Across the Westgate & Along the Surf Coast
Pick-up from selected Melbourne city hotels between 9:00 am and 11:00 am, depending on the season. The tour heads west across the Westgate Bridge – Australia’s longest at just under 2.6 kilometres – with panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay stretching out on both sides. It’s a strong opening visual, and your guide begins the commentary here.
The route passes Geelong, Victoria’s second-largest city, before reaching the Surf Coast and the start of the Great Ocean Road itself. The first stop is the township of Anglesea, where guests take a short walk alongside the Anglesea River. It’s a gentle introduction to the coastline – a chance to stretch legs and get a feel for the region’s character before the more dramatic scenery ahead.
From Anglesea, the road hugs the coast. This is the section that photographs so well – sweeping curves carved into cliff faces, with the Southern Ocean breaking below. The guide provides context on the road’s construction by returned soldiers after World War I, a story that resonates with many international travellers.
Trade tip: Pick-up times vary seasonally. In summer, departures tend toward the later end to align the Twelve Apostles stop with sunset. Advise your clients to be ready at their hotel lobby at least 10 minutes before the confirmed pick-up window. Selected pick-up points are also available at Torquay and Waurn Ponds for clients already staying outside Melbourne – contact Go West Tours at least 48 hours prior to arrange.
Kennett River Koalas & Lunch on the Coast
The tour stops at the township of Kennett River, nestled between the surf and the foothills of the Otway Ranges. This is one of the Great Ocean Road’s best-kept wildlife secrets. A stroll among the sweetly-scented eucalyptus trees reveals a large resident koala population. These are wild animals in their native habitat, not a sanctuary. It’s a different kind of encounter – unhurried, natural, the koalas often sleeping in the forks of low branches just metres above the walking path.
Lunch is at the guest’s own expense. In winter, the stop is at Kafe Koala Kennett River. In summer, lunch shifts to the township of Lorne, one of the Surf Coast’s most charming beachside towns. Most locations can cater for dietary requirements including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, though availability depends on each provider. Guests are also welcome to bring their own packed lunch.
After lunch, the route pushes inland through the Otway Ranges. The landscape changes abruptly – from open coastal views to towering forests of ancient trees. The Great Otway National Park is dense, green, and atmospheric. It’s a contrast that international travellers don’t expect, and it adds real texture to the day.
Trade tip: The koala spotting at Kennett River is a genuine highlight, though as these are wild animals, sightings cannot be absolutely guaranteed. In practice, sightings are very common. This stop works particularly well for Asian and European markets where close encounters with wild koalas are a bucket-list experience. Remind clients to look up – the koalas are in the trees, not on the ground.
Loch Ard Gorge & the Shipwreck Coast Formations
The tour arrives at the Shipwreck Coast and Port Campbell National Park. The first major stop is Loch Ard Gorge, named after the clipper ship Loch Ard that was wrecked here in 1878. Of the 54 people aboard, only two survived – an 18-year-old apprentice and a 17-year-old passenger. The guide recounts the full story at the gorge, and it’s the kind of narrative that transforms a scenic lookout into something genuinely moving.
Please note: Parks Victoria has advised that access to the gorge floor at Loch Ard Gorge is currently closed due to unstable cliff movement near the Upper Lookout. There is no confirmed reopening date. The tour still visits this location, as there are many spectacular viewpoints around the area above the gorge.
From Loch Ard Gorge, the tour continues to several more rock formations along this stretch of coastline. The Razorback – a narrow, jagged ridge of limestone jutting out from the cliff. The Dumpling Pots. And the Island Archway, which dramatically collapsed in 2009 and now stands as two separate pillars. Each formation tells its own geological story of erosion and time.
Time is given to explore at each stop. The guides know which viewpoints photograph best at different times of day and will direct guests accordingly.
Trade tip: The Loch Ard Gorge story is one of the most powerful moments of the tour. It gives the landscape emotional weight, which elevates the whole experience beyond “nice views.” The current gorge floor closure doesn’t significantly diminish the visit – the upper viewpoints are still impressive. Worth noting in pre-departure information to manage client expectations.
The Twelve Apostles at Sunset
This is the moment the entire day builds toward. As the sun drops toward the horizon, the tour arrives at the Twelve Apostles – the monumental limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean. The evening light does something extraordinary here. Colours shift from gold to amber to deep orange, the shadows lengthen across the cliff faces, and the rock formations seem to change shape as the light moves.
