Tour ID: 10002662
Three days is perfect to see this beautiful part of the world. You will have such variety, and different experiences during this tour. You will see all the famous sights along the Great Ocean Road, the Shipwreck Coast and the majestic Grampians.
See both the mountains and the coast. For the first day and a half we'll take you along the stunning scenery of the Great Ocean Road, before heading back up through the mountains to discover the forest and Grampians.
• See the immense volcanic plains of the south-west
• Take in the sights at some of Australia's best surf beaches
• Observe Australia's unique wildlife in its natural habitat
• See the world's tallest flowering plants on our guided rainforest walk through the Great Otway National Park
• Watch the sun rise over the world-famous 12 Apostles and hear about our shipwrecked past
• Eat at award-winning gourmet restaurants and see the historical gold mining town of Ballarat
Your tour starts at 8.30am on Tuesday morning, where we pick you up from your city hotel or from the central Federation Square in Melbourne. We head over the West Gate Bridge, through the Western Victorian Volcanic Plains and south-west, towards the Great Ocean Road. We stop for a stroll on the redeveloped waterfront in Geelong and then again in Torquay, the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. Our journey on the Great Ocean Road includes stops at many of Australia's best surf beaches, including Bells Beach, where we enjoy a morning tea with a view.
On the Great Ocean Road, we focus on showing you unique Australian wildlife in the natural habitats that exist along the coast. We observe the Eastern Grey Kangaroo in the wild before climbing the rugged, mountainous Great Ocean Road range. We stop at the historical 'Memorial Arch', where we discuss how the cliff-hanging road was built before heading to the large seaside town of Lorne, where we stop for lunch and a spot of shopping or swimming.
We stop to take in all the sights from Lorne, including Kennett River, where you can take photographs of furry koalas and colourful birds in the treetops. We travel through Apollo Bay, which marks the end of the Great Ocean Road's stunning scenic section, and we head toward the Great Otway National Park. In the Great Otway National Park, we take an easy rainforest walk of about one kilometre, through the cool damp of a rainforest gully that is home to the world's tallest flowering plant, the Mountain Ash, which can grow up to 150 metres high. We stop to observe prehistoric trees, large ferns, and we take in all the unique sites of the area, including yabbie chimneys, formed by the burrowing of the ample sea wildlife that also calls these rainforests home.
We take the time to see Apollo Bay before checking into the Beacon Point Ocean View Villas. Your home for the night is set high on the hills overlooking the wild, turbulent Southern Ocean. High above the raging sea, you can rest and relax while eating a two-course meal at the award-winning restaurant 'Chris at Beacon Point'.
In the morning, wake up to the local's breakfast favourite Bay Leaf Cafe before we travel through the Otway Ranges toward the Shipwreck Coast. Our first destination is Castle Cove, where we learn about the Aboriginal history of the region while overlooking the geographically distinct Aire River Valley.
We arrive at the 12 Apostles as the sun is breaking over the stacks, lighting them up like pillars of gold that you see in a postcard. Take photos and walk around before the crowds swell the area and the stacks turn to silhouettes in the afternoon sun.
Be awed by the story of Loch Ard Gorge's infamous 19th-century shipwreck while being able to hold and touch original artefacts from the tragic wreck. We then stop at Port Campbell for lunch with a view, in the small fishing village that is home to only 600 people.
We then head toward Warrnambool along the next section of the scenic Great Ocean Road, taking in the impressive limestone formations that comprise of London Bridge, Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs and Boat Bay. These sights are rarely seen by those who travel the Great Ocean Road. We then head into Tower Hill, an extinct volcanic crater in Port Fairy, where the Emus, Kangaroos, Wallabies and Koalas walk right by you for their photo shoot.
At the Grampians National Park, we eat and sleep at the gourmet, award-winning Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, at the foot of Mount Sturgeon. Early in the morning, we take advantage of breathtaking views of the Wonderland and Mount William Ranges as we head through Halls Gap. We stop and take in the sights of Baroka Lookout, Reid's Lookout, and then observe the Mackenzie Falls as well as learning about local Aboriginal culture. We stop in the historic gold mining town of Ballarat, shaped by the gold rush, before we head back to Melbourne and return you to your base by 6pm.
3 1/2 - 4 star cottage style accommodation (twin share)
2 x cooked breakfasts
2 x 2 course dinners
Morning or afternoon tea x 2
Note that lunches are not included as part of the tour
3 days
8:30 AM Tue
6.00 pm
Melbourne
Pick ups from city hotels between 0800 and 0830.
Please confirm the day before using the details provided on your booking confirmation.
It can often be quite cool and wet along the Great Ocean Road, so we always encourage people to bring warm clothing and a raincoat – especially for the Rainforest by Night walk.
You will also need walking shoes.
We ask clients to limit their luggage to 1 overnight bag only.
Low
Twelve years or younger are considered children.
Thirteen years and above are considered adults.
Traveling in a small group [minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 10 people] with the personal service of an expert guide.
If you are a single traveller please contact us before booking to confirm that we have a tour departing on the day requested.
Accommodation - single rooms may be requested and are at an extra cost.
Circumstances may require us to alter itineraries and fares without notice.
Cancellation policies; Full amounts are payable for ‘no shows’ and cancellations less than 24 hours from departure. Cancellations less than 1 week before departure we will incur a charge of 50%. More than one weeks notice will incur no charge.
Great Ocean Road, Grampians, Ballarat, Torquay, Bells Beach, Halls Gap, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Angelsea and Geelong
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