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Great Ocean Road Small-Group Eco Tour from Melbourne

Recommended by 98% of travelers
Melbourne, Australia
Viator Experience Award
High interest
Booked 2 times today.
  • 14 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9
·
· Sophie_R ·
Jun 2026
Really enjoyed our tour led by Chris H. There were plenty of stops, so it didn't feel like we were on the coach too long, and the sites we saw were beautiful. We even saw some koalas! Chris was a great guide who brought what was quite a shy group out of their shells.
· Denise_H ·
Jun 2026
Jon was informative and knowledgeable. He made sure that we were able to see koalas. The bus was comfortable, and the experience was very positive. The views were amazing.

Overview

Take in breathtaking sights of long sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs on this guided, full-day tour of Australia’s Great Ocean Road. Explore some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth, including the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and Gibson Steps. Enjoy a rainforest walk among towering ash trees and spot koalas in one of the area's largest koala colonies. Travel in a deluxe mini-coach as part of a small group, ensuring a relaxed and personalized experience.
  • Full-day tour of the Great Ocean Road, departing from Melbourne
  • Keep your eye out for wild koalas along the route
  • Visit Great Otway National Park to see the rainforest
  • Admire rock formations, including the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and Gibson Steps at Port Campbell National Park

What's Included

  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Friendly & Informative Guide
  • Pickup from Selected Hotels
  • National Park fees
  • WiFi on board
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Book 2 Tours + City Tour option includes a Great Ocean Road, a Phillip Island and a FREE City tour
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
  • Meals other than as stated
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pickup is only available from the list of hotels provided upon checkout. Your pickup will be between 7am-8am depending on which hotel you selected. Your exact meeting time will be provided after a booking is placed. The full-day Great Ocean Road tour returns to Melbourne at approximately 8:30pm-9:30pm.

Operating hours
.7:00 am

Itinerary

Spend a full day exploring the natural wonders of Australia's Great Ocean Road. Your guide will pick you up from centrally located Melbourne hotels in a comfortable, upgraded-seating minibus, where you'll join a small group of passengers for a personalized experience. Onboard narration is available in multiple languages through a handy app, which you can download before the tour.

The Great Ocean Road officially begins at Torquay, a renowned surf town with stunning sandy beaches. Stop at a picturesque beachside location before continuing through charming port towns to Kennett River for some koala spotting at one of the area's largest koala colonies.

Next, head to Apollo Bay, a charming coastal town, where you'll have time to grab lunch (own expense) or simply relax before continuing on your journey. Afterward, travel to Great Otway National Park for a peaceful rainforest walk among towering ash trees.

Your adventure then leads you to Port Campbell National Park, where the coastal landscape reaches its dramatic peak. Here, marvel at the Twelve Apostles, a group of limestone stacks rising out of the ocean, as well as Gibson Steps, which offer panoramic views of the rugged coastline.

Along the way, you'll learn about the treacherous history of the Great Ocean Road, once a perilous navigation route for vessels entering the port of Melbourne. Hear tragic tales of Australia's "Shipwreck Coast" as you visit Loch Ard Gorge, the site of an 1878 shipwreck.

On your return journey to Melbourne, stop for dinner (own expense) before enjoying a relaxing ride back to your hotel. Share snapshots of your day with family and friends using the free onboard Wi-Fi.
1

Great Ocean Road

4 hours Admission Ticket Free

2

The Great Ocean Road

45 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

3

Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

4

Kennett River

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

5

Apollo Bay

45 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

6

Mait's Rest

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

7

The Twelve Apostles

1 hour Admission Ticket Included

8

Loch Ard Gorge

45 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Large bags, strollers, prams, baby capsules, luggage & walkers cannot be brought on board
  • 2 Tours + FREE City Tour option: This package includes 3 seperate tours, Great Ocean Road Day Tour, Philip Island Penguin Parade Tour & Melbourne City Discovery Half-day Tour
  • 2 Tours + FREE City Tour option: Please note that you will be booked as follows: Great Ocean Road Day Tour, on the date selected. Phillip Island Day Tour, on the following date. You may choose any date for your Melbourne City Tour by contacting us directly
  • 2 Tours + FREE City Tour option: Please note that the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour on day 2 returns between 9pm-12am (dependant on the season)
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 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)

