocean Road tours from Melbourne is the easiest way to see this magnificent coastal part of Victoria.
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Our Favourite: Great Ocean Road Plus Koalas, Forest Walk & Morning Tea
An affordable one day group tour with wildlife, a nature walk, and morning tea.
There are many tours to choose from depending on how much time you have and your preferred style of travel. There are one, two, three, and even four day day trips available.
You can do a group tour, which is great for meeting people as well as the budget. Or, you can go on a private tour, which is perfect if you’d like to set your own itinerary.
No matter what type of tour you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.
Below we’ve compiled a list of the best Great Ocean Road tours from Melbourne, complete with all the information you need to know to plan the perfect trip!
Our Top 3 Picks: Great Ocean Road Tours From Melbourne
#1 TOP PICK
#2 PICK
#3 PICK
1 Day Great Ocean Road Tours From Melbourne
Whether you want to take a group Great Ocean Road day tour from Melbourne or would like the services of your own dedicated driver guide, below you’ll find plenty of options to suit every budget!
Read on to discover 15 of the best one, two, three, and four day tours of the Great Ocean Road area.
1) Great Ocean Road Tour Plus Koalas, Forest Walk, And Morning Tea
Duration: 13 hours
Food and drinks included: Morning tea (lunch and dinner at own expense)
This whistle-stop trip is the pick of the Great Ocean Road tours from Melbourne when you want to do it all in one day.
The tour lasts for 13 hours, during which time you’ll see the star Great Ocean Road attraction – the 12 Apostles.
Several other top spots are also covered by the itinerary, including Loch Ard Gorge, Apollo Bay for swimming and lunch, and the koalas of Kennett River.
The first stop of the day is Front Beach in Torquay, from which you can also see Bell’s Beach, a famous surfing location.
You’ll also call at the photogenic Pole House in Fairhaven, the iconic Great Ocean Road sign, Cape Patton lookout, Gibson’s Steps, and The Razorback, and take a tall trees walk at Mait’s Rest.
The final stop is Colac, where you can choose a restaurant for dinner.
What Past Guests Have Said:
This was a spectacular experience led by an authentic, knowledgeable, kind, and engaging driver…The sights are once in a lifetime memories and the best way to see them is with a great driver on a well-structured tour. This is the one. – John_N
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Summary:
An action and attraction packed 13 hour tour with morning tea including local beaches, the 12 Apostles, koalas, and various scenic spots.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
2) Private Great Ocean Road Tour With Early Departure
Duration: 12 hours
Food and drinks included: Bottled water, fruit and snacks
If the idea of Great Ocean Road private tours appeals to you more, then how about this 12-hour trip commencing at 7 a.m?
It includes central hotel pick-up, travel by air-conditioned car, and is limited to only your group. You also get fruit, water, and other snacks thrown in.
I particularly like this tour as it’s tailor-made to your needs and you can choose your own stops.
This Great Ocean Road day tour itinerary focuses on highlights such as native wildlife – including kangaroos and koalas – breathtaking beaches and iconic local sights.
Stops include Torquay and other beaches, the memorial archway, Kennett River, Cape Patton, the 12 Apostles, and Loch Ard Gorge.
What Past Guests Have Said:
I highly recommend doing a private tour and James was the perfect tour guide. He catered the trip to make sure my son would enjoy it and we had a blast – Joshua_G
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Summary:
A 12 hour private trip by air conditioned car to see koalas and kangaroos, as well as Great Ocean Road beaches and other highlights.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
3) Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour
Duration: 12 hours
Food and drinks included: Bottled water
This one stands out as it heads in the opposite direction to other Melbourne tours of the Great Ocean Road.
An early start at 6.45 a.m also means you have more chance of beating the crowds. Starting with a stop in Winchelsea for morning tea and ending at Teddy’s Lookout in Lorne, you’ll take in all the area’s most stunning spots en route.
These include the 12 Apostles, Gibsons Steps, The Razorback, Loch Ard Gorge, Maits Rest, Apollo Bay, and Kennett River, plus Port Campbell and Great Otway National Parks.
In addition to rock formations, beaches, and rainforests, you can expect to see koalas and orange-bellied parrots during the day.
What Past Guests Have Said:
Long day but totally worth it!! The Gibson Steps and rainforest walk were my favourite parts. Neil was an amazing host and guide. Worth the trip! – Megan_M
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Summary:
An early start and following a reverse itinerary maximise your chances of beating the crowds on this boutique one day Great Ocean Road tour.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
4) From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Sunset Tour
Duration: 13 hours
Food and drinks included: No (lunch and dinner at own expense)
This Great Ocean Road trip from Melbourne is the best bet when you want to see the sun sink beyond the horizon, fronted by the famous 12 Apostles.
