Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 Guests
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Melbourne, Australia
+13
- 12 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Experience the Great Ocean Road’s top attractions on this guided excursion that follows the iconic road in reverse. Embark on your journey and beat the crowds while learning about the region’s scenic landscapes and pretty coastal towns from an informative guide. Visit sites including the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Apollo Bay, and Gibson Steps.
- Explore Victoria’s Great Ocean Road on an all-day reverse tour
- Discover the region’s history and culture with a knowledgeable local guide
- Get going early and enjoy a small-group experience that beats the crowds
- Experience 12 Apostles, Great Otway, Apollo Bay, and other sites
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
An early start and reverse route means you beat the crowds to the Twelve Apostles.
What's Included
- National Park fees
- Live commentary on board
- Professional guide
- Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Bottled water
- Multilingual Interactive Audio Guide + a complimentary Melbourne City Self-Guided Audio Guide Tour
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
For your convenience, our pickup locations are available within 15 minutes walking distance from any point in Melbourne CBD. 1. At 6:30 am from 196 Flinders Street – Opposite Federation Square, and near Flinders St Station 2. At 6:40 am from 313 La Trobe Street – Near Melbourne Central Station 3. At 6:50 am from 44 Spencer Street – The Great Southern Hotel, near Southern Cross Station. Your pickup time and location will be as selected during the booking process. If you need to change the location, please notify us at least 24 hours before the tour departure. Please arrive at the pickup location at least five minutes before departure, as these are public parking spots and the minibus cannot wait. The drop-off points in the afternoon will be along Flinders Street.
Drop-off points
Select a drop-off point
Type to search
Start time.6:50 am
Itinerary
Make your own way to the meeting point for your early morning departure from Melbourne. Settle into the minivan and head inland toward the Twelve Apostles.
Arrive at the Twelve Apostles ahead of the crowds and enjoy the magnificent limestone formations at their most peaceful.
Follow Gibson Steps down to the beach below the vertical cliffs and take in a different view of the giant limestone stacks rising up out of the sea. Make a stop at the Loch Ard Gorge and snap photos of the Razorback, the most impressive formation.
Continue along the Great Ocean Road, through Great Otway National Park, to Maits Rest for a walk through the rainforest. Stop at Apollo Bay Stop for lunch (own expense) before continuing to Kennet River Koala Walk to spot the cute marsupials and orange-bellied parrots.
After a final photo stop at Teddy’s Lookout, your tour ends back where you began.
Arrive at the Twelve Apostles ahead of the crowds and enjoy the magnificent limestone formations at their most peaceful.
Follow Gibson Steps down to the beach below the vertical cliffs and take in a different view of the giant limestone stacks rising up out of the sea. Make a stop at the Loch Ard Gorge and snap photos of the Razorback, the most impressive formation.
Continue along the Great Ocean Road, through Great Otway National Park, to Maits Rest for a walk through the rainforest. Stop at Apollo Bay Stop for lunch (own expense) before continuing to Kennet River Koala Walk to spot the cute marsupials and orange-bellied parrots.
After a final photo stop at Teddy’s Lookout, your tour ends back where you began.
1
Winchelsea
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
The Twelve Apostles
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Gibsons Steps
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
The Razorback
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
5
Loch Ard Gorge
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Port Campbell National Park (Pass By)
6
The Great Ocean Road
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Great Otway National Park (Pass By)
7
Mait's Rest
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
8
Apollo Bay
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
9
Kennett River Nature Walk
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
10
Teddy's Lookout
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- We are not able to accommodate children under 7 years of age on this tour, as according to VicRoads regulations they must travel on child restraints, which are not available in our minibuses. Passengers who show up with under 7 years old kids will be refused boarding without refund.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- This is a small groups tour and the vehicles are 12 seaters minibuses Toyota Hiace or similar. In case extra room is required, send us a message so we can arrange large coaches option.
- If you are traveling with people, not in the same booking, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. We operate with multiple buses and can't guarantee sitting together without being informed.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 4,698 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
Tanuja_R, Aug 2026
Absolutely stunning ! Our guide was amazing, knowledgeable and kids gave 2 👍🏼 for his humor ! Definitely a must do and we appreciated the careful driving and timings . The van was very comfortable and smooth -
Pragya_B, Aug 2026
I really enjoyed the trip! It was worth it. Jimmy chan was our tourist guide and he was very sweet and described to us about every stop we were seeing, the apostles, the great ocean road, the koalas, and the trees in the rainforest. He was a caring tourist guide, really enjoyed this trip 😊
Glenis_J, Aug 2026
Be prepared for some walking and steps in Apostles viewing. Driver/guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining and went out of his way to explain and show foreign visitors as much as possible about Australia.