Featured review

Benjamin_D
The Great Ocean Road Tour was one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Australia. If you’re lucky enough to have Naomi as your guide, you’re in for something truly special. She was warm, engaging, and full of fascinating stories about Australia’s history, nature, and geography. Even on the long drive, she kept us completely entertained and made the journey feel short. She went out of her way to help us spot koalas and kangaroos, and her enthusiasm was contagious. I’ve joined quite a few tours over the years, but this one stood out thanks to the breathtaking scenery and, above all, Naomi’s wonderful personality. It was an unforgettable experience that I’d recommend to anyone visiting Australia.

Reviews

4.9
based on 6,928 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sort by: Most insightful

What a lovely day with Alisha!

Rong_Z, Jul 2026
We had a lovely tour with Alisha! She went out of her way to make everyone feel comfortable. Enjoyed the conversation. The tour started with a tea stop that she organized with great muffins. The tour of the great ocean road was fantastic. It was well-timed with a great mix of walks, breaks, and sights along the way. We were lucky to see a koala and a few kangaroos on the way. A long day, but it was a lot of fun. Highly recommend Go West!!

Great tour, highly recommended

Gavin_D, Jun 2026
This was an awesome tour with so many great sights. Tim, our guide, was very informative, friendly and made sure we got everywhere on time. We had good amounts of time in each location, plus there was a bonus option to do a Twelve Apostles helicopter trip. Prepare for a long day - I was picked up at 7.10am and got back to my hotel at 8.45pm - but absolutely worth it.

Great Ocean Road tour with Chris H

Sophie_R, Jun 2026
Really enjoyed our tour led by Chris H. There were plenty of stops, so it didn't feel like we were on the coach too long, and the sites we saw were beautiful. We even saw some koalas! Chris was a great guide who brought what was quite a shy group out of their shells.

Great Ocean Road with Go West

Allen_T, Jun 2026
Chris H if Go West tours was an amazing guide. The coastline and 12 apostles lived up to the hype ! The rainforest walk was also a highlight.

Lisa was absolutely...

Gregory_B, Jun 2026
Lisa was absolutely amazing! Was a shame it’d be her last tour with this company. But 100% would recommend!

One of the most beautiful...

Marina_T, Jun 2026
One of the most beautiful routes I have ever seen! We had a perfect guide - Bluey. He has a great sense of humour and tells the stories about the route and history in a very lively way. It was also very cute that he gave us delicious muffins and coffee on the Great Ocean Road. Everything he recommended for food or stops was really good quality. I had a wonderful day and definitely recommend both the route and the guide!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thanks so much for your review! We're delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful time exploring the Great Ocean Road with Bluey. It's fantastic to know that his storytelling, sense of humour and local knowledge helped bring the journey to life and made the day even more enjoyable. The Great Ocean Road is certainly one of Australia's most spectacular coastal drives, and we're pleased that it left such a lasting impression. We're also glad you enjoyed the morning tea and that Bluey's recommendations throughout the day helped you make the most of every stop along the way. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Bluey, who will be thrilled to hear that he helped create such a memorable experience. Thanks again for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back on another adventure from Melbourne in the future — perhaps to Phillip Island, the Grampians, the Yarra Valley or aboard the iconic Puffing Billy!

Beautiful views

Denise_H, Jun 2026
Jon was informative and knowledgeable. He made sure that we were able to see koalas. The bus was comfortable, and the experience was very positive. The views were amazing.

Great Experience with...

Kartik_K, May 2026
Great Experience with David. Enjoyed the time with him and the rest of the passengers onboard. Must Visit.

12 apostles not seen

Ada_R, May 2026
The tour was not bad though there was heavy raining in the afternoon. Our guide Tom is a good driver, you can give him that but he is not knowledgeable about the area, the history, the trees and plants in the rainforest. Silent most of the trip except updating us on the real estate prices. His biggest mistake was to force everybody out of the bus under the pouring rain and force us to go to the stone formation. And lock the bus. We were all totally wet. It had to be optional not compulsory activity. If anybody gets sick, it would be on him.

