Our Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour allows you to enjoy the National Heritage listed Great Ocean Road without the crowds. By doing the day tour in reverse we avoid the masses at the 12 Apostles and give you the chance to get that perfect shot without the crowds at the viewpoints. Don’t worry this reverse tour covers all the major stops and highlights of our Great Ocean Road Experience tour so you won’t miss a thing.
Join our Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour and experience something different. Explore the coastal towns along the world-famous coastline, each with its own amazing rainforest scenery and photo opportunities. Our friendly and informative tour guides will give you an up close and memorable experience with comfort stops at quaint towns and villages that are suitable for all ages, so it’s perfect for everyone.
Tour Highlights
- Explore the magnificent 12 Apostles shipwreck coast away from the usual crowds
- Experience the unspoiled beauty of Loch Ard Gorge’s pristine beach under the vibrant mid-morning sun
- Uncover the magnificent views from Mutton Bird Island & Razorback Lookout
- Seek out Australian wildlife in its natural habitat
- Embark on a guided stroll through an ancient rainforest at Great Otway National Park
- Cruise along the renowned Great Ocean Road, a National Heritage-Listed landmark
- Environmentally conscious sustainable touring experience.
Tour Details
- Tour code: GORR-S
- Operating Schedule: Daily
- Timeframe: 12 hours
- Departure Time: 7:35 in the morning
- Return Time: 8:30 in the evening
- Inclusive of National Park entrance fees
- Provided with a light picnic-style lunch
- Chance to see Australian wildlife
- Guided by an experienced driver guide
- Detailed local tour commentary
- Designated pick-up and drop-off locations within Melbourne’s inner city.
Tour Reviews
3 day adventure with SAM and the best group ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Unforgettable 3-Day Adventure with Autopia Tours! I honestly cannot say enough good things about our three-day Autopia tour to the Great Ocean Road and Grampians National Park! This was hands down one of the highlights of our trip to Australia, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure! First off, our tour guide, Sam, was absolutely AMAZING! He truly made the entire experience so special. He was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely passionate about what he does. He shared so much interesting information about the places we visited, always made sure everyone was having a great time, and kept us entertained with his endless supply of dad jokes! 😂 His personality and positive energy made even the long drives enjoyable. You could tell he genuinely cared about making the trip memorable for everyone. Of course, the scenery was absolutely breathtaking! From the stunning coastline along the Great Ocean Road to the incredible landscapes and wildlife in the Grampians, every day brought something new and exciting. We saw so many beautiful places and made memories that we'll never forget. But what really made this trip stand out was the people. We seriously couldn't have asked for a better group! What started as a bunch of strangers quickly turned into a group of friends. Between all the laughs, conversations, adventures, and time spent together, we formed such a special bond in just three days. By the end of the tour, it honestly felt like we'd known each other for so much longer. Saying goodbye was genuinely one of the hardest parts of the entire trip! This tour was so much more than just sightseeing. It was three days full of laughter, adventure, amazing people, and unforgettable memories. I never expected to walk away from a tour feeling so connected to a group of people, but that's exactly what happened. A HUGE thank you to Sam and Autopia Tours for such an incredible experience! Sam, you're truly one of a kind, and we couldn't have asked for a better guide (even with all those dad jokes!). If you're considering booking this tour, DO IT! You won't regret it. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Must do tour This is one of the best tours we have ever taken. Our guide, Lauren, was knowledgeable, talked just the right amount about things that were interesting. The Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles and Grampians are all must do things. Highly recommend!!!
