Discover the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne on this full-day tour by coach that allows you to soak up the beauty of one of Australia’s most stunning stretches of coastline. Be wowed by the Twelve Apostles, learn about the tragic history of Loch Ard Gorge, stop in Port Campbell, and enjoy photo ops of the rugged scenery throughout the day.

Great Ocean Road day tour by coach
Photograph the scenery on the drive from Melbourne to Geelong and along Victoria’s rugged coast
Hear the history behind Loch Ard Gorge on the Shipwreck Coast
Visit the Twelve Apostles and the seaside town of Port Campbell
Listen to commentary provided by a guide
Don’t miss one of the world's great coastal road trips

Why Travellers Choose This Tour

This day trip visits all the most popular viewpoints for maximum photo opportunities.

What's Included

Professional expert Local Guide
Your local guide will bring you to the best lookouts and photo stops along the Great Ocean Road
Super comfortable luxury vehicle including: free wifi, in-seat USB, air conditioning and restroom
Beat the crowds and arrive at the Twelve Apostles before other tour groups!
No staring at bushes and missing out on spectacular views on high set luxury vehicles
Japanese and Mandarin Audio commentary available- must be requested at time of booking
Your expert guide will bring you where you may see koalas in the wild

Food and drinks- stop for lunch (own expense) throughout the day

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Southern Cross Station Underground Coach & Bus Terminal
Southern Cross Station Access Rd, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia
Tour departs at 07:15 AM, please arrive at coach terminal at least 10 minutes prior to this time.

Start time

07:00 am

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

As you depart Melbourne, your tour on the Great Ocean Road begins with a drive out of the city to the Twelve Apostles, the major natural landmark of the Great Ocean Road. These craggy limestone pillars that jut up from the water were formed from over millions of years of erosion. Hop off your coach for a little walk along the top of the bluffs, or you can walk down the beach trails for more views of this wild and windy spot.

Next, head to Loch Ard Gorge, where you stop to hear the history of this location known as the Shipwreck Coast. Listen to the story of the Loch Ard, a British ship that wrecked in 1878 with only two survivors, who managed to make their way to shore.

Make a stop in the seaside village of Port Campbell for lunch (own expense) before continuing on to Apollo Bay for another stop for afternoon tea (own expense).

Afterward, travel on for a photo stop at one of the most popular attractions on the Great Ocean Road, London Bridge.

Your tour ends with the return drive to Melbourne. On the way back to the city, catch sight of the night lights of Melbourne as you cross the West Gate Bridge.

Twelve Apostles

See the amazing Twelve Apostles – limestone stacks rising dramatically from the Southern Ocean. Call in at the Visitor Information Centre. Walk along the boardwalk and enjoy the scenery from various viewing platforms

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Loch Ard Gorge

See Loch Ard Gorge and be swept away by the romantic and tragic story of love and lives lost aboard the schooner, Loch Ard • Witness a fabulous spectacle of massive natural erosion. Contrasts abound between rugged coast and verdant rainforest living side by side

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Infants must sit on laps
Children 17 yrs and under must be accompanied by an adult
During the booking process you will be required to choose your hotel pick-up details. If your hotel does not appear in the drop down list the supplier does not pick-up from your hotel and you will be required to contact the supplier to arrange a suitable alternative
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

Japanese and Mandarin language devices must be requested at time of booking. Please call the supplier to confirm. Availability not guaranteed
Weather on the Great Ocean Road is unpredictable, please come prepared for all weather
Guests that require a wheelchair are welcome on our tours providing they are accompanied by an able-bodied companion and do not require special assistance from the supplier to embark and disembark the vehicle. Wheelchairs will be stored under the vehicle whilst in transit. Note: There is limited access at Loch Ard Gorge due to the staircase, however there are other lookouts available.
If travelling with an infant that requires a stroller, you must contact the supplier at least 72hrs prior to departure to ensure the can be accommodated.
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Traveller Tips

To conclude, this road trip is a must; if not driving for whatever reason, this company is good but bring lots of SPF, a hat, hand sanitizer, USB cable, wipes, comfy shoes, water and don't be late at the stops.

I recommend that you bring along a bug repellent as there was none available at some of the stops.

Bus is comfortable which is non negligeable given the length of the trip.

