Melbourne · GREAT OCEAN ROAD TOURS

The 15 Best Great Ocean Road Day Trips from Melbourne

149 tours  ·  from $28 a head

It is a twelve-hour day whichever way you run it, so the choice is about direction, group size and where you stop for lunch. These 15 compare the forward and reverse itineraries, the small groups and the budget coaches, with the price of each.

Great Ocean Road Small-Group Eco Tour from Melbourne - Torquay and the road’s coastal beginning
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Great Ocean Road Small-Group Eco Tour from Melbourne

1.Great Ocean Road Small-Group Eco Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,607 reviews · from $106Our pick

Leave Melbourne at 7am for a full day on the Great Ocean Road, with a guide, koala spotting at Kennett River, a walk at Mait’s Rest and time at the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Guides such as Thomas, Lucy and Reuben have been praised for safe driving, lively stories and clear directions. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense.

“We’ve had an amazing day discovering the Great Ocean Road in the very skilled hands and entertaining talent of Aleks, our guide/chauffeur/caterer/perfect playlist provider/photographer/etc… with her fun attitude and warm contact towards everyone. It was a very long day but oh so rewarding. Very happy to have booked it.”

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From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, Wildlife Tour - Koalas, parrots and the chance of kangaroos
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From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, Wildlife Tour

2.Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 6,020 reviews · 13h 30m · from $94

Set out from a selected Melbourne CBD hotel with an English-speaking guide such as Warren, Theo or Lorraine. This 13.5-hour coastal trip pairs Torquay and Bells Beach views with wild koalas, a guided forest walk, Apollo Bay, the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Air-conditioned transport and morning tea are included.

“Warren was an amazing tour guide. He stopped at extra stops eg to see kangaroos and more koalas. He was very knowledgable and funny. We loved how much we were able to fit in to the day and not feel rushed. Definitely recommend.”

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Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 11 Guests - Twelve Apostles and Gibson Steps
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Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour – Max 11 Guests

3.Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour – Max 11 Guests

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,186 reviews · from $106

Leave Melbourne at 6:50 am in a minivan with no more than 11 people, travel inland to the Twelve Apostles, then follow the coast back. Expect Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, an Otway rainforest walk, lunch in Apollo Bay and a chance to spot koalas. Guides such as Marty, James and Anne have led the trip.

“The GOR Reverse Itinerary tour was exceptional. The ocean views were stunning and we did not encounter large crowds. Mark was a great tour guide and provided the perfect balance of giving information, but also providing quiet time when Read more”

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Great Ocean Road Tour w/ Deluxe Minibus & Top-Rated Guide - Koalas, viewpoints and a taste of Apollo Bay
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Great Ocean Road Tour w/ Deluxe Minibus & Top-Rated Guide

4.Great Ocean Road Tour w/ Deluxe Minibus & Top-Rated Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,644 reviews · 13 hours - 1 day · from $105

Ride in a minibus with up to 24 people from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road, stopping at Torquay, Apollo Bay, Maits Rest, the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Your English-speaking guide leads the day; an app offers recorded commentary in 16 languages. Guides vary by departure, with Lucy, Jono and Raquel among those who have led the tour.

“The trip was really good with fantastic views of both the ocean and the beautiful landscape. Our guide Monique was also knowledgeable and explained many interesting facts.”

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Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Extended–Top Stops&London Bridge - Lorne and Cumberland River bring the first sea views
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Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Extended–Top Stops&London Bridge

5.Great Ocean Road Extended–Top Stops&London Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,920 reviews · 12 hours · from $42

Travel from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road with an English-speaking driver-guide, stopping at Lorne, Apollo Bay, the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. The day also includes a Chocolaterie break and a chance to spot wild koalas. Guides Tony and Vance are among the names associated with the tour.

