Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles Day Tour by Go West Tours

The Great Ocean Road is not a quick spin out of Melbourne. It is a long, winding day that ends at the towering limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles. Go West Tours makes the route manageable with a local guide, planned breaks and stops at the coast, rainforest and Shipwreck Coast.

Two things I like here are the morning tea by the sea at Torquay and the chance to walk beneath the tall trees in Great Otway National Park, not just look at the coast from a bus window. The multilingual audio app is another useful touch if you prefer commentary in a language other than English.

The trade-off is the distance: expect roughly 13 to 14 hours from pickup to drop-off, with much of the day spent on the road. The tour has upgraded seating, but seat space can still vary by vehicle, so this is worth considering if you need generous legroom.

The day at a glance

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• Start with tea in Torquay: Morning tea and cake make an easy first stop by the sea.
• See the road’s Memorial Arch: Pause at Eastern View for the classic Great Ocean Road photo and a short account of the route’s origins.
• Look for wild koalas: Your guide may spot koalas and native birds along the way, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
• Walk in Otway rainforest: A guided 30-minute stroll beneath Mountain Ash trees offers a change from the open coast.
• Spend time at the Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge: The schedule allows a substantial stop at the Twelve Apostles, then time at the gorge.
• Plan for a full day: Melbourne pickup begins between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m., with return around 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

👉 See our pick of the 4 Best Guided Tours In Victoria

Why this route works as a day trip

The Great Ocean Road runs for 243 kilometres along Victoria’s southeastern coast, from Torquay toward Allansford. Built between 1919 and 1932, it was made by hand by returned servicemen and dedicated to soldiers who died in the First World War. The Memorial Arch gives that history a concrete place on the route.

Doing the drive independently gives you more freedom to linger, but it also means handling the long distance, coastal bends and day’s navigation yourself. Go West packages the main sights into one round trip from Melbourne. That is valuable if you have limited time or would rather let someone else manage the driving.

The operator has more than 25 years of experience, and the tour is highly rated, at 4.8 out of 5 from 2,681 ratings. The strongest element is the guide-and-driver role: good guides do more than name the sights. They connect the forest, coastline and shipwreck stories, keep the group moving, and make a long day feel less like a series of bus transfers.

Guides named in recent accounts include Benjamin, Budgie, Lucy, David N., Jon and Graeme. Their styles differ, but the qualities repeatedly valued are clear commentary, safe driving on winding roads and attention to the group. Some also help with photos, point out wildlife or offer food suggestions. Your guide will vary, of course, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise.

Torquay tea, then the Memorial Arch

The day begins with pickup in Melbourne, usually between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. The precise time depends on your selected location and is confirmed before departure. Arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes early, as instructed on your booking details, and check the time with the operator 24 to 48 hours before the tour.

At about 9:30, the group stops in Torquay for complimentary morning tea, coffee and cake. It is a small but well-judged break: you can stretch your legs and have something warm before the coastal drive gets underway. Bring a water bottle and snacks, since lunch and dinner are not included.

The Memorial Arch at Eastern View is a brief stop, usually about 10 minutes. It is a good place for the familiar road-sign photo, but the more important detail is the memorial’s meaning. The road was built by returned servicemen, and your guide explains that history as you stand beneath the arch.

Koala spotting and lunch in Apollo Bay

Later in the morning, the guide keeps an eye out for koalas resting in eucalyptus trees, along with native birds. This is a chance, not a scheduled wildlife encounter. The guide may adjust where you look, but no one can guarantee that an animal will appear on cue.

The stop is short, around 20 minutes, so keep your eyes open and your camera ready. The tour’s focus is on wild animals in their habitat, which is more appealing than a staged encounter, but it also means the result depends on luck and conditions.

Around 12:30, you get 30 minutes in Apollo Bay to buy lunch and take in the seaside town. Meals are at your own expense, and the break is not long enough for a leisurely restaurant visit. If you have dietary needs or prefer a particular lunch, bringing snacks is sensible. The town stop also gives you a welcome pause before the afternoon’s rainforest and cliff scenery.

A quiet change of scene in the Otways

At Great Otway National Park, the tour leaves the coastal outlooks for a guided rainforest walk of about 30 minutes. You walk beneath towering Mountain Ash trees, with your guide explaining the forest and its natural features.

This short walk is one of the day’s best counterpoints to the ocean. The Twelve Apostles and cliffs are dramatic, but the Great Ocean Road is more than a string of viewpoints. The forest stop lets you move at ground level and experience a different part of the region.

It is still a brief visit, not a long hike. The tour involves considerable walking and stairs at some stops, so wear comfortable shoes and be ready for uneven or stepped paths. The activity is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.

The Twelve Apostles and Gibson Steps

The main event arrives in the afternoon. The schedule allows about 90 minutes at the Twelve Apostles area, where clifftop lookouts frame the famous limestone formations rising from the sea. The formations are part of Port Campbell National Park, and the scale becomes clearer when you can compare the stacks with the moving water and exposed cliffs around them.

