Great Ocean Road Small Group Eco Tour
(+8 more dates)
Description
Explore This World-Famous Stretch Of Coastline With Us!
Come and explore Victoria’s Surf Coast and more must-see destinations near Melbourne. Enjoy a 12 Apostles tour, visit picturesque cities and townships along this world-famous coastline, and soak up the history of sites like the Loch Ard Gorge. There’s much more to the Great Ocean Road than just the photo opportunities, come and see for yourself!
- Visit The Twelve Apostles
- Koalas In The Wild
- Spectacular Surf Coast Beaches
Trip details
- Enjoy a complimentary morning tea at a beachside location on Victoria’s Surf Coast
- Scenic journey – with photo stops – along the spectacular Great Ocean Road
- See koalas in their natural habitat in the eucalyptus forests of the Kennett River township
- Lunch break (own expense) in the charming coastal township of Apollo Bay
- Guided walk through the Otway Ranges ancient cool temperate rainforest
- View the iconic Twelve Apostles in the Port Campbell National Park
- Visit Loch Ard Gorge & hear the story of the tragic shipwreck of 1878
- View the collapsed Island Archway & the Razorback
- Descend to beach level at Gibsons Steps to view 2 awesome limestone stacks
What You’ll Do
Great Ocean Road tours are a highlight for most on their visit to Melbourne and our high-quality vehicles and excellent guides will make this a day to remember. Departing Melbourne at around 8.00 am, we enjoy panoramic views of the city and Port Phillip Bay as we cross the Westgate Bridge, Australia’s longest bridge at just under 2.6 kilometres in length. We pass by and learn a little about Victoria’s second-largest city, Geelong, as we make our way down towards the Surf Coast, with its enchanting beachside towns and powerful swells.
In Torquay, we stop for our first opportunity to visit the beach and to enjoy a complimentary morning tea. Departing Torquay, we set out along the Great Ocean Road itself, as your experienced driver-guide provides informative commentary about the road’s history and its place in Australian folklore.
The scenic journey along the Great Ocean Road is a highlight in itself, as we absorb some spectacular coastal scenery, with new views being revealed around every bend. We make plenty of scenic stops, including, of course, a photo opportunity at the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch at Eastern View.
At the township of Kennett River, we make a brief detour into the sweetly-scented eucalyptus forest to locate some of the local koalas in their native habitat. There is a large koala population here and numerous sightings are guaranteed! We also have an opportunity to see colourful local birdlife, including crimson rosellas and king parrots.
We then continue towards our lunch stop in Apollo Bay with another photo stop at Cape Patton on the way. After lunch, we follow the Great Ocean Road away from the ocean and into the mountains. The tour proceeds through the impressive Otway Ranges, where we stop to enjoy a stroll in the cool temperate rainforest. Here our guide accompanies the group through the forest, where we stop to learn a little about the world’s tallest flowering trees and other ancient rainforest species.
And then it’s onwards to the world-famous Port Campbell National Park and its iconic array of rock formations. You’ll be awestruck by the majestic monoliths of the Twelve Apostles. Here we also have the opportunity to take to the air with an optional helicopter flight (from $165 per person).
For those guests who don’t take to the air, a further stop is possible at Gibsons Steps. Here, guests can descend the steps to Gibsons Beach below for beach level views of two of the Twelve Apostles.
Just down the road is the heart of the Shipwreck Coast, the Loch Ard Gorge where 52 lives were lost and only 2 souls survived the wreck of the Loch Ard in 1878. Your guide will recount the legend of the Loch Ard, bringing the gorge to life in a way you never imagined. We take time to explore here, with more rock formations to see, including the Razorback, the Dumpling Pots and the delightful Island Archway.
We have been advised by Parks Victoria that access to the gorge at Loch Ard Gorge will be closed until some time in early 2024. The closure is due to dangerous cliff movement near the Upper Lookout, which could cause a collapse.We will still be visiting this location, as there are many other interesting & spectacular viewpoints around the area above the gorge.
A dinner stop is made on the journey back to Melbourne before enjoying a stunning view of the illuminated city as we cross the Westgate Bridge again. With drop off right back to your inner city accommodation, you’ll remember this day as a true highlight of your Australian holiday.
What you will learn
- Scenic journey – with photo stops – along the spectacular Great Ocean Road
What you will get
- Enjoy a complimentary morning tea at a beachside location on Victoria’s Surf Coast
- High-Quality Vehicles
- Passionate, Expert Guides
What to bring
- Just be on time!
What to wear
Casual Comfortable Clothing
Appropriate for
Anyone interested to explore This World-Famous Stretch Of Coastline With Us!
Terms & Conditions
FAQS
DO I need to bring food along on tour, or are stops made for meal?
On all of our tours, meal breaks are made at appropriate times and we always try to make sure that there are opportunities to select for a range of meal providers. You will always be able to access vegetarian and gluten free options as well.
Can I swim during the tour?
We don’t allocate any specific time to swimming, as most of our guests don’t want to swim during their tour, but whenever the tour stops at a beach location you can have a dip. Please speak to your guide on the day as they will be able to advise you of the safe locations to swim. If you’re keen to swim, feel free to bring your swimming costume and a towel with you on the day in case the opportunity arises.
Will I see Koalas and Kangaroos on this tour?
We make a dedicated visit to the town of Kennett River where a colony of wild koalas live nearby. Koalas can be found in the eucalyptus forest surrounding the town every day of the year! Kangaroos, while very populous in the area, are not guaranteed. You may spot them bounding through the fields, so keep your eyes peeled!
Can I feed wildlife on this tour?
We actively discourage the feeding of wild animals as it can be harmful to their natural behaviour and well-being. Often, the food provided to animals is the equivalent of junk food resulting in an unhealthy diet and, in some cases, making the animals sick. Animals that have been regularly fed by humans come to expect it and this often leads to poor behaviours. In the long term, human feeding reduces their ability to forage for food.
Do we stop for dinner on this tour?
We make a dinner break of about 30 minutes duration in the regional town of Colac. Guests can purchase meals from several local eateries here.
What time does the tour return to Melbourne?
This tour typically arrives back in Melbourne at about 8:45 pm. Upon arrival back in the city, your guide will drop off guests in the most efficient manner they can manage.
What level of mobility is required to join on this tour?
This tour does not involve any long walks and therefore only a moderate level of mobility is required. The locations where we stop for bathroom breaks also have accessible toilets.
Can I bring a pet along with me?
Animal companions are only permitted to join our tours is they are registered service animals. If you wish to bring a registered service animal along on tour, please advise us in advance. We may require you to provide us with evidence of the animal’s registration.