Andre_G, Aug 2026
Great tour... saw some very amazing sights. The tour guide/bus driver was great, very friendly and professional.
Anonymous, Aug 2026
Very interesting. But when the weather is cloudy the 12 apostles looks not so fantastic. Thanks to our Gide, he was awesome!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review! We’re glad you found the Great Ocean Road experience interesting and that you had an awesome guide. The weather along the coast can be unpredictable, but it’s all part of experiencing this incredible region. Thank you for travelling with us!
Natalie_A, Aug 2026
Highly recommend this tour! Sights were fantastic, tour guide knowledgeable, funny and friendly. We started at the 12 Apostles and then made our way in reverse down the Great Ocean Road which was great to miss the big crowds and tour buses. Lunch options were varied and delicious, lots of seafood options which is exactly what you want on a trip near the Ocean. Pete from On the Road tours is a top bloke and so passionate about what he does which made the experience so memorable. His knowledge and stories were great! We even got a close encounter with Faye the Magpie and some very cute koalas and Roo’s. You won’t be sorry, book it!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
What a fantastic review! We love hearing how much you enjoyed the reverse itinerary, avoiding the crowds, the wildlife encounters and, of course, Pete’s stories and passion for the Great Ocean Road. Sounds like Faye the Magpie made quite an impression too! Thanks for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Skylar_S, Aug 2026
It is a long drive to start as you go backwards but it is totally worth it as you beat the crowds and get the views to yourself. Worth it. A long day but the views are iconic. Each stop is pretty quick but that is how you get to pack so much into your day. Bring an external charger as you’ll be taking photos the whole time !
Response from Host, Aug 2026
It’s definitely a big day, but we’re so pleased you found it worth it! Our reverse itinerary is designed to beat the crowds while fitting as many Great Ocean Road highlights as possible into one incredible day. And great tip about the external charger — there are certainly plenty of photo opportunities along the way!
Carol_M, Aug 2026
Matti was a fun tour guide who kept a tight time schedule and ensured we got the most out of the day on the Great Ocean Road. We stopped at numerous spectacular viewing spots and also enjoyed seeing kangaroos, koalas and a Kookaburra!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
What a great mix of spectacular scenery and Aussie wildlife! We’re happy to hear Matti kept the day fun and well organised, making sure you could experience as much of the Great Ocean Road as possible. Kangaroos, koalas and a kookaburra make for some pretty special memories!
jewel_f, Aug 2026
Great day out. Really enjoyed all the stops. Great sightseeing and doing this tour in reverse was the best way to do it and only a small group of 12. Tour guide was very nice and never felt too rushed. Also shout out to the amazing bakery we stopped at.. had the most delicious meat pie.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Sounds like a Great Ocean Road day done right — spectacular sightseeing, a small group, no rushing and a delicious Aussie meat pie along the way! We’re so pleased you enjoyed the reverse itinerary and all the stops. Thanks for recommending our tour!
Milosz_K, Aug 2026
The views of the twelve Apostles were great, and there were multiple stops along the way to see viewpoints and wildlife. The guide was also friendly and informative, albeit a bit hard to understand because of his accent.
However the bus had very tight and uncomfortable seating, especially for such a long journey. There was not enough legroom for me to sit normally, I had to sit diagonally just to fit. All other tour operators I used on my trip had much more comfortable seats with enough legroom. The ride was also quite bumpy.
I cannot recommend this tour or company to anyone that is tall.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're delighted you enjoyed the breathtaking views of the Twelve Apostles, the wildlife encounters, and the many scenic stops along the way. We're also pleased you appreciated your guide's friendly and informative commentary. Our reverse itinerary is specifically designed to help guests enjoy these iconic locations with fewer crowds, making the experience even more special.
As a boutique small-group operator, we've deliberately chosen Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses, which are regarded as one of the best vehicles for premium small-group touring. This allows us to offer a more personal experience, access locations larger coaches can't, and create the relaxed atmosphere our guests consistently praise.
