Great Ocean Road & Twelve Apostles
The world-famous coastal drive — surf coast, koalas, and limestone cathedrals at sunset.
Best for first-time visitors and photographers chasing the iconic Twelve Apostles shot.
What you'll experience
Stop-by-stop itinerary
~8.1h driving · ~5h on the ground
- Stop 1 · 06:30
Melbourne CBD pickup
Door-to-door pickup from your hotel or apartment. Driver greets you with bottled water and an itinerary card.
Stop 2 · 07:45Bells Beach (Torquay)
100 km75 min driveCliff-top viewing platform overlooking Australia's most famous surf break — home of the Rip Curl Pro. Powerful Southern Ocean swells and red-sandstone cliffs.
25 min on site
Stop 3 · 08:35Memorial Arch at Eastern View
28 km25 min driveThe official wooden arch marking the start of the Great Ocean Road, built by returned WWI soldiers. Classic photo stop.
15 min on site- Stop 4 · 09:15
Lorne foreshore coffee stop
22 km25 min drivePretty seaside town with a sweeping pier. Stretch your legs and grab a flat white from one of the foreshore cafés.
30 min on site 
Stop 5 · 10:30Kennett River koala spotting
35 km45 min driveWalk up Grey River Road — wild koalas dozing in the gum trees, plus crimson rosellas and king parrots happy to land on your shoulder.
30 min on site- Stop 6 · 11:55
Apollo Bay lunch
50 km50 min driveLunch on the beach strip — fish & chips at the harbour, or a sit-down meal at La Bimba (driver's recommendation, locally famous).
75 min on site 
Stop 7 · 13:30Maits Rest Rainforest Walk
17 km20 min driveA 30-minute boardwalk loop through 300-year-old myrtle beech and tree ferns. Cool, mossy, and silent — a complete change of scene.
30 min on site- Stop 8 · 14:55
Twelve Apostles & Gibson Steps
65 km55 min driveThe signature stop. Walk the timber boardwalks for the cliff-top panorama, then descend Gibson Steps to the beach for the apostles seen from below.
60 min on site 
Stop 9 · 16:00Loch Ard Gorge
4 km5 min driveSite of the 1878 shipwreck. Hidden beach reached by stairs, sea-carved arches, and the heartbreaking story of the only two survivors.
35 min on site- Stop 10 · 16:40
Inland return via Princes Highway
12 km15 min driveFaster route home through Camperdown and Colac dairy country — driver may stop briefly at Lake Elingamite or Cressy if light allows.
- Stop 11 · 18:30
Melbourne CBD drop-off
222 km170 min driveReturn to your accommodation. Driver can drop at any city hotel, or detour to Crown / Southbank if dining there.
Included
- Private chauffeured vehicle (sedan/SUV/maxi)
- Fuel and tolls
- GST
- Bottled water
- Local-driver commentary
- 12 hours of touring
Not included
- Meals and drinks
- Helicopter scenic flight at Twelve Apostles (optional add-on, ~$165pp)
- Otway Lighthouse precinct entry (optional, $19.50 adult)
What to bring
- Layers — coast can be 10°C cooler than the city
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes (boardwalks and beach steps)
- Camera (Twelve Apostles light is best mid-afternoon)
- A reusable water bottle
Best season
Year-round — clearest light Sep–Nov and Mar–May. Winter brings huge swells and dramatic skies.
FAQ — Great Ocean Road
Can we do this trip in reverse to avoid the crowds?
Yes — on quieter days the driver can run the loop anti-clockwise (inland out, coast back) so you arrive at Twelve Apostles at lunch and finish along the surf coast at sunset. Mention it when booking.
Will we see the Twelve Apostles from the helicopter?
Helicopter joy flights operate from the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre next to where the driver parks. We can hold the car there while you fly — flights are 15–25 minutes and bookable on the spot.
Is the Great Ocean Road safe in winter?
Yes. The road is sealed, kept clear of ice, and patrolled. Winter actually offers the most dramatic seascapes and far fewer tour buses. Pack a warm jacket.
Can elderly passengers do this trip comfortably?
Yes — most lookouts have step-free boardwalks. Gibson Steps and the Loch Ard beach descent are optional; the cliff-top views are accessible without stairs. Tell us about mobility needs and we will match the itinerary.
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