Great Ocean Road Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne
Badge of Excellence
Melbourne, Australia
- 13 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Travel one of the world’s most iconic coastal roads without having to drive yourself on this full-day tour. Dodge the crowds by driving the famous Great Ocean Road in reverse, stopping to view landmarks like Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles in the less-busy morning. After a light picnic lunch, hike through the Otway rainforest, look for koalas along the Kennett River, and enjoy dramatic views over Apollo Bay.
- Drive the famous route in reverse to avoid the crowds
- Enjoy magnificent views of the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and Apollo Bay
- Spot wild koalas in their natural environment
- A light picnic lunch is included
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Driving from west-to-east means fewer crowds and a morning visit to the 12 Apostles—the best time for photos.
What's Included
- Picnic sandwich with piece or fruit or sweet item
- All National Park entry fees — nature’s best, covered!
- Morning tea & tasty treats to start your day right
- Expert local guide bringing stories, fun facts, and insider tips
- Travel in style aboard a comfy, air-conditioned medium sized coach with onboard wifi
- Multilingual translation app available in 10 languages
- Meals not listed in the itinerary — we’ll stop along the way to support small businesses
- Extra spending money for souvenirs, snacks, or that must-have fridge magnet
- 12 Apostles scenic helicopter flights - payable onboard direct to the operator on arrival
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Immigration Museum400 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Our default pickup location for this tour will be Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St, corner of Market St, Melbourne @ 7:35am. If you wish to change your pickup location, please contact our friendly reservations team.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.7:35 am
Itinerary
1
Melbourne
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
WWI Memorial
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
The Twelve Apostles
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Loch Ard Gorge
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
5
Great Otway National Park
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
6
Wye River
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
8
Melbourne
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- Please reconfirm within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Children under 18yrs old, must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking (on request only)
- Not wheelchair, prams or stroller accessible please do not bring on tour.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 28 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
Jane H
A really great trip with spectacular views. I've done this tour in both directions and this one is better for seeing the 12 Apostles in good light. It was a long drive at first but well worth it and there are lots of stops and views on the drive back. Brett was a great guide and soon got to know everyone.
Reviews
4.5
based on 282 reviews
James_B, Mar 2026
Our guide for Great Ocean Road, AU was Anthony. He meet and exceeded our expectations! He wanted each of us to see every possible highlight in just a single day and he made it a point to satisfy every person on our tour, like finding Koalas and Kangaroos for many members that had not seen. So guess what, Anthony was able to locate a 20+ Kangaroo heard and 6-7 Koalas. Anthony’s Best for his knowledge and passion. We have travelled all over world and have found two exceptional tour guides and Anthony is one of them! James
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful words! We’re thrilled Anthony exceeded your expectations and helped you spot kangaroos and koalas. His passion and care truly make the Great Ocean Road special. We’ll be sure to share your kind praise with him!
Sharon_T, Feb 2026
This is a great whistle-stop tour to visit the 12 Apostles and towns around and on the Great Ocean Road. Our bus driver Craig has a wealth of information about this area as has lived there all his life. Thanks for the laughs and great day Craig!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the whistle-stop tour along the Great Ocean Road, visiting the 12 Apostles and the charming towns nearby. Craig is truly a treasure with his extensive knowledge and local insights, and we're glad he made your day enjoyable with his stories and humor.
We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again for more memorable adventures!
adrian_l, Dec 2025
We had wonderful time, Helda was amazing, highly recommended to spend the last days of 2025.
Thank you and all the best.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We’re so glad you enjoyed spending the last days of 2025 on the Great Ocean Road with Helda.
Michael_S, Oct 2025
Craig and Barry bus was great. Laura did good work as well. It's a long day on the road but the apostles are very cool and lots of neat scenery and walking hiking. If you don't want to drive-this is a great way to go.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks for the great feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the stunning scenery and had a smooth ride with Craig, Barry, and Laura. The Apostles never disappoint!
nyccitygirl1118, Sep 2025
Anthony our guide was great. Tour was excellent - weather was a bit flaky but luckily rain held off for the most part. I’ve seen plenty of pictures of the 12 Apostles but it’s awesome to see the real thing. Would recommend!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your great feedback! We're so pleased to hear that Anthony provided a wonderful guiding experience and that you enjoyed the tour despite the unpredictable weather. Seeing the 12 Apostles in person is truly awe-inspiring, and we're glad you got to experience it firsthand. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to host you again for more memorable adventures!
