From happy customers

Loved by 47 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
Kamal Negi
AU

Kamal

Australia
Jan 2026
A fantastic cruise ride at Phillip Island! Beautiful ocean views, professional staff, and a very enjoyable experience overall. Definitely worth it and something I would do again.
D M Uranthalawe Gedara J Dissanayake
AU

D

Australia
Nov 2025
The cruise was great. Although the inclusions mentioned cake with tea or coffee, we only received cake. Some staff members were not very friendly. Other than that, the scenery and the one-hour ride were enjoyable. The Penguin Parade was a bit of a disappointment. If you really want to see the penguins clearly, I’d recommend purchasing premium tickets, the view from there is much better I believe . The general viewing area wasn’t good at all; we could barely see anything, only shadows.
Brenda Mattingly
AU

Brenda

Australia
Jan 2026
We had the best time on this tour. Our guide Sherif was so good with all his information and places he stopped at. One of the best guides I have had on a tour
Muhamad Haziq Bin Mohamed Tahir
SG

Muhamad

Singapore
Dec 2025
Everything well planned. Guide was experience enough to get us around, finding spots for short layover and dinner during the trips. Commentary throughout the trip is great and educational.
Samantha

Samantha

Jan 2026
Nice tour, friendly guide. Bill answered all our questions and kept us entertained. Only downside was the long drive, but the stops made it better.
Andre

Andre

Jan 2026
Took the tour with my girlfriend and honestly, perfect day out. Steve’s driving was super smooth and he pointed out all the best photo spots. We got lucky with clear skies too. The coach was comfy, with enough breaks. If you get carsick, bring ginger chews—the road gets twisty.
David Wright
AU

David

Australia
Aug 2025
This is not the first time Pam and I have taken a cruise to see the seals. The newer, larger boat has more comfortable seating indoors that allows one to see the passing scenery out of the wind. there is plenty of outdoors deck space to view and photograph the myriad of seals when the colony is reached.
Anto Arokia Nithyaa Joseph
AU

Anto

Australia
Aug 2025
I loved the tour. The guide is very helpful and his knowledge on things made the tour very much enjoyable as well as informative! Had a very good time. Overall amazing experience.


Great Ocean Road tour: Where every mile tells a story

Stretching for over 240 kilometers, Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most scenic routes with unbeatable views of rugged cliffs, unique rock formations, and pristine beaches. From spotting humpback whales in the Southern Ocean and enjoying morning tea at Apollo Bay, to listening to your guide narrate the legend of Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road promises to be an adventure for everyone exploring Australia’s scenic coastlines.

Scroll down to learn about different tour options, top viewing spots, and essential tips to help map out your ultimate Great Ocean Road tour.

Your guide to Great Ocean Road tour

  1. Must-see stops on your Great Ocean Road tour
  2. Why a Great Ocean Road tour should be on your travel list
  3. Pick the best tour for you
  4. Exploring Great Ocean Road tour routes
  5. Your checklist for your Great Ocean Road tour
  6. Great Ocean Road FAQs

Top sights you’ll see on your Great Ocean Road tour

Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour with view of 12 Apostles rock formations in Melbourne, Australia.

12 Apostles

Towering limestone pillars rising from the ocean, sculpted by the relentless forces of wind and waves over millions of years.

Eucalyptus trees at Kennett River along the Great Ocean Road.
Tourists at Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road Ecotour
Gibson Steps limestone cliffs and beach view on Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour, Australia.
Guided walk through Great Otway National Park along the scenic Great Ocean Road.

6 reasons to go on a Great Ocean Road tour

Woman observing koala in tree along Great Ocean Road, Australia.
Surfers riding waves at Torquay Surf Beach, Victoria, Australia.
Guided walk through Great Otway National Park along the scenic Great Ocean Road.
Woman admiring sunset at 12 Apostles on Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour, Melbourne.
Woman walking along Anglesea River boardwalk in Melbourne during sunset.
Great Ocean Road beach with people and dog running along the shoreline.
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Spotting wildlife up close

See koalas, parrots, and other Australian wildlife, along the Great Ocean Road, particularly around Kennett River. Perfect for families traveling with kids.

Surfing at Torquay Beach

This popular spot for surfers offers great waves and surf lessons. It's a perfect stop if you’re interested in water sports.

Guided forest walk

Wander through the ancient mountain ash and beech trees of Great Otway National Park, where every step brings you closer to nature.

Sunset at the 12 Apostles

Best enjoyed on a sunset tour, where you can watch the limestone stacks bathed in stunning evening light.

Charming coastal towns

Discover the soul of the Great Ocean Road in its charming seaside towns of Lorne and Anglesea, where oceanfront cafes, friendly faces, pet-friendly beaches, adventures, and coastal views await at every turn.

Read more

Pet-friendly attractions

Play on the white sands of Southside Beach or take a stroll on the Ocean View Walking Track with your furry friend. Pet-friendly accommodations and eateries make this trip worth every penny.

Read more

Choosing the best Great Ocean Road tour for you

Standard tour

Price: Starting from AU$147
Inclusions: Round-trip hotel transfers from Melbourne CBD, audio guide in 14 languages, expert guide, guided forest walk, and morning tea.
Best for: Nature and wildlife lovers

Drive along the Great Ocean Road with stops at landmarks like the 12 Apostles and Gibson Steps. Take a guided forest walk, spot koalas on treetops, savor tea and get round-trip hotel transfers from Melbourne CBD on this morning tour.