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that inclement weather impacted your tour experience. We do appreciate your comments regarding Tom’s driving, and we’re pleased to hear you felt safe on the roads in difficult conditions. We are, however, disappointed to hear that the commentary and overall experience did not meet your expectations. This feedback is not in line with what we usually hear about Tom, and we will review this feedback with him. Regarding being requested to depart the touring vehicle during the stop at the 12 Apostles, this is an important fatigue management stop for our guides and they cannot be required to monitor a vehicle at this time. There is adequate undercover space to shelter from the rain at the 12 Apostles, so we're surprised to hear you were "totally wet". If you were unprepared to venture across to the viewing areas during your visit here, this will be the only reason the 12 Apostles might not have e been seen. We do hope that your health since the tour has been OK and wish you well with your onward travels.

Jools and Gumnut

Tong_S, May 2026
We had an amazing experience on the Great Ocean Drive, and a big part of that was thanks to Jools, our tour guide for the day. Jools genuinely took great care of the group, making sure everyone was comfortable, engaged, and enjoying the journey. What really stood out was the effort to take a few thoughtful detours along the way, giving us the chance to spot wildlife we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. Those moments made the trip feel much more special and memorable. Jools was also incredibly patient throughout the day, never rushing us and always allowing plenty of time at each stop—whether it was for meals or simply soaking in the stunning lookout points. It made the whole experience feel relaxed and well-paced. Overall, a fantastic guide who clearly cares about delivering a great experience. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, May 2026

Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you had such an amazing time on our Great Ocean Road tour. It’s fantastic to know that Jools made the day so enjoyable. Her care for the group and thoughtful approach really help create a relaxed and memorable experience. We’re so pleased you enjoyed those extra wildlife moments along the way. They really do make the journey feel even more special. It’s also great to hear the pacing of the day worked well for you, allowing plenty of time to take in each stop and enjoy the scenery. Thanks again for your kind recommendation. We’d love to have you join us again on another Melbourne adventure.

Must do!

Joann_B, Apr 2026
This was a long day but well-planned. There were several stops to break up the trip. Out guide Robbo (who was also the driver) was great. He gave us good, interesting info. He kept all 22 of us on time. I liked that we had lunch and dinner options and were on our own for that. The sites especially the 12 Apostles is well worth the long day. We also saw wild koalas and kangaroos.

Absolutely wonderful day....

Woodrow_A, Apr 2026
Absolutely wonderful day. Bluey the driver guide was simply the best. The sights were out of this world.

Improvement suggestion

Kwok_C, Apr 2026
Unlike other Viator trip providers, Go West does not contact traveller about pickup the day before the trip. This increase the anxiety during our early morning pickup at a location we are not too familiar with and waited for 10 minutes post the pickup time identified on the instruction.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks so much for your review! We’re delighted to hear you joined our Great Ocean Road tour and really appreciate your recommendation. We’re sorry to hear that the pickup experience caused some concern — we understand how important clear communication is, especially for early morning departures. For all of our tours, we do send a reminder email the day prior with full pickup details, and we always recommend guests reconfirm their information at least 24 hours before travel to ensure everything runs smoothly. That said, we appreciate you sharing this feedback and will continue working to make the experience as seamless as possible. Having experienced the Great Ocean Road with us, we hope you might join us again one day to explore more of what Victoria has to offer. Thanks again for your kind words & very best wishes for your onward adventures.

Scenic drive to some...

Elizabeth_G, Apr 2026
Scenic drive to some amazing and beautiful sites! Worth the trip. Tim was a fantastic tour guide - kept us entertained and informed.

Great tour!!

Tracey_L, Apr 2026
Amazing tour from start to finish! Cloe was an outstanding guide—friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive to everyone in the group. It’s a long day, but there’s so much to see and learn that it never felt like 14 hours. The Great Ocean Road was absolutely stunning, with beautiful views at every stop. Cloe was also a fantastic driver and kept the energy up with an awesome playlist throughout the day. She handled the group effortlessly, always with enthusiasm, and shared great food recommendations both during the tour and for places to check out in Melbourne afterward. Her positive attitude and energy never dropped—she was gracious and engaging right through to the very end. Highly recommend this tour!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks so much for your amazing review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a fantastic time on our Great Ocean Road tour. It’s wonderful to know that Chloe made your day so memorable — her friendly, knowledgeable, and energetic approach really does make a difference, especially on a big day out. We’re so pleased you enjoyed the stunning scenery along the way and that the day felt engaging from start to finish — it sounds like a truly memorable experience. Having experienced the Great Ocean Road with us, we hope you might join us again one day to explore more of what Victoria has to offer. Thanks again for your kind words & very best wishes for your onward adventures.

