Great Ocean Road Small-Group Eco Tour from Melbourne
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Melbourne, Australia
- 14 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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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.
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 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Kennett River
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Apollo Bay
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Mait's Rest
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
The Twelve Apostles
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
8
Loch Ard Gorge
45 minutes • Admission 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
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Reginald_R
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!
Reviews
4.9
based on 6,868 reviews
Woodrow_A, Apr 2026
Absolutely wonderful day. Bluey the driver guide was simply the best. The sights were out of this world.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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! 🌊🚁😊
Karishma_S, Apr 2026
David was very helpful and friendly. Had a great time exploring the great ocean road. Highly recommended.
Beth_L, Mar 2026
Guide was fantastic! Learned so much!! Saw so much….Went to a rain forest which reminded me of New Zealand
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.
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!
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!
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! 🌊😊
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! 🌊😊
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! 🌊😊
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!
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! 😊
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!
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!
Mia_P, Mar 2026
Tim was a very good tour guide! He is very knowledgeable and funny. The sights from the day were beautiful and I would definitely recommend this day trip if you’re staying in Melbourne!
Colleen_B, Mar 2026
Tim was a fantastic tour guide. He engaged with all on the tour. He offered helpful tips and provided useful background. He also played good music in the van.
The tour offered several scenic stops. One of my favorites was the brief walk through the temperate rain forest. I also really liked Loch Ard Gorge. There were two stops where you could buy lunch or dinner, respectively. I called the smaller group experience because you could talk to three guide more and it just felt more personal.
Overall, well worth it. Great experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a great experience and that Tim helped make the day engaging and enjoyable for everyone on board. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to him — he’ll really appreciate it.
It’s great to know you enjoyed the variety of stops along the way, especially the walk through the temperate rainforest and the stunning views at Loch Ard Gorge. We’re also glad the small group atmosphere helped make the experience feel more personal.
Thanks again for sharing your feedback, and we hope to welcome you on another Go West adventure in the future!
Yasmin_A, Mar 2026
Absolutely loved my time on this tour! Go West tours provides multiple different experiences on this tour including time in the rainforest along with the Great Ocean Road (along with the option to take a helicopter ride when at 12 Apostles). Our guide, Jacqui, had so much information and history to share at each station (including about the city of Melbourne) along with a killer playlist for our long car ride!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We’re so glad to hear you had such a great time on the Great Ocean Road tour and enjoyed the variety of experiences along the way — from the rainforest to the spectacular coastline and the Twelve Apostles.
It’s fantastic to know that Jacqui’s knowledge, stories, and great playlist helped make the long journey even more enjoyable. Our guides love sharing the history and highlights of the region, so it’s lovely to hear that added to your experience.
Thank you for travelling with Go West Tours, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future!
Parinya_S, Mar 2026
Great trip. Chris was a good driver and guide. We got to see Koalas and Kangaroos along the way as well.
Dana_B, Mar 2026
I had an amazing Great Ocean Road tour with Rick. He was fantastic—very friendly, knowledgeable, and full of positive energy. His positive vibe made the whole trip even more enjoyable. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!
DAVID_P, Mar 2026
Great ocean road tour is fantastic. Well thought out itinerary. Matt was an outstanding tour guide. Educational, pragmatic and hands on. Great attitude and thoughtful guy.
Sharon_K, Mar 2026
Overall, the journey was excellent with a very smooth drive. Our tour guide, Cloe, was enthusiastic from beginning to end. She explained everything very clearly and took great care of the whole group. She was fun and made the entire trip enjoyable. I would highly recommend Go West Tours because they made my husband and me feel very comfortable and safe, and they ensured we had a wonderful experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re delighted to hear that you and your husband had such an excellent experience on the Great Ocean Road tour. It’s wonderful to know the journey was smooth and comfortable, and that Cloe’s enthusiasm and clear explanations helped make the day both enjoyable and memorable.
Our guides take great pride in looking after their guests, so it’s fantastic to hear that Cloe made you feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for throughout the trip. We’ll be sure to pass along your lovely feedback to her.
Thank you again for your beautiful review. We’re so glad you chose to travel with us and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
Michele_H, Mar 2026
It’s a full day. Best part is the Forest walk. Great lunch opportunities in Apollo Bay. There were several nice stops. Driving along the southern end of a continent is a unique experience.
Isabella_H, Mar 2026
This was a great tour and Tim was a fantastic guide! We made many stops along the way and saw a variety of landscapes and sights. Highly recommend!
Darcy_D, Mar 2026
A long but fantastic tour. Many miles are covered with lots of stops which break up the day each with their own unique and beautiful view. The tour driver Mike was fantastic. If you want a way to see the GOR this tour covers all the stops without having to do any driving
Zhenxiang_L, Feb 2026
Absolutely astonishing travel experience. Although it was a long trip, Bob is truly a legend and a game changer—he paced the journey perfectly, and there was never a dull moment. The views are one of a kind. I would definitely recommend everyone to visit.
From $115.97
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Great Ocean Road Small-Group Eco Tour from Melbourne
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