Most reviewed of three
The day we list
Full day with morning tea
- Length13 hours 30 minutes
- Morning teaIncluded
- Starts from$95
Group price calculator
A Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne, stop by stop
Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles day trip from Melbourne
★ 4.7 · 6,340 guest ratings
Compare all 4 options
Full-day tours from Melbourne, priced
Pick the party size and see the from price of each day.
- Our full day13 h 30 min · for each guest from $95
≈
View - Deluxe minibusAbout 13 h · for each guest from $112
≈
View - Ten stops, lower price12 to 13 h · for each guest from $55
≈
View - Small group in reverseAbout 12 h · for each guest from $97
≈
View
Converted at the ECB reference rate, from-prices as listed by GetYourGuide. The precise amount is shown when you book.
A full day on the coast road takes in surf beaches, a forest walk, koalas, the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Here is the order of the stops, what each one is and what to expect from the hours between them.
Editorial team, 12apostlestour.com · Updated November 7, 2026 · ~7 min read
In brief
- The lengthThe day we list runs 13 hours 30 minutes from Melbourne, with morning tea included.
- The pickupGuests are collected from selected hotels in the Melbourne CBD.
- The roadThe Great Ocean Road stretches over 243 km, and the 12 Apostles are a 4.5-hour drive from the city.1,2
- The priceThe day starts from $95, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Your own costsLunch in Apollo Bay and dinner in Colac are bought by the guest.
What a full day on the coast road covers
The day we list is a trip of 13 hours 30 minutes that leaves Melbourne in the morning and returns in the evening, run by a family business with a live English guide. Guests are picked up from selected hotels in the Melbourne CBD, ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, and can follow the commentary in many languages through an app. Morning tea is included, and the price starts from $95. That is the whole frame: you hand the driving to someone else and spend the hours looking out of the window and walking to lookouts.
The road itself is a long one. Tourism Australia gives the Great Ocean Road as over 243 km, while the Australian Government heritage listing calls it a 242 kilometre stretch, and the two figures differ by a single kilometre.1,3 It was built between 1919 and 1932 by more than 3000 returned servicemen, as a memorial to Victoria's First World War servicemen and women.4 You drive on it as a gift from that generation, and a good guide will say so at the start.
A day tour is not a rush down one highway. Tourism Australia describes a scenic 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles along the coast, and Parks Victoria gives about 3 hours by the inland route.2,5 Our day takes the long scenic way and stops often, which is why it fills 13 hours 30 minutes. Everything on this page is about how those hours are spent, so you can decide whether the pace suits you before you book.
Stop by stop
The main stops and what the official sources say
| Stop | What the source says | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Torquay | The official start of the road6 | Just over a one-hour drive6 |
| Bells Beach | Home of a long-running surf contest9 | First held in January 19619 |
| Apollo Bay | The end of day one on a road-trip plan7 | 3 hours and 187 km7 |
| Gibson Steps | A staircase to a beach below the cliffs10 | 86 or 89 steps, by source10,11 |
| 12 Apostles | Limestone stacks off the coast12 | Seven stacks remain13 |
| Loch Ard Gorge | Named for a ship lost in 187814 | Two of 54 on board survived14 |
Figures are as each source writes them; step counts differ between Tourism Australia and Parks Victoria.10,11
The stops in order, from Torquay to Colac
On a Great Ocean Road day tour the first stop is Torquay Surf Beach, where the listing says Bells Beach is in clear view. Tourism Australia calls Torquay the official starting point of the road, just over a one-hour drive from Melbourne, and the heritage listing says Bells Beach is home to the world's longest-running surfing competition, first held in January 1961.6,9 Morning tea follows, then a roadside stop for the Pole House, and a photograph at the Great Ocean Road sign.
Next come the animals and the headland. The listing names a stop to see koalas and parrots in their natural habitat, then the Cape Patton lookout, and then Apollo Bay, where guests buy their own lunch. Tourism Australia puts Apollo Bay at 3 hours and 187 km from Melbourne on the first day of its own road-trip itinerary, a useful yardstick for how far the morning has carried you.7 After lunch the day turns inland for a guided forest walk among some of the tallest trees.
The afternoon is the headline. The tour visits the Gibson Steps, the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, and then drives home, with dinner bought by the guest in Colac. The three stops sit close together: Parks Victoria says Loch Ard Gorge is just minutes from the Twelve Apostles, which is what lets a single afternoon hold all of them.8 The order matters to your energy, because the walking is saved for the middle of the day and the big views come when you are already warmed up.
