Premium Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour 13Pax Max Hotel PickUP

The clever idea here is simple: drive the Great Ocean Road in reverse. Instead of following the usual morning flow toward the Twelve Apostles, you head inland first and reach the coast before the biggest crowds. I like the extra breathing room at the main lookouts, and I like the small 13-person van, which means less time waiting for people to return.

I also like the wildlife focus. Guides such as Jay, Bill, Steve, and Mark have stopped when koalas, kangaroos, or parrots appeared along the route. The drawback is the distance: this can be a very long day, with about 550 kilometres of driving according to one account, and some stops may feel rushed.

Key points to know before booking

• Reverse route: Reach the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge early, before the main tour traffic arrives.
• Small group: The minibus carries no more than 13 people, with hotel pickup from a Melbourne CBD location.
• Wildlife chances: Koalas and kangaroos are often spotted in the wild, but sightings are never guaranteed.
• Rainforest stop: Walk for about 20 minutes through Great Otway National Park.
• Food costs extra: Breakfast and lunch are not included, so carry some spending money.
• Full-day commitment: You will see a lot, but expect long stretches in the vehicle and an early start.

Why the reverse route makes a real difference

The Great Ocean Road is one of Victoria’s most popular day trips. That popularity can turn its famous lookouts into a queue for photos, especially around the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.

This tour flips the usual order. In the morning, the driver heads inland through the regional town of Colac rather than taking the coastal road straight away. After a short breakfast and coffee stop, the minibus continues to the far western sights, arriving before the bulk of the tour buses.

That timing is the main reason to choose this trip. You get more space at the lookouts and a better chance of taking photographs without a crowd gathered around every railing. It does not mean you will have the coast to yourself, but the difference can be meaningful.

The tradeoff comes later. You spend the return journey following the coastline, which means the most scenic road sections arrive after a full day of sightseeing. That is a smart use of the route, but it also makes this a demanding day.

Colac begins a long day on the road

The first stop is Colac, where you can buy breakfast, stretch your legs, and get coffee. Food and drinks here are at your own cost, so do not assume the $85 tour price covers your morning meal.

A short stop may be welcome after the early pickup, but do not expect a leisurely country-town breakfast. One person found the breakfast break too brief, and that is a fair warning. This is a sightseeing day built around covering a lot of ground, not a slow regional food tour.

The included drinks help a little. Bottled water and vanilla Coke are provided, though you should still bring your own water if you like to drink often. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and binoculars are also sensible items to pack.

The Twelve Apostles before the crowds

The Twelve Apostles are the headline attraction, and the reverse schedule is designed around seeing them early. These limestone stacks rise from the Southern Ocean, shaped by wind and waves over a very long period. You see them from the designated viewing areas, with time for photographs and a walk between viewpoints.

The name is now more famous than the actual count of remaining formations, but the important point is the scale. From the cliffs, the rock pillars look small at first. Then you notice how far below the viewing platform the water sits, and how much open sea surrounds each formation.

The tour also includes the Razorback, a narrow limestone formation with a sharp profile, and the lookout near the Gibson Steps. These stops give you different angles on the coast rather than repeating the same view.

Some departures may also offer an optional helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles for an extra charge. Several people found this worth paying for, especially as a first helicopter experience. Treat it as an add-on, not part of the standard $85 fare, and confirm availability on your date.

Loch Ard Gorge adds the human story

Loch Ard Gorge is more than another pretty stop. Your guide explains the Loch Ard shipwreck story, which gives the cliffs and beach a stronger sense of place.

The gorge is named after the Loch Ard, a ship that ran aground near the coast in 1878. The story is tied to the dangerous waters and steep cliffs you see here, so the history makes more sense when you hear it on site rather than reading it from a plaque.

You can stroll along Loch Ard Gorge Beach and take photographs from the viewing areas. The beach is a pleasant change from the high cliff lookouts, but time is limited. Keep an eye on the meeting time, since the minibus must stay on schedule for the many stops ahead.

Muttonbird Island is also included in the broader route described by some departures. The exact balance of stops can depend on the day, traffic, and guide, so ask at the start if a particular viewpoint matters most to you.

Port Campbell and Apollo Bay for lunch

Lunch is not included, and the group stops in either Port Campbell or Apollo Bay. This gives you a chance to buy a proper meal, but you should not expect a long restaurant break.

Port Campbell is a practical place to eat near the Apostles area. Apollo Bay comes later, on the coastal return, and offers a different setting with the sea nearby. Several people wanted more time in Apollo Bay, so do not book this trip expecting a long town visit or much shopping.

The stop is mainly functional: eat, use the facilities, and get back on the road. If you have dietary needs, carry a snack or lunch backup rather than relying entirely on the short stop.

A 20-minute walk in Great Otway National Park

After the major coastal formations, the route passes through Great Otway National Park. Here you leave the minibus for a guided rainforest walk of about 20 minutes.

This is one of the best changes of pace in the itinerary. The Twelve Apostles are wide open and dramatic, while the rainforest is enclosed, shaded, and full of tree trunks, ferns, and damp forest detail. You get a glimpse of the Otways without committing to a long hike.

The walk is short, so it should suit most people who can manage an easy stroll. It is not a full forest excursion, and you should not expect hours on a trail. Still, the stop earns its place because it breaks up the driving and shows a side of Victoria that the coastal lookouts cannot.

The national park entry fee is included. Wear shoes suitable for a short walk and bring a light layer, since conditions in the forest can feel different from those at the coast.

The coastal drive through Apollo Bay

The return route follows the Great Ocean Road through Apollo Bay and the Otway region. This is when you get the classic road-trip feeling: changing views, winding coastal sections, forest, and small settlements passing outside the windows.