Beginning at one of six Melbourne pick-up points, you’ll pass by the beautiful beaches at Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay along the way.
Other sites of interest visited include the memorial arch for selfies, Gibson Steps, Kennett River for koala-spotting and Loch Ard Gorge.
Lunch and dinner stops are also included, so you can pick where to dine out with a view.
Your guide will also regale you with tales of the Surf Coast, shipwrecks and the construction of the iconic seaside road.
What Past Guests Have Said:
Rob was a great guide who managed to convey a lot of information in a fun way. The landscape is beautiful and the sunset was certainly an added value. The WiFi on the bus is an added value. It’s definitely worth it! – Liesbet
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Summary:
A 13 hour day trip beginning in central Melbourne and ending with sunset at the 12 Apostles. Also includes beaches, wildlife, and scenic lookouts.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
5) 12 Apostles and Shipwreck Coast Express Private Tour
Duration: 9 hours
Food and drinks included: Bottled water
If you prefer the idea of taking private Great Ocean Road tours with only your group for company, then this nine-hour trip might be the best choice.
This tour is particularly good when time is tight, as you’ll get back to Melbourne during mid-afternoon.
The untamed Shipwreck Coast forms the backdrop for your day, where you can see landmarks like Gibsons Steps, The Razorback, Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles.
Seeing native Australian wildlife including koalas and kangaroos is also a highlight.
Unlike numerous other Great Ocean Road trips from Melbourne, you’ll head to the 12 Apostles first to avoid the crowds.
Summary:
A private tour of the Great Ocean Road highlights that will get you back to Melbourne by mid-afternoon – but not without seeing some stunning sights.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
6) Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour for Backpackers Aged 18-35
Duration: 12 hours
Food and drinks included: Tea and coffee
This particular Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne is aimed at the 18 to 35 age group.
The tour is perfect for backpackers and other young people looking to connect with other travellers.
It’s also ideal for anyone hoping to see Australian wildlife like kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas in their natural habitat.
Pick-up at several central Melbourne and St Kilda hostels is included.
You’ll then head out on your Great Ocean Road adventure, commencing with the 12 Apostles and Port Campbell National Park and ending at the memorial archway.
En route, other stops include The Razorback, Gibsons Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, Apollo Bay, Kennett River, Lorne Pier, and Fairhaven Beach.
Summary:
A day trip for backpackers and 18 to 35 year olds, taking in local wildlife in addition to all the main Great Ocean Road icons.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
2 Day Great Ocean Road Tours
7) Great Ocean Road Highlights Tour: 2 Days 1 Night
Duration: 2 days
Food and drinks included: Bottled water
When Great Ocean Road day tours don’t seem enough to let you explore this area properly, why not consider a two-day trip?
This private tour takes you to all the sites that the day trips do, as well as a whole lot more. So you can really get to know this unparalleled region.
Additional stops include Castle Cove, the Bay of Martyrs, Melba Gully, the Princetown Wetlands Boardwalk, London Bridge, the Bay of Islands, and Cape Otway Lightstation.
You can also add optional walking tours in Melbourne at the start of the first day.
Options here include Melbourne Cricket Ground, Southbank, the Shrine of Remembrance, the Yarra River, Old Melbourne Gaol, and many more.
What Past Guests Have Said:
We had an amazing time. The driver James was super lovely well-informed and made our tour a better experience all round…It also helped that we arrived at most stops and had them to ourselves – Jake
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Summary:
A two day private tour including more Great Ocean Road highlights, including London Bridge, Cape Otway Lightstation, Melba Gully, and more.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
8) Private 2 Day Great Ocean Tour From Melbourne
Duration: 2 days
Food and drinks included: Bottled water
Another of the best from-Melbourne Great Ocean Road tours is this two day trip.
As this is a private tour only for your group, you can tailor make a more personalised experience in agreement with your guide.
After a relaxed 10 a.m start, you’ll start making your way towards Apollo Bay via the 12 Apostles, Mait’s Rest, Castle Cove, Lavers Hill, and Melba Gully National Park.
After visiting the iconic 12 Apostles, next up is Gibsons Steps, Port Campbell National Park, Loch Ard Gorge, and London Bridge.
Summary:
A private Great Ocean Road tour that can be personalised to suit your preferences, while taking in all of the area’s most picturesque sights.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
9) 2 Day Camping And Surfing Great Ocean Road Trip From Melbourne
Duration: 2 days
Food and drinks included: 2 lunches, 1 dinner & 1 breakfast
Accommodation included: Camping in a teepee
If you want something more action-packed than the average Great Ocean Road bus tour, then how about a two-day adventure that includes surfing and camping?