At the stacks: the steps, the gorge and the old archway
At the Gibson Steps the listing says some of the 12 Apostles can be seen from sea level on the beach when tide and wind allow. Two official sources count the steps differently: Tourism Australia says 86 stairs, while the Parks Victoria visitor guide says 89 steps lead down when the staircase is open.10,11 The beach closes in high tides and large swell, so treat the descent as a bonus that the sea decides.11,16
The Apostles themselves are limestone pillars about 45 m tall, once joined to the mainland cliffs.12 Parks Victoria says seven stacks remain, with six in the classic view and the seventh a few metres from the corner of the main platform.13 The Authority that runs the park adds that the colours shift from soft gold in the morning to rich orange and red at sunset, which is why a late-afternoon visit looks different from a morning one.17
Loch Ard Gorge is the quieter finish. It is named after the Loch Ard, which struck Mutton Bird Island in 1878, and of the 54 people on board only two survived.14 The listing names the Razorback and the Island Archway there, and says the original archway fell in 2009 and two stacks remain. The Australian Government listing dates that collapse to June 2009, so the two sources agree.18 It is a good reminder that the coast you are photographing is still being rebuilt by the sea.
A short chooser
Is the full day tour right for you
Match your wish to the answer and the fact behind it.
If I want the whole coast in one day
Take the full-day tour
The day runs 13 hours 30 minutes from Torquay to Loch Ard Gorge and back.
If I do not want to drive for hours
Let a guide drive
The 12 Apostles are a 4.5-hour drive from the city by the coast.2
If I want to see koalas
Pick a day with a koala stop
The listing names a stop for koalas and parrots; Tourism Australia lists koalas in the Otways.15
If I want fewer people around me
Check small-group days
A boutique reverse day is limited to 11 participants.
If I am unsure about the weather
Keep the booking flexible
The day can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before.
Three ways to spend the day
Our day beside two others from Melbourne
Maximum 24 guests
The deluxe minibus
A smaller group, recorded commentary
- LengthAbout 13 hours
- GroupUp to 24 guests
- Starts from$112
Lowest opening price
The ten-stop day
Reverse order, lower price
- Length12 to 13 hours
- Stops10 stops
- Starts from$55
Koalas, parrots and the forest walk
The wildlife stop is the one that surprises people most, because the animals are wild and nothing is staged. The listing says guests stop to see koalas and parrots in their natural habitat. Tourism Australia lists koalas, kangaroos and emus in the Otways, and notes that wild koalas can be spotted in the trees at Kennett River.15,23 Whether you meet each of those on a given day depends on your guide's eyes and on luck.
Behave the way wildlife managers ask. Tourism Australia asks visitors to resist the urge to touch wild animals, since scratches and bites can happen and disease can pass between people and animals.19 It also says not to feed them, because animals have natural diets that serve their bodies well.20 That means no sandwiches held up to a parrot, however tame it looks, and no chasing a koala for a closer picture.
The forest walk is the quiet middle of the day. The listing describes a guided walk among some of the tallest trees, and the Australian Government heritage listing puts the stretch from Lorne to Kennett River among the world's most dramatic cliff and ocean scenery seen from a vehicle.24 The cool, shaded air of the walk is a change from the open coast, so bring a layer even on a warm morning.
The day in order
From a hotel pickup to dinner in Colac
Early start
Pickup in the Melbourne CBD
Guests are collected from selected hotels in the Melbourne CBD and set off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Surf coast
Torquay and Bells Beach
Torquay is the road's official start, just over a one-hour drive from Melbourne, with Bells Beach in clear view.6
Midday
Apollo Bay for lunch
Tourism Australia puts Apollo Bay at 3 hours and 187 km from Melbourne; guests buy their own lunch there.7
Afternoon
Forest walk and the stacks
A guided forest walk is followed by the Gibson Steps and the 12 Apostles, a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne.2
Late in the day
Loch Ard Gorge
Loch Ard Gorge is the last scenic stop, just minutes from the Twelve Apostles.8
The way home
Dinner in Colac
Guests buy dinner in Colac on the way back to Melbourne.
Light, crowds and the time of year
Timing shapes the photographs more than the tour does, and a day tour of the Great Ocean Road gives you less say over the clock than a hire car would. The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority says the Twelve Apostles are popular all year, especially in the middle of the day, and suggests early morning or later in the afternoon for a quieter visit.25 A day tour that reaches the stacks in the afternoon lands in the calmer window, although you do not control the clock.
The season is your other lever. Tourism Australia calls the road scenic all year round, and names December to February as high season and June to August as low season.26,27 The listing adds a practical note: a larger vehicle may be used in peak periods, so expect the group to be bigger at holiday times. If a quiet, uncrowded day matters more to you than warm weather, the low season suits you.
