Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours)
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
4.8/5
Based on 222 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours) worth booking?
Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours) is a 12-hour experience in Melbourne, Australia, from $260 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 222 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (222)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $260 per person
This Private Tour of the Great Ocean Road departs early (7am) with a direct pick-up from you Melbourne CBD hotel, so you arrive before other tour groups and avoid the crowds at most lookouts. We are real locals and tru
What you get
About this experience
This Private Tour of the Great Ocean Road departs early (7am) with a direct pick-up from you Melbourne CBD hotel, so you arrive before other tour groups and avoid the crowds at most lookouts. We are real locals and true specialists of The Great Ocean Road. Our tours offer premium service that includes lunch and snacks. Spend a full day of sightseeing including the Shipwreck Coast, with more stops than usual plus extra time to linger at two of the most popular sites - The Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. - Early Departure 7am (6:45 for some locations) - Direct hotel pick up in the morning - We are Ahead of the Crowds and have lookouts to ourselves - This is a Private Tour - Only your group will travel - Our local Experience - We specialise in ONLY The Great Ocean Road - Snack Pack - More Photo Stops - See Kangaroos, Koalas and Native Birds in the Bush - Choose to upgrade your tour by adding an extra hour (can be added later) (Over 12 years old only)
What's included
Included
- Direct Hotel Pickup in the Morning (7am)
- Local Expert Guide dedicated to your group
- Fruit & snacks
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Private Tour and Personal Driver/Guide (Only your group will travel)
Not included
- Gratuities
- Children under 12 cannot travel with us. We apologise for this inconvenience.
What you'll see and do
Torquay
Near Bells Beach we search for Wild Kangaroos in the bush
10 minutes here
Views of Anglesea Beach from Various Locations
5 minutes here
Views of this magnificent beach
Pass by without stopping
Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway
The Great ocean Road Sign
5 minutes here
Lorne Beach
Toilet Stop and Beach Views
10 minutes here
Great Ocean Road
Travel from Lorne to Apollo Bay with various photo stops
Pass by without stopping
Kennett River
A great place to spot koala's in the wild
10 minutes here
Cape Patton Lookout Point
The best lookout on the Great Ocean Road
5 minutes here
Apollo Bay
Stunning scenery and one of the best beaches in Australia
Pass by without stopping
The Twelve Apostles
Time to see these Magnificent Limestone pillars, Created from 16 thousand years of erosion.
35 minutes here · Admission included
Loch Ard Gorge
More exploring at this stunning multi viewing area. Razorback, Loch Ard Gorge Beach and Shipwreck Walk
45 minutes here · Admission included
Victoria
We drive home through Farmland including Dairy, Cattle and Sheep and crops.
Pass by without stopping
One of the best way to see the 12 Apostles and the nearby rock formations is by Air. The 12 Apostles Helicopter Company is a local institution with a perfect safety record to boot. They offer a number of different joy flight durations with professional qualified pilots. We recommend you choose our 'Extended 14 hour Tour' if you want to include a joy flight, as you may require additional time for the pre-booking process and for the flight itself. All joy flights are at additional expense and can be booked on the day via your guide (no need to pre-book).
30 minutes here · Admission included
The Razorback
This is our final stop. Not as well know as the 12 Apostles, but equally as impressive. You will also get a chance to walk down to the beach and hear the story of the famous ship wreck at nearby Loch Ard Gorge
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 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
- Mon, Wed, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 5 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Ocean Road Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Pickup times will be advised at least 24 hours prior to the tour departure. Your guide will send a text message to re-confirm the Pick up location and time.
- Please call / text us on +61 466 888 775 to discuss the many different options you have on this tour, including the option to upgrade your Great Ocean Road experience.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- No children under 12 years of age
- We have a strict 24 Hours No Refund Cancellation Policy due to the limited and nature of out tours
- Driving time is 8 hours. If you get motion / travel sickness we do NOT recommend you choose this tour. We offer a 2 day tour which would be much more suitable.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 222 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Small groups
5 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
222 verified traveler reviews for Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Tour and Better Guide!
James was a great tour guide giving us all the highlights and being very responsive to what was important to us. (Seeing the wildlife). We hit all the great spots before the tour buses and got great commentary and photos with no crowds. James was easy to be with the entire day and a great conversationalist. Highly recommend him for this tour.
via Viator
Great Ocean Road tour
James was fabulous and informative start to finish!! He picked us up in his clean, spacious and comfortable minivan from Melbourne CBD. We left at 6:30am to avoid the crowds at all the main stops!! He knew all the great places for food, coffee and clean bathrooms! James gave us great commentary at each stop filled with history and experiences. Highly recommend James!!
Response from the operator: Can't ask for a better review than that. I was pass on your compliments to James. Happy New Year!! Warm regards, Stuart
via Tripadvisor
Great Ocean Success!
I highly recommend doing a private tour and James was the perfect tour guide. He catered the trip to make sure my son would enjoy it and we had a blast. From Bells Beach, wild Kangaroos, waterfalls and chocolate factory, the trip hit all the high points and we had a great trip.
Response from the operator: Thanks Joshua. I had a blast along the coast with you both. and I'm glad you enjoyed the hot chocolate at the chocolate factory !! :) Glad I was able to hit all the high points for you. I hope you both enjoy your time in Cairns. Warm regards, James Ocean Road Tours
via Viator
Super Organized Team
James contacted me well in advance of the tour and provided thoughtful and detailed plans for the day. Sometimes when I book a trip online, I don’t hear much until the day before which makes me a bit nervous about the booking. Excellent communication goes a long way. Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your positive feedback. Yes, James does go the extra mile to ensure the day has been carefully planned out to perfection. After all, its often a trip that people have been looking forward to for months and very much a bucket list experience. Thank you again for taking the time to complete a review form. Warm regards, Stuart
via Tripadvisor
A nice experience all round
Booking process was easy. The cancellation policy was more flexible than others and we didn't have to pay for the whole tour upfront, which is reassuring in these funny times of post covid travel. Tour was A1. We had a great time thanks.
Response from the operator: Thanks for taking the time to review your experience with us. Yes, we have changed our cancellation policy in recent months to offer FREE cancelation on tours if cancelled at least 14 days in advance. And our current covid policy is that in the case of a Government declared lockdown and/or last minute flight cancellations due to imposed local or international COVID-19 restrictions, an alternative rescheduling date will be offered OR a full refund will be provided. And...... on top of that you only need to commit to 25% deposit of the tour cost to secure the dates you want. We are glad that flexibility gave you the confidence to book with us and that you had an 'A1' time. Warm regards, Stuart
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri
- Price range
- $260 to $900
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 78
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Melbourne.
How much does Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours) cost?
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Prices start at $260 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 Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours) 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 Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 222 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Melbourne, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours)?
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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 Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours) 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 Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours)?
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Around 78 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 Private Great Ocean Road Day Tour With Early Departure (12 Hours) 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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