Great Ocean Road Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne
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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
4.5/5
Based on 284 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Great Ocean Road Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne worth booking?
Great Ocean Road Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne is a 13-hour experience in Melbourne, Australia, from $114 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 284 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (284)
- Duration
- 13 hours
- From
- $114 per person
Explore the 12 Apostles and Great Ocean Road without the crowds on our Reverse Great Ocean Road Day Tour! This full-day adventure hits all the highlights of the standard tour but flips the timing, visiting the 12 Apostle
What you get
About this experience
Explore the 12 Apostles and Great Ocean Road without the crowds on our Reverse Great Ocean Road Day Tour! This full-day adventure hits all the highlights of the standard tour but flips the timing, visiting the 12 Apostles and Shipwreck Coast in the morning. By going against the flow of traffic, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted views and amazing photo opportunities, all while soaking in the natural beauty without the crowds. Scenic views of Loch Ard Gorge, marvel at Razorback Lookout and Mutton Bird Island, and wander through the ancient rainforest of the Great Otway National Park. Along the way, keep an eye out for wild koalas, and other native wildlife. Travel comfortably in a mid-sized group with Wi-Fi, USB ports, and extra legroom, stopping in charming coastal towns like Apollo Bay, and don’t miss a photo at the iconic Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch. Perfect trip for, nature lovers, and anyone craving a more relaxed, immersive experience on one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives.
What's included
Included
- Picnic sandwich with piece or fruit or sweet item
- All National Park entry fees — nature’s best, covered!
- Expert local guide bringing stories, fun facts, and insider tips
- Travel in style aboard a comfy, air-conditioned medium sized coach with onboard wifi
- Morning tea & tasty treats to start your day right
- Multilingual translation app available in 10 languages
Not included
- 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
What you'll see and do
Melbourne
Get ready—our adventure begins soon! The bus is on its way, so grab your gear, feel the excitement, and let's hit the road!
10 minutes here
Colac
We stop to stretch our legs and enjoy morning tea
15 minutes here
Great Ocean Road
Take a full day journey along the Great Ocean Road stopping at the iconic destinations along the way.
Pass by without stopping
The Twelve Apostles
We take time to admire the amazing Limestone stack formations with minimal other tourists around, also if you are keen to take to the skies and add a helicopter ride over the Apostles on to your experience then this is the tour for you! Taking your time to walk along the boardwalks and capture perfect photos of the Twelve Apostles in the morning sun is just breathtaking.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Loch Ard Gorge
Also in the National Park we head down to Loch Ard Gorge, site of one of Australia’s most well know shipwrecks, hear the dramatic tale of Tom and Eva. Take time to walk down on to the beach and get the sand in-between your toes, or walk out over the top of the Gorge and find the Island Archway and Razorback rock formations.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Great Otway National Park
Wander through the magic of Great Otway National Park, where giant ferns brush your shoulders, waterfalls tumble through mossy gullies, and ancient trees tower above like nature’s own cathedral. Every step feels like a stroll through a rainforest fairytale—just don’t be surprised if a koala watches from the treetops.
45 minutes here
Apollo Bay Beach
Along the journey we will be making stops to look for Koalas hanging out in the wild, as they are exactly that, wild, we cannot guarantee where they will show up, but our knowledgeable guides know all the best spots to search for them.
20 minutes here
Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway
A monument to mark the original starting point of the Great Ocean Road. After some photos at the iconic Memorial Arch and a lesson on the history of the soldiers who built this road and dedicated it to their fallen comrades, we will wind through more stunning views (of course stopping for pictures!)
30 minutes here · Admission included
Melbourne
As we roll back to your pick-up point, sit back, relax, and relive the magic of the day—full of epic sights, laughs, and unforgettable moments. What an adventure!
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Melbourne
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.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
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.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, ko, cmn, ja, en, zh-CN, it, fr, nl, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Wildlife Tours Australia
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 284 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
284 verified traveler reviews for Great Ocean Road Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing tour with great views and a lovely driver/guide Daniel ⭐️🌊⛰️
Daniel was a wonderful guide! He made sure all of us felt comfortable throughout the journey. My mum & I were extremely well taken care of throughout our Great Ocean Road trip! Highly recommend! 😊P.S. Daniel’s driving is very comparable to that of Max Verstappen 🏎️
Response from the operator: Wonderful to hear you and your mum had a comfortable, memorable day with Daniel. Thank you for the kind words!
via Tripadvisor
Best tour
It's worth doing. Awesome experience. The narrator was good. He was part of the journey through out. From us it was a great experience
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your positive feedback. We're thrilled to hear that you found the experience worth doing and that it was awesome for you. We're glad the narrator was able to be a meaningful part of the journey and enhance your overall experience. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we're delighted that you had a great time. We hope to see you again on future adventures!
via Viator
Viator is best in class for touring Australia
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 the operator: 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!
via Viator
Whistle stop visit to the Great Ocean Road in Reverse
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 the operator: 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!
via Viator
We had wonderful time,...
We had wonderful time, Helda was amazing, highly recommended to spend the last days of 2025. Thank you and all the best.
Response from the operator: We’re so glad you enjoyed spending the last days of 2025 on the Great Ocean Road with Helda.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 13 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $114 to $157
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 99
- 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 Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Melbourne.
How much does Great Ocean Road Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne cost?
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Prices start at $114 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 Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne take?
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Plan for about 13 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 Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne 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 (4.5/5 across 284 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 Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne?
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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 Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 13-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Great Ocean Road Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne?
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Around 99 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 13-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Great Ocean Road Reverse Rainforest & 12 Apostles from Melbourne 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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