Thank you for travelling with us, and we wish you many more wonderful adventures in Australia.
All the best!
Jimmy_R, Aug 2026
Lots to see. It is a very long day. Take advantage of restroom opportunities. Lots of walking involved
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your recommendation. We'd love to welcome you back on another Hit The Road Tours adventure soon!
Anthony_P, Jul 2026
This tour was phenomenal! Our tour guide, Glen, was amazing from start to finish. We got picked up on time and hit all the spots on the itinerary. Our group was small, only 8 of us, so the size and pace overall was great. It was windy and drizzling at certain spots but we still managed to get great pictures and videos while avoiding all the crowds. The ride was smooth and relaxing the entire time. If I ever come back to Melbourne, I would totally book this tour again and hope to have Glen as our guide! We got picked up shortly after 6:30am and got dropped off around 6:30pm. We made a short breakfast stop, stopped for lunch at Apollo Bay and then had ice cream for dessert near the end of our itinerary.
Denise_B, Jul 2026
We did the reverse trip so we had the long drive in the morning. Even though it was long, it did not seem that long. The vehicle was very comfortable. We stopped halfway through to take a break and pick up breakfast if you wanted to.
Marty was our driver and gave us great suggestions for breakfast and at our lunch stop. He was a great commentator going out and coming back. Very knowledgeable of the area and conducting this tour.
We were provided enough time at each stop to go down to the areas we wanted to and take pictures and just enjoy the beautiful scenery around us.
We saw several kangaroos. The koalas were hard for us to spot but Marty was able to spot them pretty easily and point them out to us.
Highly recommend this tour.
Veera_P, Jul 2026
We had a lovely driver (whose name unfortunately can’t remember anymore) who was originally from Taiwan but had lived in Australia already for years. He started to tell us straight away stories of Melbourne’s history. He was very sweet and the spots where he took us were breathtaking. We even saw some koalas and kengurus on the way! Definitely worth it, especially if you don’t have many days in Melbourne this is a must. I would totally recommend it. I did this early July and occasionally it was raining a bit so remember to take a jacket with you and umbrella/rain jacket!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted you enjoyed the reverse itinerary and had the chance to see the breathtaking scenery, as well as wild koalas and kangaroos along the way.
We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Jimmy. It's great to hear you enjoyed his stories about Melbourne and that he helped make your day so memorable. Thank you for recommending our tour and for the great tip about bringing a jacket during winter—we couldn't agree more!
We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
Nilmar_F, Jul 2026
Amazing landscape and sightseeing spots. Our tour guide Martin was fantastic, one of a kind! Very gentle and with great spirt.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your amazing review! We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon.
Hend_A, Jul 2026
Really nice trip and jimmy was very friendly and very helpful
The weather was not good though but we managed to see the most sightseeings
Thank you
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your amazing review! We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon.
ChiYeung_C, Jul 2026
Chris, the travel guide is superb and knowledgeable about all tourist spots. it is a truly memorable trip!!!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your amazing review! We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon.
Angela_M, Jul 2026
Mark was fantastic! He was knowledgeable and took us to great sites for photos, views, and good food. Would recommend this tour to anyone!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're so pleased you enjoyed our reverse itinerary and had such a great day exploring the Great Ocean Road.
We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Mark. His local knowledge and passion for showcasing the best photo spots, scenery, and food always make for a memorable experience.
Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
Aishika_C, Jul 2026
If you're heading towards the Southern hemisphere of the world to explore Australia's nature and wildlife this Great Ocean road tour is highly recommended.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review and recommendation! We’re so happy you enjoyed exploring the beautiful nature and wildlife along the Great Ocean Road. We hope to welcome you on another Australian adventure soon!
Rosemary_C, Jul 2026
Five star tour. The reverse order means no crowds, and the itinerary is full of stunning scenery. The small group was a bonus. Pete was a fantastic guide.
Vyom_M, Jul 2026
Great tour, great guide, hits all the highlights. Marty is a great guide, very knowledgeable and friendly. Kept the tour lively during the entire 12 hours. We also saw some Koalas and Kangaroos. Overall 10/10 highly recommend it esp if you’re on a short trip like I was.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your fantastic review and recommendation! We're delighted to hear you had such a great day with Marty. He'll be thrilled to know his knowledge and enthusiasm helped make the 12-hour tour enjoyable from start to finish.
