12 Apostles Tour Highlights
- The world famous Twelve Apostles
- Loch Ard Gorge and the Shipwreck Coast
- Bush walk through the Otway’s Rainforest
- Koala and wildlife spotting
- Surf Coast beaches, seaside towns and stunning coastal views
- Historic Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch
“I’ve just done the 12 Apostles tour through Wildlife tours and had an amazing time! As you visit the far end first the timing ends up being perfect, we beat the crowds and had perfect weather!” – Jonas C
Why you should Visit the 12 Apostles
The 12 Apostles were formed after the retreat of the ocean for almost 20 to 30 million years ago. Now, these amazing structures which came from the battles of erosion as caused by the rising of sea level have emerged beautifully. Formed for more than 10 million years ago, these rocks were initially part of a coastal monolith of which read more
due to water and wind, it broke and separated into unique group of rocks. Around 5 years ago, there used to be 9 formations. Now, after another one of them collapsed, 8 is only left. However, with the continuing rise of sea level, other natural structures could emerge. Anything is possible and so is an end a beginning to something more beautiful. Join this 12 Apostles tour before they disappear
Travel direct to the 12 Apostles
Your 12 Apostles tour will pick you up at your hotel or nearest meeting point before departing Melbourne at approximately 7:30am. Travel west through farming districts of Colac and Simpson making a comfort stop before arriving at the 12 Apostles at 11am. Arriving hours before the tourist crowds.
See the 12 Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge in the morning light
The most amazing and renowned photos of the 12 Apostles are taken in the morning light. All the best vantage points and lookouts at the 12 Apostles face west. With the sun behind your camera lense shining directly on the face of the rock formations will ensure you take the best photos and selfies possible. Your tour guide will show you the best read more
places to take photos and explain more about how these
incredible rock formations came to be isolated just off the coastline. Be sure to ask your tour guide about the rock formations discovered by divers 1km off the coast in 2016. The old set of Apostle formations which may have been visible at the time Jesus was alive.
Full 12 Apostles Tour Itinerary
Once you have been wowed by the 12 Apostles we then make our way to Loch Ard Gorge. Loch Ard Gorge is an incredible Gorge with a stair case down to a beautiful beach. Your tour guide will bring this location to life re-telling a harrowing story of a shipwreck and two young souls who survived. To visit this location without the tourist crowds is quite spectacular. There can be up to 5000 tourists along this small section of coast in the late afternoon. Next we walk out to visit formations close by including ‘Island Archway’, the ‘Salt and Pepper Shakers’ and the ‘Razorback’. read more
Take a helicopter flight over the 12 Apostles
This 1 day tour exclusively offers 10 minute scenic flights over the 12 Apostles coastline. This is a spectacular perspective of the coastline. You will also see additional formations not included in our tour such as the ‘Bakers Oven’ and the tallest rock formation off the coast ‘The Sentinel’ standing an impressive 72 metres out of the ocean.
Lunch along the 12 Apostles Coastline
This tour is designed to maximise time at the 12 Apostles and it’s here we will enjoy a picnic lunch. This will allow more time than any other tour to see every angle of this famous coastline. We may even have time to Gibsons Steps, a staircase down to the beach to see two of the Apostle formations known as ‘Mog’ and ‘Magog’.
Travel through and stop to explore the Otways Rainforest
After an incredible time exploring the 12 Apostles coastline we depart along the Great Ocean Road towards the Great Otway National Park. It’s approximately 45 minutes to travel deep into a temperate rainforest with towering eucalyptus trees, some 100 metres tall. We stop to explore either Maits Rest Rainforest Walk or Melba Gully Rainforest Walk. You guide will explain the significance of this rainforest with plant species still surviving since Gondwana times. This just showcases the brilliant diversity of scenery the Great Ocean Road boasts.
Visit Apollo Bay
We travel another 30 minutes through the rainforest along the Great Ocean Road before being greeted with the wonderful ocean views of Apollo Bay. Apollo Bay is by far the most popular township along the Great Ocean Road and is a holiday destination in it’s own right. Here you will have the opportunity to explore the township, head down to the beach or even purchase an ice-cream or souvenir. This is a fabulous stop on your day tour.
The Great Ocean Road clifftop journey
It’s from Apollo Bay that the Great Ocean Road is carved out of the coastal cliffs of the South West. Your journey will elevate you high above the ocean as you twist and turn along the road. With each turn the Great Ocean Road reveals one incredible view after another. You tour guide will tell you the hardships and triumphs of the construction of the Great Ocean Road between 1919 – 1940.
Kennett River Koalas
Your next stop on your day tour along the Great Ocean Road is to spot Koalas in the low hanging trees at Kennett River. Again many tourists flock here in the morning as they travel along the Great Ocean Road. We are here in the afternoon without the tourist crowds. It’s amazing to see wild Koalas in their natural habitat. Because the Eucalyptus trees are situated close to the ocean they do not grow as tall. This makes it so easy to spot Koalas and sometimes you can take a selfie with a Koala snoozing behind you.
Visit Memorial Archway Great Ocean Road Sign
Continue seeing beautiful ocean views as you travel along the Great Ocean Road to your next highlight, the Memorial Archway. The Memorial Archway is a wooden structure built over the road with the Great Ocean Road Sign hung from it. This location is historically significant as it’s where the Great Ocean Road began construction on September 19th 1919. In September 2019 we will celebrate 100 years since the Great Ocean Road was created. Your tour guide will tell you stories about how the Great Ocean Road’s ‘Godfather’, Howard Hitchcock believed cars and roads would be the future, how he wanted to build the best road the world will ever see.
return to Melbourne
After a full day of seeing the very best highlights of the Great Ocean Road on this 12 Apostles Tour we will return to Melbourne. The journey takes 1.5hrs back to the city and we will have you back at your meeting location shortly after. Tour ends at approximately 8:30pm.
