Premium Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour 13Pax Max Hotel PickUP

The clever idea here is simple: take the Great Ocean Road backward. You travel inland first, reach the Twelve Apostles early, then return beside the coast as the day unfolds. I like the small 13-person group and the real chance to spot wild koalas and kangaroos. The trade-off is a very long day, with roughly 550 kilometers on the road.

I also like the comfortable minibus, hotel pickup, and guides who make the long rides pass quickly. Steve, Jay, Bill, Mark, Peter, Michael, and several other guides have earned praise for good timing, local stories, and stopping when wildlife appears. Just remember that lunch and breakfast cost extra, and some stops can feel rushed.

Key points at a glance

• Reverse route: Reach the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge before the main tour crowds.
• Small group: The minibus carries no more than 13 people, so boarding and stops are usually quicker.
• Wildlife chances: Keep watch for koalas, kangaroos, parrots, and other native birds.
• Rainforest walk: Spend about 20 minutes walking among giant trees, ferns, and Otway rainforest.
• Full-day scale: Expect an early start and a long day, often close to 12 hours.
• Best value: At $85 per person, it combines transport, park entry, guiding, and many major sights.

Why the reverse Great Ocean Road route works

Most day tours from Melbourne head straight for coastal sights and work their way back. This tour takes the inland road first, then reaches the famous coast from the western end. That small change can make a big difference at the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and nearby lookouts.

You are not guaranteed to have every viewpoint to yourself. Still, arriving before many standard tours usually gives you more room for photos and a calmer look at the cliffs and rock stacks. Several guides also adjust the timing well, which helps avoid standing in a packed viewing area.

The route is especially useful if you have only one day for the Great Ocean Road. You see the major limestone formations, the rainforest, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, and parts of the coastal route without hiring a car or managing the long drive yourself.

The price is $85 per person, which is strong value for a full-day outing. It includes hotel pickup from a Melbourne CBD location, a luxury minibus, bottled water, vanilla Coke, rainforest walking, and national park entry. You still pay for breakfast and lunch, so budget for those separately.

The early inland run and Colac stop

The day begins with pickup from a Melbourne CBD location. The exact pickup time is confirmed the day before, and the start is early enough to make the reverse route work.

Your first break is in Colac, a practical country town where you can buy breakfast, have coffee, and stretch your legs. The stop is useful after leaving Melbourne, but do not expect a long café visit. One person found the breakfast break too short, with about 20 minutes available.

That brief stop also hints at the pace of the day. This is not a slow village tour with generous free time at every stop. It is a carefully packed road trip built to cover the main sights in one day.

Reaching the Twelve Apostles before the crowds

The Twelve Apostles are the main event, and the reverse plan aims to bring you here early. These tall limestone stacks rise from the Southern Ocean, separated from the cliffs by years of wind and surf. You get time at the lookout to take in the scale and photograph the formations from the main viewing points.

The best part of arriving early is not simply getting a better picture. It lets you pay attention to the sound of the sea, the steep cliffs, and the changing light without a constant stream of people moving in front of you.

The tour gives you time around the Twelve Apostles, but the exact amount depends on the day’s traffic, weather, and group timing. A few people would have preferred to exchange the later chocolate stop for more time near the Apostles. If the rock stacks are your top priority, tell your guide early.

An optional helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles may also be available at an extra cost. Some people considered it well worth paying for, especially as a first helicopter ride. The flight is not part of the $85 price, so treat it as an add-on rather than part of the standard tour.

Razorback, Gibson Steps, and Loch Ard Gorge

After the Twelve Apostles, the route continues through several coastal viewpoints. The Razorback is a long, narrow limestone formation shaped by the sea. It gives you a different view of how the cliffs and offshore rock structures have been worn into dramatic forms.

At the Gibson Steps, you can look down toward the beach and see the size of the cliffs from below. Conditions and access can vary, so listen to your guide and allow time to return to the vehicle.

