Go West Tours · Central Melbourne
Melbourne's other big day trip heads west with Go West Tours: surf beaches, rainforest at Maits Rest, then the limestone stacks of the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Pick it for a different day from the penguins, in a minibus of 24 instead of a full coach.
This page is the odd one out: no penguins. The Great Ocean Road runs about 240 km along Victoria's south-west coast, and it was built by returned servicemen between 1919 and 1932 as a memorial to those killed in the First World War. Go West Tours collects you from one of 10 city hotels between 7 and 8 am, with a cap of 24 guests in a minibus with upgraded seats.
The morning follows the coast: morning tea at Torquay (included), the Memorial Arch at Eastern View, a wildlife stop to look for wild koalas, and lunch in Apollo Bay (not included). Then comes a guided walk at Maits Rest, a short rainforest loop with trees up to 300 years old. The afternoon is the big one: an hour and a half at the 12 Apostles, Gibson Steps if conditions allow, and 45 minutes at Loch Ard Gorge.
It's a 13-hour day, and most of the drive home is inland, with an optional dinner stop in Colac, so you're back at about 8:30 to 9:30 pm. Don't put it the morning after a penguin tour that got you home at midnight. Wheelchair users can't join, and strollers and large bags aren't allowed. On Phillip Island days, start with the Penguin Parade Eco Tour.
From one of 10 city hotels; the exact time comes by email.
Morning tea and coffee in the surf town where the road begins.
Photos at the arch at Eastern View, then a stop to look for koalas in the trees.
Lunch at your own cost in Apollo Bay, then a guided walk in the rainforest.
An hour and a half at the Apostles, Gibson Steps if open, then 45 minutes at Loch Ard Gorge.
Inland via Colac, with an optional 30-minute dinner stop. Drop-off about 8:30 to 9:30 pm.
★★★★★Rhys was extremely good guide: so empathetic, excellent storyteller with a lot of good jokes in the pocket.
★★★★★I asked her if it would be possible to see cangurus and she took us to see it.
★★★★★Mark was the best tour guide I have ever met. I enjoyed the whole tour.
★★★★★We had an absolutely fantastic Great Ocean Road tour with our guide Jono!
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Not sensibly. They're in opposite directions from Melbourne, and each takes 12 to 13 hours. Do them on separate days; our tours guide covers the penguin side.
About 8:30 to 9:30 pm, after an optional dinner stop in Colac.
No. Morning tea at Torquay is included; lunch in Apollo Bay and dinner in Colac are at your own cost.
There's a good chance: the tour makes a wildlife stop to look for wild koalas in the trees, but sightings aren't guaranteed.
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The 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and a rainforest walk in a minibus of up to 24, with hotel pickup.
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