Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 30 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour worth booking?
Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour is a 12-hour experience in Melbourne, Australia, from $129 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 30 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (30)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $129 per person
Experience one of Australia’s most iconic coastal journeys on a small-group Great Ocean Road day tour from Melbourne. With an early departure designed to help avoid the busiest crowds, you can enjoy a more relaxed day,
What you get
About this experience
Experience one of Australia’s most iconic coastal journeys on a small-group Great Ocean Road day tour from Melbourne. With an early departure designed to help avoid the busiest crowds, you can enjoy a more relaxed day, better photo opportunities and more time to take in the beauty of the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps and the Great Ocean Road coastline. Travel in comfort with a friendly local guide as you journey along this world-famous coastal route, stopping at seaside towns, rainforest walks and wildlife viewing areas along the way. This full-day tour is designed to show you more than just the famous photo stops, with a well-paced itinerary that includes dramatic limestone cliffs, ocean views, lush Otway rainforest and the stories that make this region so special. With a Melbourne-based team, knowledgeable guides and comfortable small-group touring, Explore Australia Tours makes the Great Ocean Road feel easy, memorable and full of local insight.
What's included
Included
- Informative & friendly tour guide
- National Park Fees
Not included
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Tea and coffee
What you'll see and do
Anglesea
Begin your Great Ocean Road journey with a stop in the relaxed coastal town of Anglesea. Stretch your legs, enjoy the ocean air and get ready for one of Victoria’s most scenic touring routes. This a break to buy some coffee/breakfast (own expenses)
30 minutes here
Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway
Stop for photos at the famous Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, one of the most recognised landmarks along the route and a tribute to the returned soldiers who helped build this iconic coastal road.
20 minutes here
Great Ocean Road
Travel along one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal drives, with sweeping ocean views, cliffside roads, beaches, seaside towns and plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
60 minutes here
Kennett River
Visit one of the best-known wildlife spotting areas on the Great Ocean Road. Keep your eyes open for koalas in the trees and colourful native birds in the surrounding bushland.
20 minutes here
Apollo Bay
As we drive through Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road, be captivated by the town's coastal charm and stunning vistas. Surrounded by rolling hills and pristine beaches, this picturesque destination offers a delightful blend of nature, relaxation, and coastal vibes.
Pass by without stopping
Mait's Rest
Step into the cool, green rainforest of the Great Otway National Park. This easy walk takes you through towering trees, giant ferns and ancient forest that adds a completely different side to the Great Ocean Road experience.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Great Otway National Park
Scenic drive through Otway National Park, surrounded by majestic ancient trees, showcasing the park's natural beauty and tranquility.
30 minutes here
Lavers Hill
Pause for lunch (at own expense) in a regional town and enjoy time to relax before continuing towards the dramatic limestone coastline of Port Campbell National Park.
60 minutes here
The Twelve Apostles
Visit the world-famous 12 Apostles, the most iconic stop on the Great Ocean Road. Take in the dramatic limestone stacks, ocean views and rugged coastline from the viewing platforms.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Loch Ard Gorge
Explore one of the most beautiful and historic stops along the Shipwreck Coast. Loch Ard Gorge is known for its towering cliffs, turquoise water, coastal views and fascinating shipwreck story.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Gibsons Steps
When conditions allow, walk down towards the beach for a powerful view of the cliffs and limestone formations from sea level. This is one of the most memorable photo stops on the Great Ocean Road.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Explore Australia Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We do have child seats for 4 – 7 years old upon request
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 30 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
7 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
30 verified traveler reviews for Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day out
Fabulous day out. Lots to see . Lauchie guide very relaxed and lots of interesting information
Response from the operator: Janet, what a fabulous review! 😊 We are so delighted you had a fantastic day exploring with Lachie. It is great to hear you appreciated his relaxed style and the wealth of interesting information he shared. Such insights truly make a difference in enhancing the tour experience. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we hope to see you again for another exciting adventure with Explore Australia Tours! 🚂🐨
via Tripadvisor
Great Ocean Road trip, one of the best days out I did when in Melbourne.
