Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Tour

Travellers' Choice

Top 10% Worldwide

Overview

Details

Itinerary

Discover Australia's most famous coastal drive

The Best Way to See the Great Ocean Road

Our unique reverse itinerary takes you away from the crowds and delivers a day of stunning views. Stand in front of the 12 Apostles without the rush. Walk along pristine beaches in quiet moments. Connect with the natural beauty of Victoria’s wild coastline. This is how you want to see the Great Ocean Road.

At a Glance

Price: Adult: A$138 / Children under 14: A$128
Duration: Approximately 12 hours
Pick up: Starting at 6:30am from Melbourne CBD
Drop off: Between 6:30/7pm in Melbourne CBD
Included: All park entry fees, bottled water, friendly guide
Max 12 Guests: Small groups only for a personal feel
Vehicle: Comfortable 12-seater minibus with reclining seats and USB chargers

A peaceful stroll through ancient rainforest — home to some of the world’s oldest and tallest trees

Such an iconic stop! Perfect spot for that classic Great Ocean Road photo with new friends.

Want to see the Twelve Apostles from above? You can add this breathtaking helicopter flight to your experience!

We couldn’t believe how many koalas we saw! Our guide knew exactly where to look.

What a moment — wild kangaroos in their natural habitat! Truly an Aussie experience.

Absolutely stunning! Seeing the Twelve Apostles up close was the highlight of our trip.

Reverse Itinerary:
You'll arrive at the 12 Apostles before the large tour buses. This means you get to enjoy the view and take photos without hundreds of people in the background.
Spacious Minibus:
Our tours have a maximum of 11 passengers, giving you plenty of room to stretch out and relax. This creates a more intimate and personal atmosphere where you can chat with your guide and fellow travelers.
Audio Guide in 14 Languages:
Listen to a professional audio commentary that automatically triggers at key stops. This gives you stories, facts, and insights in your own language as you travel.

The Unhurried Way to the 12 Apostles

What Makes Our Tour Different?

Reverse Itinerary

We drive inland first to reach the attractions before the masses, ensuring a peaceful experience at the 12 Apostles.

Award-Winning Service

5,000+ 5-star reviews and recognised as TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best. Guests love our quality, service, and unforgettable experiences.

Audio Guide Bonus

Enjoy automatic audio commentary at key stops in 14 languages— with stories, facts, and insights as you travel.

Wildlife encounters

We include a stop at Kenneth River where you will hopefully encounter some cute koalas and colourful parrots.

Plenty of Stops for Photos

No rushing - we spend a decent amount of time enjoying the attractions and stops for amazing pictures

Spacious Minibus

Travel in a group of max 12 guests — more space, more comfort, and a relaxed, personal experience.

See Our 5-Star Reviews

Why travellers love this coastal drive

Carmi

"The Great Ocean Road Reverse Premium Tour was fantastic from start to finish; everything was incredibly well organized and thoughtfully planned. Our guide, Wayne, was knowledgeable, friendly, and made everyone feel welcome. The highlight for.."

Posted on Tripadvisor

Nabilah R.

"We had an amazing experience with Sam as our tour guide!!✨ He was incredibly friendly throughout the journey... Sam took us around and brought us to some fantastic spots for sightseeing and photos, away from.."

Posted on Tripadvisor

shamith K.

"My wife and I had a fantastic time at Mount Buller, and a big part of that experience was thanks to Kylie, our guide for the day. She was friendly, helpful, and made sure everyone.."

Posted on Tripadvisor

Khadija I.

"The reverse itinerary was a great choice, as we dodged crowds at almost all locations. Mandy was a great tour instructor and went out of his way to show us wild life in most hidden.."

Posted on Tripadvisor

Outi P.

"I did the Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Premium Tour a few weeks ago, and I have to say I cannot recommend it enough!! Sandra at the office was lovely and helped me with my.."

Posted on Tripadvisor

June W.

"We were 6 ladies from Hong Kong and it was our first time to the Twelve Apostles. We only had limited time so we selected this slightly shorter tour... Neil was super knowledgeable... He even.."

Posted on Tripadvisor

Details

Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Premium Tour

Here is everything you need to know about preparing for your unforgettable day trip, including what’s covered in the price and pickup details for your experience.

What's included

Small group tour (max 11 guests) in a spacious, air-conditioned minibus
Professional local guide with live commentary and good tunes
Multilingual audio guide (14 languages) plus a free Melbourne self-guided audio tour
Entry to all national park sites:
- Twelve Apostles
- Gibson Steps
- Loch Ard Gorge
- The Razorback
- Mait’s Rest
Pickup and drop-off from Melbourne CBD
Skip-the-line access at key stops
Complimentary bottled water
All national park fees included

What's not included

Breakfast and lunch (own expense). Stops are made in a rural town and Port Campbell/Apollo Bay for purchase.

What to expect

First of all, bear in mind that you are going to see one of the most spectacular natural landscapes on the planet!

Crowd Avoidance: The greatest thing about this tour is it goes in reverse to the typical tours, ensuring you arrive at the 12 Apostles before all the crowds get there.
Iconic Stops: You are guaranteed to visit Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge beach, The Razorback rock formation, and the 12 Apostles.
Unique Experiences: You get to drive through Great Otway National Park for a 20-minute rainforest walk.
Vibe: Expect an informative and friendly guide, great music, and good vibes.

Meeting and pickup

PICK UP LOCATIONS: For your convenience, our pickup locations are available within 15 minutes walking distance from any point in Melbourne CBD.

At 6:30 am from 196 Flinders Street – Opposite Federation Square, and near Flinders St Station
At 6:40 am from 313 La Trobe Street – Near Melbourne Central Station
At 6:50 am from 44 Spencer Street – The Great Southern Hotel, near Southern Cross Station.

