Great Ocean Road & Grampians Discovery


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Great Ocean Road & Grampians Discovery

Visiting: Melbourne, Apollo Bay and Kennett River, The Twelve Apostles and Warrnambool, Warrnambool and Halls Gap, Halls Gap and the Grampians, Halls Gap to Melbourne

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

PACGR

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

physical=2, cultureShock=1

Age range:

8-99 years

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Tour Overview

Australia’s Great Ocean Road is a glorious stretch of land capturing the finer points of Victoria’s versatile and diverse ecosystems. The iconic bushland and glistening seascapes fuse together to create something greater than the sum of it’s parts, seen in natural wonders such as the Loch Ard Gorge, the towering 12 Apostles or even the surf beaches of Torquay. Further inland, the towering sandstone ridges of the Grampians offer a view of the land below – pristine, undisturbed and authentically Australian. Close enough to comfortable, trendy seaside towns like Lorne yet just far enough from the metropolitan Melbourne to feel the call of the wild, the southern coast is everything you could want from Australia and more.

Highlights

  • Stay in unique four star accommodation along Victoria's Great Ocean Road and Grampians
  • Enjoy a native food dinner cooked by a local chef
  • Walk where few dare to tread on a special section of the Great Ocean Road, travelling down Gibson Steps to a glistening shoreline dotted with giant stone monuments
  • A smaller group size of 12 people gives you a better chance of making new friends and enjoying uncrowded sight-seeing
  • Sacred to the Gunditjmara people, explore the soon to be UNESCO-listed Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape – home to ancient aqua traps dating from 6600 years ago
  • Get up close and personal with koalas and kangaroos
  • See the famous twelve apostles, perhaps from a helicopter above the ocean
  • Hike to the Pinnacles, explore Halls Gap and Victoria's Grampians

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Melbourne

Location: Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne! Often referred to as Australia’s music capital, Melbourne is full of arts, culture and plenty of foodie hot-spots for those feeling a bit peckish from the flight over. Start the adventure off with a welcome meeting in the evening at your hotel. Please look out for a flyer in the hotel reception for more details on this meeting – alternatively don’t hesitate to ask the front desk staff for more information. Remember to keep your insurance and next of kin details on hand as your leader will be picking these up before you begin.

If you’ve arrived early, one of the best ways to get acquainted with the city is with an Urban Adventures trip – the Total Melbourne tour whisks you to the heights of the city’s best viewpoint down to the laneways full of hidden bars and cafes. Filled with plenty of fun facts about the city’s history and modern culture, you’ll be an honorary Melbournian by the time the trip ends for sure!

Day 2: Apollo Bay and Kennett River

Location: Apollo Bay and Kennett River

Begin with a breakfast at the hotel before departing from Melbourne en route to Torquay – a town made famous for it’s fantastic surfing beaches. After a brief morning tea, continue onwards to Memorial Arch, a timber log archway that stands as a tribute to the World War One servicemen who constructed the Great Ocean Road. Arrive at Lorne for lunch, then take some time to explore this laid-back seaside town or duck into the water for a quick swim. Head to Teddy’s Lookout for views of the rugged hills jutting out of Australia’s south-eastern coastline, try to spot cute and cuddly Koalas near Kennett River and finally arrive at Apollo Bay in the late afternoon. After a big day of driving and exploration, enjoy some free time to relax at your accommodation or perhaps duck out to a local restaurant for a fresh seafood dinner.

Day 3: The Twelve Apostles and Warrnambool

Location: The Twelve Apostles and Warrnambool

Tuck in to an early breakfast at a local café, then head towards Maits Rest for a guided walk through an enchanting patch of lush Australian rainforest located in the Great Otway National Park. Listen out for birds cooing and tweeting through the emerald ferns as you marvel upon towering trees above and trickling waterways below.

Afterwards, embark on a truly unique experience with a walk along the Great Ocean Road itself en route to Gibson Steps. Prepare yourself to be dwarfed by the towering cliffs and offshore columns as you walk along the shoreline, feeling the breath of the ocean run across your skin as the morning sun beams warmly above.

Continue along the Great Ocean Road for a stop at one of Australia’s best known natural wonders – the 12 Apostles. It’s a humbling experience to look out from the cliff tops at these limestone monoliths as they staunchly protrude from the water, keeping an ear out as waves crash against their feet. An optional helicopter ride offers the chance to take in sweeping views of the landscape – just ask your leader if you’re interested in taking this option.

Say farewell to the 12 Apostles and hit the road once more. Stop by the Loch Ard Gorge for a glimpse of a picturesque natural inlet, enjoy a stopover at Port Campbell, then go sightseeing at London Bridge, The Grotto and the Bay of Martyrs before arriving in Warrnambool. Enjoy an evening dinner with the group before hitting the hay for the night.

Day 4: Warrnambool and Halls Gap

Location: Warrnambool and Halls Gap

Spend today exploring the Tyrendarra Protected area, taking a tour of the volcanic landscapes created by the eruption of Tower Hill around 32,000 years ago.
Enjoy a guided interactive walk with an experienced local Worn Gundidj guide. This walk provides and exclusive opportunity to explore the wildlife at Tower Hill and discover the natural habitat of some of Australia’s most iconic animals. Gain an understanding of traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lifestyles as well as learning how to identify native plants for food and medicinal purposes and throw a boomerang.

Day 5: Halls Gap and the Grampians

Location: Halls Gap and the Grampians

Riddled with glorious sandstone mountains, dazzling wildflowers and dramatic lookouts, the Grampians region is a hotbed for some of Australia’s finest natural treasures. Begin your adventures through the ranges on a hike to The Pinnacle via Devil’s Gap. Keep an eye out for koalas, kangaroos and even echidnas who might be seen rummaging through the surrounding bushland, then take in astounding views of Halls Gap and the Grampians’ peaks from the top of the lookout. After a brief lunch, continue on a relatively easy walk to The Balconies for panoramic views of Victoria Valley. Press on to Mackenzie Falls to witness stunning cascades as they collapse into a deep pool, firing mist into the surrounding air. After a long day of walking, settle down the way that traditional Australian bushmen would to a bush tucker dinner, cooked up by a local chef using native ingredients.

Day 6: Halls Gap to Melbourne

Location: Halls Gap to Melbourne

After breakfast at the hotel, travel back from Halls Gap towards Melbourne. Stop in the small town of Beaufort for morning tea or a coffee.  The adventure comes to a close once you arrive in the city. No accommodation is included tonight.

What's Included

  • Meals

    4 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 3 dinners

  • Accommodation

    Hotel (4 nights), Motel (1 night)

Transport

  • Minibus

Included Activities

  • Memorial Arch
  • Teddy's Lookout above Lorne
  • Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road
  • Loch Ard Gorge
  • 12 Apostles & London Bridge
  • Great Ocean Walk & Gibson Steps
  • Guided rainforest walk through Maits Rest
  • Worn Gundidj Cutural tour
  • Pinnacles Walk - Grampians
  • Mackenzie Falls - Grampians
  • Native food bush dinner

Accommodation

  • Hotel (4 nights), Motel (1 night)

Check out our Q&As

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit for future tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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