Loch Ard Gorge brings both scenery and a strong human story. The gorge takes its name from the Loch Ard shipwreck, and your guide explains the event as you explore the area. You can walk along Loch Ard Gorge Beach, take photographs, and look into the sheltered cove framed by limestone walls.

This is one of the most rewarding parts of the route because it combines a beach walk, sea views, rock formations, and local history. The walk is not presented as a long hike, but you should bring sensible shoes and be ready for steps or uneven ground.

Port Campbell and Apollo Bay for lunch

Lunch is not included, and the tour stops in Port Campbell or Apollo Bay depending on the day’s timing. You have the chance to buy a meal and, in some cases, walk along the beach for more photographs.

Port Campbell is close to the main Twelve Apostles area and makes a practical food stop. Apollo Bay comes later on the coastal return and has a different feel, with the sea beside the town and the Otway ranges behind it.

The main limitation is time. Some people wanted longer in Apollo Bay, while others felt the meal break was adequate. You should think of this as a convenient lunch stop, not a long town visit with time for shopping, galleries, or a relaxed café meal.

If food matters to you, bring a snack from Melbourne. Breakfast and lunch are your responsibility, and a full day on the road can make a small packed snack very useful.

A 20-minute walk in Great Otway National Park

The rainforest walk in Great Otway National Park gives the day a welcome change of pace. After hours of coastal rock and open sea, you step among trees, ferns, and damp forest growth.

The walk lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough to stretch your legs and see a different side of Victoria, but it is not a long forest hike. The national park entry is included, so you do not need to pay separately for access.

The forest section is one reason this trip feels more complete than a simple Twelve Apostles transfer. You get coastal cliffs, beaches, rainforest, and small-town stops in one circuit.

Bring sunscreen and a hat for the exposed lookouts, but also expect changeable conditions in the forest and along the coast. Comfortable shoes are a sensible choice. Binoculars can help with birds and wildlife, though they are not required.

The coastal drive through Apollo Bay

Once the main western sights are finished, the minibus follows the Great Ocean Road along the coast. This is the part many people picture when they think of the route: winding road, ocean views, forest, and small coastal settlements.

The guide provides commentary during the drive, covering local history, Australian culture, music, animals, and the environment. The quality of the day depends heavily on the person behind the wheel, and the strongest guides do more than point out sights. Bill, Jay, Steve, Mark, Peter, and others have been praised for humor, local detail, music, and keeping the group engaged during long stretches.

The drive is also when you need patience. This is a large circuit from Melbourne, and much of the day takes place inside the minibus. The seats are generally described as comfortable, with big windows and a clean vehicle, but one complaint noted that the bus felt too tight when all 13 seats were filled.

If you are tall or have back problems, ask about seating when you book. A full minibus can feel close, and there is no guarantee that you will get a spacious front seat.

Wildlife stops: koalas, kangaroos, and parrots

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the tour specifically looks for koalas, kangaroos, and native birds along the route. Guides may pull over when they spot animals, which is a real advantage over driving this road alone with your eyes fixed on traffic.

Kangaroos may appear in open areas, while koalas can be hard to spot high in eucalyptus trees. Keep your binoculars ready and listen for the guide’s directions. You may also see colorful parrots and other native birds.

The wildlife element adds something important to the trip. The Great Ocean Road is not only about taking a photograph of famous rocks. It is also a chance to notice Australian animals in their natural setting, with the guide helping you find what an untrained eye might miss.

Still, treat this as a possibility, not a promise. Weather, traffic, and animal movements are beyond the guide’s control.

The Chocolate Factory and the final evening stop

Near the end of the return journey, the tour stops at The Chocolate Factory for evening tea. The shop offers 144 flavors of chocolate, making this a light and playful finish after a long day.

Some people enjoy the stop and the chance to browse. Others would rather use that time for longer at Apollo Bay or the Twelve Apostles. This is one of the clearest trade-offs in the schedule: the chocolate stop gives you a treat and a break, but it takes time from the major sights.

If you have a strong interest in coastal scenery, you may want to ask your guide whether the schedule allows flexibility. Some guides have adjusted stops for individual requests, including replacing a shopping stop with another coffee or coastal break. Do not count on a change, but it is reasonable to ask politely.

