Great Ocean Road day tour from Melbourne

What the day looks like

The Great Ocean Road runs southwest from Melbourne along Victoria's shipwreck coast, built by returned servicemen after the First World War as the world's largest war memorial. A day tour covers the full stretch from the surf beaches near Torquay to the limestone stacks at Port Campbell, then returns inland.

Because the road hugs the cliffs, the driving is a large part of the experience. Expect a long day with several short stops rather than a few long ones, and a return to Melbourne in the evening.

Stops usually included

• Memorial Arch at Eastern View, the traditional photo stop on the coast road
• Kennett River, where wild koalas are often seen in the roadside manna gums
• Maits Rest, a short boardwalk loop through Otway cool-temperate rainforest
• Gibson Steps, for a beach-level view up at the cliffs
• The Twelve Apostles viewing platforms
• Loch Ard Gorge, named for the 1878 wreck of the Loch Ard

Good to know

The coast is exposed and the weather changes quickly, so layers and closed shoes are worth packing even in summer. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Some operators run the route in reverse to reach the Apostles ahead of the crowds — worth asking when you book.