Two hours of surf instruction is included, and guests of this 2 day Great Ocean Road tour will also enjoy a satisfying Aussie-style BBQ before camping out in a teepee by the beach.
As the group size is capped at 15 people, you can expect a more intimate experience where you’ll get to know your guide and fellow travellers.
You’ll also see the best of the Great Ocean Road, plus Australian wildlife such as kangaroos and koalas.
Summary:
Expect koalas, kangaroos, a surfing lesson, an Aussie BBQ and teepee camping by the beach on this great value two day adventure tour.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
10) Ride Tours 2 Day Great Ocean Road Trip for 18 -35 Year Olds
Duration: 2 days
Food and drinks included: Lunch, dinner & breakfast
Accommodation included: Mixed dorm room
This is another of the Great Ocean Road 2 day tours that’s aimed specifically at the 18 to 35 age range.
Meals and accommodation are covered as well as travel, and as the tour takes the opposite route to most you have more chance of avoiding the crowds.
You’ll stay overnight at the Sow and Piglets, a hostel with its own on-site craft brewery.
A couple of wildlife stops also make this tour a little different. You can see emus, koalas and kangaroos at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, and might even spy Southern Right Whales from the Logan’s Beach viewpoint.
Famous for surfing, Bell’s Beach is the last stop before heading back to Melbourne.
Summary:
This tour is a little different, heading in the opposite direction to the crowds. It also includes Bell’s Beach, a wildlife reserve and Logan’s Beach.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
11) LGBTQ+ Friendly 2 Day Private Great Ocean Road Tour
Duration: 2 days
Food and drinks included: No
Accommodation included: No (Apollo Bay accommodation at own expense)
Your Great Ocean Road guide leading this private tour will have connections with the local LGBTQ+ community, and the company also has links with Melbourne LGBTQ+ organisations.
The extra day means you can travel at a more relaxed pace, timing your visits to avoid many of the tourists. It also allows for a later 10 a.m. start.
It’s possible to tailor this tour to suit your own preferences, as it will only be your group plus the guide.
You’ll travel from Melbourne to Apollo Bay and vice versa, but are free to agree on the exact stops as you go.
Summary:
A private, LGBTQ+ friendly Great Ocean Road tour that allows your group to go their own way, and includes an overnight stop in Apollo Bay.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
3 Day Great Ocean Road Tours
12) Melbourne Short Break Holiday To The Great Ocean Road & Grampians 3 Day Escape
Duration: 3 days
Food and drinks included: 2 breakfasts & 1 dinner
Accommodation included: 2 nights accommodation in Warrnambool and Hall’s Gap
This is which of the 3 day Great Ocean Road tours to go for if you want to see the Grampians in addition to the famous and fabulous coastal route.
You can encounter local fauna, including kookaburras, emus and kangaroos, and even learn about Aboriginal culture and history.
The tour includes overnight accommodation in both Warrnambool and Hall’s Gap, and if you’d prefer, you can choose your own place to stay instead of using the inclusive option.
An expert guide will help you make the most of your time in the area, as you enjoy the valleys, mountains, waterfalls and coast.
What Past Guests Have Said:
An amazingly well put together trip to see the Great Ocean Road and Grampians! It was truly spectacular…Highly recommend to anyone thinking about doing it! – Rachel H
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Summary:
A three day tour that takes in the Grampians mountains, native wildlife and Aboriginal culture as well as the Great Ocean Road.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
13) Private 3 Day Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne
Duration: 3 days
Food and drinks included: Bottled water
Accommodation: Not included. Choose your own place to stay.
Travel between destinations in air-conditioned, luxurious comfort with this Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne.
This gives you a whole additional day as compared to Great Ocean Road tours for 2 days, and all your time is spent exploring this lovely area.
Though there are suggested stops in the usual sort of locations, the itinerary of this tour is down to your party.
You can contact the company before booking to discuss this and will have the services of your own driver guide throughout.
Summary:
A fully flexible 3 day tour of the Great Ocean Road with your own private driver guide and vehicle, so you can decide exactly where you want to go.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
4 Day Tour
14) Great Ocean Walk Highlights Hiking Tour: 4 Days
Duration: 4 days
Food and drinks included: 4 lunches, 3 dinners & 3 breakfasts
Accommodation included: 3 nights at the Cape Otway Lightstation
When a 2 days Great Ocean Road tour – or even Great Ocean Road tours for 3 days – don’t seem like they give you enough time to explore fully, then how about taking 4 days to discover the area?
That’s exactly what you get with this Great Ocean Road from Melbourne tour. Plus you get to rest your head at the iconic Cape Otway Lightstation each night!