The minibus, guides, and group size

A maximum of 13 people is one of the best reasons to choose this tour over a large coach. A small group spends less time collecting people at each viewpoint, and it is easier to hear the guide or ask a question.

The vehicle is described as a luxury minibus, with comfortable seats and large windows. That matters on a day with several hours of driving. Water and vanilla Coke are supplied, which is a small but welcome touch.

The minibus is not spacious in the same way as a full-size coach. When all seats are occupied, taller people may find the front or rear seating less comfortable. The vehicle also has limited room for stretching, so use every stop to walk around.

The guide can make or break this experience. Steve has been praised for being attentive and entertaining. Jay is often noted for local knowledge, patience, and wildlife stops. Bill brings humor and detailed explanations, while Mark and Peter have also received strong praise for timing and care.

Because guides vary, the style may not be identical on every departure. You can expect English commentary, but the amount of detail may differ. One person found the first two hours too quiet, so if you enjoy frequent narration, ask questions and engage with your guide.

Is $85 a fair price for such a long day?

At $85, this is a good-value way to see the Great Ocean Road if you do not have a car. You receive transport from Melbourne, national park entry, a small group, a guide, drinks, and a broad route covering the major sights.

You do not receive breakfast, lunch, or the optional helicopter flight. Those extra costs are easy to manage if you plan ahead, but they should be included in your budget.

The price is especially attractive for solo visitors and couples who would otherwise need to hire a car, pay fuel, and manage a demanding drive. A self-drive trip gives you more control over timing, but it also asks you to handle the long distance and winding coastal roads yourself.

The value is weaker if you dislike long vehicle days or want extended time in one town. You are buying access to a wide range of places in one day, not a leisurely stay at Apollo Bay or Port Campbell.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you have one free day in Melbourne and want the main Great Ocean Road sights with a better chance of avoiding the busiest periods. It suits people who like scenic drives, short walks, wildlife stops, and a guide who adds stories along the way.

It also works well for families with older children and mixed-age groups. The route includes several types of scenery, and the small group keeps the day more manageable than a large coach trip.

I would hesitate if you use a wheelchair, are bringing a baby under one year, or find long periods of sitting difficult. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the full day can be hard on your back.

You should also look elsewhere if your main goal is a slow coastal holiday. For that, a two-day Great Ocean Road trip would give you more time in Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, and the smaller coastal stops.

Final verdict: book it for the route, not the free time

Book this tour if your priorities are the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, rainforest, wildlife, and a small group. The reverse route is the smart feature, and the guides often add real value through wildlife stops, local stories, music, and good timing.

Go in prepared for an early start, limited meal breaks, and a long return to Melbourne. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, and binoculars if you have them.

At $85, this is a practical and well-priced way to see a huge stretch of Victoria in one day. Just remember what you are choosing: more sights and fewer crowds, in exchange for less free time and many hours on the road.

FAQ

How long does the Great Ocean Road reverse tour last?

It is a one-day tour. The full outing can be close to 12 hours, and the route covers roughly 550 kilometers according to the tour details and timing described.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from a Melbourne CBD location. The exact pickup time is confirmed one day before the tour.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to 13 participants.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide provides commentary in English.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

No. You can buy breakfast during the Colac stop and lunch in Port Campbell or Apollo Bay, but both meals cost extra.

Is entry to Great Otway National Park included?

Yes. The tour includes national park entry and a guided rainforest walk of about 20 minutes.

What sights are included?

The route includes the Twelve Apostles, Razorback, Gibson Steps lookout, Loch Ard Gorge Beach, Port Campbell, Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park, and the coastal Great Ocean Road.

Can I see koalas and kangaroos?

The tour includes opportunities to see koalas and kangaroos in the wild, along with native birds and parrots. Sightings depend on animal movements and conditions, so they cannot be guaranteed.

Is the helicopter flight included?

No. An optional helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles may be available at an additional cost.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year.