Melbourne: Great Ocean Road & Wildlife Tour for Backpackers

The Twelve Apostles are the headline, but this full-day trip adds a welcome wildlife search: koalas in the Otways, kangaroos in open fields and, if luck is with you, other native animals. I like that it pairs the coast’s famous formations with time in Apollo Bay, and that the group is limited to young adults, which can make the long bus ride a good chance to meet people.

The trade-off is distance: Melbourne to the far end of the Great Ocean Road and back makes for a long day in the vehicle, even with stops. You’ll also need to buy your own meals, and wildlife sightings can never be promised. Guides vary, with James, Guy, Mark, Raph and Cam among the names on past trips.

What to know before you go

• The day begins at the Twelve Apostles: See the limestone stacks from boardwalks and viewing platforms before heading to Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge.
• Wildlife is part of the plan: The guide looks for koalas, kangaroos and native birds. Past outings have also spotted stingrays, echidnas and a sea lion, but those sightings are a bonus, not a guarantee.
• Apollo Bay is your lunch break: You’ll have free time to choose a café, bakery, restaurant or pub. Food and drinks are not included.
• It’s designed for ages 18 to 35: The social format suits backpackers, students and young adults, including people travelling solo.
• The price is $91 per person: Transport, a guide, national park entry and afternoon tea and coffee are included.
• Travel light: Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Pickup is from selected Melbourne hostels, at the front entrance.

Starting at the Twelve Apostles

The route heads out from Melbourne to the far end of the Great Ocean Road, with the Twelve Apostles as the first major stop. Beginning here puts the best-known sight near the start of the day, when you’re fresh and ready to walk the viewing paths.

These limestone stacks rise from the Southern Ocean beside steep cliffs. You’ll see them from boardwalks and viewing platforms, with time to take photos and look along the coast. The scenery is dramatic, but the main viewpoints can draw a crowd. The tour’s schedule may help you avoid some of the busiest moments, though there’s no promise of an empty lookout.

The Apostles are the sort of place that rewards a few minutes without a camera in front of your face. Look at the way the rock formations sit apart from the cliffs and the changing sea around them. Then get your pictures. The walkways make the main viewpoints easy to reach, but this is still an outdoor stop, so comfortable shoes and a light layer are sensible.

Gibson Steps and the Shipwreck Coast

From the Apostles, it’s a short drive to Gibson Steps, where you can go down to the beach in front of the limestone formations. Seeing the cliffs and stacks from below gives you a different sense of scale than the lookout above. The beach is a striking place to pause, though it does mean walking down and back up the steps.

Next comes Loch Ard Gorge, one of the tour’s most memorable coastal stops. Here you’ll walk along the famous shipwreck beach and hear about the area’s tragic maritime history. The name links the gorge to the wreck of the Loch Ard, and the story gives a human frame to a coast that can otherwise seem all cliffs and scenery.

There’s more to see than the gorge itself. The nearby Razorback, Three Sisters and Salt and Pepper Shaker are unusual limestone formations, each with its own shape. You won’t have time to linger indefinitely at every viewpoint, but the tour is built to give you a walk and photo time at the key stops rather than just a quick roadside glance.

The coast is exposed, and weather can change the feel of the stop. One day may bring sun, wind and rain in quick succession. Pack a layer you can put on or take off, and keep your phone or camera secure near the water.

Koala spotting in the Otways

After the coast, the route turns into Great Otway National Park, a large protected area of more than 1,000 square kilometres. The tour looks for koalas in their natural habitat, and guides help spot them among the trees. This is a different sort of wildlife stop from a zoo visit: you’re looking up into the branches and trying to pick out an animal that may be resting quietly.

A good guide can make a real difference here. James, Guy and Mark are among the guides named on past trips for their wildlife spotting, and guests have described seeing koalas close enough for photos. Still, these are wild animals, not scheduled performers. Take the sighting if it comes, and enjoy the forest setting even if a koala proves hard to find.

The Otways portion also gives the day a change of pace after the open coast. You’re not just ticking off famous cliffs; you’re moving through a forest region and watching for Australian wildlife. Past trips have included kangaroos, native birds, echidnas, stingrays and even a sea lion. Those extra sightings depend on the day and route, so think of them as lucky additions rather than a checklist.

Please keep a respectful distance from wildlife and follow the guide’s instructions. The goal is to see animals where they live, not to crowd them for a closer photo.

Lunch and free time in Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay is the main break for lunch, with free time to choose what suits you. Cafés, restaurants and bakeries offer options from a quick snack to a full meal. There’s also a pub and a gin distillery for those who’d rather make the stop about a drink, though food and drinks are at your own expense.

This pause matters on a day with a lot of driving. You can stretch your legs, eat at your own pace and get a short break from the group schedule. If you have a particular place in mind, remember that the time is limited and the tour has more coastal stops ahead. A simple plan is to decide whether you want a sit-down lunch or something quick before you arrive.

