Great Ocean Road Tours

Great Ocean Road Bus Trips

Tours & Experiences

Great Ocean Rd
2 Day Great Ocean Rd Ultimate Tour
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(0 reviews)
Nature Wildlife
From$330.00
2 Day Bus Tour
3 Day Great Ocean Road & Grampians Loop Bus Tour
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(0 reviews)
Nature
From$895.00
3 Days
Great Ocean Rd
5 Star Great Ocean Road 1-Day Tour from Melbourne
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Nature
From$99.00
12 - 13 Hours
Great Ocean Rd
Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Epic Road Adventure
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Nature
From$65.00
Duration 12 hours
Great Ocean Rd
Great Ocean Road 1 Day Tour-From Melbourne
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(0 reviews)
Nature Sightseeing
From$99.00
6 Hours
Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road 12 Apostles kangaroo & koala tour
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Nature
From$89.00
12 Hours
Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles
Great Ocean Road Day Trip from Melbourne: 12 Apostles & Top Highlights Bus Tour
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Nature Wildlife
From$65.00
12.5 Hours
Great Ocean Rd
Great Ocean Road Full Day Tour
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Nature Wildlife
From$148.00
12 Hours

About the Great Ocean Drive

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia's most spectacular coastal drives, stretching 243 kilometers along Victoria's rugged southern coastline from Torquay to Allansford. Built by returned World War I soldiers between 1919 and 1932 as both a work project and a memorial to their fallen comrades, this engineering marvel winds through diverse landscapes including pristine beaches, ancient rainforests, and dramatic limestone cliffs. The route showcases iconic natural landmarks like the Twelve Apostles - towering limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean - along with charming seaside towns such as Lorne and Apollo Bay, where visitors can surf world-class waves, spot koalas in eucalyptus trees, and experience some of the world's most breathtaking ocean vistas. Designated as a National Heritage site and often called the world's largest war memorial, the Great Ocean Road offers an unforgettable journey through some of Australia's most pristine and culturally significant coastal wilderness.

What to see on the Great Ocean Drive

Here are the must-see attractions along the Great Ocean Road:

Iconic Natural Landmarks:

The Twelve Apostles – The most famous stop, featuring towering limestone pillars rising from the ocean (though only 7-8 remain standing)
Loch Ard Gorge – Dramatic coastal gorge with a tragic shipwreck history and stunning rock formations
London Arch (formerly London Bridge) – Natural limestone arch that partially collapsed in 1990
The Grotto – A beautiful natural rock pool and cave formation
Bay of Islands – Less crowded alternative to the Twelve Apostles with similar limestone stacks

Charming Coastal Towns:

Torquay – Surf capital of Australia, home to major surf brands and the Australian National Surfing Museum
Lorne – Popular beach town with great cafes, the famous pier, and Teddy’s Lookout for panoramic views
Apollo Bay – Fishing village known for excellent seafood, lighthouse, and Cape Otway nearby
Port Campbell – Gateway to the Twelve Apostles with a lovely small-town atmosphere

Nature and Wildlife:

Great Otway National Park – Ancient rainforests, waterfalls, and the tallest trees in Victoria
Cape Otway Lighthouse – Australia’s oldest surviving lighthouse (1848) with whale watching opportunities
Kennett River – Famous for wild koala spotting in roadside eucalyptus trees
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk – Easy boardwalk through 200-year-old rainforest

Unique Experiences:

Shipwreck Coast – Learn about the 80+ vessels wrecked along this treacherous coastline
Gibson Steps – Stairs carved into the cliff face leading down to the beach near the Twelve Apostles
Helicopter rides – Scenic flights over the coastline for spectacular aerial views

The entire drive takes about 8 hours non-stop, but most people spread it over 2-3 days to fully appreciate the scenery and attractions.

Great Ocean Road bus services:

Public Transport (V/Line)

McHarry’s Buslines operates V/Line bus services along the Great Ocean Road between Geelong and Apollo Bay via Torquay and Lorne, with daily service on this route. Buses also run between Apollo Bay and Warrnambool (stopping at major attractions like the Twelve Apostles), but only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Key stops along the route:

The bus stops at the Bay of Islands, London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge, and the Twelve Apostles, with 10-15 minutes at most sights and 30 minutes at the Twelve Apostles

Fares (as of January 2025):

Daily fare capped at $11 full fare or $5.50 concession
Cash only accepted by drivers (no EFTPOS), though tickets can be purchased at Geelong Station or visitor centers in Lorne and Apollo Bay
Myki cards only work between Jan Juc and Geelong currently

Getting there from Melbourne:

Take a V/Line train from Melbourne to Geelong, then connect to the Great Ocean Road bus services

For timetables and bookings, visit ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007.

Bus Tour operators for Great Ocean Rd.

Based on my search, here are the main bus tour operators for Great Ocean Road tours:

Small Group/Boutique Operators:

Go West Tours – Well-established small bus company with eco-tours, highly rated
Bunyip Tours – 20+ years operating, award-winning, inducted into Tourism Victoria Hall of Fame
Wildlife Tours – 20+ years experience, offers 2-day and 3-day tours
Autopia Tours – 20+ years operating, backpacker-style small bus tours
Great Ocean Road and Beyond – 4-day/3-night tours from Melbourne to Adelaide with 3/4-star accommodation

Large Coach Operators:

AAT Kings – Large bus company with full-size coaches (50+ passengers)
Great Ocean Road Melbourne Tours – Operates large coaches (48-56 seats) with onboard toilets

Specialized:

Walk91 – Great Ocean Walk specialists with bus service to/from Apollo Bay

Most operators offer 1-day tours from Melbourne, while some offer 2-4 day options that include the Grampians, Adelaide, or Phillip Island. Prices generally range from around $65-$155 AUD for day tours.