Reviews

4.5

469 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 469 reviews

Beautiful experience

Animesh_S, Feb 2023

One of the most beautiful drives in the world.Amazing experience with the tour operator and great booking experience with Viator. This is a tour one should not miss.

Great Ocean Tour

Marston_D, Jan 2023

Joe our at our Driver was very friendly and informative , he also made a great recommendation for lunch when we stopped at Apollo Bay.

I highly recomend trip Great ocean road with tourguide Roger

Katarzyna_M, Mar 2020

Fantastic trip, beautiful animals, excellent guide Roger with wide knowledge of country,beautiful language,friendly,very helpful

Response from Host, Mar 2021

G'Day Katarzyna, Many thanks for taking the time to review our product, and we are so happy to hear that you enjoyed travelling with us. We look forward to welcoming you on board an AAT Kings trip in the future. Thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

On the Road

Natalie, Feb 2020

It was even more than expected! Beautiful way to experience the coast, rainforest, and even wildlife.

Response from Host, Mar 2021

G'Day Natalie, Thanks for your positive review and it sounded like we exceeded expectations. A day tour to the Great Ocean road is an amazing way to experience all that this part of Australia has to offer. We look forward to seeing you on board soon. Thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

Wonderful experience

Leah_T, Feb 2020

I’ve done Great Ocean Road tour many times with families and friends from overseas and used different companies every time. Since i would be bringing my parents who are in their late 70’s, I am thinking of their comfort since it is a long hour tour. AAT did not disappoint me and I thank them for making my parents see God’s amazing creations enjoy the experience and make it memorable.

Response from Host, Mar 2021

G'Day Leah_T, Thanks for such a wonderful review, and we are so happy that you had an amazing experience touring with us! We agree that this part of the world is just an incredible creation, and a must-see if you are visiting. Thanks again and we look forward to welcoming you on board again soon, The Team at AAT Kings

The spectacular views,

Robert_E, Feb 2020

The trip was very nice with spectacular views. The only thing I was not really prepared for were the swarming flies. They did not bite but they were all around you. I recommend that you bring along a bug repellent as there was none available at some of the stops.

Response from Host, Apr 2021

G'Day georocker, Thanks for taking the time to review our tour and we hope you enjoyed the Great Ocean Road despite the flies on that particular day. We hope to see you again soon on another AAT Kings tour! Many thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

A must do

esidds03, Jan 2020

Convenient pick up from hotel. Tour started on time. Tour guide was fantastic- very entertaining and gave lots of great information the entire trip. Stops were lovely. This is certainly a must do when visiting Melbourne.

Response from Host, Mar 2021

G'Day esidds03, Thanks for taking the time to review our Great Ocean Road tour and we agree that it is a 'must do' when visiting Melbourne, and it is nice to get on the open road too. Our guides really love sharing their knowledge with our guests and thanks for the feedback. We hope to see you again soon on another of our tours. Many thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

nice trip

AKIN_S, Jan 2020

very long trip but nice. Guide driver was very halpful and gave a lot of useful information. also it was nice to see on way kualas in wildlife

Response from Host, Mar 2021

G'Day akinevent, Thanks for your feedback of our Great Ocean Road trip and we are so happy you enjoyed the day with us. What a treat seeing Koala's in the wild as well! We look forward to welcoming you on board an AAT Kings tour again in the future. Many thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

Excellent Tour

preethamkottary, Jan 2020

we booked the tour with AAT Kings. The Tour guide was excellent. The pickup and start times were prompt. There was also a mini City tour while getting out of the city which was informative. Our Itinerary had us visiting the 12 Apostles first, followed by Loch Ard Gorge. Stopped at port campbell for lunch. we took the ocean road on the way back. Overall, very comfortable trip.

Response from Host, Mar 2021

G'Day from AAT Kings, Thanks for taking the time to provide us with feedback, and our tour guides really bring the destination they are visiting to life. We hope you enjoyed taking in the sites and we are glad you were comfortable throughout the trip. We are looking forward to welcoming you on an AAT Kings trip in the future. Many thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

Up to the reputation.

Assia_B, Dec 2019

Incredible views, with enough time to enjoy them. Bus is comfortable which is non negligeable given the length of the trip. Do not underestimate how long it will be. The trip back can give sickness because of the many turns.

