Go West Tours · Selected Melbourne city hotels
This 13-hour day from Melbourne follows the Great Ocean Road the classic way: morning tea near Torquay, the Memorial Arch, koalas, Apollo Bay and a rainforest walk at Maits Rest, then the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge in the afternoon. Choose it for the full coastal story in a comfortable minibus, with a guide that guests rate among the best in Melbourne.
This is the Great Ocean Road in its classic order, coast first and the Twelve Apostles in the afternoon. The listing names the operator as Go West Tours, which says it has more than 25 years of experience and over 18,500 five-star Google reviews. On GetYourGuide this tour alone has 2,799 reviews at 4.8 stars, and guests name guides such as Jess, Rhys, Jono and Simon.
Pickup is between 7 and 8am at selected city hotels. You start on the Surf Coast near Torquay with free morning tea by the beach, then stop at the Memorial Arch, where the guide explains how returned servicemen built the road. Keep watch for wild koalas in the trees along the way. Apollo Bay gives you free time to buy lunch. Then the scenery changes: a peaceful walk through fern gullies at Maits Rest in Great Otway National Park, which the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority describes as a boardwalk loop of about 30 minutes under trees up to 300 years old.
The afternoon is the Shipwreck Coast: the Twelve Apostles, then Loch Ard Gorge and the story of the wreck. The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority has closed the Loch Ard Gorge beach steps for now, but the lookouts are open. If conditions and timing allow, the guide adds Gibson Steps. A short dinner break in Colac comes before the drive home. Groups are capped at 24, seats are upgraded, and there is Wi-Fi and audio in 16 languages. Since 16 October 2026, drivers need a timed-arrival booking to park at the new Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre. Tour operators get guaranteed parking bays at a set time, so as a tour guest you book nothing extra.
Pickup from a selected Melbourne city hotel. Your exact time is emailed after booking.
Free morning tea by the beach on the Surf Coast near Torquay.
The story of the road's builders at the arch, then a look for wild koalas in the eucalypts.
Free time in the seaside town to buy lunch and stretch your legs.
A guided walk on the boardwalk through ferns and tall trees in Great Otway National Park.
The stacks, the gorge and its shipwreck tale, Gibson Steps if time allows, then dinner in Colac and home.
★★★★★We had an absolutely fantastic Great Ocean Road tour with our guide Jono! [...] Jono planned the route brilliantly. Along the way, he shared fascinating local culture with us, took us exploring to spot little wild animals, and was incredibly patient answering all our questions.
★★★★★Simon was an awesome, informative guide. I would highly recommend any tour he guides. My husband and I both enjoyed the Great Ocean Road tour. We loved the coastline and rainforest. Will definitely schedule another tour with Go West.
★★★★★Rhys was amazing, making a 13 hr excursion interesting and pleasant. Views of the 12 Apostles were breathtaking. Group was very cooperating, making the excursion a Day to remember.
★★★★★The tour was absolutely amazing. Jess is an incredible tour guide. I asked her if it would be possible to see cangurus and she took us to see it. [...] For sure I recommend this company!
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Hotel pickup and drop-off at selected city locations, an expert guide, morning tea, an air-conditioned minibus with upgraded seats, audio in 16 languages and Wi-Fi. Lunch and dinner are at your own cost.
Sometimes. The listing says extra stops such as Gibson Steps may be added depending on conditions and timing. The Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge are always on the plan.
Short and gentle. The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority describes a boardwalk loop of about 30 minutes through tree ferns and old rainforest, about 15 minutes west of Apollo Bay.
The listing names Go West Tours, a Melbourne operator that says it has more than 25 years of experience. The tour is rated 4.8 from 2,799 reviews on GetYourGuide.
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The classic coast-first day: morning tea on the Surf Coast, Apollo Bay, a Maits Rest rainforest walk, then the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
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