Fun day out!! Such a nice day out seeing some beautiful scenic sights on the Great Ocean Road! Anthony the tour guide was very informative about each stop and fun facts! He even made sure we had extra stops off to see Koalas and Kangeroos. Very lovely day and would very much recommend to any solo travellers 🙂
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Absolutely elite Great Ocean Road tour with Kiwi! If you are looking for the definitive Great Ocean Road experience out of Melbourne, this is it. We took the tour today, and it completely exceeded our expectations, entirely due to our exceptional guide, Kiwi. From the very first minute, Kiwi set an incredible tone for the day. He is an absolute professional who balances genuine warmth and friendliness with unmatched expertise. His knowledge of the region—from the intricate local history and geology to the best spots for wildlife—is at the highest possible level. He didn't just drive us from point A to point B; he brought the entire landscape to life with captivating insights. The pacing of the tour was flawless, allowing us to fully appreciate the stunning coastline without ever feeling rushed. If you want a seamless, deeply informative, and highly memorable journey along the Great Ocean Road, do yourself a huge favour and request Kiwi. He is a master of his craft. Highest recommendation
Fantastic experience on the Great Ocean Road! 🌊🇦🇺 My husband and I spent a truly unforgettable day, also thanks to our guide Anthony, who was always friendly, helpful, and attentive to the needs of the whole group. Throughout the day he asked us if everything was okay and if we needed anything, making us feel truly at ease. The tour was very complete: the guides stopped at all the most beautiful spots and, at every stop, they told us very interesting curiosities and stories, making the trip even more engaging. The driver was also excellent behind the wheel: despite the many hours spent on the road, the trip was pleasant and we never felt tired or uncomfortable. One of the experiences we appreciated the most was lunch with a simple sandwich immersed in the forest: a magical place, surrounded by nature. 🌿 We were also lucky enough to have a beautiful sunny day, which allowed us to see many animals in their habitat: koalas sleeping in the trees 🐨, kangaroos free on the golf course 🦘, parrots, ducks, and many other truly special encounters. The day started at 7:30 in the morning and ended around 7:30 PM, so it is certainly a fairly demanding tour, but it is absolutely worth it. It was an intense day, full of wonderful places, nature, animals, and lots of great information. Highly recommended for those who want to experience the Great Ocean Road completely and without worrying about anything! Thank you Anthony for accompanying us on this beautiful day and for your kindness and professionalism! ❤️ Clarissa & Alessio
Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour Had a great day on the Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour with Autopia Tours! Despite the rainy and cloudy weather, the tour was well organised and the scenery was amazing. A special thanks to our guide, Kiwi, who was lovely, friendly, and knowledgeable, and made the day even more enjoyable.
The real Wild Australia Kiwi was a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable and extremely kind. He accompanied us to discover the most iconic, wild, and characteristic places of the Great Ocean Road. Highly recommended!
lovely trip Kiwi was an excellent guide on our Great Ocean Road tour. He was very professional, knowledgeable, and friendly, making the whole trip enjoyable and stress-free. Highly recommended!
Great tour! 10/10! We had a fantastic tour with our guide Kiwi! We saw a lot of attractions, koala, kangaroo! A fantastic tour to visit this part of Australia! Great ocean road was amazing!
Enjoyable / Memorable Tour Joe was my guide in the Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour, he was very friendly professional and had interesting facts about the destinations visited. Would recommend this tour to anyone that wants to do it. Cheers
The Great Ocean Road and a Tour Guide named Kiwi This was a great trip. I would’ve been upset had I come this close to the 12 apostles and not visited. It was absolutely beautiful. We drove a substantial portion of the Great ocean road while stopping at the Loch Ard Gorge, and the Melba Gully Rainforest. The tour guide, Kiwi, was really good. He had an abundance of knowledge from the construction of the Great Ocean Road, to the survivors of the Loch Ard shipwreck to Koala bears, and even gave some cultural info of the Aboriginal people. The tour was definitely worth while. We made frequent stops in case of needing to use the bathroom. The tour provided sandwiches, tea, and snacks. The bus had phone charging capabilities and WiFi. I would definitely suggest this Autopia tour to anyone visiting Australia. If I return to Australia I will inquire about other tours Autopia offers.


