REVIEW · MELBOURNE
Small group Great Ocean Road Reverse & Wildlife spotting
Book on Viator →Operated by Small Group Melbourne Day Tour · Bookable on Viator
Cruise control for your Great Ocean Road day starts with a reverse route. This plan is built to get you to the big icons early, with time for the quieter stops that usually get squeezed by standard itineraries and bus schedules. You also travel in a small group (max 12) on an air-conditioned vehicle, which makes the long day feel more human.
I love the mix of comfort plus payoff: beef sausage sizzle breakfast with coffee and tea, then views that still feel fresh before the main waves of visitors arrive. I also like how the schedule is tuned for wildlife timing, especially the late-afternoon kangaroo chances around Anglesea.
One consideration: with a day that runs from 7:00 am to around 7:00 pm, each stop is timed tightly, so you won’t linger for a slow, all-day drift at every viewpoint. If you’re the type who loves staying put until the light changes, you may want to balance this tour with an extra independent stop later.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You Should Care About
- A Reverse Schedule That Lets You See More With Less Waiting
- Price and What’s Included for $121.93
- Lake Colac: Beef Sausage Sizzle Breakfast With Scenic Pause
- Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles Before the Big Tour Buses
- Apollo Bay Lunch Break and the Easy Beach Stretch
- Mait’s Rest Walk in Otway National Park
- Wildlife Time: Kennett River to Anglesea Kangaroo Colonies
- Point Addis Marine National Park and Your Late-Afternoon Finish
- Is This the Right Great Ocean Road Day for You?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour start?
- What time does the tour begin?
- How long is the tour?
- How many people are on the tour?
- What breakfast is included?
- Are there admission tickets included for the stops?
- Is a mobile ticket provided?
- How much does it cost?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key Highlights You Should Care About
- Reverse route timing to reach the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge earlier
- Small group size (12 max) for a calmer pace and easier photo stops
- Breakfast included: beef sausage sizzle plus coffee and tea
- Wildlife-focused stops from Kennett River koalas to Anglesea kangaroo colonies
- Otway National Park walk at Mait’s Rest with a rainforest feel
A Reverse Schedule That Lets You See More With Less Waiting
The whole appeal here is the order. Instead of starting with the most popular sights and getting swallowed by crowds, you go where most people are still on the way. That means fewer “stand in line at the view” moments and more time actually looking—whether you’re watching the coastline, stretching your legs, or taking photos without shoulder checks.
You leave Melbourne from St Paul’s Cathedral at 7:00 am, and the tour is designed around getting you to key stops early enough to feel the morning breeze off the Southern Ocean. Morning air on this coast just feels different—cooler, fresher, and a lot more comfortable for walking.
The group stays small, up to 12 people, so you don’t end up in a loud shuffle. And since you’re in an air-conditioned vehicle for most transfers, the day stays manageable even if the weather warms up later.
A few more Melbourne tours and experiences worth a look
Price and What’s Included for $121.93
At $121.93 per person, this is priced like a serious day tour, not a basic transfer. The value isn’t only the scenery—it’s the included food and the way the timing protects your experience. Breakfast is covered, coffee and tea are included, and you get access to the main stops listed as free admission ticket locations on the schedule.
You’re also getting a 12-hour day that covers multiple regions along the Great Ocean Road plus wildlife opportunities, which is hard to replicate efficiently if you’re driving solo and trying to guess the best order. Even with a rental car, the cost of fuel, parking, and time can stack up fast.
The one thing to watch is that the schedule is packed. If you love spending long stretches at viewpoints, you’ll need to pick your moments carefully—because the plan is built for seeing a lot, not for disappearing into one spot all day.
Lake Colac: Beef Sausage Sizzle Breakfast With Scenic Pause
Your first stop is Lake Colac, arriving around 8:00 am. You get about 45 minutes here, which is long enough to eat, stretch, and take in the scenery without rushing. The tour sets up breakfast like a proper start: a beef sausage sizzle plus coffee and tea included.
This is a great moment to reset before the iconic coastline. You’re not yet in “tourist-photo-mode,” so it feels more like a real break than the beginning of a checklist.
One practical tip: eat, but also keep some energy for later walks. The day includes a rainforest-style stop at Mait’s Rest, plus short wildlife viewing windows, and you’ll feel better if you don’t go too heavy on breakfast.
Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles Before the Big Tour Buses
Next you head to Loch Ard Gorge, arriving about 9:45 am and leaving around 10:15 am. The focus here is the story and the calm. The itinerary notes the tragic Loch Ard shipwreck and the two survivors, Tom and Eva, who emerged from the wreckage nearby. It gives the gorge a sense of meaning beyond the photos.
Then comes the Twelve Apostles at roughly 10:20 am, with about 40 minutes total. This is the famous limestone rock formation area most people talk about, and the timing is the point. Because you’re there earlier, you get a better shot at enjoying the view without the full crush.