Some tours may include a bakery stop earlier in the day, but it isn’t listed as a standard inclusion. Don’t count on breakfast being provided. Bring enough money for meals and any snacks you want, and use the Apollo Bay stop to refill before the afternoon.

The coastal road back toward Melbourne

After lunch, the tour continues along the scenic stretch between Apollo Bay and Anglesea. Stops may include Cape Patton Lookout, Kennett River, Lorne and the Memorial Arch. This section lets you see more of the Great Ocean Road itself, rather than treating the road as a simple link between the Apostles and the city.

The viewpoints and coastal towns offer a change from the limestone formations. You’ll get more chances for photos and a look at the settlements along the route. Each stop is brief compared with a full independent visit, but together they give you a broader sense of the coast’s variety.

The Memorial Arch is a familiar marker for the Great Ocean Road, while places such as Lorne and Kennett River break up the drive with distinct stops. The itinerary is full, so don’t expect a long town visit at each one. One traveller felt there were perhaps more stops than needed, a fair point if you prefer fewer breaks and longer time in one place. The benefit is that you see several parts of the route in one day.

The final wildlife search is for kangaroos grazing in fields. Guides have also looked for animals along the route, and a sharp-eyed driver can help you spot them. After a day of coast and forest, this brings the focus back to Australian wildlife before the return to Melbourne.

The group, guide and ride

This is a small-group tour aimed at backpackers, students and young adults aged 18 to 35. The age range is strict: it isn’t suitable for children under 18, and all passengers must be within the stated range. The format can work especially well if you’re travelling solo and would like company for the day without having to plan every stop yourself.

The guide’s role is more than driving. The route covers coastal geology, local towns, shipwreck history and wildlife, and the best guides balance useful stories with quiet time to take in the views. James, Guy, Mark or Marc, Raph, Matt and Cam are among the guides named on past trips. The guide on your date may be different, so treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee.

Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle, and transport has earned strong marks for comfort. That matters on a long day, when the return drive can feel substantial even with stops along the way. The tour balances activity with time sitting on the bus, and the air-conditioning is a practical plus after walking outside.

Pickup is available from selected Melbourne hostels, with the driver meeting you at the front entrance of your accommodation. Check that your hostel is one of the pickup points before you plan around it. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so leave your main pack at your accommodation and bring only what you need for the day.

Is $91 good value?

At $91 per person, the price covers round-trip transport, an experienced guide, entry to national parks and afternoon tea and coffee. You’re paying for a long, complicated day that would be difficult to reproduce without a car, as well as a guide who can help with wildlife spotting and explain the places along the way.

Meals and other drinks are not included, so budget for lunch and any snacks. You may also want to allow for souvenirs or café stops. The value is strongest if you want to see the major coastal sights and look for wildlife without organising a rental car, route, parking and timing yourself.

There’s a lot packed into one day, but the same efficiency has a cost: you won’t have the freedom to linger wherever you like. If your priority is slow travel, a night on the coast or a long walk at each stop, a one-day group trip may feel rushed. If you have limited time in Melbourne and want a guided overview, the fare covers a useful amount.

Who should book this tour?

I’d choose this trip if you’re 18 to 35, have one day free in Melbourne and want the Great Ocean Road’s major sights with a social group. It’s particularly well suited to solo backpackers who like the idea of meeting people while visiting the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Apollo Bay. The wildlife focus adds an extra layer beyond the usual coastal photo stops.

It’s less suitable if you need wheelchair access, are pregnant, want to travel with a child under 18, or prefer a quiet, private day. It’s also not the right choice if you dislike long drives or need to carry luggage with you. For everyone else, bring a light layer, comfortable shoes, money for food and an appetite for a full day out.

FAQ

How long is the Great Ocean Road tour?

It is a one-day tour. Expect a full day that includes substantial driving between Melbourne, the coastal stops and the return.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $91 per person.

What age do I need to be?

All passengers must be between 18 and 35 years old.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is included from selected Melbourne hostels. The driver meets you at the front entrance of your accommodation.

What sights does the tour visit?

Stops include the Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge and Apollo Bay, along with other coastal points such as Cape Patton Lookout, Kennett River, Lorne and the Memorial Arch.

What wildlife might I see?

The tour looks for koalas, kangaroos and native birds. Past trips have also spotted animals such as stingrays, echidnas and a sea lion, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You have free time in Apollo Bay to buy lunch at a café, restaurant, bakery or pub.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes round-trip air-conditioned transport, an experienced guide, entry to national parks, pickup from selected hostels, and afternoon tea and coffee.

Can I bring a large backpack or suitcase?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women?

No. The tour is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users and pregnant women.