Great Ocean Road: 12 Apostles, Otways & Wildlife Small Group

4.88

(201 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We were already rolling out of Melbourne before the city woke up, coffee in hand and that half-sleepy excitement you get when you know you’re heading somewhere big. Our guide, Jess, had this easy way of making everyone talk — by the time we hit the Great Ocean Road, someone was already sharing snacks. The first stop was the Twelve Apostles and yeah, I’d seen a million photos but stepping onto that boardwalk early, before bus crowds showed up, it felt almost private. The wind tasted salty and cold; I kept squinting at those limestone stacks like they might shift if I blinked.

Gibson Steps came next — 70 meters down a cliffside path that made my knees wobble (not sure if it was nerves or just being out of shape). Down on the sand, it’s loud with waves and the cliffs look even taller from below. Jess pointed out how the light changes on the rocks — she grew up nearby and knew all these little details. After that climb back up (I maybe complained a bit), we drove through winding forest roads to this café in a tiny town for lunch. I ordered something with pumpkin because apparently that's an Aussie thing? It tasted earthy and sweet — still thinking about it actually.

The Otways were next — ancient rainforest, ferns brushing your arms on narrow trails. There was this hush under the trees except for birds and someone’s laugh echoing ahead. We hiked to Beauchamp Falls; water spray on my face felt freezing but good. Then came these giant redwoods just standing there in straight lines, weirdly silent except for our footsteps crunching leaves. Jess told us about how they were planted ages ago — not native but somehow fitting in now.

Apollo Bay was all sun and sea breeze; some people got ice cream but I just walked barefoot on cool sand for a minute. Last stop: Kennett River to spot koalas (we saw three) and king parrots flapping around like confetti. One kangaroo hopped past as if he owned the place — which maybe he does? On the drive back I was tired but happy-tired, you know? The kind where your hair smells like salt and eucalyptus.