“Yesterday (01-Jan) , I went on a Great Ocean Road day trip and it was a very enjoyable experience. Vance was our driver and guide and he managed the entire day really well. It was a 57 seater coach with around 50 people from mixed ethnic backgrounds and the crowd was very decent, which made the journey comfortable. We had around 7 or 8 stops in total, including lookouts, the Twelve Apostles, Apollo Bay, and other scenic spots along the way. The views were absolutely beautiful and covering these iconic sites in a single day was a great experience. Vance was very good at managing the time at each location,…”

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From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Boutique Tour in Reverse - A short rainforest walk at Maits Rest
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From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Boutique Tour in Reverse

6.Great Ocean Road Boutique Tour in Reverse

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,471 reviews · 12 hours · from $97

This 12-hour tour from Melbourne takes a minibus group of up to 11 to the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and a rainforest walk before following the coast back. You’ll have an English-speaking guide, wildlife stops and multilingual audio. Breakfast and lunch are at your own expense.

“Yolarry was our guide and he was the best. He was so knowledgeable about everything on our tour, as well as all things Australia. He was so friendly and personable. We enjoyed our day very much! The small size of the tour group was also terrific!”

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Great Ocean Road Full-Day Sunset Eco Tour from Melbourne - Lunch, Lorne and a chance to look for koalas
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Great Ocean Road Full-Day Sunset Eco Tour from Melbourne

7.Great Ocean Road Full-Day Sunset Eco Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,085 reviews · from $114

Travel from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road in a small group of up to 24, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned coach and a guide sharing coastal history and wildlife knowledge. Stop at Anglesea, the Memorial Arch, Kennett River and Loch Ard Gorge, then watch the sun set at the Twelve Apostles. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense.

“Beautiful excursion and driver and tour guide Wes excellent. A very long day, but absolutely worth it. Highly recommend”

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Great Ocean Road Tour Plus Koalas, Forest Walk and Morning Tea - Apollo Bay: lunch, a walk, or a swim
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Great Ocean Road Tour Plus Koalas, Forest Walk and Morning Tea

8.Great Ocean Road Tour Plus Koalas, Forest Walk and Morning Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,068 reviews

Set out from Melbourne at 6:40 am for a full day on the Great Ocean Road, with coastal stops, the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, a guided walk at Mait’s Rest and a chance to spot wild koalas at Kennett River. Guides including Warren and Theo have been praised for making the long ride informative and fun. Lunch and dinner are at your own cost.

“We did the Great Ocean Road tour with Warren and had an incredible time! Warren was a great tour guide and made our day so much fun!”

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Great Ocean Road Tour Reverse –SML GRP-DLUX Mini Bus Hotel Pickup - Reaching the Twelve Apostles before the coast crowds
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Great Ocean Road Tour Reverse –SML GRP-DLUX Mini Bus Hotel Pickup

9.Great Ocean Road Tour Reverse –SML GRP-DLUX Mini Bus Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 915 reviews · from $89

Head out from Melbourne on a reverse-route Great Ocean Road tour in a premium air-conditioned mini coach, with a maximum of 22 people. You’ll reach the Twelve Apostles early in the day, visit Loch Ard Gorge and the Otway rainforest, and look for koalas near Kennett River. Hotel pickup is offered in Melbourne CBD and Southbank; a helicopter flight costs extra.

“This was a really well done trip. Bill was very knowledgeable and kept our pod in a tight step. Lots to see & do. It was a long day but well worth it based on the content. The 12 apostles was spectacular. Would be nice if more time could be allocated @ this venue, just too much to take in such a short time. As before it was excellent 👏 👌 👍 😀 😎”

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Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary PREMIUM Tour - Max 11 Guests - Razorback and the story at Loch Ard Gorge
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Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary PREMIUM Tour – Max 11 Guests

10.Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary PREMIUM Tour – Max 11 Guests

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 714 reviews · from $114

Travel from Melbourne in a small minibus with a guide, heading inland to the Twelve Apostles before following the Great Ocean Road back toward the city. The 13-hour day includes Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, a rainforest walk, lunch in Apollo Bay, and wildlife stops. Guides named in recent feedback include Marty, James, Chris, and Kev.