Guests have ample time to take in the spectacle. The viewing platforms offer multiple angles, and the guides know exactly where to position for the best photographs at each stage of the sunset. It’s a genuinely different experience from visiting during the middle of the day, when the harsh overhead light washes out the colour and contrast.
After the sunset, a short dinner stop is made on the return journey (at the guest’s own expense), with the location varying by season. The drive back to Melbourne takes approximately two to three hours, with guests dropped back at their inner-city accommodation between 9:00 pm and midnight depending on the time of year.
Trade tip: The sunset timing is what sets this tour apart from the standard Great Ocean Road day tour. It’s the single strongest selling point. Note that helicopter flights are not permitted during sunset hours per Parks Victoria regulations, so this cannot be added as an upgrade. The later return time suits clients who don’t have early commitments the following morning – consider this when sequencing itineraries. The tour runs daily, rain or shine.
What Your Clients Need to Know
Departure: Daily from Melbourne city. Pick-ups between 9:00 am and 11:00 am from selected inner-city hotels, with timing adjusted seasonally to align the Twelve Apostles visit with sunset.
Duration: Approximately 12 to 14 hours depending on the season. Return to Melbourne between 9:00 pm and midnight.
Group size: Maximum 24 guests per departure. The touring vehicles feature upgraded seating for comfort and safety on the longer journey.
Meals: No meals are included. A lunch stop is made at Kennett River (winter) or Lorne (summer), and a short dinner stop is included on the return journey. Guests can purchase their own meals or bring packed food. Most venues can accommodate dietary requirements including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan.
Languages: Tours are conducted in English. Guests can access an audio guide in 16 languages via the free Go West Tours app, which can be downloaded before departure or accessed using free onboard Wi-Fi. Discovery Clips – short explainer videos about various parts of the tour – are available in 17 languages. Guests should bring their own headphones.
Weather: Tours operate rain or shine. The Surf Coast and Shipwreck Coast can be windy and cool even in summer – advise clients to bring layers.
Trade tip: The multilingual audio guide is a significant selling point for non-English-speaking markets. For Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and South East Asian source markets, this removes the language barrier without requiring a foreign-language guide. The app-based system means it works seamlessly alongside the English-language guide commentary.
How This Differs from the Standard Day Tour
Go West Tours operates two Great Ocean Road products. Understanding the difference helps you recommend the right one for your clients.
The Sunset Tour departs later (9:00 am to 11:00 am versus 7:00 am to 8:00 am for the day tour) and is timed so guests arrive at the Twelve Apostles as the sun sets. The trade-off is fewer stops along the route – the Sunset Tour does not include the Maits Rest rainforest walk or morning tea. But the payoff is extraordinary: the Twelve Apostles in golden evening light rather than the flat midday sun.
The Day Tour departs earlier, includes morning tea and the Maits Rest ancient rainforest walk, and returns to Melbourne between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm. It covers more stops but visits the Twelve Apostles during regular daylight hours.
For most international Fully Independent Travellers (FIT), the Sunset Tour is the stronger recommendation. The Twelve Apostles at sunset is the hero photograph, and it’s the version of the experience clients are most likely to share and remember. The Day Tour suits clients who want more inclusions or who have evening commitments in Melbourne.
Trade tip: One important note – Parks Victoria does not permit helicopter flights during sunset hours. So if your clients want a helicopter experience over the Twelve Apostles, it must be paired with the Day Tour, not the Sunset Tour. Factor this into your itinerary recommendations.
How AABH Can Package This Tour
Australia and Beyond Holidays holds a direct relationship with Go West Tours and can book this product at wholesale trade rates through our FIT/HELiO booking platform. The tour is available as a standalone day tour or as part of a broader Melbourne and regional Victoria itinerary.
Common packaging options include:
- Melbourne city stay (3 to 4 nights) plus the Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour as a day excursion
- Combined with our Go Beyond Melbourne regional itineraries for a comprehensive Victorian programme
- Paired with Phillip Island Penguin Parade (separate day) for a wildlife-focused Melbourne extension
- Built into longer Australian FIT programmes connecting Melbourne to Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, or Uluru
All bookings through AABH include accommodation, transfers, and touring components managed end to end. Our multilingual team can assist with itinerary construction for Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and South East Asian markets.
Trade tip: This tour pairs naturally with our Go Beyond Melbourne itineraries. A client could do two or three nights of regional Victoria touring (Yarra Valley, Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula) then cap the Melbourne leg with the Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour before flying out that evening or the following morning. Contact our team at enquiries@aabh.com.au to discuss packaging options.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE
