Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour | ecotour

The Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour direction enables our passengers to experience the National Heritage-listed Great Ocean Road in all its glory in the reverse direction. By operating this tour in reverse, we avoid all the normal tourist masses that visit the 12 Apostles, giving our passengers a better opportunity to capture that picture-perfect photograph without the crowds. This Great Ocean Road reverse tour itinerary will visit all the same key destinations and highlights as our standard great ocean road tour, so rest assured you won’t miss a thing. 

Escape the city by traveling inland direct to the Shipwreck Coast via Colac enjoying a complimentary morning tea along the way. Take a journey and experience the Great Ocean Road reverse tour in the opposite direction to the masses, enabling you to escape the crowds and enjoy this famous & picturesque coastline in all it’s glory. Our first major stop will be the breath-taking 12 Apostles and the extraordinary rock formations of Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell. Discover Mutton Bird Island & Razorback lookout, both offering amazing views. Then, enjoy a guided walk through Maits Rest or Melba Gully an ancient rainforest admiring some of the world’s tallest trees in the Great Otway National Park. 

We continue our journey along this spectacular National Heritage listed road winding between hillsides, pristine beaches, stunning ocean views and dense rainforest. The Great Ocean Road is famously known as one of the world’s most scenic coastal routes which you will get to enjoy without all the crowds. Our local guides will try to seek out the iconic Australian koala, as this coastal region is heavily populated with these furry creatures hidden within the pockets of Eucalyptus forests. 

Stopping next at the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, one of the most photographed spots along this rugged coastline. This monument is a tribute to the World War One serviceman who built the Great Ocean Road stretching 243 kilometers and was finally completed in 1932. A great location to grab a group photo under the archway and share with friends on social media. From here, we sit back relax and enjoy the drive back into the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Melbourne. 

Driving Distance: 530km

6:20am Newport Bus Interchange, MASON ST, (OPPOSITE LEROYS CAFE) NEWPORT.

6:50am YHA Melbourne Metro, 78 HOWARD ST, NORTH MELBOURNE.

6:58am Space Hotel, 380 RUSSELL ST, MELBOURNE.

7:00am Pullman Albert Park, 65 QUEENS ROAD, ALBERT PARK.

7:00am Ibis on Therry St, 15 THERRY ST, MELBOURNE.

7:05am Pegasus Apartment Hotel, 206 A’BECKETT ST, MELBOURNE.

7:10am Base Backpackers, 17 CARLISLE ST, ST KILDA.

7:10am Immigration Museum (East-Side), CNR FLINDERS/MARKET ST, MELBOURNE.

7:15am Athenaeum Theatre, 188 COLINS ST, MELBOURNE.

7:20am Windsor Hotel, 111 SPRING ST, MELBOURNE.

7:32am Vibe Savoy, 630 LITTLE COLLINS ST, CNR SPENCER ST, MELBOURNE.

7:36am Holiday Inn, 575 FLINDERS LANE, MELBOURNE.

7:40am Crown Promenade Hotel, 8 WHITEMAN ST, SOUTHBANK.

** Please arrive 5-10 mins prior to your nominated pickup location, so as not to delay or miss your tour.

Cancellations within 48 hours or failure to board on the day of tour, will result in 100% full fare forfeiture. Cancellation within 2 to 7 days prior to departure will result in a 50% loss of the ticket price. Date change fees apply outside of 7 days $25 per person. Read Full Terms and Conditions here

Part of our responsibility is educating guests on minimal impact practices and the importance of ensuring the safety of wildlife and the environmental sustainability of the destinations we visit.

Learn more about EcoTourism: https://www.ecotourism.org.au/

Traditional Owners

Autopia Tours would like to begin by paying our respects to the traditional owners of this country, with specific acknowledgement to the Wurundjeri people. Please be conscious and respectful of the sensitivities of indigenous culture and the spiritual connection they have with the land at all times.

Wildlife Encounters

The natural behaviours of wildlife are to be respected and not interfered with. When viewing wildlife, people should take care to avoid rapid or sudden movements, which could frighten the animal, and should keep noise to a minimum and refrain from touching, petting or feeding all wildlife including birds. Contact with people can introduce diseases to wildlife and can cause them to become aggressive.

Wildlife should not be handled or fed, unless by certified wildlife handlers. Feeding wildlife can alter their natural foraging behaviour and can lead to disease or illness through contact with people and the introduction of foods that are harmful to their digestive system. Feeding wildlife can also cause them to become aggressive toward people.

Wildlife that appears to be in distress, injured or in danger should be reported immediately to the appropriate authority, such as your Guide/Tour Leader, a National Park Ranger or Visitor Centre Staff.

Protecting our National Parks

People should remain on designated walking tracks, behind safety barriers/fences and follow all directions given by the guide/tour leader. Venturing off these can alter fragile ecosystems and can harm wildlife shelters and native vegetation. There are other dangers to be aware of too, such as cliff edges, unstable rock formations, overhanging tree branches and slippery ground cover. Remaining on tracks ensures safe visitation for guests and the environment.

No flora or fauna should be removed from their natural setting. This includes dead wood, fallen leaves, flowers and so forth, as they form part of the ecosystem of the region and their removal could cause a disturbance.

Waste Management

All buses are fitted with waste bins. No organic waste should be disposed of onto the ground. Although organic, items such as banana peels, apple cores, bread and other food scraps, are not natural/native to the region and can introduce pest species, diseases or harm to wildlife if found and eaten. We recommend all passengers bring a water bottle with you on our Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour. Purchasing bottled water contributes large amounts of plastic into the landfill. Therefore, we ask guests to bring their own bottle, as there is access to water refill stations available on our vehicles. Please ensure you stay hydrated throughout the tour to reduce the risk of sun exposure and dehydration.

First Aid

All our guides carry a current Level 2 First Aid certificate. Please report any accident or illness to your tour guide. We recommend anyone with an existing medical condition to carry their medication with them on tour and to notify their tour guide at the beginning of the tour.

If you are a smoker! We ask you to refrain from smoking whilst in the company of other passengers and limit it to designated smoking areas. Smoking is not permitted on any of our vehicles, or in any type of accommodation including permanent campsites. We make frequent ‘comfort stops’ to allow free time for guests but cannot guaranteed smoke breaks. Please ensure you dispose of your cigarette butt responsibly and appropriately.