The drawback is the same as anywhere popular: even when you arrive early, this is still a top attraction. You’ll want to be ready to move when the group shifts, and don’t count on long, slow wandering if you want everyone back on schedule.
Still, the combined run—Loch Ard Gorge first, Twelve Apostles right after—creates a nice contrast. One is quieter and story-driven, the other is dramatic and wide-open.
Apollo Bay Lunch Break and the Easy Beach Stretch
By 12:20 pm, you’re at Apollo Bay, staying until about 1:20 pm. This is where the schedule gives you room to breathe: lunch is planned here, and you also have time for a short beach walk.
Apollo Bay works well as a recharge stop. After early viewing and a couple of concentrated stops, you get a more normal pace with food and a bit of shoreline air. If you’re the kind of person who likes to stop for coffee or grab a simple snack, this is usually the moment you’ll feel grateful the tour isn’t skipping lunch.
The limitation is time. One hour can disappear quickly once you sit down, check your photos, and decide where to walk. If you want the beach walk, I’d plan to keep it simple and head out soon after lunch.
Mait’s Rest Walk in Otway National Park
At 1:40 pm, you reach Mait’s Rest in the Otway National Park region. You have around 25 minutes, leaving at about 2:05 pm. This stop is all about a quick rainforest-style walk—greens, shade, and that “listen to the trees” feeling the schedule hints at.
Because the time is short, you’ll want to choose what kind of walk you do: a quick loop for atmosphere, or a longer stretch if the path you pick feels open and manageable. Either way, it’s one of the most refreshing breaks from coastal scenery during the day.
The main consideration is footwear and weather. If it’s wet, the walk can feel slippery, even if it’s brief. Bring shoes you’re comfortable stepping around in, not sandals you have to baby all day.
Wildlife Time: Kennett River to Anglesea Kangaroo Colonies
Then the itinerary shifts into wildlife territory.
You arrive at Kennett River at about 2:55 pm and leave around 3:10 pm. The plan here is simple: spot koalas and colorful parrots, with the option to grab a cuppa at a local coffee shop. It’s a short window, but it’s also the kind of stop where you’ll know quickly whether you’re in luck—koalas can show up like a surprise.
Next up is Anglesea Golf Club at 4:15 pm, departing around 4:30 pm. This is called out specifically because it’s famous for kangaroo colonies. The timing matters: the itinerary notes that they’re more active later in the afternoon, and the late-day light can make spotting easier too.
This is also where the small group format helps. In a large crowd, wildlife-viewing can turn into chaos. With fewer people, you’re more likely to get a clear view without a constant shuffle.
A balanced note: wildlife isn’t guaranteed on any schedule. The tour is set up to maximize chances, but if the roos decide to stay put, you can’t force the moment. Still, the area and timing are chosen for a reason.
Point Addis Marine National Park and Your Late-Afternoon Finish
After Anglesea, you head to Point Addis Marine National Park for about 15 minutes, arriving around 4:45 pm and departing at 5:00 pm. This is where the coast goes surfer-mode. The itinerary calls it a surfers paradise area with beaches and cliffs, and the appeal is the real-world feel—watching people test skills where the coastline shape matters.
Short stop, big payoff if you like the energy of the ocean. If you don’t want to get caught in wind off the water, keep a layer handy, because the late afternoon can feel cooler near the shore.
The day wraps back toward Melbourne, and you end at St Paul’s Cathedral around 7:00 pm. That end time is useful for planning dinner, though you’ll still want to be mentally ready for a long drive day even when you’re comfortable in the vehicle.
Is This the Right Great Ocean Road Day for You?
If you want the highlights of the Great Ocean Road but you also care about not wasting your time, this reverse itinerary makes a lot of sense. It’s a strong choice if you like early starts, quick photo stops, and a route designed to beat the big crowd waves at key sights like the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
It’s also a good fit for wildlife-focused planning. The combo of Kennett River and Anglesea is built around late-day animal chances, which you can’t easily recreate on your own without knowing how the timing typically works.
Where it might not be perfect: if you want a slow travel rhythm with lots of downtime, the day’s structure won’t let you linger. You’ll get a taste of many places, not a full deep stay anywhere.
FAQ
Where does the tour start?
It starts at St Paul’s Cathedral, 200 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000.
What time does the tour begin?
The start time is 7:00 am.
How long is the tour?
The duration is approximately 12 hours.
How many people are on the tour?
The group is limited to a maximum of 12 travelers.
What breakfast is included?
Breakfast includes a beef sausage sizzle, and coffee and tea are included.
Are there admission tickets included for the stops?
The schedule lists admission tickets as free at the stops included.
Is a mobile ticket provided?
Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.
How much does it cost?
The price is $121.93 per person.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.
If you want, tell me when you’re visiting Melbourne and whether you prefer more walking or more photo time—I can help you decide if this “see a lot, early” style matches your trip.
