Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles: The Complete Guide

The Route, Stop by Stop

Most operators run the road clockwise, arriving at the Twelve Apostles at midday alongside every coach in the state. We can run it in reverse — heading inland first and reaching the Apostles in the late afternoon — so you see the main event in better light and far smaller crowds. Discuss it with us when you book.

Torquay and Bells Beach

The official start of the Great Ocean Road and the birthplace of Australian surf culture. Bells Beach hosts the world’s longest-running surfing competition each Easter.

Memorial Arch at Eastern View

The timber arch spanning the road commemorates the returned soldiers who built it. It is the single best photograph of the road as a road, and takes five minutes.

Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet

The white lighthouse above the cliffs, operating since 1891, with a short clifftop walk offering views in both directions along the coast.

Kennett River Koala Walk

Grey River Road at Kennett River holds one of the most reliable wild koala populations in Victoria, along with king parrots and cockatoos. Look up into the manna gums — koalas sleep up to twenty hours a day and are easy to walk straight past.

Apollo Bay

A working fishing town at the halfway mark and the usual lunch stop. Fish and chips on the foreshore, or a proper sit-down meal if you would rather take your time.

Great Otway National Park

The road turns inland through cool-temperate rainforest — tree ferns, myrtle beech and Mait’s Rest, a short boardwalk loop through old-growth forest. A complete change of scenery from the coast.

Gibson Steps

Eighty-six steps carved into the cliff take you down to the beach, where you stand at the base of two of the Apostles and understand their scale properly. Check conditions — the beach closes at high tide and in rough surf.

The Twelve Apostles

Limestone stacks up to 45 metres high, left behind as the softer cliff eroded around them. Despite the name, eight remain standing; the ninth collapsed in 2005. Boardwalk viewing platforms lead to lookouts on both sides.

Loch Ard Gorge

Named for the clipper wrecked here in 1878 with only two survivors, both aged eighteen. The gorge, the beach and the cemetery above it are, for many visitors, more affecting than the Apostles themselves.

London Arch

Formerly London Bridge, until the span connecting it to the mainland collapsed in January 1990, stranding two visitors on the far side until a helicopter reached them. Both were unhurt.

Why a Private Tour Makes the Difference Here

On a fourteen-hour day, the difference between a private vehicle and a full-size coach is not luxury. It is the whole experience.

• You choose the departure time. An early start or a reverse route puts you at the Apostles outside the peak window.
• You stop where you want. If the light is good or the koalas are active, you stay. If a stop does not appeal, you skip it.
• No waiting for forty other people. Every coach stop runs to the slowest passenger. Yours runs to you.
• Comfort over a very long day. Individual seats, climate control and space to spread out matter more at hour twelve than hour one.
• Local knowledge. Your chauffeur knows which lookouts are worth the walk and which are better admired from the car park.

Best Time to Go

The road is open and worthwhile year round, but conditions vary considerably.

• Summer (Dec–Feb) — longest daylight and warmest weather, but the busiest lookouts and the heaviest traffic.
• Autumn (Mar–May) — the sweet spot. Settled weather, softer light, noticeably fewer people.
• Winter (Jun–Aug) — dramatic seas and near-empty platforms, with the trade-off of short days and a real chance of rain.
• Spring (Sep–Nov) — wildflowers in the Otways and whales off the coast, with changeable weather.

Southern right whales are commonly seen between June and September, particularly at Logans Beach in nearby Warrnambool, which can be added if you would like a longer day.

Practical Details

• Start time — typically 7:00am to 8:00am from central Melbourne, earlier if you want sunrise light.
• What to bring — layers, a windproof jacket and comfortable shoes. The clifftops are exposed and considerably colder than the city.
• Meals — not included; we stop where you prefer, usually Apollo Bay for lunch.
• Mobility — the Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge lookouts are boardwalked and step-free. Gibson Steps involves 86 steep steps and is optional.
• Motion sickness — the coastal section is winding. Front seating and regular stops help; tell your chauffeur if it is a concern.

Pricing

This tour is priced from a$1,100 for a full day. The figure is confirmed in writing before you book and does not change afterwards.

• Included — the vehicle, your chauffeur, fuel and tolls for the full day.
• Not included — attraction admissions and meals, which you pay directly on the day.
• Larger vehicles — the V-Class and Sprinter carry a higher rate; we quote per vehicle, not per person.
• GST — all prices include GST. There are no booking fees and no surge pricing.

Your Vehicle and Chauffeur

Every Prima tour is fully private. There is no shared coach, no other passengers and no fixed departure time — the vehicle and the chauffeur are yours for the day.

Luxury Sedan or SUV — up to 3 passengers

Quiet, comfortable and climate controlled, with leather seating and room for cameras, coats and day bags. Ideal for couples, solo travellers and small families.

Mercedes V-Class or similar — up to 6 passengers

A spacious luxury people mover with individual seats, generous legroom and space for everyone’s belongings. The most popular choice for families and small groups.

Mercedes Sprinter or similar — up to 11 passengers

Premium large-group transport for extended families, corporate groups and multi-generational travel, with ample luggage space for a long day out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Great Ocean Road tour take from Melbourne?

Twelve to fourteen hours door to door. The round trip is roughly 400 kilometres and the coastal section cannot be rushed safely. Anyone advertising it as an eight-hour day is skipping most of the road.

Are there really twelve apostles?

No. There were never twelve. Nine stacks stood when the name was adopted, and one collapsed in July 2005, leaving eight. The name was a marketing decision made in the 1920s, replacing the original name, the Sow and Piglets.

Will we see koalas?

Kennett River has one of the most reliable wild koala populations in Victoria, and sightings are common, but these are wild animals and nothing is guaranteed. King parrots and cockatoos are close to certain.

Can the tour be done in reverse to avoid crowds?

Yes, and we recommend it. Travelling inland first and reaching the Twelve Apostles in the late afternoon means better light for photographs and substantially fewer people on the platforms.

Is this a private tour or a shared group tour?

Every Prima tour is completely private. You travel only with your own party, in your own vehicle, with a dedicated chauffeur. There are no other passengers and no fixed schedule.

Can the itinerary be changed?

Yes. The stops listed are our recommended route, but the day is yours. Tell your chauffeur what you would like to see more of, what to skip, or where you would like to stop for a meal, and the itinerary is adjusted on the spot.

Where does the tour start and finish?

We collect you from your hotel, private address, or any location in Melbourne that suits you, and return you to the same place or anywhere else you prefer at the end of the day.

How much does the Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles tour cost?

This tour starts from From A$1,100 per vehicle for a full day. The price covers the vehicle, chauffeur, fuel and tolls; attraction admissions and meals are paid directly on the day. Your figure is confirmed in writing before you book.