We're also glad you were able to spot koalas and kangaroos in the wild—always a memorable part of the experience! Thanks again for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back on your next Australian adventure.
Jamar_A, Jul 2026
Our Guide Mr. MARK was all you can ask for a SUPERB and RELAXING TRIP.
He is a like a Father on a Road Trip with Children. SALUTE TO YOU SIR.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you had such a relaxing and enjoyable day with Mark.
Your kind words will mean a lot to him. We'll be sure to pass on your compliments.
Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back for another memorable road trip in the future!
Norah_H, Jun 2026
Absolutely fabulous day. Our guide Marty was fantastic, very knowledgeable. Amazing variety along the coast, from the geography to the weather, and get to see kangaroos and koalas in the wild as well. Can’t wait to return.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! Thank you for travelling with us, and we can't wait to welcome you back again!
Parashor_G, Jun 2026
Very friendly tour guide , excellent behaviour, and very patient. Also the itinerary was excellent. The itinerary was also excellent, did not miss a single spot.
Giulietta_G, Jun 2026
I've dreamt of visiting Australia since I was a young teen, long ago. Finally I've made the trip and this tour was everything I imagined a visit to Australia could be: koalas in trees, a field full of placid, yet bouncy kangaroos, gorgeous beaches and rock formations, and friendly people. An extra, wondrous bonus was wandering through an ancient, almost pre-historic temperate rainforest.
It is a long day and there are windy and bumpy roads sometimes but it is one of the best travel experiences I ve had.
Mark, our driver and guide was wonderful. If you are considering this trip, don't hesitate to. It was fantastic.
Yiwen_S, Jun 2026
I had an amazing day on the Reverse Great Ocean Road tour. The itinerary was very well planned. Starting from the Twelve Apostles early in the day meant we could enjoy the views without large crowds. We visited beautiful places including the rainforest, and several coastal lookouts. Seeing wild kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat was definitely a highlight.
Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the long drive enjoyable with interesting stories and local information. The pace of the tour was comfortable, and I never felt rushed at any stop.
I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Melbourne. It was a wonderful experience and a great way to explore one of Australia’s most beautiful regions.
Doug_M, Jun 2026
Pete was the best. Informative, knowledgeable, funny and personable. He guided us all the way and gave us options and listened to what we wanted.
Baohan_T, Jun 2026
Our guide was incredible understanding and patient when we ended up missing our pickup time and was quickly able to find an alternate spot to pick up quickly yo minimize lost time. He also chose to extend the tour longer out of the interest of the group to ensure that we got the chance to see Kangaroos and get the most out of experience the tour offered. I would totally recommend the tour to anyone!
Jazmine_S, Jun 2026
Marty was a great tour guide on this tour! He was knowledgeable about the area and showed us some kangaroos, koalas and wallabies in the wild! I love how this tour was smaller and we got to see some great landscapes!
Belinda_W, Jun 2026
The views were amazing. Our guide Ann was the best ever. She was knowledgeable, experienced, kind and very helpful. Thank you Ann for making the Great Ocean Rd most memorable.
From $100.54
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 Guests
4,696
12 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$100.54
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Audio Guides
- Nature and Wildlife Tours
- Full-day Tours
- Bus Tours
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Day Trips
- Outdoor Activities
- Private and Luxury
- Melbourne
- Bus Tours - St Kilda
- Audio Guides - Yarra Valley
- Full-day Tours - Yarra Valley
- Bus Tours - Yarra Valley
- Audio Guides - Mornington Peninsula
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Mornington Peninsula
- Full-day Tours - Mornington Peninsula
- Bus Tours - Mornington Peninsula
Attractions in Melbourne, Australia
- Dandenong Ranges Tours & Tickets
- National Gallery of Victoria Tours & Tickets
- State Library Victoria Tours & Tickets
- Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm Tours & Tickets
- Rod Laver Arena Tours & Tickets
- Arts Centre Melbourne Tours & Tickets
- Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens Tours & Tickets
- Phillip Island Circuit Tours & Tickets
- Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre Tours & Tickets
- St Patrick's Cathedral Tours & Tickets
- SEA LIFE® Melbourne Aquarium Tours & Tickets
- Melbourne Royal Arcade Tours & Tickets
- Old Melbourne Gaol Tours & Tickets
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Tours & Tickets