The best Great Ocean Road tours to add to your list

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Whether you’re into an epic 3-day guided hike or an action-packed day trip to remember, there’s a Great Ocean Road tour for you.

Victoria’s aesthetically blessed southern coastline is one of Australia’s most photographed spots. A region best visited with a fully charged phone (and with your best camera lens’ in tow) you won’t be able to stop yourself from snapping the Great Ocean Road’s embarrassing wealth of natural beauty. From multi-day guided hiking trips to fun bus trips with like-minded travellers, these Great Ocean Road tours enable you to see this famous stretch of coastline in a new light.

1. Intrepid Travel’s Great Ocean Road & Grampians Adventure

Best for: Outdoorsy travellers who are curious about First Nations culture

If you want to spend some solid time in the region, go all-in on this 6-day road trip with Intrepid Travel.

two people standing on top of the Hanging Rock
You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views at the top of Hanging Rock. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Starting in Melbourne and finishing in Adelaide, you’ll get to spend a couple of days playing on the Great Ocean Road as well as getting some quality mountain time in the Grampians too.

visitors walking along the Grampians National Park
The Grampians National Park is home to abundant flora and fauna. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Forget spending all your days cooped up in a bus, you’ll get to enjoy plenty of time doing things like hiking in nature, eating bush tucker foods at an outdoor cafe, and learning about First Nations culture from a local Indigenous guide.

spectacular scenery on top of Hanging Rock, Great Ocean Road
Hanging Rock rises 718m above sea level. (Image: Visit Victoria)

This tour offers a great balance between seeing the blockbuster sites (like the Twelve Apostles) and experiencing some of the lesser-known places and activities day trippers often miss out on.

an aerial view of Hanging Rock, Great Ocean Road
The weathered volcanic outcrop has become a prime setting for the classic Australian novel and film, Picnic at Hanging Rock. (Image: Visit Victoria)

2. Otway Eco Tours

Best for: Nature lovers who like to travel at a relaxed pace in small groups

If paddling a canoe across a lake home to platypus in the Great Otway National Park, watching the magical aura of glow worms at dusk or spending a day exploring a section of the Great Ocean Road on foot sounds like your thing, then make a booking with Otway Eco Tours.

a mossy forest on the Great Ocean Road
Wind your way through the moss-covered forest. (Image: Visit Victoria)

This ecotourism-certified and accredited organisation offers small groups the chance to experience slow journeys in nature in and around the Great Ocean Road.

a couple admiring a cascade on the Great Ocean Road, Otway Eco Tours
Otway Eco Tours offers tours that are great for nature lovers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Led by an experienced guide, you’ll come away with plenty of knowledge about the area’s native flora and fauna and a newfound appreciation of the wonderous beauty found in this very special corner of Australia.

a waterfall along the Great Ocean Road, Otway Eco Tours
See one of Victoria’s most spectacular cascading waterfalls. (Image: Visit Victoria)

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3. Life’s An Adventure’s Great Ocean Walk

Best for: Active travellers keen to enjoy a pack-free walk with a soft landing

When it comes to getting a genuine feel for a place, there’s nothing quite like a multi-day hike. A 3-day journey along the Great Ocean Walk with Life’s An Adventure is a top option if you love walking, but also prefer not to camp or carry a heavy pack.

a helicopter flying above the Twelve Apostles
Marvel at the Twelve Apostles on a scenic helicopter ride. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Carrying just a light day pack, each night you’ll be able to refuel with delicious food and wine and bed down in boutique accommodation near the trail.

a night sky full of stars at the Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road
The site is also popular for stargazers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Perhaps the best part of this tour is the inclusion of a helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles to marvel at the mammoth rock formations from above. If you want to experience a truly remarkable trip to remember, this is it.

an aerial view of the Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles are estimated to be around 20 million years old. (Image: Visit Victoria)

4. Wildlife Tours Australia Great Ocean Road tour

Best for: Wildlife lovers and anyone short on time

If you’re visiting Melbourne and have a spare day up your sleeve this day tour is an excellent, affordable way to see all the well-known landmarks along the Great Ocean Road in a short amount of time. After getting picked up from one of 8 locations in central Melbourne, you’ll hit the road for the Surf Coast to enjoy the scenic drive of a lifetime.

