Great Ocean Road Highlights Day Tour with Helicopter Option Melbourne

The Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles are the image everyone knows from the Great Ocean Road: towering limestone stacks rising straight out of the Southern Ocean in Port Campbell National Park. They were carved from the mainland cliffs by waves and wind over millions of years, first into caves, then arches, then free-standing pillars, and the same forces are still reshaping them today. Not every one of the original stacks still stands, but the view along the coast from the clifftop boardwalks is unforgettable.

During daylight saving months this Twelve Apostles tour gives you up to 90 minutes in the precinct, enough time for every viewpoint, photos and the visitor centre. You can also add an optional scenic helicopter flight for aerial views of the stacks and the Shipwreck Coast; flights are paid separately and depend on weather, availability and tour timing. Late afternoon, when the low sun turns the limestone gold, is the best time to see the Apostles.

Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge

Loch Ard Gorge is a narrow cove enclosed by high honey-coloured cliffs, with turquoise water and a small beach reached by a stairway. It takes its name from the clipper ship Loch Ard, which struck nearby Mutton Bird Island in 1878 on its way from England; only two young survivors reached this beach and sheltered in the gorge. Interpretive paths tell the story and lead to lookouts over the arches and blowholes of the area. You spend about 30 minutes here.

In the cooler months the tour continues to London Bridge, a massive sea arch near Port Campbell. It was once joined to the mainland by a second span, which collapsed suddenly in January 1990, leaving the outer arch standing alone in the sea. With a little luck and favourable weather, you may see the coast glowing at sunset here, although sunsets cannot be guaranteed. London Bridge is not part of the daylight saving itinerary.

Apollo Bay and the wild koalas

Apollo Bay is a relaxed fishing and holiday town where the green slopes of the Otway Ranges meet a wide sandy beach. The tour stops here for about an hour of free time for lunch: choose from local cafés and bakeries, take your meal to the foreshore, or walk along the beach and the harbour. Food is not included, so you can eat what you like.

Near Apollo Bay your guide leads a short walk of about 20 minutes along a quiet road lined with manna gums, where wild koalas often sleep in the forks of the trees. Look up carefully: they are surprisingly well hidden. Sightings are common but not guaranteed, as these are wild animals living in their natural habitat, and parrots and other birds are often seen too.

Lorne and the Memorial Arch at Eastern View

The Great Ocean Road was built by returned soldiers after the First World War, between 1919 and 1932, and is dedicated to the Australians who died in that war, making it the world's largest war memorial. The timber Memorial Arch at Eastern View marks the gateway to the road, and a sculpture of two workers beside it honours the men who cut the route by hand along the cliffs. It is a short photo stop of about 20 minutes.

Further on, Lorne is one of the most attractive towns on the coast, set between forested hills and a sheltered beach. You stop for about 20 minutes to stretch your legs, walk to the shore and take photos. Before Lorne, a secret coastal lookout chosen by your guide gives sweeping views of the rugged coastline and the road winding along the cliffs.

The Great Ocean Road and Anglesea

The Great Ocean Road runs for about 240 kilometres along the south-west coast of Victoria, and the stretch between Anglesea and Apollo Bay is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world, with the road clinging to the cliffs above the surf. This tour follows the classic morning coastal route, so the sea is right beside you for much of the day.

The first stop is Anglesea, a surf town about an hour and a half from Melbourne, for a 30-minute break with time for a coffee or a sweet treat. If you have asked yourself whether a Great Ocean Road day trip from Melbourne is worth it, the answer comes quickly once the road meets the ocean. Your driver-guide gives commentary in English throughout.