Skip to main content

Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 Guests

Recommended by 98% of travelers
Melbourne, Australia
Viator Experience Award
High interest
Booked 5+ times today.
  • 12 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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.

Operating hours
.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.
1

Winchelsea

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

2

The Twelve Apostles

40 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

3

Gibsons Steps

20 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

4

The Razorback

25 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

5

Loch Ard Gorge

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

Port Campbell National Park (Pass By)

6

The Great Ocean Road

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Great Otway National Park (Pass By)

7

Mait's Rest

25 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

8

Apollo Bay

45 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

9

Kennett River Nature Walk

20 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

10

Teddy's Lookout

10 minutesAdmission 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

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9
based on 4,381 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Our guide Pete made our trip a 5 star experience

Andy_W, Mar 2026
Our guide Pete was outstanding he made our trip and was very knowledgeable about every aspect of the trip and he went out of his way to make the trip extra special for us.The 12 apostles are breath taking and well worth a trip

Peter was a great guy. It...

carl_O, Mar 2026
Peter was a great guy. It was an amazing day and he went above and beyond to make sure we saw a koalas kangaroos and fantastic scenery.

Marty was an awesome and knowledgeable tour guide

bellachaos, Mar 2026
Our tour guide Marty was great! All of the stops were great. Beautiful scenery. My only complaint was the seats in the van were very uncomfortable and the seatbelts were so tight it was like a straight jacket. The back of the bus was extremely bumpy and noisy. Couldn’t hear anything he was saying. The roads are very whinedy. If you are susceptible to car sickness do not take this tour.

When a “kinda American ; kinda Australian” travels “The Great Ocean Road”

Mimi_I, Mar 2026
This was an awesome tour! Long day though! I would recommend packing a few snacks. Barbara our guide was amazing! She kept us engaged and also allowed some quiet time when we had a longer drive time! Also wear comfortable shoes! Other than that enjoy the Great Ocean Road!

Great Ocean Road Tour

Margaret_H, Mar 2026
Barbara was a fabulous tour guide. Lots if laughs and so knowledgable. Great value for money and will look for more tours through your company

Amazing excursion

Aletha_M, Mar 2026
Our tour guide, Pete, was a fantastic host! He took good care of us. Pete is knowledgeable and has a sense of humor. Dress in layers if you do this activity in the fall. The wind can be intense along the coast. Be prepared for beautiful sites!

A Natural Marvel - and an amazing tour guide!

AkashJustin_O, Mar 2026
This was a spectacular tour. The sights across the ocean road are immaculate. If you are in Melbourne, DO NOT MISS THIS! The Twelve Apostles are a natural marvel to simply behold. Such splendor. Wayne was such a friendly and informative tour guide. He was kind and ensured he made conversation with everyone on the tour. My senior parents found the whole journey very comforting and it was made even better with help and guidance from Wayne. Highly recommend this tour. An absolute highlight of our Australia vacation.

Peter was such a great...

Amie_C, Mar 2026
Peter was such a great host and did an amazing job showing us round the sights on the Great Ocean Road! The reverse itinerary meant there were hardly any tourists while we were there. We saw kangaroos, koalas and an echidna! Trip couldn’t have been better!

A great day! We saw so...

Daphnee_G, Mar 2026
A great day! We saw so many amazing things and the guide was really nice. I would definitely recommend.

Reverse itinerary is the way to go

Olivia_R, Mar 2026
Fabulous trip. Reverse itinerary is the way to go for fewer crowds and better views. Cara was great at spotting wild koalas and found a huge mob of kangaroos.

It is a great day lots of...

Mark_W, Mar 2026
It is a great day lots of different information about the area not just what the tour is offering. Chris the tour leader was very knowledgeable good driver and friendly

Must do

Stephen_C, Mar 2026
Beautiful weather. Fantastic views. Small group plus tour guide/driver Ann made the day fun for all. Ann literally went the extra mile to ensure the group saw animals in their natural habitat.

Amazing views and wildlife along the Great Ocean Road

JANECATHERINE_b, Mar 2026
Wonderful stress free way to see the sites along the Great Ocean Road. It’s a long day but well paced with enough time at the key sites to enjoy the views and take photos Our driver Pete provided great information about the places we visited and the wildlife. It was an added bonus to see kangaroos and koalas in the wild and we were really lucky to get close to an echidnas and kookaburra.

Road trip

Trevor_H, Mar 2026
A great road trip with Peter. A short stop for coffee and breakfast before driving to the Apostles. Peter was very communicative and knowledgeable. Plenty of opportunities at the Apostles for photos. We saw koalas and kangaroos up close on the way back. We’d highly recommend this tour even though it’s a long day.

Don't miss it

Tammy_L, Mar 2026
Beautiful scenery you won't find if you don't go. Gorgeous tour. Great guide. Fast paced. Saw kangaroo and koala in the wild. Ocean road is fab. Chocolate at the end was fantastic too

Beautiful Tour

William_F, Mar 2026
The tour company was very good in providing information and was on time for our pickup. Our tour director was very friendly and knowlegeable. He kept our tour on a nice pace and was very enthusiastic. We were able to see Koala and Kangaroos. The coastal drive is very beautiful. The rain forest was a nice addition. Getting out of the city and seeing the rural areas was interesting. The town we stopped in for lunch was nice and offered many menu selections. A great way go spend the day.

