From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Day Tour
About This Experience
Bunyip Tours has been running this route for long enough that the itinerary has been sanded smooth. It is the classic day: morning tea on the sand at Torquay, the Memorial Arch, koala spotting at Kennett River, the rainforest at Maits Rest, free time at Apollo Bay, and the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge in the afternoon.
The group is capped at 24, and national park entry fees are in the price rather than collected on the day. There is Wi-Fi on board and audio commentary in sixteen languages, so the guide can talk to the English speakers while everyone else follows along.
Be clear-eyed about the length. This is a 14-hour day — the longest of the tours on this site — with pickup between 7:00 and 8:00 AM. Reviewers consistently praise the guides by name and just as consistently mention that the seats get uncomfortable somewhere in the last few hours. That is the honest shape of a Great Ocean Road day trip done thoroughly.
Food is the one thing you provide. Morning tea is included, lunch is not, and you are welcome to bring your own rather than buy at Apollo Bay.
Highlights
- Capped at 24 guests, so the group stays manageable at every stop
- National park entry fees included, not collected on the day
- Complimentary morning tea on the surf coast at Torquay
- Maits Rest rainforest walk through the Great Otway National Park
- Audio commentary in 16 languages and free onboard Wi-Fi
What's Included
- ✓ Full-day Great Ocean Road tour
- ✓ Pickup and drop-off at selected Melbourne city hotels
- ✓ Expert local guide
- ✓ National park entry fees
- ✓ Complimentary morning tea
- ✓ Air-conditioned touring vehicle with upgraded seating
- ✓ Audio commentary in 16 languages
- ✓ Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
Not Included
- Food — you are welcome to bring your own
What to Bring
- Comfortable shoes
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- A camera
- A charged smartphone and power bank
- A card for lunch at Apollo Bay
Good to Know & Caveats
- Pickup runs between 7:00 and 8:00 AM; your exact time is emailed after booking.
- The full round trip is about 14 hours — the longest single day on this site.
- The tour runs rain or shine. Victoria's coast changes its mind constantly; pack a layer.
- Large bags and luggage cannot be carried.
- Wildlife sightings are likely at Kennett River but cannot be guaranteed.
Not Suitable For
- Travellers who cannot sit comfortably for long stretches
- Anyone needing to be back in Melbourne early evening
Meeting Point
Pickup from selected Melbourne city hotels between 7:00 and 8:00 AM.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.8/5 by 661 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Our guide Tim was a great guy! very friendly, funny and gave us lots of information at all if our stops. We found the bus pretty uncomfortable, it was a long round trip ( 13 hours) - more padded seats would have been nice.
— Georgina Louise, March 5
Rachael was an amazing guide. She was very knowledgable about the Great Ocean Road. The day was well planned out and we had more than enough time at each location to really soak it in. Rach even gave us recommendations for things to do around Melbourne. She went above and beyond for us. Would definitely recommend this tour.
— Mia, Februar
Spectacular! The sites were amazing! Robbo was an excellent guide!
— Kimberly, October
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the group?
Maximum 24 guests. That is small enough that you are not queuing behind a full coach at each lookout, but it is not a minibus — for a group in single figures, look at the Otways walking tour or a private car.
Are national park fees included?
Yes. Park entry is in the ticket price rather than collected from you on the day, which is not true of every tour on this route.
How long is the day, really?
About 14 hours. Pickup is between 7:00 and 8:00 AM and you are back in Melbourne late evening. Guests rate this tour highly and still mention the seats in the final hours — it is a genuinely long day, and worth knowing before you book.
Is lunch provided?
Morning tea is, lunch is not. There is free time at Apollo Bay to buy lunch, and you are explicitly welcome to bring your own instead.
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