Our Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour takes you away from the city’s noise to embark on an extraordinary journey! This is different from other tours as we bring you this iconic coastal wonder from a different perspective. By travelling in the opposite direction, you will find yourself exposed to breathtaking beauty with no crowds and plenty of time to enjoy natural landscapes, from the rugged coastline with diverse Australian wildlife to beautiful seaside towns!
Discover the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles in solitude with our unique Reverse Tour! This trip includes the highlights usually seen in the standard tour but schedules them differently to avoid the tourist rush. By travelling counter to the usual traffic, you can experience the best of this remarkable region without the crowds.
Highlights
- 12 Apostles in all their morning beauty
- The dramatic landscapes of Loch Ard Gorge. Here, towering cliffs meet turquoise waters, and a history of shipwrecks adds mystery to the area
- Hidden Gems along the Shipwreck Coast
- Visit Mutton Bird Island & Razorback lookouts and secret beaches
- Otway Rainforests and Australian wildlife: You’ll be fascinated diving deep into ancient rainforests of the Great Otway National Park
- Drive Along World Famous Great Ocean Road: A meandering road skirts steep cliffs and provides magnificent views across ocean depths, with small houses typical for coastal towns encountered every corner passed.
Details
- Code: GORR-S
- Operating Days: Daily
- Duration: 12 hours
- Departure time: 7:35 AM
- Return time: 8:30 PM
What you can actually see
Full Itinerary
Depart from Melbourne
Coastal drive to the Shipwreck Coast
Through Colac in the inland is a great scenic countryside before arriving at The Shipwreck Coast. This route less travelled will enable you arrive at the iconic Twelve Apostles ahead of others.
The 12 Apostles
These majestic limestone formations are bathed by soft morning light when you arrive early at the Twelve Apostles. Capture moments there through photos while enjoying its serene ambiance as well birthplace of Australia’s most famous highway.
Loch Ard Gorge
Afterwards, explore the picturesque landscapes of Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell. Loch Ard Gorge has beautiful natural settings that hold many stories of famous shipwrecks that took place there; wander around the paths by looking at those towering cliffs over turquoise waters.
Great Otway National Park
Explore amazing rainforest scenery in Great Otway National Park, where you have an opportunity to walk through Maits Rest or Melba Gully. You will be surrounded by high eucalyptus trees, green ferns and little streams with native birds singing nearby, and keep your eyes open for wildlife spotting, as kangaroos or koalas are sometimes seen among the lush rainforest.
Awesome Road Trip Along the Great Ocean Road
Continue your day tour along the world-famous Great Ocean Road. This coastal drive provides beautiful ocean and coastal views, expressive cliffs and charming towns. There are panoramic views at every corner that you will embrace and explore hidden coves as well as beaches.
Wildlife spotting
Light Lunch
The Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway
Returning to Melbourne
Additional information
Inclusions
- Casual picnic lunch
- All entry fees for National Parks
- Knowledgeable driver/guide and informative commentary
- Pickup and drop-off from central city hotels
- Multilingual audio guide app available in 10 languages
- Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play
- Autopia Tours manages this tour
Pricing Options
Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour includes lunch – $ 145 for Adults (13+), $ 105 for Children (0 to 12)
Optional Extras:
Helicopter flight over the 12 apostles – $ 155 (subject to availability – payable directly on the day)
Pickup times and locations
Our central meeting point for this tour will be the Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St, Melbourne at 7:35. The bus will be waiting on the Market st side of the Immigration Museum.
Please arrive 5-10 mins prior to your nominated pickup time so as not to delay or miss your tour.
- 6:55 - Pegasus Apartments Hotel – 206 A’Beckett St, Melbourne
- 7:00 - Melbourne Marriott Hotel - Cnr Exhibition St Lonsdale St, Melbourne
- 7:05 - Space Hotel - 380 Russell St, Melbourne
- 7:10 - Grand Hyatt Melbourne - Russell St entrance, Melbourne
- 7:20 - Adina Apartment Hotel - 189 Queen St, Melbourne
- 7:25 – The Savoy Hotel – 630 Little Collins St, Melbourne
- 7:35 – Immigration Museum (east-side), 400 Flinders St corner of Market St, Melbourne
- 7:40 - Crown Towers - 8 Whiteman St Queens Bridge St, Southbank
If you are still looking for your desired pickup location, please contact our office for a comprehensive list of sites.
It is highly advisable to arrive at your pickup location at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please remain calm and patient if your bus runs a few minutes behind schedule. If your bus has not arrived within 10 minutes of the scheduled departure time, kindly contact our office at 03 9393 1300.
Discover the private tour groups! Reach out to our incredible charters team at [email protected] to unlock unforgettable adventures.
Need to bring
- Water Bottle - 2L
- Hiking shoes (recommended)
- Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Prescribed medications
- Camera
- All-weather clothing
- A sense of adventure!
Important Notes
- This tour will only depart if we have 8 passengers or more. We will wait until one week before departure to cancel if minimum numbers aren’t met.
- The itinerary may be subject to change due to cultural reasons, seasonal weather changes, operational logistics and accessibility.
- The minimum age requirements for this tour is 6 years old. This trip is not suitable for children under 6 years of age.
- Please email our Reservations Team ([email protected]) at least 48 hours prior to departure to confirm pick-up location and time.
- Travel Insurance is highly recommended.
- Remember to double-check your exciting tour plans with the tour operator! Just ring them at 03 9393 1300 within seven days of your departure.
- Before you embark on your adventure, let the tour perform the operator's pre-existing medical conditions.
FAQ
When is the best time to visit?
Is it suitable for children?
What should I bring with me?
Some comfortable walking shoes, a camera, sunscreen, a hat and a light jacket.
Can I tailor the tour to my preferences?
Although our itinerary is set in stone, there may be some changes based on availability.