Recommended experience:

Great Ocean Road Day Tour with Koala Spotting

Reverse tour

Price: Starting from AU$138
Inclusions: Round-trip transfers from Melbourne, picnic lunch, live commentary by expert driver guide, audio and text translation app in 10 languages.
Best for: Solo travelers, time-conscious travelers, and families

Beat the crowds with a reverse itinerary for a quieter journey starting at the crowd-favorite 12 Apostles and continuing to Loch Ard Gorge and Lorne. Includes an expert guide, return transfers and an option to add lunch.

Recommended experiences:

Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour

Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour with Lunch

Sunset tour

Price: Starting from AU$149
Inclusions: Full-day sunset tour, group of up to 24 people, round-trip hotel transfers from Melbourne, expert guide, access to the free translation app.
Best for: Photographers, nature lovers, and couples

A full-day tour of Great Ocean Road with stops at iconic spots like Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles where you can catch the sunset. Round-trip transport from Melbourne CBD included.

Recommended experience:

Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour

Great Ocean Road tour routes

Planning a Great Ocean Road tour? Whether you choose the standard and sunset route or the reverse route to beat the crowds, each offers stunning coastal views. Scroll down to find the best route for you.

Standard and sunset tour route

  • Benefits: Follows the traditional route, which starts at Torquay and ends at the Twelve Apostles with a highly experienced guide, lunch stops at coastal towns like Apollo Bay or Port Campbell.
  • Duration: 12 - 13 hours
  • Other pros and cons: Morning light enhances views as you travel westward, the Twelve Apostles can be very crowded during peak hours.

Reverse tour route

  • Benefits: Begin with the Twelve Apostles, offers flexibility, a more relaxed pace, an expert guide, and avoids heavily trafficked routes.
  • Duration: 12 - 13 hours
  • Other pros and cons: Lunch stops at quieter towns and attractions in the morning hours like Kennett River, requires earlier starts.

Plan your visit

Tourists at Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road Ecotour

Depending on the chosen tour, the tour commences between 7am to 10am and wraps up between 7pm to 10pm, with a duration of 12 to 13 hours.

Hikers on a trail overlooking the scenic coastline of the Great Ocean Road, Australia.

Summer (December - February): Longer days, clear skies, and pleasant wind make it the best season to visit the Great Ocean Road. This is the best time to go on a guided forest walk, swim, or surf. However, school holidays could bring larger crowds.

Autumn (March - May):  Pleasant weather and fewer crowds make it an ideal time to explore the road peacefully. To top it off, this time of year also marks the migration of southern right whales back to the Victorian coastline.

Winter (June – August): This is the quietest time with cheaper accommodation, fewer daylight hours, and freezing winds. However, the 12 Apostles in the rain, with strong waves crashing against them, are quite a sight.

Spring (September – November): This is a beautiful time as the weather gets warmer and days get longer. Full waterfalls and green foliage make it perfect for hiking and mountain biking.

  • Distance from Melbourne to Torquay (starting point of the Great Ocean Road): 187 km
  • Travel time: approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes.
  • By train: The V/L line offers train services from Melbourne to Geelong or Warrnambool with stops along major hinterland towns such as Winchelsea and Colac.
  • By bus: Take a train from Southern Cross Station (Melbourne) to Geelong, Colac, or Marshell, and then take a V/Line bus or a guided tour bus to Anglesea or Lorne.
  • By car: You can hire a car service or choose from the day trip options available to enjoy hassle-free round-trip transfers from Melbourne.
Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour bus on scenic coastal route, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Round-trip hotel transfers: Get round-trip transfers from your hotel or selected hotels in Melbourne CBD. Choose or add your hotel name while making the booking. If your hotel is not in the pick-up zone, you will be provided with the nearest pick-up location. 
  • Round-trip transfers: These tours offer a list of selected pick-up points in Melbourne such as the Grand Hyatt and Crown Towers. Select the relevant pick-up point while booking your ticket.
Apollo Bay Bakery storefront along Great Ocean Road, showcasing local pastries and breads.

Explore a wide variety of breweries, cafes, bakeries, and fine-dining spots that span the length of the Great Ocean Road.

  • Great Ocean Road Brewhouse: A cozy pub in Apollo Bay offering craft beers, hearty pub meals like the venison burger, and live music.
  • Apollo Bay Bakery: Famous for its award-winning scallop pies and freshly baked treats, this cute bakery is perfect for a quick bite by the coast.
  • Brae Restaurant: A fine-dining gem in Birregurra showcasing seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine focusing on local produce and sustainability.
Koala perched in eucalyptus tree along Great Ocean Road, Australia.
  • Start early: Begin your journey early, around 7am to avoid crowds, especially at popular attractions like the 12 Apostles.
  • Drive in one direction: Stick to the left-hand side and drive from East to West, ensuring that the ocean views are always on your left.
  • Respect the speed limit: The official speed limit on the Great Ocean Road is between 80-100km per hour. Watch out for speed traps, as not sticking to the limits can lead to fines of $300AUD and above.
  • Fuel up: Gas stations are sparse, especially past Apollo Bay. Fill up your tank before starting the drive.
  • Respect wildlife: You will spot koalas, kangaroos, wombats, and wallabies on the roadside and in certain spots like Kennett River. Avoid feeding them as it may increase their risk of being hit by cars.
  • Check for special events: Keep an eye out for local festivals and events during your visit, such as the Port Fairy Folk Festival and Apollo Bay Seafood Festival.

Frequently asked questions about the Great Ocean Road tour

The Great Ocean Road (B100) starts at the surf town of Torquay and finishes in Allansford, near Warrnambool.