Name: Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 Guests
SKU: 72740P2
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (4876 reviews)

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Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 Guests

4.9(4.9 k)· Melbourne· By HIT THE ROAD TOURS Watch the video

Skip the lineFree cancellationSkip the line

From

€88per person

1 to 11 travelers per booking.

Time

1 × Adult × €88€88

Total€88

About the activity

Are you someone who appreciates breathtaking scenery? Are you ready to be amazed by this rugged coastline, sculpted by the elements? If your answer is yes, then you're all set to join our award-winning Great Ocean Road Small Groups Tour! A key advantage of this tour is its reversed route. This allows us to visit the iconic 12 Apostles during the serene morning hours, avoiding the typical afternoon crowds. Furthermore, the morning light bathes the limestone formations in a spectacular glow. What you will experience: • Journey in reverse, heading directly to the Twelve Apostles to bypass the large afternoon crowds. • Explore at least 4 key sites along the Shipwreck Coast: the 12 Apostles Coast, Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, and The Razorback. • Visit charming coastal towns: Apollo Bay and Lorne. - Spotting koalas is guaranteed. - Enjoy a multilingual interactive audio guide, plus a complimentary self-guided walking tour of Melbourne. - Travel with a quality, sustainable (carbon offset), and accredited tour operator.

What's included

✓Bottled water
✓Professional guide
✓National Park fees
✓Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
✓Guaranteed to skip the long lines
✓Live commentary on board
✓Transport by air-conditioned minivan
✓Multilingual Interactive Audio Guide + a complimentary Melbourne City Self-Guided Audio Guide Tour

What is not included

✕Food and drinks

Itinerary

1
Winchelsea
A brief stop for morning tea. This is an opportunity to purchase coffee or breakfast at your own expense as we travel inland towards the 12 Apostles from Melbourne.
· 15 min
2
The Twelve Apostles
We travel inland in the morning to reach the 12 Apostles directly. Arrive early to avoid the afternoon crowds and enjoy these magnificent limestone formations in peace and quiet.
· 40 min· Admission included
3
Gibsons Steps
Descend to walk on this incredible beach. Stand in awe beneath the towering 70-meter high cliffs and admire Gog and Magog, the names given to the giant limestone stacks rising from the sea.
· 20 min· Admission included
4
The Razorback
Discover the region's most striking limestone formation. The views from here are absolutely breathtaking!
· 25 min· Admission included
5
Loch Ard Gorge
Be captivated by two stunning attractions at this stop: - Loch Ard Gorge: Learn the tragic yet incredibly beautiful story of one of Australia's most famous shipwrecks. Walk along the beach and feel dwarfed by the magnificent limestone and sandstone cliffs. - The Razorback: Admire the most impressive formation on this rugged shipwreck coast.
· 30 min· Admission included
6
Port Campbell National Park
We drive through this amazing National Park. This park is home to some of the tallest trees in Australia.
· Non-stop passage
7
The Great Ocean Road
Experience one of Australia's most spectacular coastal drives. Travel along the stunning coastline.
· 10 min
8
Great Otway National Park
Drive through the national park. Observe the ancient trees as you pass through.
· Non-stop passage
9
Mait's Rest
Enjoy a 25-minute visit, including a rainforest walk. Immerse yourself in some of Australia's most incredible rainforest scenery at Great Otway National Park, fostering a deep connection with nature.
· 25 min· Admission included
10
Apollo Bay
Stop for lunch in this lively and charming coastal town on Victoria's Surf Coast. Your tour guide will suggest various restaurant options. Enjoy some fresh local food before continuing your journey.
· 45 min
11
Kennett River Nature Walk
Look for charming koalas in their natural habitat. You can also capture photos of the orange-bellied parrots often found in this area.
· 20 min
12
Teddy's Lookout
Conclude your day with photos from this incredible viewpoint. Located at the top of the cliff in Lorne, it offers stunning vistas.
· 10 min

How to use your ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted. One per booking.

Meeting point and return

Near Flinders Street Station

Near Southern Cross Station

For your convenience, our pickup locations are available within a 15-minute walking distance from any point in Melbourne CBD.

1. At 6:30 AM from 196 Flinders Street – Opposite Federation Square, and near Flinders St Station.

2. At 6:40 AM from 313 La Trobe Street – Near Melbourne Central Station.

3. At 6:50 AM from 44 Spencer Street – The Great Southern Hotel, near Southern Cross Station.

Your selected pickup time and location during booking will be confirmed. If you need to change your location, please notify us at least 24 hours before the tour departure.

Please arrive at your pickup location at least five minutes before departure, as these are public parking spots and the minibus cannot wait.

The drop-off points in the afternoon will be along Flinders Street.

You MUST go to the pickup location you selected during the booking process. If you need to change the location, please notify us by email or WhatsApp +61447351307 at least 24 hours before the tour departure.

As we operate with multiple minibuses, not all buses stop at all three pickup locations, and it is not possible to change pickup locations on the day of the tour.

Please disregard any other pickup time you may have received from any other source. We regret that many third-party systems regrettably provide times that are inaccurate (for example, a 6:50 AM pickup time shown on Viator is not accurate).

If you are traveling with people not included in the same booking, please inform us at least 24 hours in advance. We operate with multiple buses and cannot guarantee seating together without prior notification.

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Meeting point

End point

Practical information

Public transportation options are available nearby.
Suitable for all physical fitness levels.
We are unable to accommodate children under 7 years of age on this tour, as per VicRoads regulations they must travel in child restraints, which are not available in our minibuses. Passengers arriving with children under 7 years old will be refused boarding without a refund.
Operates in all weather conditions, so please dress appropriately.
This is a small group tour, and the vehicles are 12-seater minibuses (Toyota Hiace or similar). If additional space is required, please message us to arrange for larger coach options.
If you are traveling with people not included in the same booking, please inform us at least 24 hours in advance. We operate with multiple buses and cannot guarantee seating together without prior notification.

