Great Ocean Road Day Tour (Early Departure)

This one day Great Ocean Road tour departs early to ‘beat the crowds’. Travel through superb coastal scenery of magnificent surf beaches, enjoy some kangaroo and koala spotting in beautiful surrounds and view the ancient rugged elegance of the Twelve Apostles.

This delightful early morning tour departs at 6:30 am every Wednesday from Melbourne and you'll travel with your friendly driver/guide in a modern, comfortable coach while headed toward the magnificent spectacle seen from the Great Ocean Road and surrounds. First up, you'll go under the iconic Memorial Arch. This arch is referred to as the gateway of this 243 kilometre road and was erected in honour of the World War One returned soldiers, who worked tirelessly from 1919 to 1932 to build it. This testament to their ingenuity and tenacity is simply amazing.

Watch the gigantic waves roll, thunder and crash onto the sand at the world renowned surfing spot, Bells Beach and be on the lookout for the local kangaroo population as you'll admire this beautiful area. Another beach you'll visit in this beautiful region is the six-kilometre-long Fairweather Beach, with its exquisite white sand that seems to go on forever.

Kennett River is one of the best places in Australia to see koalas in the wild and one of the few places where you would be extremely unlucky and highly unlikely not to spot a cute, cuddly sleeping Aussie icon in the tall eucalypts. Next, it's off to tread the boardwalk at Maits Rest in the Otway Ranges. This purpose built wooden path provides an easy stroll through this delicate ecosystem whilst still protecting the moss-covered rocks and roots on the ancient rainforest floor. The lush tree-fern gullies and the high canopies of this beautiful region will give you a unique, private peek into the forest.

You will stop at the village of Port Campbell for a spot of lunch and a peruse at the local shops for that must have souvenir or two, then it's off to visit the Twelve Apostles, the Arch and London Bridge. These superb structures have been chiselled by Mother Nature over thousands of years. The churning seas of the Great Southern Ocean and the blustery, wintry winds crash with a thunderous roar, pummelling these magnificent limestone outcrops to perfection.

Heading home, you'll travel through picturesque dairy country via Colac and arrive back in Melbourne at around 7:30 pm, where you'll be returned to your original pickup location.