Reverse routes change the whole vibe. This Great Ocean Road day trip uses a reverse itinerary plus an extra London Bridge photo stop to help you beat crowds and catch nicer light.

I like the mix of famous cliffs and real wildlife time, especially the Kennett River wildlife viewing and the chance to spot koalas and kangaroos. I also like that the day flows with frequent stops and guide-led story time, so you feel less rushed at the big lookouts. One thing to plan for: it’s a long long coach day, and the early ride can feel bumpy, so I’d bring a neck pillow if you get neck strain.

Key highlights worth caring about

• Reverse itinerary timing: better odds for calmer lookouts and photo-friendly angles
• London Bridge stop (15 minutes): a less-frequent detour that many one-day tours skip
• Wildlife focus near Kennett River: watch for koalas, kangaroos, and native parrots during a walk and viewing breaks
• Loch Ard Gorge plus Twelve Apostles: dramatic coastal views with breaks built in so you can breathe and shoot photos
• Apollo Bay lunch break: a true coastal town pause where you can eat at your own pace
• Eastern View Memorial Arch: an easy final photo stop that ties the day together

Why the reverse route helps on Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road gets busy. That’s not news. What is useful is how this tour flips the flow, so you’re more likely to arrive at the big viewpoints when lots of other groups aren’t all stacked at once.

That matters for two reasons: photos and sanity. With a reverse itinerary, you’re not constantly fighting crowds near the Twelve Apostles, and you’re less likely to get stuck with harsh backlight when you’re trying to shoot cliff scenery. Add in the extra London Bridge photo stop, and you get more variety than the standard rush-through day.

The other practical win is that pacing feels more intentional. You still stop often, but the timing is designed so you can get photos, walk a bit, and then move on without feeling like you’re just being herded from one platform to the next.

The 13-hour reality: Melbourne pickup, travel time, and comfort

This is a full-day outing: about 13 hours from start to finish. Classic Coach and Mid-Size Coach tours depart around 7:00–7:30 AM from central Melbourne, while the Premium Small-Group option goes later, around 8:00 AM. The later start can be nice if you’re not a morning person, but it’s still a long day out of the city.

Once you’re on the road, you’ll spend a chunk of time traveling before you hit the coast highlights. One tip that comes up in real-world feedback: if the coach you’re on doesn’t give your head much support, plan for it. Bring a neck pillow and wear layers, because early morning air can feel chilly even if the day warms up.

Also note what’s allowed onboard. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted, and you can’t bring food and drinks in the vehicle. That means your comfort strategy should be all about clothing and snacks for later stops—think carry-on snacks you’ll eat off the bus.

Finally, this tour isn’t set up for wheelchair users. If you need accessibility support, you’ll want to look for an operator and vehicle that explicitly covers it.

London Bridge (Victoria): the quick detour that most tours miss

You get an extra stop at London Bridge, Victoria, with about 15 minutes for photos and sightseeing on the way. It’s short, so you won’t feel stuck, but it’s long enough to grab a few angles and appreciate the coastline views beyond the usual lineup of stops.

Why I like this added stop: it breaks up the day. If your plan is mostly Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, everything can start to feel samey after a few hours. London Bridge adds a different cliff-and-coast look and gives you one more chance to get shots when the light is starting to shift.

It’s also a good time to reset mentally. You’re not yet at the most crowded icons, so it often feels calmer. Even if you’re only stepping out briefly, use that time to stretch and take your first real coast photos of the day.

Loch Ard Gorge: where the cliffs feel personal

Next up is Loch Ard Gorge, with a scheduled break that includes photos, visiting, and sightseeing time. This stop is worth paying attention to even if you’re mainly chasing the big-name views later, because Loch Ard Gorge often feels more human-scaled than the broad postcard viewpoints.

You’ll likely use your time in two ways: (1) walking for angles and (2) pausing for the kind of cliff detail that doesn’t always show up well from the main viewing points. If you like photography, this is a good place to test camera settings and figure out what focal length you prefer before the Twelve Apostles stop.

The potential drawback here is simple: if you’re the type who wants long hikes, you might wish for more walking time. The tour keeps the rhythm tight, so it’s best to treat Loch Ard Gorge as a focused stop, not a half-day outing.

The Twelve Apostles: better timing, built-in breathing room

The Twelve Apostles stop includes break time, sightseeing, and free time. The big advantage for your day is not just that it’s famous—it’s that the reverse approach is designed to reduce crowd pressure and help you land at a better time of day for photos.

