Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) in Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, Australia

Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour)

Outty Ranking 48 5.0 · 3 traveler reviews9 hoursFrom $355
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Outty Ranking

48/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) worth booking?

Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) is a 9-hour experience in Melbourne, Australia, from $355 per person. It scores 48 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
48 / 100
Rating
5/5 (3)
Duration
9 hours
From
$355 per person

This Half Day Express Tour showcases the main coastal section of the Great Ocean Road, from Aireys Inlet, all the way up to as far as Apollo Bay. The tour then cuts inland through the inland townships of Forrest and Birregura back to Melbourne. ***NOTE : This tour does NOT include the 12 Apostles*** Whilst other operators sell tours throughout Victoria, we specialise in only The Great Ocean Road, so you are safe in the knowledge you have an expert tour guide who knows the area inside out. Should you wish to visit the 12 Apostles, we recommend you choose either the full 1 day tour, 2 day or 3 day tour.

What you get

    About this experience

    This Half Day Express Tour showcases the main coastal section of the Great Ocean Road, from Aireys Inlet, all the way up to as far as Apollo Bay. The tour then cuts inland through the inland townships of Forrest and Birregura back to Melbourne. ***NOTE : This tour does NOT include the 12 Apostles*** Whilst other operators sell tours throughout Victoria, we specialise in only The Great Ocean Road, so you are safe in the knowledge you have an expert tour guide who knows the area inside out. Should you wish to visit the 12 Apostles, we recommend you choose either the full 1 day tour, 2 day or 3 day tour.

    What's included

    Included

    • Private transportation
    • On-board WiFi
    • All Fees and Taxes
    • Your own dedicated Personal driver & Guide
    • Complimentary bottled water

    Not included

    • Meals and beverages

    What you'll see and do

    1. The Great Ocean Road

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour

      300 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Bells Beach

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour (Tour excludes The 12 Apostles)

      20 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour (Tour excludes The 12 Apostles)

      10 minutes here · Admission included

    4. Point Addis Marine National Park

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour (Tour excludes The 12 Apostles)

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Split Point Lighthouse

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour (Tour excludes The 12 Apostles)

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    6. Devil's Elbow

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour (Tour excludes The 12 Apostles)

      5 minutes here · Admission included

    7. Cathedral Rocks

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour (Tour excludes The 12 Apostles)

      5 minutes here · Admission included

    8. Cumberland River

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour (Tour excludes The 12 Apostles)

      Pass by without stopping

    9. Mount Defiance Lookout

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour (Tour excludes The 12 Apostles)

      5 minutes here · Admission included

    10. Cape Patton Lookout Point

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour (Tour excludes The 12 Apostles)

      5 minutes here · Admission included

    11. Carisbrook Creek

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour (Tour excludes The 12 Apostles)

      5 minutes here · Admission included

    12. Kennett River Nature Walk

      We stop here in to search for local wildlife, including the elusive koala, king parrots, Cockatoo's and Crimson Rosella's

      15 minutes here · Admission included

    13. Kennett River

      We stop here in to search for local wildlife, including the elusive koala, king parrots, Cockatoo's and Crimson Rosella's

      15 minutes here

    14. Carisbrook Waterfall

      Half Day Great Ocean Road Express Tour (Tour excludes The 12 Apostles)

      20 minutes here · Admission included

    15. Apollo Bay

      We make a stop here for lunch, before turning inland and heading back to Melbourne

      30 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Melbourne

    Please wait at the designated pick up time, by no later than 7am.

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations.

    Ends at

    Please wait at the designated pick up time, by no later than 7am.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 5 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Great Ocean Road Tours

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Children under 12 years of age are not permitted to travel
    • We wish to advise larger groups of 4 or 5, that our luggage capacity is limited, so we recommend 1 x airplane cabin-sized bags per person. For groups of 3 passengers or less, 1 x standard size suitcase & 1 x cabin-sized bag per person is acceptable.

    Photos

    With guests @Bells Beach, Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) in MelbourneSpot some iconic Australian wildlife, Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) in MelbourneLearn about the history of the road, Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) in MelbourneWe pass through the township of Lorne to meet some of the friendly locals, Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) in MelbourneWith guests @The Memorial Arch, Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) in MelbourneWith guests @Teddy's Lookout, Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) in Melbourne

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    1 mention

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    1 mention

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Organization

    1 mention

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Food and drink

    1 mention

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Small groups

    1 mention

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    3 verified traveler reviews for Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    3
    4 star
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    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
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    619jeffry · December 2020

    One day to see it all

    The Great Ocean Road is not all that far from Melbourne and if you get a wriggle on 9 hours is plenty of time to see it. The two main features are the 12 Apostles and the Loch Ard Gorge, which are not very far apart. The roiling waters of stormy Bass Strait batter the coast unceasingly, see it while you can

    via Tripadvisor

    Frank v · September 2019

    Great time!

    We had a wonderfull time! James was very friendly and professional. The car was very luxueus and clean.

    via Tripadvisor

    Elsavador · August 2019

    Nice private tour

    We were determined to see the great ocean road, even if we didn’t really have enough time to see it all. So we choose this half day tour option. It’s worth mentioning though, that this tour does not stop at the 12 aspotles - although they do make this abundantly clear when you go to book. Kudos to them for that. Still, we got to see the main coastal section of the great ocean road and many other things to boot : Bells beach - amazing surfing beach. Saw almost 50 surfers! Kangaroos in the wild - our first roo sighting, very special Morning tea - homemade scones and tea at a tiny local cafe Lighthouse visit - amazing views Memorial site - where they first started building the road. Great for photos. Lorne - super cute town Museum - sounds boring but actually very interesting with short history of the road Teddy’s - great lookout point over the road and out to sea Waterfall - sorry I can’t remember the name but it was a stunning walk to the falls Koala walk - managed to see a few koalas in the wild. Pretty cool. Hand fed wild parrots - bit scary at first, but once you realise they don’t bite it’s ok lol Lookout over Apollo bay - sorry I don’t know the name. We had a look around Apollo Bay, had quick lunch and then headed back inland. Was quite interesting to drive through the forest and some of the local farming region. They’ve had heaps of rain, I guess as it winter so everything is lush and green. Fortunately it only rained for a short period during our tour. Best to bring a rain coat just incase. If you are super short on time, this is a great tour. I would have loved to have go all the way to the end. Maybe next time when I have more time.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    9 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $355 to $900
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Great Ocean Road Tours, who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.0.

    See everything Great Ocean Road Tours runs

    Why this scores 48

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)83
    Review evidence (18% weight)19
    Booking momentum (14% weight)11
    Value for money (12% weight)50
    Listing quality (10% weight)83
    Local standing (8% weight)54
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour): questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Melbourne.

    How much does Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) cost?

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    Prices start at $355 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 Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) take?

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    Plan for about 9 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 Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 48 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 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 Express Tour (9 Hour Tour)?

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    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour)?

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    Around 1 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 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour 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 From Melbourne: Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Cider & Chocolate tour, Melbourne: Epic Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch - Gin/Beer Upgrade, 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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour)?

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    Included: Private transportation; On-board WiFi; All Fees and Taxes; Your own dedicated Personal driver & Guide; and Complimentary bottled water. Not included: Meals and beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 80 listed pickup locations in and around Melbourne. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) offered in?

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    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour)?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour) if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Private Great Ocean Road Express Tour (9 Hour Tour)?

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    Across 3 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities, organization. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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