Plan for the weather to change. The cliffs, the forest and the beach each have their own conditions, and a layer, a rain jacket and shoes that grip are worth more than a sunhat on the coast. Parks Victoria says the park is open year-round, with spring and summer offering the most favorable weather for outdoor activities.28
Video
What to see on the Great Ocean Road in one day
Simple Travel Stories on YouTube · Playback files load only once you tap play.
Completed in 1932, the Great Ocean Road was built as a memorial to Victoria's First World War servicemen and women
Before you go
A checklist for the day
Booking3
- Cancel free up to 24 hours before for a full refund
- Reserve now and pay later if your plans are not firm
- Be ready at a selected CBD hotel for pickup
In your bag3
- Carry layers and a rain jacket for the coast and the forest
- Wear shoes that grip for steps and a forest track
- Bring a card or cash for lunch in Apollo Bay and dinner in Colac
What is not in the price, and how to choose
Read the listing for what you will pay on the day. Morning tea is included, but lunch in Apollo Bay and dinner in Colac are bought by the guest. Bring a card or cash for both, and treat those two meals as part of your budget rather than a surprise at the till. The day can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before for a full refund, and a place can be reserved now to pay later.
Compare the alternatives on what you value. A deluxe minibus day runs about 13 hours with a maximum of 24 guests and recorded commentary in 16 languages, from $112. A ten-stop day of 12 to 13 hours starts from $55 and runs in reverse, with a note that severe weather or road closures can change the plan. The day we list sits between them on price and has the most reviews of the three, 6,340 at 4.7.
If you travel in a small group, check the groups too. A boutique reverse day is limited to 11 participants and a small-group day for up to 11 passengers starts from $180. Our other pages on this site compare small groups, private tours and the reverse direction in detail, so you can pick the day that suits your group.
FAQ
Questions answered quickly.
How long is the Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne?
13 hours 30 minutes.
The day we list is a 13 hours 30 minutes trip with a live English guide and morning tea included.
Is lunch included in the day?
No, you buy lunch.
Morning tea is included. Lunch in Apollo Bay and dinner in Colac are bought by the guest.
Does the tour pick you up from your hotel?
Yes, from selected CBD hotels.
The listing says guests are picked up from selected hotels in the Melbourne CBD.
Can I cancel the tour for free?
Yes, up to 24 hours before.
Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.
Will I see wild koalas on the day?
The day has a koala stop.
The listing names a stop for koalas and parrots in their natural habitat, but the animals are wild and are never guaranteed.
Sources
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Must-stop places and hidden secrets on the Great Ocean Road ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Travel guide to the 12 Apostles ↩
- Australian Government, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (dcceew.gov.au) · Great Ocean Road (National Heritage List) ↩
- Australian Government, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (dcceew.gov.au) · Great Ocean Road (National Heritage List) ↩
- Parks Victoria (parks.vic.gov.au) · Port Campbell National Park and Bay of Islands Coastal Park Visitor Guide (PDF) ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Guide to the Great Ocean Road ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip ↩
- Parks Victoria (parks.vic.gov.au) · Port Campbell National Park: Loch Ard Gorge ↩
- Australian Government, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (dcceew.gov.au) · Great Ocean Road (National Heritage List) ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Travel guide to the 12 Apostles ↩
- Parks Victoria (parks.vic.gov.au) · Port Campbell National Park and Bay of Islands Coastal Park Visitor Guide (PDF) ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Travel guide to the 12 Apostles ↩
- Parks Victoria (parks.vic.gov.au) · Port Campbell National Park and Bay of Islands Coastal Park Visitor Guide (PDF) ↩
- Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au) · Loch Ard Gorge ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Guide to the Great Ocean Road ↩
- Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au) · Gibson Steps ↩
- Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au) · Twelve Apostles ↩
- Australian Government, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (dcceew.gov.au) · Great Ocean Road (National Heritage List) ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Tips for responsible wildlife tourism in Australia ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Tips for responsible wildlife tourism in Australia ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Travel guide to the 12 Apostles ↩
- Parks Victoria (parks.vic.gov.au) · Port Campbell National Park and Bay of Islands Coastal Park Visitor Guide (PDF) ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip ↩
- Australian Government, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (dcceew.gov.au) · Great Ocean Road (National Heritage List) ↩
- Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au) · Twelve Apostles ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Guide to the Great Ocean Road ↩
- Tourism Australia (australia.com) · Guide to the Great Ocean Road ↩
- Parks Victoria (parks.vic.gov.au) · Port Campbell National Park: Twelve Apostles ↩