Da non perdere Bellissima esperienza con Joel! Ci ha condotto alla scoperta di tane meraviglie. Quello che ci ha colpito di più è stata la gentilezza e la simpatia di Joel. Abbiamo amato i 12 apostoli e la great ocean road con le sue viste mozzafiato! Consiglio a tutti!
Excellent Great Ocean Road Tour with Joel ! Joel was an excellent driver and tour guide. He was friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and made the whole trip enjoyable. We felt safe throughout the journey, and his explanations were interesting and informative. Thank you, Joel, for making our Great Ocean Road tour such a wonderful experience!
Good trip! Anthony was an excellent guide! Friendly, knowledgeable, and well organized. He explained the history and highlights of each stop clearly and made the whole Great Ocean Road trip enjoyable and memorable. Thank you for a fantastic day. Highly recommend!
Amazing day We enjoyed a great day visiting the Great Ocean Road with our guide Joel; excellent service.
Great tour (Great Ocean Road in reverse) made excellent by super guide! We booked the Reverse Great Ocean Road tour at the last minute due to changes in the weather forecast. Really glad we did! The tour itself was great, from pick-up, to site visits, to easy drop-off at the end of a long day! We really lucked out with the weather and got to see so many more sights than we would have otherwise if we'd gone alone. There was a lot of ground to cover, with the "Twelve" Apostles being the clear highlight of the tour. We did great on time and even managed a few bonus stops which included a Koala sighting and a whole group of Kangaroos! The star of the show was honestly our guide, Ilkay. I have no idea how he maintained such great energy throughout what must have been an incredibly long day for him (bearing in mind he was driving AND guiding, and we were his first pick-ups at 7am, and last drop-offs around 8pm). His explanations were brilliant, both in content and delivery, and his enthusiasm really kept our group engaged. Couldn't have asked for a better guide!
very amazing!! 5 Stars | Amazing Great Ocean Road tour with guide Joe from Autopia Tours We had an absolutely perfect day exploring the Great Ocean Road with Joe as our tour guide, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. Joe clearly has a deep passion for sharing the beauty of Australia’s coastline, just like he wrote on his card—you can truly feel how much he loves showing visitors around this stunning land. His driving is extremely steady on all the winding coastal bends, giving our whole group complete safety and comfort throughout the trip. He knows every hidden gem and optimal photography spot: he took us to the best viewpoints for the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, and even slowed down repeatedly to help us spot wild koalas and kangaroos along the forest roads. Joe shared vivid stories about local shipwreck history, coastal geology and small-town Aussie culture without rushing our schedule. He took thoughtful group photos for all of us, recommended authentic local fish and chips, and was always quick to answer every question we raised. There was zero pushy shopping or rushed stops, the whole day felt relaxed and well-paced. What impressed us most was how genuine and approachable Joe is. He told us we could reach out to him for any travel advice even after the tour, which shows how much he cares about every guest’s travel experience. If you’re booking a small-group Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne, choose Autopia Tours and ask for Joe—you won’t regret it!
amazing time with kiwi I attended the Great Ocean Road tour with Kiwi today, and it has to be one of the most informative, fun, and enjoyable tours I have ever been on. Kiwi was an absolute pleasure to have as our tour guide. As someone who also works as a guide at an attraction, I gained so much inspiration from him. His passion, knowledge, and ability to connect with guests reminded me of the kind of experience I hope to create for my own visitors. He shared so much history, culture, and fascinating facts that we left feeling truly amazed and enriched by the experience. The journey was long, but it never once felt boring or dull. Kiwi did an incredible job keeping everyone entertained and engaged with his humour, storytelling, fun facts, and jokes throughout the day. His enthusiasm was infectious, and he made every moment enjoyable. I would highly recommend Kiwi to anyone looking for a tour filled with fun, learning, and unforgettable memories. (And he makes great sandwiches too!) Thank you, Kiwi, for all the time, effort, and energy you put into giving our family such a memorable experience during our holiday. It is a tour we will be talking about for a long time to come.
