The Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour direction enables our passengers to experience the National Heritage-listed Great Ocean Road in all its morning glory with lunch included. Giving our passengers a better opportunity at the 12 Apostles without the crowds.
Summary Description
Highlights
- Experience the spectacular 12 Apostles shipwreck coast without crowds
- Visit the pristine beach of Loch Ard Gorge in the mid-morning sun
- Enjoy a guided walk through Great Otway National Park rainforests
- Drive along the world-famous National Heritage Listed Great Ocean Road
- Eco-conscious sustainable touring experience in premium coach vehicles
Description
The Great Ocean Road is travelled by more than 3.5million visitors each year. The crowds at each iconic destination are becoming increasingly busy making this magical region harder to enjoy. We have designed this Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour to avoid the crowds at peak times and to also allow our guests to see the awe inspiring 12 Apostles in the morning sun light which brightly illuminates this incredible rock formation. Journey along the entire Great Ocean Road stopping to walk through an ancient rainforest, explore quaint seaside villages, encounter wild Koalas and see the many incredible cliff top lookouts along the way.
The Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour direction enables our passengers to experience the National Heritage-listed Great Ocean Road in all its glory in the reverse direction. By operating this tour in reverse, we avoid all the normal tourist masses that visit the 12 Apostles, giving our passengers a better opportunity to capture that picture-perfect photograph without the crowds. This Great Ocean Road reverse tour itinerary will visit all the same key destinations and highlights as our standard great ocean road tour, so rest assured you won’t miss a thing.Â
Escape the city by traveling inland direct to the Shipwreck Coast via Colac enjoying a complimentary morning tea along the way. Take a journey and experience the Great Ocean Road reverse tour in the opposite direction to the masses, enabling you to escape the crowds and enjoy this famous & picturesque coastline in all its glory. Our first major stop will be the breathtaking 12 Apostles and the extraordinary rock formations of Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell. Discover Mutton Bird Island & Razorback lookout, both offering amazing views. Then, enjoy a guided walk through Maits Rest or Melba Gully, an ancient rainforest admiring some of the world’s tallest trees in the Great Otway National Park.Â
We continue our journey along this spectacular National Heritage-Listed road winding between hillsides, pristine beaches, stunning ocean views and dense rainforest. The Great Ocean Road is famously known as one of the world’s most scenic coastal routes which you will get to enjoy without all the crowds. Our local guides will try to seek out the iconic Australian koala, as this coastal region is heavily populated with these furry creatures hidden within the pockets of Eucalyptus forests.Â
Stopping next at the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, one of the most photographed spots along this rugged coastline. This monument is a tribute to the World War One servicemen who built the Great Ocean Road stretching 243 kilometres and was finally completed in 1932. A great location to grab a group photo under the archway and share it with friends on social media. From here, we sit back, relax and enjoy the drive back into the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Melbourne.Â
Meals: Lunch
Driving distance: 570km
Walking distance: 2-3km
Included / Excluded
- National Park entry fees and Australian flora and fauna sightings
- Light picnic-style lunch and rainforest walk
- Hosted by an experienced driver guide with local tour commentary
- Audio & text translation app available in 10 different languages
- Modern air-conditioned midi-coach travel, with onboard WiFi and USB charging ports
- Any meals not indicated within the itinerary - at the guest’s own expense.
- Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point.
- Personal travel insurance is highly recommended
- Spending money for snacks and beverages
Start / End Locations
Start Location: 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC, Australia
Accessibility
- Service animals allowed
- Travellers easily arrive and depart on public transport
Commentary
Audio : French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese Cantonese, Chinese Mandarin
Important Information
Know Before You Book
- Mandatory passenger details are required at the time of booking: contact phone number and dietary requirements
- Child fare prices apply to children aged between 0 to 12 years old.
- Infants aged 0 to 4 are not permitted to travel on adult laps and must be safely restrained within a child protective seat. Infant seats are free of charge and must be requested at the time of booking but not guaranteed.
- This terrain is not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers, wheelchairs, walkers, prams or strollers.
- Autopia Tours reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary schedule during seasonal weather fluctuations and/or during park closures.
- Most dietary needs can be accommodated; however, passengers must inform tour operator in advance.
- Limited storage space on our vehicle, baggage kept to 1 x 5-7kg day bag per person.
- Booking requires passenger information such as date of birth, food allergies, and phone number.
- Wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers are not suitable.
- Please re-confirm your tour details within 7 days prior to departure on 03 9393 1333
Cancellation
Cancellation Cutoff: 24 hours
Cancellation Notes: Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Options and Pricing
| Eco-Friendly Great Ocean Road with lunch | RETAIL PRICE |
|---|---|
| Adult (13 - 90 years) | $165.00 |
| Child (0 - 12 years) | $125.00 |
Points of interest
- Apollo Bay Beach, Apollo Bay VIC, Australia
- Memorial Square, Murray Street, Colac VIC, Australia
- Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell VIC, Australia
- Twelve Apostles, Princetown VIC, Australia
- Great Otway National Park, Victoria, Australia
- Memorial Arch at Eastern View, Great Ocean Road, Eastern View VIC, Australia
Additional Information
 In Victoria, the weather can change throughout the day so it is always a good idea to be prepared at all times. In the event of rain or inclement weather, your experience will still go ahead, unless contacted by the provider. Please ensure you have checked the average temperatures for the time of year you are travelling and have packed adequate clothing.Â
FAQ
Do you cater to special dietary requirements?
As this tour itinerary provides a light lunch please notify us if you have any dietary requirements or food allergies prior to departure, that way we can make any necessary arrangements.
What is a suitable age for this tour?
Child fare prices apply from 0 to 12 years old. Infants aged 0 to 4 are not permitted to travel on adult laps and must be safely restrained within a child protective seat. Infant protective seats are free of charge and must be requested at the time of booking. Please note our vehicles do not have the storage to accommodate prams or strollers, these must be left at your hotel or accommodation.
How much luggage can I bring on tour?
We ask that guests travelling on day trips bring small day packs and hand luggage only as we have limited storage onboard our vehicles. Suitcases and large backpacks must be put in storage at your hotel or bus station lockers prior to boarding our vehicles.
How many people are on this tour?
We operate this tour with an average of 28 passengers, our standard vehicles are 28-seater Yutong midi-coaches. These vehicles are designed for safe & comfortable on long journeys (air-conditioned), with large passenger windows for unobstructed views and USB charging ports. It is possible that the trip will be conducted in a smaller 24-seater such as a Mitsubishi Rosa bus.
How fit do I need to be for this tour?
A low level of fitness is required to complete the walks on this tour itinerary.
What happens if it rains, will the tour proceed?
In the event of rain or inclement weather, your travel experience will still go ahead, unless contacted by the provider. This tour would only be cancelled in extreme weather conditions, whereby it’s not safe to travel along the Great Ocean Road.