We had so much fun on...

jane_c, Apr 2026
We had so much fun on this experience! Our guide, Rhys, was amazing, very energetic and entertaining. He even offered to take photos and selfies for us, which made the trip extra special. Highly recommend!

Best Tour in Australia

Ethenie_W, Apr 2026
The day was a fabulous fun adventure day. The best s was small and tight. The advantage of it we were able to get into areas where a large couch bus wouldn’t be able to. Fun day with great beach stops and opportunities at the stops for food and bathroom breaks. The views are spectacular. Great day. I would do it again. Shout out to Jess are driver. Thank you!

Great Ocean Road - Great Experience

COLM_H, Apr 2026
It was a long day, but well worth the early start - especially in the company of our excellent driver and guide Bluey. On the way to the Twelve Apostles, we stopped in Torquay and Apollo Bay which are worth a visit in their own right - and we saw koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat, which was great. The highlight was the Twelve Apostles, and we took the chance to see them from the air on the optional helicopter trip which was fantastic. There was also time for a short clifftop walk at Loch Ard Gorge, where Bluey told the story of the shipwreck which led to its name. All in all, it’s a fantastic trip which I would recommend to anyone - and I’d recommend Viator, too. Booking in advance with them was so easy - in terms of asking for extra information beforehand, making the reservation, payment, receiving confirmation, and getting e-tickets, too. Faultless.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so glad to hear you had such a rewarding day on the Great Ocean Road tour — it really is a big day, but it sounds like it was well worth the early start! It’s wonderful to know Bluey made the experience even more enjoyable with his guidance and storytelling. From the coastal stops at Torquay and Apollo Bay to spotting wildlife in their natural habitat, it sounds like you experienced a great mix of highlights. We’re especially happy you took the opportunity to see the Twelve Apostles from the air — such an incredible way to take in the scenery! And Loch Ard Gorge always comes to life with its fascinating history. Thank you as well for your kind words about the booking process — we’re glad everything was smooth and easy for you from start to finish. Thank you for the awesome review and we hope to welcome you on another Go West adventure in the future! 🌊🚁😊

Great experience

Karishma_S, Apr 2026
David was very helpful and friendly. Had a great time exploring the great ocean road. Highly recommended.

Guide was fantastic!...

Beth_L, Mar 2026
Guide was fantastic! Learned so much!! Saw so much….Went to a rain forest which reminded me of New Zealand

Long day traveling the Great Ocean Road.

Patricia_H, Mar 2026
Very long day. Beautiful sights. Happy we did it. Saw a Koala and kangaroos as well as the 12 Apostles. Monique our guide was wonderful.

A must do!!

Francis_W, Mar 2026
Fun, organized, informative and a great driver! Mark our driver was very knowledgeable. We were never rushed and got to see more than we ever expected!

12 Apostles are a must see!

Susan_B, Mar 2026
What an incredible experience. David Nichols was our Guide. We knew it was going to be a great trip when we met him. Very fun, super guy. He told us everything about our sights. The 12 Apostles were the Highlight of our trip. Just amazing!