Gibson Steps may be included for a beach-level view, depending on time and conditions. Access and weather can change what is possible, and the schedule specifically allows for some attractions to be skipped because of capacity or weather. Strong wind and rain can make the coast less comfortable, even when the views remain striking.

A helicopter flight is offered as an optional extra at $165 per person. It gives you a view of the coastline from above, but it costs extra and should not be treated as part of the included tour. The ground-level lookouts already provide the essential experience; the flight is for those who want a broader perspective and are happy to pay for it.

Loch Ard Gorge and the Shipwreck Coast

The next major stop is Loch Ard Gorge, with around 45 minutes to explore its cliffs and turquoise water. The guide tells the story of the 1878 Loch Ard shipwreck, which gives the place a human dimension beyond its dramatic scenery.

This is a useful contrast with the Twelve Apostles. At the Apostles, the view is broad and iconic; at Loch Ard, the cliffs and water enclose the scene. Allow time to listen to the guide, take photos and follow the designated paths. Boardwalk or access closures can affect how close you get to particular viewpoints.

The afternoon schedule can shift with traffic and weather. If a path closes or conditions turn rough, the guide may need to adapt the order or length of stops. That flexibility is sensible on this exposed coast, though it means the day’s exact timing is not fixed.

The long ride back to Melbourne

A dinner break is scheduled for about 6:30 p.m., with the return to Melbourne expected between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Dinner is not included, so budget for it separately. A stop in Colac has been used, though the specific location may vary.

The return leg is part of the bargain. You have covered a great deal of ground, and a late arrival is normal rather than a sign that the day has gone wrong. Onboard Wi-Fi is included, but connection may weaken farther from town. The tour’s multilingual audio commentary is accessed through the free Go West Tours app, which you should download before departure. English commentary is also provided by your guide.

The app offers commentary in 16 languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, Arabic, French, Italian, German, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Malaysian and Portuguese. Historic photographs and extra tour material are available through QR codes during the tour. These options can make the drive more engaging if live commentary in English is not ideal for you.

Is the price worth it?

The tour is listed from $128.55, while the join-in package is also displayed from US$111.79. The final amount can depend on the booking option and currency shown at checkout, so check the total before paying. For that price, the core value is round-trip transport, a guide, live commentary, Wi-Fi, morning tea, park admission and the day’s main scenic stops.

You still pay for lunch, dinner and any helicopter flight. The cost makes most sense if you want to see the Apostles and key coastal sights in one day without hiring a car or planning the route. It is less appealing if you want long, unhurried walks or time to explore each town at your own pace. A two- or three-day self-drive can suit that slower style better.

The upgraded seating is a welcome feature on a long route, but it does not guarantee a spacious coach. One account described a compact Mitsubishi bus with tight legroom, a reminder that vehicle size and seat comfort can matter as much as the headline itinerary. If you are tall or need extra room, contact Go West before booking and ask which vehicle is expected for your departure.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this for a first visit to Melbourne when you want to see the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and the Otways without taking on a long drive yourself. It also suits solo visitors and families who value a planned route, regular stops and a guide who can explain what they are seeing.

It is not ideal if you dislike winding roads, need a relaxed pace, or cannot manage stairs and a fair amount of walking. Children of any age can participate, but anyone aged 15 or younger must be with a paying adult; infants and children count toward the passenger headcount.

Pack water, snacks, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Choose your pickup point carefully: hotel pickup and drop-off are available at Melbourne CBD hotels, and if your accommodation is not listed, the booking information advises selecting Rendezvous Hotel and contacting the operator to ask about alternatives. The tour is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.

FAQ

How long is the Great Ocean Road tour?

The full day runs from a Melbourne pickup between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. to an estimated return between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Traffic and weather can change the schedule.

What sights are included?

The tour includes a scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road, the Memorial Arch, a koala-spotting stop, Great Otway National Park, the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Gibson Steps when time and conditions allow.

Are meals included?

No. Morning tea with coffee and cake is included, but lunch, dinner and other meals or drinks are at your own expense.

Is the helicopter flight included?

No. An optional flight over the coastline is listed at $165 per person.

Is there commentary in languages other than English?

Yes. The free Go West Tours app offers optional audio commentary in 16 languages. Download it before departure. An English-speaking guide also provides live commentary.

Can I see wild koalas?

There is a koala-spotting stop where your guide looks for wild koalas and native birds. Sightings are possible but cannot be guaranteed.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring a water bottle and snacks, and dress for the day’s weather. Comfortable shoes are a good idea because the tour involves considerable walking and stairs.

Is the tour suitable for children and people using wheelchairs?

Children aged 0 to 15 must be accompanied by a paying adult, and infants must be included in the passenger count. The tour is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible and includes walking and stairs.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.