Really good tour of the Great Ocean Road! Really good tour with a lot of stops and activities included. Our guide Anthony explained much about the history and the wildlife of the Great Ocean Road which was very interesting. Even got to see Koalas and Kangaroos!
Great ocean road one day trip Our guide Joel ( Marlin-J) was really fantastic & Fabulous!! He took a great care of us, provided excellent guidance, little fun stories and amazing assistance throughout the the trip, We took the Great ocean road one day trip And the journey was really comfortable, exciting and peaceful. Really enjoyed every bit of it. Highly recommended!!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Absolute Highlight of My Melbourne Trip! This tour completely exceeded my expectations! The itinerary was perfectly balanced—we managed to see so many incredible attractions along the Great Ocean Road, but it never felt rushed. There was always sufficient time to explore each spot and squeeze in some pit stops during the drive. A massive shoutout to our guide, Chris (aka Kiwi)! He was absolutely fantastic all day long—incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and kept everyone entertained and comfortable from start to finish. I’ll definitely be booking another tour with Autopia Tours the next time I'm back in Melbourne. Highly, highly recommend!
Recommend the Great Ocean Road day tour! Had an absolutely incredible trip to the Great Ocean Road with Kiwi!! He was very informative, kind and friendly. I really recommend this tour as it takes you to 3+ places such as the rainforest and the Apostles. 🙂
A Must Do in Melbourne Absolutely stunning Great Ocean Road experience! 🌊✨ The Twelve Apostles and Razorback were breathtaking—photos don’t do them justice. Big thanks to our guide Joel for making the journey fun and informative. Highly recommended!
Breathtaking experience of the 12 Apostles. Fantastic trip on the Great Ocean Road, experienced many stops along the way and witnessed the twelve apostles. Absolutely breathtaking. I am an Australian and I have wanted to experience this at some point in my life. It was so good to be a passenger and enjoy the scenery. The tour guide Kiwi was amazing. He showed us special sites and shared interesting information during the tour. A wonderful experience.
Must-Do Great Ocean Road Tour We absolutely loved our tour! It was such a memorable experience seeing the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and driving along the Great Ocean Road. Anthony and Sam were amazing—sharing so much knowledge about the places we visited and keeping the day engaging throughout. We had more than enough time at each attraction, and they managed the whole day-long trip in a very enjoyable and well-organized way. We would definitely do it again!
The great ocean road. Kiwi is a wealth of knowledge! The great ocean road is a beautiful experience from end to end! I loved it. It was a good value.
Great experience and lot of fun The tour with Joel to the Great Ocean Road was fantastic. Great vibes, lots of wisdom from him, and a very friendly approach, always thinking about and asking for our comfort. It was a real treat to see kangaroos and koalas in the wild. Great playlist for the route. 100% recommended.
Perfect day An absolute beautiful day to visit the great ocean road. Our guide Coco made the day more pleasant! Great choice of music! Thank you for an amazing day
Great Ocean Road Reverse Craig and Barry were great tour guides. It was a perfect day. Learned a lot about the beautiful Great Ocean Road and saw so many koalas and kangaroos. Breathtaking sites such as the twelfth apostles. Highly recommend.
Full Itinerary
Journey Back to Melbourne
As the evening falls, keep an eye out for other Australian wildlife. A dinner stop is planned before the final leg of an hour’s drive back to Melbourne, aiming to arrive around 8:30.
Our Reverse Tour doesn’t lack any of the offerings of the traditional Great Ocean Road Tour. It simply offers a more secluded experience. If you love adventures that veer off the beaten path, this tour is definitely for you.
We also offer Yarra Valley Wine Tours, perfect for those wanting to explore Australia’s oldest wine-making region. Enjoy tastings at prestigious wineries and a meal at a top-rated Yarra Valley restaurant. Both our Yarra and Hunter Valley Wine Tours promise a memorable excursion into Australia’s wine culture. Book your Yarra Valley Wine Tour with the Great Ocean Road Tour today!
