How long is a Great Ocean Road day trip from Melbourne?

Expect a full day of 12–13 hours door to door. Most tours depart central Melbourne around 7–8am and return by 8–9pm, covering roughly 480 km round trip with several scenic and wildlife stops along the way.

What is a reverse Great Ocean Road tour?

A reverse-itinerary tour drives inland first to reach the Twelve Apostles early, then follows the coast back to Melbourne. This avoids the mid-morning crowds at the Apostles and means you enjoy the clifftop coastal scenery in the afternoon light on the way home.

Will I see koalas on the Great Ocean Road?

Very likely. Kennett River, a standard stop on most tours, is one of Victoria's best spots for wild koalas, and you'll usually see several in the gum trees. Bring a camera — colourful parrots and cockatoos are common here too.

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Full day · Melbourne itinerary

Great Ocean Road Day Trip from Melbourne: The Perfect Itinerary

The Great Ocean Road is Melbourne's greatest day out — a 240 km coastal drive to the Twelve Apostles, wild koalas and some of Australia's most dramatic clifftops. Here is how to plan the perfect Great Ocean Road day trip, plus the best-rated tours to book so you can leave the driving to someone else.

At a glance

1Coast road to Bells Beach & Apollo Bay
2Wild koalas at Kennett River
3Twelve Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge
4Sunset over the limestone stacks

The drive: Torquay to Apollo Bay

Most tours leave central Melbourne around 7am and reach the coast within 90 minutes. From Torquay the road hugs the cliffs past Bells Beach, the surf town of Lorne and the Memorial Arch at Eastern View. A guided coach or small-group tour handles the winding tarmac while you watch the Southern Ocean roll in — far more relaxing than driving the tight bends yourself.

Wildlife at Kennett River

Between Lorne and Apollo Bay, almost every tour stops at Kennett River, one of the most reliable places in Victoria to spot wild koalas dozing in the manna gums overhead. Bright king parrots and cockatoos often land on outstretched hands, and rangers or guides point out animals that are easy to miss. It's a short, easy walk and the highlight of the day for families and photographers alike.

The Twelve Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge

The grand finale is Port Campbell National Park, where the Twelve Apostles rise up to 45 metres out of the surf. Boardwalks lead to clifftop lookouts, and a short drive on lies Loch Ard Gorge, a hidden beach framed by sheer limestone walls with a haunting 1878 shipwreck story. Arriving in late afternoon means softer light and thinner crowds for photos.

Sunset and the road home

Many operators time the Apostles for golden hour, when the stacks glow amber and the crowds thin out. Sunset tours often return inland via the faster Princes Highway, getting you back to Melbourne by around 8–9pm. Day trips from Melbourne start from about AU$115 per person; book a few days ahead in summer and over long weekends, when small-group departures sell out first.