Loch Ard Gorge at sunrise
Discover the dramatic beauty of Loch Ard Gorge. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Snap a photo at the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, keep watch for koalas while walking through the rainforest in the Great Otway National Park and take in the monumental majesty of the Twelve Apostles that have stood for millennia.

a beach with rock formations at Loch Ard Gorge
Explore the sandy beach on foot. (Image: Visit Victoria)

After an action-packed day, you’ll be returned to Melbourne with a pocket full of magic memories stored in your phone.

an echidna along the Great Ocean Road
Echidnas commonly dig up dirt along the trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

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5. Walk 91

Best for: Fit travellers who prefer self-guided walks

Many people take on the Great Ocean Walk with a guide, but if you prefer your freedom you can book Walk 91 to take care of all the finicky logistics for you.

hikers on a coastal hike, Great Ocean Road
Tackle the wild side of the coastal hike with a guide. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Choose from packages that range from 3-day to 10-day hikes to enjoy spending your days walking the coastline knowing that your transport, bag transfers and accommodation are taken care of.

a rock formation alongside the coast, Great Ocean Road
Walk along Victoria’s rugged coastline. (Image: Visit Victoria)

You’ll even be supplied with a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), informative notes and walking poles if needed. This is an easy, breezy way to enjoy an epic walk, minus the logistical hassles.

hikers admiring the view from the Great Ocean Walk viewpoint
Rewarding coastal views await on the Great Ocean Walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

6. Ride Tours Great Ocean Road tours

Best for: 18 to 35-year-olds keen to check out the highlights of the Great Ocean Road

If you’re between 18 and 35 years old, Ride Tours offers one and two-day trips to see the highlights of the Great Ocean Road with other travellers from your generation.

a surfer at the Kennett River
Hit the waves at the Kennett River. (Image: Visit Victoria)

After a minibus picks you up from Melbourne CBD or St Kilda, you’ll be whisked away to see the sites of the Great Ocean Road in just a day or two.

a woman looking out to the Twelve Apostles
The trip includes a stop at the famed Twelve Apostles. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The one-day itinerary is jam-packed with stops at Fairhaven, Lorne, Kennett River, Apollo Bay and, of course, the star of the show, the Twelve Apostles. Returning you to the city by about 7.30pm, this economical tour is a fun way to see the best of the Great Ocean Road in just one day.

a couple relaxing by the Kennett River
Reconnect with nature and meander along the riverside. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Discover the best camping sites along the Great Ocean Road.

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Jo Stewart
Jo Stewart is a freelance features writer who pens stories about nature, pop culture, music, art, design and more from her home in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria. When not writing, you can find her trawling through vinyl records and vintage fashion at op shops, antique stores and garage sales.
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How to spend a tasty long weekend in Geelong and the Bellarine

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    From rust-coloured foliage and foodie experiences to stunning sunsets, this part of Victoria is best explored as the mild days of winter arrive.

    As the heat of the summer sun subsides and the milder days roll in, the stunning landscapes of Geelong and the Bellarine add pops of colour. The slight chill in the air will stir your taste buds and invite you to explore the peninsula’s foodie hotspots, while the vivid sunsets and cooler evenings will draw you to cosy fireside chats and evening adventures to watch the stars appear one at a time.

    Just over an hour from busy Flinders Street, or a short 25-minute drive from Avalon Airport, Geelong is Melbourne’s cooler, more laid-back cousin with a sparkling marina, stunning surf beaches, impressive museums and a lively foodie scene.

    federal mill geelong in autumn
    Winter is the perfect time to see local sights.

    It’s also the perfect starting point from which to explore the Bellarine Peninsula. Packed full of jaw-dropping scenery, inviting townships and over 40 cellar doors serving up local cool-weather wines, winter here is distinctly beautiful with its change of colours, temperatures and produce.

