Great Ocean Road Tours from Melbourne and Geelong: Tour or Self-Drive?
If you want the Twelve Apostles without the driving, a day tour from Melbourne is the easy way. If you have a car and a day or two to spare, driving it yourself from Geelong is usually better value and lets you stop where you like.
Take a tour if…
You do not have a car, do not want a long day behind the wheel, or are short on time and want the highlights in one go.
Drive yourself if…
You want to take your time, stop at beaches and lookouts, or spread the trip over two days with a night on the coast.
What kind of tour suits you?
The budget option from Melbourne. Expect a long day and a larger group, with the main stops covered.
Usually cost more, but more flexible and less crowded, with more time at each stop.
Add an overnight on the coast, which is much more relaxed than a single 12-hour day.
Wildlife, rainforest walks or sunset at the Apostles. Check what is included before you book.
Our tour picks
A few options to start with, chosen for how well they suit a Geelong trip. Prices, times and inclusions change, so check the details on Viator before you book.
Small-group Great Ocean Road day tour, lunch included
A smaller group means less time queuing and more at the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Departs Melbourne, so plan for a long day.
View this tourSelf-guided audio driving tour
Hire a car or use your own and let the audio guide tell the stories at each stop. A good fit from Geelong, because you set your own start time.
View this tourLearn to surf at Torquay
A small-group lesson at the start of the Great Ocean Road, about half an hour from Geelong. Check what is included on the booking page.
View this tourWalk with Wildlife guided tour
A guided walk with a conservationist in the Otways. Popular, so book ahead.
View this tourCompare Great Ocean Road tours
Browse day tours, small-group trips and overnight options, with reviews from other travellers.
Browse Great Ocean Road toursSee tours based in GeelongAffiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.Before you book
- Check the departure point and total time. Many tours leave from Melbourne and run 12 hours or more.
- Look at what is included: entry fees, lunch and pick-up all vary between tours.
- Book ahead in summer and school holidays, when the popular tours fill up.
- The road is winding. If you get motion sick, sit near the front and take something beforehand.
- Weather changes fast on the coast. Pack layers and check conditions on the day.
Doing it from Geelong
Geelong is the natural gateway to the Great Ocean Road. Torquay, where the road begins, is about half an hour away, so you can get a head start on anyone leaving Melbourne. Staying a night in Geelong also means you can see the waterfront and the Bellarine first.
Need a base? Browse places to stay in Geelong, see how to get to Geelong, or browse all tours and experiences in Geelong.
Common questions
How long is the Great Ocean Road?
Roughly 240 km from Torquay to Allansford, though most visitors only drive part of it.
Can you do it in a day from Melbourne?
Yes, and many tours do, but it is a long day. Two days is far more relaxed.
Is it worth staying in Geelong?
If you have a car, yes. It puts you near the start of the road and gives you a good base for the Bellarine.
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