Diana_G, Jan 2025
Lots of things see and learn! Our guide Kiwi was very knowledgeable. We also were lucky enough to see a Koala!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
G'day Diana,
We're so glad to hear that you had a great time and learned so much during the tour.
Kiwi is indeed a fantastic guide, and it's awesome that you were lucky enough to spot a koala—such a special moment!
Thanks for sharing your experience, and we’d love to have you join us on another adventure soon!
Kind regards
Wildlife Tours
Kit_W, Jan 2025
Peter was very knowledgeable and had great sense of humor, made a big difference for the tour.
Also we kept time on each location and was back at crown hotel at 8 pm sharp
Response from Host, Jan 2025
G'day Kit,
We're so glad to hear that Peter’s knowledge and sense of humor made a big difference in your tour experience—he truly knows how to keep things fun and informative.
It’s also fantastic to know that the schedule ran smoothly and you arrived back at the Crown Hotel right on time. We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you on another adventure soon!
Kind regards
Wildlife Tours
Arvind_B, Jan 2025
The driver was very rude to kids and threatened to throw them out of the bus. Never have experienced this in my life. There was no water on the bus and no regular stops to get good or water. The picnic sandwich was so so . Don’t recommend This trip
jon_f, Jan 2025
Very long day. Great vistas at the 7
Apostles. Never were 12 but still
Spectacular vistas . Ocean road ride very
Winding with great views. Scallop pies at Appollo Bay a must to try.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
G'day Jon,
Thanks for sharing your experience!
It sounds like you had quite an adventure along the Great Ocean Road. The views at the 7 Apostles are truly spectacular.
We hope you had a fantastic day and that you’ll join us again for more incredible sights.
Kind regards
Wildlife Tours
Pallavi_B, Dec 2024
Amazing tour..tour guide was very helpful , went over the itenery with details, took care of even the small details like ensuring phone charged when we reach city back. We covered many stops and yet it was very enjoyable experience
Response from Host, Jan 2025
G'day,
Thank you so much for your kind feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you had an amazing tour and that your guide’s attention to detail made the experience even better. It’s great to know that you enjoyed the various stops and felt well taken care of throughout the day.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another enjoyable tour soon!
Kind regards,
Autopia Tours
RossandLyndal_H, Dec 2024
Matt & James were very hospitable & obliging which made the day very enjoyable. The scenery was fabulous &
We’re so glad we made the choice to use their company ‘autopia’. The bus was very clean & comfortable.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
G'day,
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that Matt and James made your day enjoyable with their hospitality and helpfulness.
we look forward to welcoming you on another journey in the future!
Kind regards,
Wildlife Tours
Rob_H, Dec 2024
Despite heavy rain throughout the trip our guide Stave gave us an enjoyable experience, going out of his way to show us kangaroos and koalas on trip of the usual trip.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
G'day,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad to hear that, despite the heavy rain, you still had an enjoyable trip with Steve.
Thanks again for joining us, and we’d love to have you back for another trip soon!
Kind regards,
Wildlife Tours
Richard_P, Nov 2024
KIWI, our driver/guide was ABSOLUTELY GREAT!
Knowledgeable, considerate and thorough. Great tour done in reverse.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
G'day Richard,
Amazing to hear that you had a ripper of a time out on tour with Kiwi. He'll love to hear this and we'd love to have you come back and adventure with us again soon!
Kind regards,
Wildlife Tours
Mazahir_R, Nov 2024
Booked through Viator, a company I trust, this was a thoroughly enjoyable tour to see the 12 Apostles, (7 actually) and a drive back on the Old Ocean road, a road which is 134 kms long, built by veterans of World war 1, by hand. But first the trip. The pick up says opposite the Immigration museum. It is actually on the road by the side of the museum. I nearly missed the bus because of this. So the driver cum guide who goes by the name of James aka Wheels and his asst Mannan. Both excellent knowledgable and full of stories which make the journey more interesting. The trip. The first stop is just a toilet and breakfast stop (tea coffee and muffins) next to a river, while heading to the 12 Apostles. A sight to see and remember. We had a cold cloudy day but even that could not daunt the spectacle of nature. This alone makes the trip fulfilling. But definitely needed at least 45 more minutes here to soak up the energy and to go down to the beach. The second stop after getting sandwiches for lunch was at a rain forest. Strictly avoidable. The Hold coast had a much better rain forest on Mount Tambourlin. The beauty of the drive now unfolded as James drove us through the long coastal road. Simply beautiful and covered today by mist. He stooped to show us Koala bears and also finally saw a mob of Kangaroos. Fascinating. Interesting small towns all over the drive. Take this tour and hope your guide is as interesting as Wheels. But please give people more time at the Apostles
Response from Host, Nov 2024
G'day,
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the tour and appreciated James your guide who made the journey extra special.