    Whether you drive or catch the short but incredibly scenic ferry from the Mornington Peninsula, it’s no surprise this region offers up one of Australia’s best long weekend destinations. Here’s how to soak it all up.

    Day 1: Explore Geelong with the locals

    Morning

    Start the day by grabbing breakfast and strong coffee from Pavilion Geelong (try the braised mushrooms on toast) while watching the gentle waves lapping the edge of Corio Bay. After brekkie, join the locals walking along the scenic Art Deco waterfront to explore the historic piers, beautiful beaches and gleaming white yachts in the marina.

    Pavilion Geelong in winter
    Start the day at Pavilion Geelong.

    Afternoon

    After a morning in the sun, venture to the recently refurbished Federal Mill precinct, a grand old woollen mill built in 1915. Explore the industrial history of this area, as well as the gourmet produce on offer, before pulling up a table at the popular Paddock Bakery. Famous for their wood-fired sourdough and tasty pastries, this cafe serves up tasty dishes like their Crème Brûlée doughnuts. Chase your lunch down with an afternoon of gin tasting at Anther Distillery.

    Paddock Bakery Crème Brûlée doughnut
    Try the Paddock Bakery Crème Brûlée doughnuts.

    Night

    For an evening of frivolity and decadence, head back to Geelong for dinner and a show at the newly reopened Geelong Arts Centre. Later, enjoy a mini Negroni with a scoop of Black Pearl Oscietra Gold caviar at the sleek Non Disclosure Bar.

    Day 2: A foodie-centric day in Moorabool Valley

    Morning

    Wake up with the soft winter sun and cooler temperatures, then travel to the lush farmlands and stunning landscapes of Moorabool Valley, the home of Meredith Farm Store. Choose a seat outside in the leafy courtyard and enjoy a tasting platter of fresh produce among the flowers.

    Afternoon

    To explore the area, visit the cellar door at the Moorabool Valley Wine Collective, which encompasses three award-winning winemakers, before stopping by Austin’s Wines for lunch. Not only can you taste over 10 local wines at the dedicated tastings bar, but you can also curate your own cheese platter to eat outside on their shaded deck.

    two people trying the wine at Austin's wines
    Stop by Austin’s Wines for lunch.

    Night

    Continue on your foodie quest with dinner in Newtown at the Asian fusion Two Noble restaurant, or, inside the same venue at Sawyers Arms Tavern, dive into the European flavours of Eileen’s Charcoal Grill on your way back to Geelong.

    table spread at two noble restaurant
    The chef’s hatted Two Noble restaurant is waiting.

    Day 3: Adventures in The Bellarine

    Morning

    For a light breakfast, head 20 minutes out of town to the rustic Ket Baker, an artisan bakery known for their 100% sourdough croissants. Grab a hot cuppa under the gum trees and enjoy the morning chill in the air. Then spend the morning on the foodie-focused Bellarine Taste Trail, visiting local producers like  Bellarine Smokehouse, Flying Brick Cider House and FarmDog Brewing.

    croissants at ket baker
    Enjoy a light breakfast at Ket Baker.

    Lunch

    There’s no better way to enjoy lunch than to make it from scratch. With Harvest Experience’s Pasta & Pinot cooking class, you’ll have a genuine farm-to-plate experience as you learn to make fettuccini and filled ravioli from scratch. Once cooked, sit down, relax and enjoy your hard work with a glass of Bellarine Peninsula pinot noir.

    Afternoon and night

    Burn off your lunch with an afternoon trip to the bayside town of Portarlington, where Australian blue mussels are harvested offshore. Stop by the quirky Ducks Nuts and peruse the trinkets and treasures before making your way to the restored Portarlington Grand Hotel. Built in 1888, this beautiful building now houses four distinct dining experiences, including the new open-air spaces of The Atrium and Lawn, where you can enjoy a local gin as the sun sets over the bay.

    waiter holding mussels at Portarlington Grand Hotel
    Be sure to try Portarlington mussels.

    Start planning your ultimate Geelong & The Bellarine adventure at visitgeelongbellarine.com.au.

    Great Ocean Road Tours For An Action-Packed Daytrip | Australian Traveller