Your pickup time and location will be as selected during the booking process. Prefer a hotel pickup, drop-off, and a roomier minibus? Check out the Premium version of this tour.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call or message us on WhatsApp +61 447 351 307

Additional Information

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Most travellers can participate
We are not able to accommodate children under 7 years of age on this tour, as according to VicRoads regulations they must travel on child restraints, which are not available in our minibuses. Passengers who show up with under 7 years old kids will be refused boarding without refund.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
This is a small groups tour and the vehicles are 12 seaters minibuses Toyota Hiace or similar. In case extra room is required, send us a message so we can arrange large coaches option.
If you are traveling with people, not in the same booking, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. We operate with multiple buses and can’t guarantee sitting together without being informed.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Read more about our cancellation policy here.

Book your tour

Boutique Tour

Premium Tour

Adults: A$138

Children Under 14: A$128

Flexible Cancellation Policy
Best Price When You Book Direct
Our Tours Run Rain or Shine
Guaranteed Departure - We Never Cancel a Tour

Limited spots available

We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

Over 5000+ five star reviews

Adults: $159

Children Under 14: $149

Flexible Cancellation Policy
Best Price When You Book Direct
Our Tours Run Rain or Shine
Guaranteed Departure - We Never Cancel a Tour

Limited spots available

We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

Over 5000+ five star reviews

Still have questions?

We're here to help. Send us a message on WhatsApp.

+61 447 351 307

Itinerary

How we plan the day, step-by-step

This itinerary is designed for minimal crowds and maximum enjoyment of the coastal highlights, ensuring you see the 12 Apostles before the rush.

Start
Morning Pickup
For your convenience, our pickup locations are available within 15 minutes walking distance from any point in Melbourne CBD.
See pickup details
1. At 6:30 am from 196 Flinders Street – Opposite Federation Square, and near Flinders St Station

2. At 6:40 am from 313 La Trobe Street – Near Melbourne Central Station

3. At 6:50 am from 44 Spencer Street – The Great Southern Hotel, near Southern Cross Station.

Your pickup time and location will be as selected during the booking process. If you need to change the location, please notify us at least 24 hours before the tour departure.

Please arrive at the pickup location at least five minutes before departure, as these are public parking spots and the minibus cannot wait. The drop-off points in the afternoon will be along Flinders Street.
Stop 1
Winchelsea
A 15 minute morning tea stop, as we travel inland in the morning and go straight from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles, this is just a break to buy some coffee/breakfast (own expenses).
Stop 2
The Twelve Apostles
Travel inland in the morning and go straight to the 12 Apostles. Get there early, beat the crowds of the afternoon and enjoy these magnificent limestone formations when it’s still quiet and peaceful.
Stop 3
Gibsons Steps
Go down and walk on this amazing beach. Be dwarfed by the 70-meter high vertical cliffs and marvel at Gog and Magog, the nicknames given to the giant limestone stacks rising up out of the sea.
Stop 4
The Razorback
This is the most impressive limestone formation of the region, the views are breathtaking!
Stop 5
Lock Ard Gorge
Be amazed by these two breathtaking attractions on this stop: – The Loch Ard Gorge – tragic and incredibly beautiful story of one of the most famous shipwrecks in Australia. Walk on the beach and feel dwarfed by the magnificent limestone and sandstone cliffs – The Razorback – the most impressive formation of this rugged shipwreck coast
Stop 6
The Great Ocean Road
Travel along the coastline on this most amazing coastal drive in Australia!
Stop 7
Mait's Rest
A 20 minutes rainforest walk, to witness some of Australia’s most amazing rainforest scenery at Great Otway National Park where you will feel really connected to nature.
Stop 8
Apollo Bay
Stop for lunch at this vibrant and cool coastal town at Victoria’s Surf Coast. The tour guide will recommend some restaurant options, enjoy some fresh food before starting the second part of the day.
Stop 9
Kennett River Nature Walk
Try to spot the cute marsupials koalas and also take pictures of the orange-bellied parrots that hang around this place
Stop 10
Teddy's Lookout
Finish the day by taking some pictures of this amazing Lookout at the top of the cliff in Lorne. We’ll then return to the starting point.

Testimonials

What our guests say

Don’t just take our word for it — here’s what our guests had to say after joining us on small-group adventures across Queensland and Victoria.

Braelyn H.

"This is a MUST DO in Melbourne!! Matty was a great tour guide! The views were absolutely breathtaking, driving along the coast was awesome, and we stopped at just the right amount of places to.."

Posted on Tripadvisor

Maryann D

"What a fantastic bucket list trip today with Jimmy our driver and guide. We saw it all the amazing Twelve Apostles and rugged coastline nature, the rainforest walk, koalas in trees on the roadside and.."

Posted on Tripadvisor

k K.

"Doing the reverse trip is the only way to go so there are less crowds and you can really enjoy the sights you are there to see. The tour gives enough time to take in.."

Posted on Tripadvisor

Khadija I.

"The reverse itinerary was a great choice, as we dodged crowds at almost all locations. Mandy was a great tour instructor and went out of his way to show us wild life in most hidden.."

Posted on Tripadvisor

Venture61568171504

"Peter was one of the best tour guides and driver we’ve ever met. He was extremely friendly, kind, patient, professional, knowledgeable, and considerate. My wife and I strongly recommend him and his tour company..."

Posted on Tripadvisor

Outi P.

"I did the Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Premium Tour a few weeks ago, and I have to say I cannot recommend it enough!! Sandra at the office was lovely and helped me with my.."

Posted on Tripadvisor