Great Ocean Road Tour Melbourne 2026: Rent-Free 12 Apostles
Dreaming of the Great Ocean Road? Find out how to visit Melbourne's stunning coastline, including the 12 Apostles, on an epic tour without the hassle of a rental car.
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Dreaming of the Great Ocean Road? Find out how to visit Melbourne's stunning coastline, including the 12 Apostles, on an epic tour without the hassle of a rental car.
#MelbourneMustDos #AustraliaAdventure
As I was planning my trip to Melbourne,
there was one thing I heard constantly.
"If you're going to Melbourne,
you absolutely HAVE to go to the Great Ocean Road!"
After experiencing it myself, I completely understood why everyone kept saying it.
The Great Ocean Road, often called a coastal drive you *must* experience before you die, and the world's longest war memorial.
In this post, I've put together everything you need to know: how to visit the Great Ocean Road *without* a rental car, the 'Picture-Perfect' tour I booked, and some essential tips!
#MelbourneDayTrip #12Apostles #TheGrotto
✈️
📍 Meeting Point 📍
RMIT Building 20, next to Old Melbourne Gaol
✔️ Daily departures · Minimum 1 person required (no cancellation worries!)
✔️ Duration: Departs 6:50 AM → Arrives 7-8 PM (approx. 12 hours)
✔️ Itinerary: Memorial Arch, Koalas, 12 Apostles, The Grotto
✔️ 💺 Recliner seats · USB charging available at all seats!
1. Exploring the Great Ocean Road Without a Rental Car
The Great Ocean Road is located
over 4 hours away from Melbourne city center one way,
making it more than an 8-hour round trip drive.
Since it's practically impossible to reach by public transport, you really only have two options:
Rental Car or Day Tour
In Australia, the driving side is opposite to Korea's,
so dealing with an unfamiliar right-hand drive combined with a 6-hour round trip behind the wheel can really drain your travel energy.
What's more, the breathtaking scenery outside your window is the absolute highlight of the Great Ocean Road,
and if you're behind the wheel, you'll have to sacrifice enjoying half of it...!
That's why I booked a Korean-guided day tour without a second thought.
2. The Tour I Booked: Joy Tour's 'Picture-Perfect' Tour
There are so many different Great Ocean Road tours out there,
but we chose this one for three key reasons:
1. Guaranteed Departure
Operates with a minimum of 1 person, so no worries about last-minute cancellations!
2. Vehicle Comfort
Recliner seats + USB charging available at every seat
3. Itinerary Design
A packed itinerary that even includes 'The Grotto', an SNS hotspot!
Given it's a 12-hour long-distance tour,
the vehicle's comfort was my biggest concern,
but thanks to the recliner seats,
I could really relax and conserve energy during transit,
and with USB charging available at every seat,
I never had to worry about my battery dying, even after taking photos all day long.
🔻🔻🔻
Book Your Great Ocean Road 'Picture-Perfect' Tour Here
📍
The meeting point is
RMIT Building 20, next to Old Melbourne Gaol (325 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000)
It is.
📍 Building 20 - RMIT University
325-343 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
With a 6:50 AM departure,
staying near RMIT University or the State Library of Victoria in the CBD area
makes getting around so much easier!
3. Following Our Tour Itinerary
Memorial Arch → Twelve Apostles → The Grotto
Memorial Arch & Beach
🌊
📍 Memorial Arch at Eastern View
689/721 Great Ocean Rd, Eastern View VIC 3231 Australia
The gateway to the Great Ocean Road.
It's often called 'the world's longest war memorial' because it was actually built by over 3,000 returning soldiers from World War I.
A photo under the arch is an absolute must-do,
and definitely don't miss the stunning beach views right beside it!
Wild Koala Habitat
🐨
Forget the zoo! This is your chance to spot real wild koalas
high up in the eucalyptus trees.
It wasn't part of the tour when we visited, but it looks like a fantastic new addition!
If you're lucky, you might even spot a koala lazily napping in a tree! This is definitely an opportunity you won't want to miss.
Apollo Bay: Lunch on Your Own
🍽️
📍 Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay, Victoria 3233, Australia
It's time to enjoy a leisurely lunch in the charming seaside town of Apollo Bay.
With a wide variety of options, from classic fish and chips to juicy burgers, you can relax and savor your meal while gazing out at the ocean.
🪨 Twelve Apostles Lookout
The Highlight of the Great Ocean Road
📍 Twelve Apostles
Great Ocean Rd & Booringa Rd, Princetown VIC 3269 Australia
The highlight of the Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles.