Activity options

Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Tour
Pickup included

Duration

12 h

How to prepare for your experience

Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the various sites.
Dress in layers as weather conditions can change.
Bring your camera to capture the stunning landscapes.
Be prepared for guaranteed koala sightings.
Allow for flexibility as the itinerary may be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances.

Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Great Ocean Road with a unique, reversed itinerary designed to maximize your experience and minimize crowds.

Cancellation conditions

For a full refund, please cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Any questions?

Product code: 72740P2

Activity offered by HIT THE ROAD TOURS via Viator.

Who is this activity suitable for?

Travelers seeking natural beauty
Photography enthusiasts
Nature lovers
Those interested in Australian wildlife

Activity essentials

Experience the 12 Apostles in the tranquil morning light.
Avoid the afternoon crowds with a reversed itinerary.
Guaranteed koala spotting.
Explore the stunning Shipwreck Coast.
Small group tour for a more intimate experience.

Read before you go

Day Trips from Melbourne: Five Tours ComparedGuide · 8 min read

Melbourne: good to know

Population: 5,350,705 (2024)
Elevation: 31 m
Currency: Australian dollar
Official language: English
Driving: on the left
Power plugs: I · 230 V
Emergency number: 000
Capital city: Canberra

Average temperatures

20°Jan
20°Feb
18°Mar
16°Apr
13°May
10°Jun
9°Jul
10°Aug
12°Sept
14°Oct
16°Nov
18°Dec

Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum number of participants on this tour?

This is a small group tour with a maximum of 11 guests.

Are there any age restrictions for this tour?

Yes, we are unable to accommodate children under 7 years of age due to regulations regarding child restraints.

Does the tour operate in all weather conditions?

Yes, the tour operates in all weather conditions. Please dress appropriately.

Can I change my pickup location?

If you need to change your pickup location, please notify us by email or WhatsApp at +61447351307 at least 24 hours before the tour departure.

Is food and drink included in the tour?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Reviews

4.94.9(4.9 k)

5 stars

4.5 k

4 stars

274

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Reviews provided by Viator, written by travellers on Viator and Tripadvisor.

★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Amazing tour with once-in-a-lifetime animal encounters in the wild!
Guide65018034665, October 2026
Peter was our guide, and he was awesome, friendly, and knowledgeable from the moment we boarded to the end. He shared fun stories and useful insights. He knew secret places where you could see kangaroos and koalas in the wild without busloads of tourists. He took us to the big sites and also to secret places with stunning views, and our group of 11 was all to ourselves. Every tour he gives is likely a bit different because he tweaks things here and there to beat the big tour buses. This tour was everything we hoped for, and even my 11-year-old, who isn't so fond of sitting on buses, was so happy because of all the animals we saw in the wild. We saw a joey kangaroo climb back into his mom's pouch, and a koala with a baby move to a higher branch (you gotta be lucky to see them move that much; after all, they sleep 20+ hours). The guides cannot guarantee these sightings, but they try really hard on the Hit The Roads tour to get them. We booked directly with them. We took the small-group premium tour (reverse order, starting with the 12 Apostles), and it was absolutely worth the money!
★★★★★Viator review
Definite must do!!
emily_w, October 2026
We had an excellent guide, Pete. He was knowledgeable and funny. He made the day an even more incredible experience. He took us to each stop when there were not crowds and knew exactly where to take us to see tons of wildlife. SO many koalas, kangaroos, wombats and many more!!
★★★★★Viator review
Best open road tour Available
Anna_S, October 2026
If there is one tour that you do from Melbourne, this would be the tour to pick. It is very smart to do the reverse small group tour to avoid the crowds. Kevin, our guide was absolutely wonderful and he didn’t overwhelm us with too many facts and details or ramble on endlessly. He kept the history simple and interesting snd played great music in between stops. We had a group of 11 travelers and all of them returned to the van in time and we were on time for every stop that we made. Kevin even made a few extra stops to a chocolate factory and to see the kangaroos. if I had only one constructive comment to make, it is that the seats on the van are too tight and not very comfortable. The seatbelts cut into my neck when I wore them. This was not the tour guide‘s fault but I have been on more comfortable vans for tours.
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Everything
fangapulotut, October 2026
It was a great day for me and my friend.Our guide Warren was the best he made our tour come alive and I would refer all my friends to go with him what a wonderful day we had...
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Wonderful great ocean road tour!
58kittit, October 2026
Great decision to choose this tour! The service was well worth the money. We had Warren as our driver and tour guide. Warren is a very nice guy—he has a great sense of humor and shared the rich history of the places we visited. This trip was one of my most memorable trips! It is so pity that it was only a one-day trip. I wish it was longer.

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Plan your trip

Guide · 8 min readDay Trips from Melbourne: Five Tours ComparedFive day tours from Melbourne: the Great Ocean Road in a small group or in reverse, two Yarra Valley circuits and the Phillip Island penguin parade, with their schedules, meals and rules.

Frequently asked questions about Melbourne

What is there to do in Melbourne?

Melbourne has 24 activities, tours and day trips you can book online. Among the most booked: « Small-Group Great Ocean Road Classic Day Tour from Melbourne », « Yarra Valley Wildlife & Wine Day Tour with Healesville Sanctuary », « Melbourne Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings in Hidden Laneways ».

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Can you cancel an activity in Melbourne for free?

Usually, yes: 23 of the 24 most popular activities in Melbourne offer free cancellation. The exact terms are shown on each activity page before you book.