The 12 Apostles are truly breathtaking, and we’ve noted your suggestion for more time there. We’re also glad you loved the coastal drive and spotting koalas and kangaroos!
We’ll work on improving clarity about the pick-up location and balancing the itinerary further. Thanks again, and we hope to see you on another adventure soon!
Kind regards,
Wildlife Tours
Leonard_Z, Nov 2024
I had a flight cancellation so this was the perfect way to spend an extra day in Melbourne. Our tour guide Craig was very personable and made the day cruise by seamlessly. His knowledge of the coastal history, native plants, animal species, and general knowledge of his country made for some interesting learning. The tour covered approximately 350 miles of driving but the beauty of the scenery made time fly. There were plenty of stops along the way to see the beauty of the coastline and the bus was very comfortable so you won’t feel like you’ve been cramped up for all those miles. Craigs driving was exceptional and I’d highly recommend this trip for a nice day out along the beautiful Great Ocean Road.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
G'day,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re glad to hear that the tour provided the perfect way to spend your extra day in Melbourne. It’s fantastic that Craig made your experience both enjoyable and educational. We’re happy to know that the beautiful scenery, and comfortable bus. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!
Kind regards,
Wildlife Tours
Alison_B, Nov 2024
Lived up totally to expectations , great day out and our guide Joe was informative and caring , lunch was excellent.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
G'day Alison,
Thank you for your recent review!
It's so nice to hear that Joe made your Reverse Great Ocean Road so memorable. We're glad all your expectations were met! We're also glad you've enjoyed the lunch provided for you!
Cheers,
WIldlife Tours
Jamie_M, Oct 2024
For a long day it doesn’t drag, reverse itinary worked great. Big shout out to Misty who was a class guide throughout the day!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
G'day Jamie!
Amazing to hear that you had a fabulous day out touring with Misty for the Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour. We hope you were able to spot lots of koalas and kangaroos out on tour with Misty. She's the best!
Kind regards,
Wildlife Tours
Stephanie_N, Sep 2024
Guide/driver Jacob was amazing! Took care of us throughout. Managed to visit many locations despite the rain. Recommended for anyone who wants a compressed version of the great ocean road experience. Doing it in reverse is good too.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We’re thrilled to hear that Jacob took such great care of you, even with the rainy weather.
It’s wonderful that you were able to visit so many locations have such a great experience.
We hope to see you again on another journey!
rjacobson147, Sep 2024
So much beauty in one day trip. Well worth the time spent. Kiwi Chris was a great group leader and shared a lot of information throughout the day.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for your lovely review!
We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the beauty of the Great Ocean Road tour, and that Kiwi Chris made a positive impact as your Tour Guide. His knowledge and enthusiasm truly enhance the experience.
Kind Regards,
Wildlife Tours.
ROHIT_C, Jun 2024
my family thoroughly enjoyed our Great Ocean Bus trip. The bus was very roomy and comfortable and our coach driver "Jacob" was fantastic, we had a great day.
lunch picnic in forest was good fun
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Hi Rohit,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear that your family thoroughly enjoyed the Great Ocean Bus trip. It's great to know that the bus was roomy and comfortable, and that Jacob made the day fantastic for you. We're also glad you had fun with the lunch picnic in the forest.
We look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon!
Kind Regards,
Wildlife Tours
Rohit_S, Jun 2024
12 apostles and the Melba Gully. I enjoyed seeing the koalas and kangaroos. Complimentary breakfast and dinner should have been provided. Aidan is a great tour guide.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Hi Rohit,
Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed visiting the 12 Apostles and Melba Gully, and seeing the koalas and kangaroos.
We're glad Aidan made your tour special. We appreciate your feedback about the complimentary breakfast and dinner and will take it into consideration.
We hope to welcome you on another tour soon!
Kind Regards,
Wildlife Tours
Kathleen_G, May 2024
This was a fabulous tour! Long day however. The 12 Apostles, Ocean Road, Rainforest were all wonderful. However, Autotopia should NOT pack the tour bus with 28 guests. The max should be 26. We were stuck on the back bench with 5 normal adult's but we should have been 5 skinny adults. It seats 5 but really 4 is comfortable with the 9-11 hours of driving given the seat width is only 13 inches. Not the drivers fault. He was terrific.
