About this tour
A private eight-to-twelve-hour drive along Victoria's Great Ocean Road, departing Melbourne early to beat coastal crowds. You'll see Lorne, Apollo Bay, Bells Beach, and Port Campbell National Park's Twelve Apostles rock formations via walking tracks or optional helicopter flight. The reverse inland-first routing prioritises quieter viewing times over standard itineraries. Fully flexible to your pace and interests, with hotel pickup included.
Highlights
- Early departure strategy avoids peak crowds at Twelve Apostles
- Private vehicle for up to six people from Melbourne CBD
- Twelve Apostles viewing via walking tracks or optional helicopter
- Stops at Lorne, Apollo Bay, and world-famous Bells Beach
- Lunch break at local Apollo Bay café (cost your own)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Melbourne included
- Customisable itinerary and return times to suit your schedule
What to expect
Your driver collects you from your Melbourne hotel or CBD location early morning and heads inland first, skirting the coastal route that draws peak-time traffic. You'll stop at Lorne and Apollo Bay, with time to explore each town at your pace. Mid-tour lunch happens at a local café in Apollo Bay—you order and pay separately.
Afterward, the route turns to Port Campbell National Park. You'll walk to viewpoints of the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks, or upgrade to a helicopter flight for an aerial perspective. The full day concludes with your return drive to Melbourne, with timing adjusted if you prefer an earlier or later finish.
What travellers say
- Early-departure strategy genuinely reduces Twelve Apostles visitor numbers
- Fully private—no sharing the van with strangers
- Flexible itinerary adjusts to your interests without extra cost
- Hotel pickup and bottled water included in base price
- Optional helicopter upgrade available for aerial perspective
- Lunch cost not included—factor in Apollo Bay café prices
- Eight-to-twelve-hour commitment is a full, tiring day
- Coastal weather can be cold and windy; dress layers essential
- Walking trails to Apostles require reasonable mobility and footwear
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Book this if you want a private, unhurried look at the Great Ocean Road without the tour-coach crowds, and you're willing to leave Melbourne early to make it work. The reverse itinerary is their key differentiator—worth considering if you've heard that standard tours hit the Apostles at their busiest. Caveats: you'll eat lunch out of pocket; the full drive is 8–12 hours, so expect a long day in the car. Weather can be cool and windy on the coast—bring layers. Suitable for all fitness levels, but the walks at Port Campbell involve uneven coastal terrain. Prams and strollers work for infants; children must be supervised. Max six people per booking keeps it intimate.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BookNow summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.