Great Ocean Road Is Not to Be Missed

Melis_A, Dec 2019

I should admit I was not super thrilled about the idea of spending such a long day on a bus with strangers the day after my arrival in Australia but talked myself into it. The bus is comfy, you get USB charging spots on top of your seat. Seats recline a bit too much. We took a reverse route, which helped beat crowds. A road trip could not be more beautiful and if you are not used to driving on the "other" side of the road or simply do not want to drive on your holiday, this is a decent alternative. A few improvement suggestions: Our tour was on Christmas. While I appreciate the operator for operating on a holiday, I would have expected them to have done their homework and called some places the day before to ensure they'd be open or come up with alternatives. Our only breakfast option was McDonalds. My bigger issue was with the hour stop at Port Campbell Beach where everything except a horrible overpriced Fish & Chips joint was open. Only public restrooms were without soap. I'd suggest the tour company to consider doing packaged lunches and offering a bottle of cold water to the passengers on holidays and charging extra. I'd have paid an extra $30 gladly to not have spent time at that lunch spot. Or bring a container of snacks and sell them to us either before getting on the bus or during the trip so people have options. Also, maybe offer us hand sanitizer and/or wipes; it'd keep your bus cleaner and passengers happier. Driver was good. A few times, we almost left passengers behind, which scared me because we were encouraged to leave our belongings in the bus then what if you couldn't find the bus on time, and it leaves without you and your wallet may be in the bus still. What a nightmare? Perhaps give passengers solid instructions that you'll be left behind and what to do if you are before they board so people understand. I paid attention and had difficulty finding the bus more than one time. I wish we spent more time at the sites versus the hour at PC Beach. I liked the stop at Apollo Beach on the way back; most restaurants on the promenade were open on Christmas and the food was awesome. It was kind of the driver to drop us off at Chinatown so we could grab dinner; practically the only place with options open on Christmas for dinner. To conclude, this road trip is a must; if not driving for whatever reason, this company is good but bring lots of SPF, a hat, hand sanitizer, USB cable, wipes, comfy shoes, water and don't be late at the stops.

Long Day but well worth it!!!

Barbara_F, Nov 2019

Peter was an awesome driver/tour guide and we made it through strange weather .... rain then sun then freezing wind chill and got to see it all. Loved this tour and I only had one free day in Melbourne..... so glad I did tho.

Great Ocean Road

reynoldspeter05, Nov 2019

Was not very happy with the takeaway place recommended by the driver. We should have had a look around town and picked a place our self. The rest of the trip was excellent.

Great ocean road bus trip

chrissyhaines2019, Nov 2019

Loved it great bus driver and guide Adrian. Surpassed all my expectations. Was professional, well organised. Beautiful luxurious coach which was a huge advantage. Was taken to all the best places to take great photos. Recommend AATKINGS simply the best.

Great Ocean Road Trip From Melbourne

KarynUSA, Nov 2019

There needs to be a notice given to customers regarding the high probability of motion sickness during the long bus ride along the coast. Personally, I ended up very ill and could not enjoy the last half of the tour. In addition, our bus drive, Liam, TALKED and played videos for the ENTIRE 12-14 hour tour. Enough already! Every little detail...cows in a field to a the shape of the clouds. It was impossible to just sit back and relax and enjoy the scenery in SILENCE! I'm NOT exaggerating either. If Liam was our bus driver for another tour, I would get off the bus!

Awesome Ocean Road Trip

Journey709947, Oct 2019

We totally enjoyed the trip. Paul was a fantastic guide and a safe driver. He kept us well informed as well as entertained with his good humour. A memorable trip for us both, so scenic!

THIS IS ONE OF THE GREAT TOURS IN OUR LIFEW

David_W, July 2019

This was a spectaular day. The driver Liam was incredible with his knowledge and freindliness. The best guide we had

Great tour

Kylie_D, June 2019

Comfortable buses (never seen USB chargers on coaches before!), knowledge driver and just stunning sights to see. A great day trip option

Highly recommended to all!

Samch2018, Aug 2018

Breathtaking views! Roger, our guide was absolutely awesome, very curteous and thorough! Overall, it was a fantabulous experience!

On time pickup and departure from...

Bruce S, Mar 2018

On time pickup and departure from Melbourne. Will provided an interesting and informative commentary throughout the near 12 hour tour. All aspects of the tour were put together and gave a great overview of this Australian area.

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