The sight of these colossal limestone stacks majestically rising from the ocean is absolutely breathtaking – it’s a whole new dimension compared to what you see in pictures!
This tour provided ample time, so we weren't rushed and could capture stunning, once-in-a-lifetime photos from countless angles.
You can also opt for a helicopter tour here, and the experience of seeing the Twelve Apostles from above is truly unforgettable.
I've shared a detailed review of the helicopter tour in a separate post below.
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Great Ocean Road Helicopter Tour Review: How to Book and Cost Breakdown
Loch Ard Gorge · London Bridge · The Grotto
📸
📍 Loch Ard Gorge
Great Ocean Road Port Campbell, Port Campbell VIC 3269 Australia
📍 London Bridge
Great Ocean Rd, Peterborough VIC 3270 Australia
The itinerary stays packed with amazing sights even after the Twelve Apostles.
We then continued on to explore Loch Ard Gorge, famous for its true shipwreck survival story, as well as the Razorback, Island Archway Shipwreck Walk, and London Bridge.
The final stop is The Grotto, famously an Instagram-worthy hotspot.
When the ocean view through the coastal cave meets the low sunbeams, the colors are absolutely incredible..!
Many other tours often skip The Grotto, so make sure to double-check if it's included before you book.
4. Your Burning Questions Answered!
Q&A
Q. A 12-hour tour sounds intense, won't I be exhausted?
Honestly, that was my biggest reservation before I booked.
But with those comfy recliner seats, I got plenty of rest during the journey,
and with well-timed stops at rest areas, the physical strain was much less than I expected.
In fact, looking back, I felt it was one of the best decisions I made during my Melbourne trip!
Q. What's the best way to dress for this adventure?
Melbourne is famous for experiencing all four seasons in a single day,
and since the Great Ocean Road traces the coastline,
the winds can be much stronger than in the city.
No matter the season, a windbreaker is an absolute essential,
and Australia's UV rays are notoriously powerful,
so definitely pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat!
For more detailed seasonal outfit recommendations, check out the post below!
🔻🔻🔻
Melbourne in August & September: Weather, What to Wear, and Accommodation Tips
Q. When's the best time to fit this into my Melbourne itinerary?
Instead of right after you arrive, I'd suggest waiting until you've settled in and adjusted to the time difference,
so around day 3 is perfect.
I scheduled the Great Ocean Road on day 3 of my 4-night, 5-day trip, and the timing couldn't have been better!
🔻🔻🔻
September & October Chuseok Holiday: Your Complete 4-Night, 5-Day Melbourne Free Travel Itinerary
Great Ocean Road Tour: The Ultimate Recap 📌
✔️ No rental car? A day tour is truly the only practical way to experience it!
✔️ Daily departures and even solo travelers are welcome, making planning a breeze!
✔️ Recliner seats and USB charging keep you comfortable and connected for the entire 12 hours!
✔️ From the iconic 12 Apostles to The Grotto, it's a full course of breathtaking photo opportunities!
🔻🔻🔻
Book Your Great Ocean Road Photo-Perfect Tour Here!
https://3ha.in/r/610795?event_type=link
After wrapping up your tour and heading back to the city, capping it off with a delicious kangaroo steak and a glass of wine truly makes the day perfect!
You can find my previous adventures and recommendations in the post below.
Melbourne Travel: My Top Kangaroo Steak Restaurant Pick!
If you're planning your Melbourne adventure, make sure this incredible tour is at the top of your itinerary!
#MelbourneTrip #AustraliaTravel #GreatOceanRoad
#GreatOceanRoadTour #MelbourneDayTrips
The tour meeting point is RMIT Building 20 (325 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000), next to Old Melbourne Gaol. The tour departs at 6:50 AM and is approximately a 12-hour schedule, arriving back between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
This tour includes the Memorial Arch, a wild koala habitat, the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, and The Grotto, which is a popular SNS photo spot. You will also have free time for lunch in Apollo Bay.
The tour vehicle is equipped with reclining seats, allowing you to rest comfortably during the journey. Additionally, all seats have USB charging ports, so you don't have to worry about your battery running out even if you take photos all day long.
This tour allows you to fully enjoy the scenery of the Great Ocean Road without the burden of driving for over 8 hours round trip from Melbourne city. Departures are guaranteed daily, even for a minimum of one person, and it offers a comprehensive itinerary that includes The Grotto, a popular SNS photo spot.
As the Great Ocean Road is a coastal area with strong winds, a windbreaker is essential regardless of the season. The UV rays are strong, so it's advisable to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. For convenient travel, it's recommended to book accommodation in the CBD area near RMIT University, which is the tour meeting point.
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