As it’s a hiking trip, you also get far more of a feel for the area than when travelling by car or coach.
Different walks are included each day, and your group will have a maximum of 10 participants.
Your chances of seeing wildlife are very good, too, including koalas, echidnas, kangaroos, dolphins and even whales in season.
Summary:
A 4 day hiking tour to the Great Ocean Road, with daily walks led by your experienced guide, and including all meals and accommodation.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
Luxury Great Ocean Road Tour
15) Melbourne to 12 Apostles VIP Helicopter Tour
Duration: 5 hours
Food and drinks included: No (private winery lunch option at own expense)
This is truly a bucket list, one-of-a-kind experience. You’ll feel like a rock star when you arrive at the 12 Apostles on your very own private helicopter tour.
Everyone is guaranteed a window seat and you’ll have a view of the Great Ocean Road and the 12 Apostles that few people get to experience.
Other landmarks you’ll see include Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, and the Bay of Islands.
The trip includes a couple of hours of free time on the ground, which you can spend at the beach, visiting the lookouts and Gibsons Steps, or exploring the walking trails.
To make your day even more memorable you can opt to have lunch at a local winery with views that rival the Great Ocean Road’s scenery.
What Past Guests Have Said:
Whilst it’s not for everyone’s budget I felt as a once-in-a-lifetime experience it was worth every dollar. It’s the only way to avoid a 12-13 hour day trip by mini bus. Lunch booked at Jack Rabbit Vineyard with private helipad was also excellent and good value for money. We will be thinking about this perfect day for a long time to come. – LeslieMcC1958
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Summary:
A private, once-in-a-lifetime helicopter flight over the Great Ocean Road area, with two hours of free time on the ground to explore more fully.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
Tips For Choosing A Great Ocean Road Tour
We’ve put together a few tips for choosing a Great Ocean Road, so you’ll have all the information you need to select the right one for you.
A group or private tour?
Generally speaking the bigger the tour group the cheaper it will be. Larger tour groups can have 25 or more participants, whereas smaller group tours typically have no more than 15 people.
If you’re travelling on a budget or like meeting fellow travellers then a group tour is a great choice.
Private tours on the other hand are best if you want it to be just you and your travel partner (s). This is a more expensive option but you get to tailor-make your itinerary as the guide is yours and will cater to your interests, wants, and needs.
Make sure you’re the right match for the tour.
Along with the size of the tour, you need to make sure you are a match for the tour. Some tours target young backpacker types, while others are aimed at over 35s or seniors.
Perhaps the tour includes an activity you don’t want or can’t do. For example one of the tours above includes a surfing lesson. So it’s important to ensure you’re the target audience for the tour.
What does the tour include and exclude?
It’s important to know what you are paying for and what you are not, so there aren’t any surprises! Nothing can turn a tour sour like having to pay for things you didn’t know about before hand.
For example, if the tour visits paid sites are the entrance fees included in the cost of the tour? Are food and drink included? What about accommodation?
Sometimes it’s better if these things aren’t included as it keeps tour prices down and you have control over how much you spend. It’s just important to know in advance.
How long is the tour?
Whether you’re doing a group or private tour, always check how long the tour lasts. It’s also important to know yourself. Most tours of the Great Ocean Road are extremely long, lasting 12 and even 13 hours.
For some people that’s just too long. If that’s you I suggest choosing the Express 9 hour Private Tour, or one of the multi-day options.
Is there a central pick up point?
For convenience many tour operators will pick you up from your hotel. I personally find this annoying as too much time is wasted on the bus going from hotel to hotel. I much prefer meeting at a central point even if I have to get there on my own.
But that’s just me. You may prefer the convenience of being picked up from your hotel without worrying about how to get to a central pick up point. Either way it’s important to know where you’ll be joining the tour from.
Final Word
If you’ll be based in Melbourne and want to take a Great Ocean Road trip, then organised trips that take care of travel, accommodation and where to go are an awesome option.
Whether it’s Great Ocean Road day tours from Melbourne for those short on time or longer options lasting up to four days, there are plenty to pick from.
➡️ Book The Best Great Ocean Tour Today!
You can also include one-off experiences such as a surfing lesson, touring the Grampians or staying at a pub with its own microbrewery on site.
Which from-Melbourne Great Ocean Road tour will you be booking? If there’s one you like the look of, don’t wait too long – this is an incredibly popular part of Australia!
Join our Great Ocean Road Travel Planning and Tips Facebook Group here. It’s the perfect place to ask your questions and be inspired!
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By Audrey Chalmers
Audrey grew up in Victoria and travelled the world but she always called Victoria home. She loves nothing more than exploring her home state and sharing it here.