Despite the tour being a very long day, I was so glad I had done it and loved the fact we were a small group of 11 in a comfortable mini bus, driven by our brilliant guide Anthony who set the tone for the entire day with his welcoming, friendly demeanour and and knowledge. Just enough time was had at all the stops, toilet breaks were plentiful, and you could be sure we never missed sightings of kualas or kangaroos as Anthony always managed to spot them, often from afar. It is definitely a trip where you get to see so many different aspects the stunning state of Victoria has to offer, from beautiful small ocean towns, to stunning rain forests, culminating in the magnificent 12 Apostles and the even more stunning Loch Ard Gorge. Inspite of the early start, the GOR is a must see trip in my opinion. Just make sure you have comfortable walking shoes! Please convey my thanks to Anthony. He is a natural at what he does!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. We are thrilled to hear that your Great Ocean Road trip was one of the best days out during your time in Melbourne. It sounds like you really enjoyed seeing the variety of Victoria, from the charming coastal towns to the rainforests, and of course the magnificent 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. We are so pleased that the small group size and comfortable mini bus added to your experience, and that Anthony was able to make the day so welcoming and memorable. We will be sure to pass on your thanks to him as he will be delighted to hear your kind words. It means a lot to us that you enjoyed every part of the tour and we hope to welcome you on another Explore Australia Tours adventure soon.
via Tripadvisor
Underwhelming
The trip description is inaccurate. On our trip the itinerary was in reverse (not as advertised) and we did not stop at Kennett River, Lavers Hill or Gibsons Steps. However we did stop at Apollo Bay. Our tour guide was not very engaging, I learnt little about the history of the land we were on or the aboriginal custodians. At the stops it seemed other tour groups were receiving more information than us. Several times our guide told us he would share more information later but just...never did. This meant the stops felt long considering we weren't given information so were just taking photos. As a general note it's worth saying that on a bus tour you don't get the same vistas of the Great Ocean Road as you would if driving yourself in a car.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We are genuinely sorry to hear that your experience on the Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles tour did not meet your expectations and that aspects of the day felt underwhelming. While our itineraries are carefully planned, the order of stops and inclusions can occasionally change due to factors outside our control such as road conditions, maintenance, weather or natural events. Our intention is always to ensure guest safety and maximise the overall experience on the day. That said, we understand how disappointing it can be when the tour does not run exactly as advertised and certain stops are missed. We will be reviewing this internally to ensure our tour descriptions are clear and accurately reflect possible variations. We are particularly concerned to hear your feedback regarding the level of commentary and engagement from the guide. Providing informative, engaging and respectful commentary, including sharing the history of the land and acknowledging Aboriginal custodians, is an important part of our tours. It is disappointing to learn this was not delivered to the standard we expect, and your comments will be followed up with our guiding team to ensure this is addressed. We also appreciate your honest note about the nature of bus touring along the Great Ocean Road. While guided tours offer convenience and access to key highlights, we understand they can feel different to travelling by car, and we value you sharing this perspective for future travellers. Thank you again for your feedback. It is invaluable in helping us improve our tours and the experiences we provide. We hope we have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future and deliver a more engaging and memorable experience.
via Viator
Delightful Day trip
Our guide looked at the weather forecast for the day and determined, on our approval, that it would be best to do the tour in the “reverse” order to miss afternoon weather that was projected. This turned out to be the best decision as our weather was perfect all day. The sights are spectacular, the long ride is broken up with a cafe stop in the morning, a lunch break, and a chocolate shop stop later. Along the whole ride (all day) our guide shared historical information and stories about Australia, he was very entertaining and engaging. We experienced the sandstone formations along the great ocean road, a rainforest, and the ocean road itself. We extended our New Zealand trip for a return to Australia just for this tour and visiting friends. This did not disappoint.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your amazing review. We are delighted you enjoyed the Full Day Tour of Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles from Melbourne, from the spectacular sandstone formations and rainforest to the scenic ocean road. We are glad the reverse itinerary worked perfectly and that your guide’s stories made the day entertaining and engaging.
via Tripadvisor
If you want to see a ...
If you want to see a rainforest, koalas, kangaroos, scenic ocean roads, walk on the beach topped off seeing the 12 apostles Darren is your man. His associate, Stewart was bonus time for us as well. Highly recommend this outing!!
Response from the operator: So happy to hear you had such a wonderful experience on the Great Ocean Road tour. Darren and Stewart will both be delighted to know they made the day special for you. It sounds like you enjoyed a perfect mix of wildlife, rainforest and breathtaking coastal views. Thank you for the recommendation.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $129 to $159
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 11
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Melbourne.
How much does Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour cost?
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Prices start at $129 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Melbourne usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour take?
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Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Melbourne is not rushed.
Is Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 30 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Melbourne, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour?
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Around 11 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Melbourne can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Melbourne and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Small-Group Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Melbourne within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Melbourne?
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On Outty we rank every Melbourne experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Melbourne: Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Whisky and Chocolate Tour, Yarra Valley Wine Tour w Exclusive Gin, Cider & Chocolate Tasting, Yarra Valley Wine Tour from Melbourne - Choc, Gin & Good Times. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Melbourne?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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