Great Ocean Road experience

Arlene_N, Mar 2026
It’s a long day but with so much to see and frequent stops, the time goes quickly and was well worth the time. The 12 Apostles were beautiful! As was the Loch Ard Gorge. We also took a walk in a rain forest and the whole Ocean Road was winding with fabulous views the whole way. We also saw kangaroos and koalas in natural settings which was a bonus. Highly recommend this tour

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad to hear you found the Great Ocean Road tour well worth the time. It really is a big day, but with so many incredible sights — from the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge to the rainforest walk and those stunning coastal views — it’s great to know it all felt rewarding and enjoyable. Spotting kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat is always a special bonus too! Thank you for your review and for travelling with Go West Tours. We hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future! 🌊😊

Great Ocean Road

Reginald_R, Mar 2026
This tour was very nice and convenient to see the great ocean road! It was nice to relax and enjoy the scenery with the ocean on your left hand side throughout the drive. Our tour guide Peter was a great and knowledgeable guide! Would love to take another tour with him. Our group took return times seriously and we were able to get back on time to Melbourne. The sights and group were great!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed a relaxing and scenic day along the Great Ocean Road — it really is the perfect way to take in those beautiful coastal views without the stress of driving. It’s great to know that Peter helped make the experience even more enjoyable with his knowledge and guidance throughout the day. We’re also pleased everything ran smoothly with the group, allowing you to make the most of each stop and return on time. Thank you for travelling with Go West Tours, and we’d love to have you join us again on another adventure in the future! 🌊😊

No regrets - book this tour!

Chelsey, Mar 2026
This was a wonderful tour and I am very glad I did it! You do a lot throughout the day but it never seems rushed and you see so many amazing things. We saw a koala, kangaroos, an echidna, lots of beautiful birds and plants - and of course the amazing coast and rock formations! From the start the tour guide Rach was one of the best guides I’ve ever had. She took the time to learn my name and remembered it all day (seems small but as an often solo traveler very few guides actually do this). From the great curated playlist to the stories she shared, she made the bus ride enjoyable as well as the stops! I highly recommend this tour to anyone who has only a day to see this area and doesn’t want to drive, it’s well worth it!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad to hear you had such a great experience on the Great Ocean Road tour and that the day felt full without ever being rushed. It sounds like you were lucky with wildlife sightings too — spotting a koala, kangaroos, an echidna, and plenty of birdlife is always a special bonus alongside the stunning coastal views. It’s especially lovely to hear your feedback about Rach. The small touches, like remembering names and creating a welcoming atmosphere, really do make a difference — particularly for solo travellers. We’re so happy she made both the journey and the stops enjoyable with her stories and playlist. Thank you for the awesome review, and for choosing Go West Tours. We hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future! 🌊😊

Perfect Ocean Road Experience

Kenalyn_C, Mar 2026
Fantastic! Matt was terrific! He gave us great history/stories, as well as getting us to each site and giving us great time management pointers! Loved this journey!

The Great Ocean Tour with the Great company Go West Tours

Nithya_S, Mar 2026
we had an excellent trip to the great ocean road. Our trip guide was Jono who went the extra mile, was knowledgeable and ensured that we had a great time, even though it rained the whole day. His love for wildlife and nature shines through and we enjoyed his spotting of the koalas on trees as well as taking us to school grounds to show us the Kangaroos. Five-star rating for Jono and Go west tours.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad to hear you had an excellent time on the Great Ocean Road tour, even with a full day of rain. It’s great to know that Jono’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for wildlife helped make the experience so enjoyable. Spotting koalas in the trees and seeing kangaroos up close are always special moments, and it’s fantastic that Jono went the extra mile to make that happen for you. Thank you for the five-star review, and for travelling with Go West Tours. We hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future! 😊

Mike was a fantastic...

Ralph_S, Mar 2026
Mike was a fantastic guide. He’s a very likable and interesting guy. He provided an abundance of enriching information along the way about Australia and the sites, and he planned for a satisfying amount of time at each stop, while keeping things moving so as to see more things. This tour provided a wonderful collection of stunning sites and memorable experiences.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad to hear you had a wonderful experience on the Great Ocean Road tour. It’s great to know that Mike’s friendly nature and wealth of knowledge helped make the journey both engaging and enjoyable. We’re also pleased that the pacing of the day allowed you to take in the highlights while still making the most of the itinerary. The Great Ocean Road really does offer such a stunning collection of sights and memorable moments. Thank you for travelling with Go West Tours, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future!

Worth the ride

dana_s, Mar 2026
Graham was our tour guide. He was perfect for this. He is full of knowledge and was such fun to travel with!

From $112.30

per person

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

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On average, this is booked 29 days in advance.

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