Response from Host, May 2024
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the 12 Apostles, Ocean Road, and Rainforest, and that our driver made the experience terrific for you.
We apologize for the discomfort you experienced with the seating. Your comments about the bus capacity are valuable, and we will review our seating arrangements to ensure a more comfortable experience for our guests.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention and for choosing Autopia. We hope to provide you with an even better experience on your next tour.
Kind Regards,
Wildlife Tours
Joi_W, Mar 2024
We had a great time with Nial (sorry for the spelling). He was a great tour guide who provided lots of information as we navigated the Great Ocean Road. He was a safe driver and gave us plenty of time to do all of the activities. Great day!
Response from Host, May 2024
Hi Joi,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're delighted to hear that you had a great time with Nial as your tour guide on the Great Ocean Road. It's wonderful to know that he provided lots of information, ensured your safety, and allowed plenty of time for all the activities.
We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another great adventure soon!
Best regards,
Wildlife Tours
Linda_W, Mar 2024
Unfortunately the Reverse trip was cancelled but we were transferred on to the Standsrd trip. Ilkay was our guide who was very knowledgeable about every stop we made. He was enthusiastic and great stories to tell. He was very mindful of the passenger's needs. I felt we had adequate time to spend at each stop. At no time did I feel rushed to get back onboard the bus. If you are visiting the Melbourne and want to spend a day out of the city, then I would recommend booking the 22 Apostles trip 😀
Response from Host, May 2024
Hi Linda,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're sorry to hear that the Reverse trip was cancelled, but we're glad to hear that you were able to join the Standard trip instead. It's great to know that Ilkay was your guide and that he provided a knowledgeable and enthusiastic experience for you.
We're delighted to hear that you felt you had adequate time at each stop and that you never felt rushed. Thank you for recommending the 12 Apostles trip for visitors to Melbourne looking for a day out of the city.
We appreciate your feedback and recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
Best regards,
Wildlife Tours
David_h, Mar 2024
Excellent tour. Niall was a brilliant, funny and entertaining guide. Would definitely recommend this tour being done in reverse.
Response from Host, May 2024
Hi David,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you found the tour excellent and that Niall was a brilliant, funny, and entertaining guide.
We appreciate your recommendation to do the tour in reverse and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon!
Best regards,
Autopia Tours
Roger_C, Feb 2024
Great trip, we really enjoyed it. Our guide was excellent and very informative. We appreciate his hospitality and we learned so much about the history of Melbourne.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Hi Roger,
Thank you for leaving a great 5 star review!
We're thrilled to hear you had such a great time travelling along the Great Ocean Road and learned some great history!
Shania
Roland_K, Feb 2024
The tour was very cool and Jakob was an amazing driver. Swimming in Apollo Bay was perfect on this hot day
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Hi Roland,
We're so glad to hear you had such a great time travelling along the Great Ocean Road! How amazing is it!
We appreciate you taking the time to leave us an awesome review!
Shania :)
Jelena_V, Feb 2024
My husband and I took this tour from Melbourne, and had a great time. Our guide Brett was excellent. We strongly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Melbourne.
It was a great decision to do the "Reverse" tour, starting from the Twelve Apostles and then driving back to Melbourne. The photo opportunities were excellent in the late morning, and the Twelve Apostles site was not very busy at that time.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Hi Jelena,
Thank you for leaving us a 5 Star Review! We appreciate you taking the time and we are so happy you enjoyed doing our Reverse Great Ocean - It helps beating the crowds a little bit for beautiful sights like the 12 Apostles.
Shania :)
ORLAND_S, Jan 2024
12 apostles, Melba gulch, great ocean road are must see places outside of Melbourne! This is only Misty's second tour but she did her best.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hi There,
We're so glad you had such a great time on tour with Misty travelling the Great Ocean Road! We appreciate your 5 Star Review!
Shania :)
Shahid_S, Dec 2023
Adam was brilliant. We enjoyed our trip. Leg room was insufficient and food was below expectation. The route and drive was with the right amount of breaks
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hi There,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're always striving to create the best possible tour experience for our guests, and your insights are invaluable in helping us achieve that goal.
Please feel free to email us on info@autopiatours.com.au to discuss further.
Kind Regards,
Shania
From $114.58
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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