“Amazing day with spectacular views of the coast line. Chris our driver / tour guide made the day even more enjoyable sharing his personal knowledge of this pristine area. We had an added bonus of being able to spot koalas in the wild along with kangaroos! Absolutely worth taking this amazing trip.”

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From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Guided Trip - Kennett River offers a chance to spot koalas
Full-Day, Great Ocean Road Tours, Guided, Melbourne Tours, Tour Reviews

From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Guided Trip

11.Great Ocean Road Full-Day Guided Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 652 reviews · 14 hours · from $98

Travel from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road by air-conditioned coach, stopping at Torquay, Kennett River, Maits Rest, the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Expect a long day, an English-speaking guide, morning tea and time for walks and photos. Guides have included Bree, Aaron and Lisa, though your guide will vary.

“Despite spending lots of time in the bus, the trip is definitely worth it. Our guide, Tim, was amazing. He used every occasion to share interesting information with us. The highlight of the trip were the 12 Apostles. There‘s an opportunity to hop on a helicopter and to a 16 minute tour. It costs approx. $150 per person, but it is definitely worth it. I would heartly recommend this trip to anyone wishing to explore the Great Ocean Road and its surroundings.”

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Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Max Highlights & London Bridge - Lorne offers a short coastal pause
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Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Max Highlights & London Bridge

12.Great Ocean Road Max Highlights & London Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 583 reviews · 12h 30m · from $34Best value

Travel from Melbourne by air-conditioned coach, stopping at Anglesea, Split Point, the Memorial Arch, Lorne, Apollo Bay, a koala-spotting area, the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. The tour is promoted as extending to London Bridge, but its detailed stop sequence does not name that stop, so confirm before booking. English-language guiding; past tours have been led by guides including Vance, Mick and Tony.

“mike was such a cute and wonderful guide 😄😄 very pleasant experience!!!”

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Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, Rainforest & Morning Tea-Melbourne - Great Otway National Park’s fern-filled rainforest
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Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, Rainforest & Morning Tea-Melbourne

13.Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, Rainforest & Morning Tea-Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 568 reviews · from $107

Leave Melbourne at 7:35am for a 13-hour Great Ocean Road trip with a driver-guide, morning tea, snacks, WiFi and national park fees included. Stop in Apollo Bay, walk among the ferns of Great Otway National Park, then see the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Guide names vary, with past tours led by Craig, Ethan, Ilkay and others.

“Very informative.Our driver know well about the place. Very engaging. Not a dull moment.He gave us a lot of time to immerse ourselves in the experience”

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From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Sunset Tour - Anglesea and the Memorial Arch
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From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Sunset Tour

14.Great Ocean Road Full-Day Sunset Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 565 reviews · 13 hours · from $98

Bunyip Tours takes you from Melbourne to Anglesea, the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Kennett River, Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles for sunset. Expect a long day with plenty of scenic stops, a guide-driver, air-conditioned transport and a later return. Guides have included Jono, David and Aleks, though your guide will depend on the date.

“Everything was great! the spots during the trip and the sunset at the end at the twelve apostles were beautiful! Our tour guide Jai was great! I totally recommend this tour. It's a must do in Australia.”

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Great Ocean Road 12 Apostles & Rainforest Walk with Morning Tea - Apollo Bay gives you a proper lunch break
Great Ocean Road Tours, Melbourne Tours, Morning, Tour Reviews

Great Ocean Road 12 Apostles & Rainforest Walk with Morning Tea

15.Great Ocean Road 12 Apostles & Rainforest Walk with Morning Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 549 reviews · from $93

Leave central Melbourne at 7:35am for a full-day coach trip along the Great Ocean Road. Expect coastal viewpoints, Apollo Bay, a temperate rainforest walk, Loch Ard Gorge and about 40 minutes at the Twelve Apostles. Morning tea is included, lunch is at your own expense, and wildlife sightings may include koalas and kangaroos.

“If you are tall (178 cm/5’10” or more), the seats are too small. Knees in back of seat in front of you! We sat in back & had 2 seats each so we could sit sideways which was the best we could do. Luckily bus wasn’t completely full. 12 hrs is a lonRead more”

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