Additional information
Inclusions
- Admission charges for National Parks
- Casual picnic lunch
- Encountering Australian wildlife
- Escorted hikes (approx. 2-3km)
- WiFi accessible on board
- Led by a seasoned driver guide
- Travel in a contemporary air-conditioned bus
- Detailed local tour narration
- Chosen pick-up/drop-off location within Melbourne’s inner city.
Pickup Times And locations
Our central meeting point for this tour will be the Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St, Melbourne at 7:35. The bus will be waiting on the Market st side of the Immigration Museum.
Please arrive 5-10 mins prior to your nominated pickup time so as not to delay or miss your tour.
- 6:55 - Pegasus Apartments Hotel – 206 A’Beckett St, Melbourne
- 7:00 - Melbourne Marriott Hotel - Cnr Exhibition St Lonsdale St, Melbourne
- 7:05 - Space Hotel - 380 Russell St, Melbourne
- 7:10 - Grand Hyatt Melbourne - Russell St entrance, Melbourne
- 7:20 - Adina Apartment Hotel - 189 Queen St, Melbourne
- 7:25 – The Savoy Hotel – 630 Little Collins St, Melbourne
- 7:35 – Immigration Museum (east-side), 400 Flinders St corner of Market St, Melbourne
- 7:40 - Crown Towers - 8 Whiteman St Queens Bridge St, Southbank
If you are still looking for your desired pickup location, please contact our office for a comprehensive list of sites.
It is highly advisable to arrive at your pickup location at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please remain calm and patient if your bus runs a few minutes behind schedule. If your bus has not arrived within 10 minutes of the scheduled departure time, kindly contact our office at 03 9393 1300.
Discover the private tour groups! Reach out to our incredible charters team at [email protected] to unlock unforgettable adventures.
Pricing Options
Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour includes lunch – $ 145 for Adults (13+), $ 105 for Children (0 to 12)
Optional Extras:
Helicopter flight over the 12 apostles – $ 155 (subject to availability – payable directly on the day)
Not sure about a group tour? We can help you organise your own private tour of the Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour. You can create your own tailor-made trip or follow our itinerary. Contact our charters team for more information at [email protected] or visit our charters page.
Need To Bring
- Water Bottle - 2L
- Hiking shoes (recommended)
- Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Prescribed medications
- Camera
- All-weather clothing
- A sense of adventure!
Important Notes
- This tour will only depart if we have 8 passengers or more. We will wait until one week before departure to cancel if minimum numbers aren’t met.
- The itinerary may be subject to change due to cultural reasons, seasonal weather changes, operational logistics and accessibility.
- The minimum age requirements for this tour is 6 years old. This trip is not suitable for children under 6 years of age.
- Please email our Reservations Team ([email protected]) at least 48 hours prior to departure to confirm pick-up location and time.
- Travel Insurance is highly recommended.
- Remember to double-check your exciting tour plans with the tour operator! Just ring them at 03 9393 1300 within seven days of your departure.
- Before you embark on your adventure, let the tour perform the operator's pre-existing medical conditions.
Check Availability & Book
FAQ
Which part of the Great Ocean Road is the most beautiful?
The Lorne to Apollo Bay section of the Great Ocean Road is the most popular. But this beautiful coastal area has many beautiful spots, so don’t forget to bring your camera to capture these moments!
Can I bring food and drinks outside on the tour?
You can bring your own food and snacks. There will be plenty of opportunities during the tour to stop and support local businesses by buying drinks or food. Bring a refillable water bottle on the tour.
Are there age restrictions for this tour?
There are no age limits, but it is not suitable for young children or people with mobility issues due to terrain and activities.
What’s different about the Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour compared to the regular tour?
The Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour is quieter and more convenient by traveling in the opposite direction, avoiding crowds at popular stops and getting a new perspective on the coastal views.
How long is the tour?
The tour usually lasts a full day, from early morning to evening, spanning about 12-14 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions.
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