When you’re managing a one-day itinerary, “more time” isn’t always the answer. Better timing is. With less crowd congestion, you can actually move around for your best shots instead of waiting for a gap in the line of people.

Keep your expectations realistic: you’ll still need to share the area with other visitors, because it’s one of Australia’s most iconic viewpoints. But the whole point here is that you’re trying to avoid the worst crush moments, and the itinerary is built around that idea.

Kennett River wildlife viewing: koalas, kangaroos, and parrots

After passing through Great Otway National Park, you arrive at Kennett River, where you get a photo stop plus a walk and wildlife viewing time. This is one of the most appealing parts of the day because it shifts from scenic cliffs to living wildlife habitat.

Based on the information and guide-led focus, you’ll be looking for koalas, kangaroos, and native parrots. The best strategy is to stay patient. Wildlife spotting often depends on where animals are comfortable, how the light hits, and what the weather is doing.

Also, don’t treat sightings as guaranteed. Even on a good day, animals may be high in branches or farther back in bushland. What you can control is your effort: keep your ears open for guide tips, and be ready to move at a slow, safe pace during the walk.

One more practical detail: because this is a wildlife stop, footwear matters more than you think. You don’t need hiking gear, but you do want shoes that work for uneven ground and short paths.

Apollo Bay lunch break: eat when you’re ready, not when the clock says

You reach Apollo Bay for lunch and free time. The timing is set so you can take a proper break rather than doing lunch at a roadside pull-off. The day typically lands you at lunch in the early afternoon—often around 3 PM—so I recommend planning snacks for the gap if you get hungry fast.

Since lunch is not included, you’ll be choosing from waterfront restaurant options on your own. That gives you flexibility: you can go seafood if that’s your style, or choose something simpler if you want to keep the budget in check. Just remember you can’t eat on the vehicle, so you’ll want to have your meals sorted before you re-board.

Apollo Bay is also a nice mental reset. After several scenic stops, it helps to have a town pause where the day feels more normal and less like a nonstop photo schedule.

Memorial Arch at Eastern View: the final photo that caps the day

The last signature stop is Memorial Arch at Eastern View. This includes a photo stop, visit, and sightseeing time, and it’s a great way to end the Great Ocean Road storyline.

Why I think this works well in a tour itinerary: it’s a shorter landing than some of the major sites, so you can enjoy it without rushing. You also get one last set of coastline views before the long ride back toward Melbourne.

If you want one more tip for photos: arrive, grab your first shots quickly, then turn and look around. Often the best angles are a few steps away from the main spot, and you won’t get that if you stand still the whole time.

Tour options: Classic coach, Mid-Size, or Premium Mercedes van

You have three ways to do the same basic route and key stops (including London Bridge and the wildlife time).

Classic Coach Tour

This is the bigger group option on a spacious, air-conditioned coach. The departure is around 7:00–7:30 AM from a central Melbourne meeting point. If you’re traveling solo or you don’t want to pay extra for a smaller vehicle, this is usually the simplest value pick.

Mid-Size Coach Tour

This limits you to no more than 35 guests, aiming for a better price-to-comfort balance than the classic option. It still uses the reverse itinerary, includes London Bridge, and keeps the wildlife viewing opportunities. If you want something more manageable than a full coach but still want an affordable day, this is the sweet spot.

Premium Small-Group Tour (Mercedes van)

This is the smaller, up to 15 guests option in a late-model Mercedes Benz van. You also get complimentary pickup within Melbourne’s CBD area and a later departure around 8:00 AM. The smaller group can make stops feel smoother, especially when you’re trying to get photos without dodging as many people.

One more note that matters for all options: this is still a bus day. You’ll be trading comfort and time for access to multiple iconic stops in one outing.

Guide quality: why the stories can be half the fun

A Great Ocean Road tour is only as good as its guide. In the feedback I saw, guides like William, Phillip, Allan, and Philippe (spelling varies) got praised for being fun, upbeat, and clearly invested in making the day work.

What you should look for in their approach:

• They explain what you’re seeing, so you’re not just watching cliffs.
• They manage time well so you can still get breaks, not just photo grabs.
• They stay focused on wildlife spotting, not just scenery.