The minibus has large windows and generally comfortable seats, which matter on a day with long driving stretches. Still, comfort is personal. One person found the vehicle unsuitable at full capacity, with a child forced into an awkward half-seat, while others praised the clean van and comfortable seating.

That mixed experience is worth taking seriously. A 13-person maximum sounds intimate, but the actual vehicle layout may vary. If you are tall, travelling with a child, or have back trouble, ask the operator about seating before booking.

The guide provides commentary during the drive, sharing local facts, Australian history, music, animals, and environmental information. Some guides, including Bill and Jay, were praised for keeping conversation lively during the long hours. One person found the commentary limited during the first two hours, so the quality and amount of narration may depend on the individual guide.

Wildlife stops depend on luck and timing

The chance to see Australian wildlife in the wild is a major part of the appeal. Guides have pulled over for koalas in roadside trees, kangaroos in open areas, and colorful parrots along the route.

This is not a wildlife park. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the guide cannot control where animals appear. What the guide can do is pay attention and stop safely when something is spotted. The accounts of Bill, Jay, Peter, and Mark show how much this can add to the day when timing works.

Bring binoculars if you have them. A camera with a reasonable zoom is also useful, since animals may not be close to the road or viewing area.

Chocolate at the end of the journey

The final treat is evening tea at The Chocolate Factory, which offers 144 flavors. It is an amusing way to finish a day dominated by sea cliffs and forest.

Some people enjoyed the stop, while others would have preferred more time at the Twelve Apostles, Apollo Bay, or another coastal viewpoint. That is the central question here: do you value a light, sweet final stop, or would you rather use those minutes for scenery?

I see it as a pleasant extra, not a core reason to book. If chocolate sampling is your kind of travel pause, you will appreciate it. If you want every available minute devoted to the coast, you may find the stop expendable.

Guides are a major part of the experience

This tour relies heavily on the driver-guide. You spend many hours in the vehicle, so a guide who can explain the area, manage time, and keep the group comfortable matters as much as the route.

The named guides in the feedback include Steve, Jay, Bill, Mark, Peter, James, Michael, Chris, and Marty. Jay was repeatedly praised for local knowledge, patience, music in the van, and stopping for wildlife. Bill was noted for humor, Australian culture, history, and careful attention to the group. Steve was described as attentive and engaging, while Peter received praise for timing the day around weather and crowds.

That does not guarantee who will lead your departure, but it shows what this operator expects from its guides. You are not simply being driven between photo stops. The guide can make the long return journey feel like part of the experience rather than dead time.

A few accounts also mention flexibility, such as adjusting a pickup request or replacing the chocolate stop with Torquay or another coffee stop. Do not assume every request can be granted, but it is worth asking politely if you have a clear priority.

Is $85 good value?

At $85 per person, this is a low-cost way to reach a far-flung part of Victoria without renting a car. The price includes Melbourne CBD pickup, luxury minibus transport, national park entry, bottled water, vanilla Coke, the rainforest walk, and the small-group format.

You still pay for breakfast and lunch. An optional helicopter flight costs extra, if available. The price is strongest for someone who wants the main sights in one day and values a small vehicle more than a leisurely pace.

A self-drive trip may give you more control, but it also requires a vehicle, fuel, navigation, and a very long day behind the wheel. A slower overnight visit would allow more time in Apollo Bay and Port Campbell, but it costs more and needs another night.

For a single day from Melbourne, the reverse route improves the value because it targets the busiest sights at a better time. The price is less attractive if you dislike long drives, want extended time in each town, or prefer to skip the chocolate stop.

Who should book this Great Ocean Road tour?

I would choose this tour if you have only one day, want the Twelve Apostles as early as possible, and prefer a small group to a large coach. It also suits you if wildlife, local stories, and a guided rainforest walk matter as much as the famous coastal photographs.

Families can enjoy it, and one account described a mixed-age group with children and teenagers having a good day. Babies under one year are not suitable, and the tour is not designed for wheelchair users.

Think carefully if you have back problems or dislike sitting for long periods. The route covers a huge distance, and the early start, many stops, and late return can make the day tiring even when the scenery is excellent.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is maximum sightseeing in one day with fewer crowds. The reverse route is genuinely useful, the 13-person limit keeps the day moving, and the chance of seeing wild koalas and kangaroos gives the drive extra purpose.

Skip it if you want a relaxed coastal holiday, a long lunch in Apollo Bay, or plenty of time at each stop. For everyone else, $85 is a sensible price for the transport, access, wildlife chances, rainforest walk, and well-planned route. Pack snacks, accept that the day will be long, and ask about seating and any helicopter option before you commit.

FAQ

How long is the Great Ocean Road reverse tour?

It is a one-day tour from Melbourne. The full day can run for about 12 hours, and one account described the route as roughly 550 kilometres.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from your choice of Melbourne CBD location. The operator confirms the pickup time one day before the tour.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 13 participants.

What sights are included?

The route includes the Twelve Apostles, Razorback, Gibson Steps lookout, Loch Ard Gorge Beach, Port Campbell or Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park, and the Great Ocean Road coastline.

Is food included?

No. Breakfast and lunch are not included. You can buy breakfast in Colac and lunch in Port Campbell or Apollo Bay.

Are drinks provided?

Yes. Bottled water and vanilla Coke are included.

Can I see koalas and kangaroos?

The tour includes chances to see koalas and kangaroos in the wild, along with native birds and parrots. Sightings depend on conditions and luck, so they cannot be guaranteed.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year.