Great Ocean Road

WaiLingChai, Mar 2026
Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and a great driver. She picked us up on time at 6:30am. Our first stop was to get coffee and some breakfast. It was well worth it despite the tour being 12h. Our guide seems to know where to park; we seem to be one step ahead of the other groups. We saw and experienced beautiful coast lines, the 12 apostles, a hike through a cool rainforest, saw magpies, cows, cockatoos, koalas and lots of kangaroos. We even stopped at a chocolate factory and an ice creamery. Great ice cream with huge portions. Definitely recommend.

Fabulous Day Trip!

Theresa_B, Mar 2026
This was an amazing day trip with our wonderful guide Marty! Amazing views and short walks with well timed breaks. Don't miss it…wonderful experience!!

Great Ocean Road in reverse.

Sarah_H, Mar 2026
Our host Ann was very good, she went out of her way yo make sure that we saw Kanagarooos. It was a long day, but we saw the Apostles & 🐬 which was a bonus. We stopped at a couple of towns which were lovely & had the most amazing Fish & Chips. A very good dog, with lots of memories. 🙂

Birds, Koalas, Kangaroos!...

Gail_W, Mar 2026
Birds, Koalas, Kangaroos! Gorgeous coastlines! We had a wonderful day with Peter. He created a delightful day for us along the Great Ocean Road.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your lovely review. We’re so glad you had such a wonderful day exploring the Great Ocean Road with Peter.

A Must Do! Yeah Nah Yeah!

Judith_D, Mar 2026
One word...Peter! We had great weather and Peter made sure we were out and about at every stop. The landscapes and wildlife were amazing. It is a long day and a good anount of walking but there are places to rest and wait for the group if needed. The anecdotes and history kept us entertained all day. This is a must do! Peter, we stopped at the pub and had a local in your honor! Yeah Nah Yeah! Thanks for a great day!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re so happy to hear you had such a great day with Peter. He loves sharing the stories, landscapes and wildlife along the way, and we’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to him. We’re glad you enjoyed the adventure. Hope to see you again on another tour.

Do not try to do this on your own!

patl, Mar 2026
Jimmy was a great guide. Each stop was thoughtfully planned. Long day but did not feel like it. Book this tour!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your lovely review.

Excellent tour. Marty...

Tracy_H, Mar 2026
Excellent tour. Marty covered so much in one day. I loved going in reverse as the crowds were not as bad at first few stops. Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re so glad you enjoyed the reverse itinerary and had a great day exploring with Marty. It’s a fantastic way to experience the highlights with fewer crowds. We really appreciate your recommendation.

Long distances but beautiful views.

Luciana_H, Mar 2026
If you suffer from motion sickness, make sure to take some medication. You will need it. This is a long and somewhat tiring tour, but the views are worth it. There's a lovely chocolate factory/store at the end.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your review. It’s a big day of exploring, but the Great Ocean Road views make it unforgettable. Glad you enjoyed the chocolate stop at the end.

Fantastic experience

Jeffrey_L, Mar 2026
Our tour started at 6:50am, but was worth the early rise. Our guide Peter was very knowledgeable, and you could tell that he loves his job. Being early meant that we missed the crowds and he was keeping us a step ahead of them. A fantastic experience that everyone should see!

A great day out

Steven_P, Mar 2026
A full day out with loads of things to see. Our driver/guide was Glen and he was very amiable and knowledgeable and took his time to speak to everyone in our group As well as the great views slo g the road we also saw kangaroos and Koalas

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your lovely review. We’re so glad you had a great day exploring with Glen. It’s fantastic to hear you enjoyed the views along the Great Ocean Road and even spotted kangaroos and koalas.

Reverse Great Ocean Road

sheila_p, Mar 2026
Our tour guide Jimmy Chan really know this tour. He took us to off the road places, a rainforest, to see kangaroos and kola bears. It was more then just the great ocean road.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

We’re so glad you had such a great day exploring with Jimmy. Thank you for your lovely review.

GREAT Ocean Road Trip!

Richard_S, Mar 2026
This was a great trip but it was a long day. Our pick up was at 6:50 AM and we got back about 6:30 PM.. It was totally worth it however. Our first stop was to get a coffee and a light brekki. We then went directly towards the great Ocean Road with a couple of scenic stops along the way. On our way back we also saw a few koalas in the trees and some kangaroos in the fields.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your lovely review. It’s definitely a full day of exploring, but we’re so glad to hear you felt it was worth it. Spotting koalas and kangaroos along the way always makes the journey even more special. We appreciate you sharing your experience with us.

A Great Ocean Road Adventure

jan_r, Feb 2026
Great all day trip along the Great Ocean Road. Beautiful vistas. Our guide Chris was easy to hear and knowledgeable about the atea.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your lovely review. We’re so glad you enjoyed the beautiful views along the Great Ocean Road and had a great day exploring with Chris

Amazing

Wenhao_Z, Feb 2026
Can’t believe we did all those activities in one day! Great tour to get to know Victoria, would recommend to my friends

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your lovely review. We’re so glad you enjoyed the day and everything Victoria has to offer.
From
-7%

$97.07

per person
Was $104.37

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 40 days in advance.

Compare Similar Experiences

1 / 3
Current
Special Offer
Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 Guests


12 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$104.37
$97.07
Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles Private Day Tour


8 to 12 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$246.47
$234.15