I’d also pay attention to how the guide handles your pace around lookouts and walks. Some days feel rushed because the group size and timing aren’t managed. Here, the tone from real-world experiences is that time at stops is often handled with care, even though the day is still long.

If you’re traveling with kids, one piece of feedback stood out: the guide made efforts to keep the day fun, not just informational. That can make a big difference when you’re doing a 13-hour loop.

Price and value: what $38 gets you and what to budget for

At $38 per person, this is positioned as strong value for a full Great Ocean Road day with major icons and added stops. You’re paying for air-conditioned transport, a live English guide, and scheduled sightseeing breaks that include the reverse timing and the London Bridge photo stop.

But you should budget for the stuff that isn’t included:

• Lunch (not included), usually where you’ll spend most of your extra money
• Optional helicopter tour opportunity, which is an additional cost

That optional helicopter piece is worth thinking about only if you’re the type who wants a different perspective. If you’re on a tight budget, you can still get plenty of epic coast views from the ground without it.

Also remember the tour rules: no alcohol, and no food/drinks in the vehicle. That’s a small constraint, but it also nudges you to plan your snacks for the right moments.

What to bring for a smoother Great Ocean Road day

This is the stuff that makes the day feel easier, especially on a long ride.

Bring:

• Layers (early morning and coastal wind can change the temperature fast)
• A neck pillow if you’re sensitive to long coach rides
• A light snack plan for the gap before lunch, since lunch is not included and often lands later in the early afternoon
• A charged phone or camera battery (lots of photo opportunities)
• Shoes that handle short walks and uneven paths at wildlife viewing stops

Also, do not plan on eating during transit. The vehicle has rules about food and drinks, so plan meals and snack breaks at designated stops.

Who should book this Great Ocean Road reverse tour

This tour is a good match if you want:

• Iconic Great Ocean Road stops in one day, including Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles
• A wildlife viewing component built into the schedule at Kennett River
• Less crowd pressure and better photo timing through the reverse itinerary
• An added London Bridge photo stop that adds variety beyond the standard run

It may be less ideal if:

• You need accessibility support (wheelchair users are not suited)
• You hate long bus rides and would rather do a slower multi-day route
• You want a lot of free time for hiking. The schedule is designed for seeing several highlights, so walk time at each place is limited.

There’s also a small risk of feeling tight on certain parts of the day. One feedback theme was that lunch and walking time can feel rushed for some people. If you’re the type who needs extra time to wander, plan to do your walking fast and save deeper exploring for your own time in Melbourne or on another day.

Should you book it or skip it?

If your goal is a high-value Great Ocean Road day that mixes scenery with actual wildlife chances, I’d book this. The reverse timing plus the London Bridge stop makes it feel more thoughtfully built than a basic checklist tour, and the strong guide reputation is real-world meaningful—especially when you’re trying to maximize photo time and wildlife opportunities.

Book it if you’re flexible about lunch (it’s on you) and you’re okay with a long day out of the city. Skip it if you want a slow, independent road trip with lots of unscheduled stops, or if you need wheelchair access.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Great Ocean Road reverse tour with London Bridge?

It runs for about 13 hours.

What time does the tour depart from Melbourne?

Classic Coach and Mid-Size Coach depart around 7:00–7:30 AM. The Premium Small-Group option departs later, around 8:00 AM.

Does the tour stop at London Bridge?

Yes. There is a photo stop at London Bridge in Victoria with about 15 minutes for sightseeing.

Are Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a break at Loch Ard Gorge and a stop at the Twelve Apostles.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, and you’ll have free time in Apollo Bay to find food on your own.

What wildlife might I see on this tour?

The tour focuses on wildlife viewing around Kennett River, with chances to see koalas, kangaroos, and native parrots.

Is the helicopter tour included?

An optional helicopter tour is available, but the cost is not included.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is optional for some options. For Premium, complimentary pickup is included from Melbourne CBD. You’ll receive an email and text one day before the activity with details.

Where are passengers dropped off?

Drop-offs are listed as Docklands, Southbank, 3000, and 52 Spencer St.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

No. It’s not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I bring alcohol or eat in the vehicle?

No. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and you also cannot bring food and drinks in the vehicle.

You Might Also Enjoy

From Darwin: Litchfield Park Tour & Jumping Crocodile CruiseAirlie Beach: Whitsunday Islands Sailing, SUP & Snorkel TourGreat Ocean Road Ultimate Two Day TourAdelaide Twilight Cruise from Glenelg