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Great Ocean Road Reverse Premium Group Tour
One of the “Must Do” tours we had previously arranged prior to our visit to Melbourne Australia, was to take the 🌊 Great Ocean Road Tour with Hit The Road Tours. Before leaving our home in 🍁 Canada, we booked the very popular …
🌺 Great Ocean Road Reverse Group Day Tour
with 🚌 Hit The Road Tours.
A full day driving tour visiting the spectacular; Twelve Apostles and much more!
A Review Of Our Great Ocean Road Reverse Premium Group Tour
Be prepared, as this is a very long full day tour leaving from Melbourne early in the morning.
There’s lots of driving to do on this tour, as you make your way out of the city and towards the world renowned … 🌊 Great Ocean Road Scenic Drive 🌊
The Great Ocean Road Tour is known to be one of the most scenic drives in all of 🦘 Australia. This coastal route is so popular and scenic, that it is listed as a piece of Australian National Heritage.
The most famous along this stunning scenic drive is the “Twelve Apostles” limestone rock formations, jutting from the sea.
About Hit The Road Tours
What I really like when traveling, is to book tours with small independent operators and business owners. We find them to be so much more; personal, informative and with local guides that have a real passion, for what they are doing.
Hit The Tours did not disappoint in this regard, knowing we had made the right choice at the start of our day.
They have excellent 📖 TripAdvisor reviews and have won tourism 🏆 awards for their ongoing efforts in; Customer Service and Satisfaction.
What To Expect On The Premium Day Tour
What we really liked about this special tour is that it goes in reverse, to that of most other typical; Great Ocean Road Tours you can book.
Get the driving done early in the morning, heading straight to the famous {12 Apostles} and other scenic vistas. This way you beat all the other large 🚍 bus groups and crowds!
We then enjoyed a leisurely drive back along the {Great Ocean Coastal} road, making numerous stops along the way.
For the small extra charge, your 🎟 Premium tour includes;
✔ Hotel Pick Up/Drop off in Melbourne CBD area;
✔ Wi-fi on board your minibus;
✔ A more spacious 12 seater 🚌 minibus (Renault Grand Master).
Our guide/driver for the day (Jack) from Hit The Road Tours, arrived at our pick up location exactly at the predetermined time, that was listed in our 📧 email booking confirmation.
Once we completed picking up our fellow companions for the day, we were on our way!
As previously mentioned, instead of heading directly to the Great Ocean Road, we hit the highway traveling directly to the famous; 12 Apostles. >An excellent idea and we did arrive before most everyone else.
Especially beating the large tour 🚍 buses filled with loads of people as mentioned previously!
First Stop – Colac Town
Be prepared for a few hours drive, but it’s worth it!
There’s a brief 🚻 rest stop along the way in the small farming town known as; Colac. You have time to 🚶 stretch the legs and get some fresh air. You also have an opportunity to buy a ☕ coffee, snacks and more if so desired.
From here, we carried on with {Jack}, driving us directly to the; Twelve Apostles.
Hit The Road Tours – Twelve Apostles National Park
Upon arrival and after 🚶 walking down the pathway to the view points, it was pretty clear why this is a major attraction in the Victoria Region of Australia.
The view was breathtaking!
We live on the west coast of Canada on picturesque Vancouver Island, but this was far different from our coast and scenery.
The limestone rocks and shapes along the coastline were spectacular, as you can see in some of my 📸 photos. This is definitely something you want to experience other than in pictures, especially for outdoor and nature enthusiasts.
A site to behold!
Jack gave us plenty of time to explore the vistas here at 🏞 12 Apostles Marine National Park.
You are never rushed on this tour, giving everyone lots of time to relax and soak in the views at each stop we made along the way. Certainly something you would not experience on a regular big 🚍 bus tour.
Loch Ard Gorge
It was then on to {Loch Ard Gorge} and beach, just a few minutes down the road for our second stop on this route. This is another beautiful scenic location, with a small beach to walk on.
Named after the ⛵ Clipper Lock Ard, which sailed here and became shipwrecked back in 1878.
There were two young survivors that made their way to the shores of this site and who were eventually helped by locals, making for quite a story that lives on to this day!
We had a nice leisurely stop once again, continuing to enjoy the view and the opportunity to take the steps down to the beach. A great time to just sit back, relax and soak in the; fresh air, 🌞 sunshine and the view!
London Bridge Port Campbell National Park
Hopping back into the van after thoroughly enjoying our previous stop, Jack drove just a short ways down the road once again, to our next scenic location; London Bridge.
Now known as London Arch, this natural rock formation collapsed in 1990 and has become one of the four most popular 📸 photo opportunity points, in 🏞 Port Campbell National Park.
Port Campbell Town
After some amazing 👓 viewing along the coast in the 🏞 National Park, it was time to grab a bite to eat after a long morning. We headed into the very picturesque and tiny village of {Port Campbell}, to one of Jack’s favorite eateries.
Here, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch (fish & chips) in a small local and very tastefully decorated restaurant.
After lunch, we had time to stroll the touristy shops along the quaint main street. The town’s main beach and park are just steps away, to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air before heading on.
Great Otway National Park Rainforest
Leaving 🏞 Campbell Valley National Park, we traveled into the; 🌳 Great Otway National Park Rainforest. As we pressed on, Jack knew the exact spots to stop and as luck had it, to catch a glimpse of some 🐨 Koala Bears in their natural habitat.
Great 📸 photo opportunities! 🙂
The Town Of Apollo Bay
Continuing to make our way down the {Great Ocean Road} coastline, we made a quick stop at the coastal community of … Apollo Bay. This is a very popular seaside town and where many Australians head to, for their summer vacations.
Apollo Bay is also a favorite among tourists visiting, as well.
Even though the rains started falling, it was nice to get out and walk down the🚶 Apollo Bay Coastal Trail. There’s also 🚻 public facilities available for use, before hopping back into the 🚌 minibus.
Kenneth River
Onward to Kenneth River just down the road, for another short break and walk. A chance to spot and 📸 photograph the beautiful colorful 🦜 parrots of Australia.
Seems like our guide Jack, has become quite acquainted with these parrots! 🙂
We even got to grab some photos of some 🦘 Kangaroos or “Roos,” hanging out at ⛳ Anglesea Golf Course!
The Town Of Lorne
Our last stop of the day and before heading back to Melbourne, was to another popular and picturesque seaside community known as; Lorne.
Lorne is well known as an arts community and a very popular 🏄 surfing destination as well. It is well known among Australian’s for hosting the; 🎭 Lorne Festival of The Performing Arts and the popular 🎶 Falls Music & Arts Festival held annually.
Just another lovely seaside community to discover, along the 🌊 Great Ocean Road in Australia!
Recommendations
What a long, but wonderful day and experience we had with our driver/guide Jack, along with our fellow travelers. This tour is a Must Do, when visiting this part of Australia.
To miss out on a part of Australia’s spectacular coastline with breathtaking vistas and so much more, would be a shame.
I highly recommend you take a day and add this tour to your {State of Victoria} travel plans. You won’t be disappointed!
Below, I’ve added the Official website ⛓ link where you can access more detailed information on this tour and the others, 🚌 Hit The Road Tours offers. There’s online booking and more for your convenience.
I’ve also listed the 🌺 Official Victoria Australia Tourist Board’s ⛓ link below to their website and page for Melbourne. It’s filled with excellent information to assist in your travel planning to the – “Land Down Under!”
🟩 Be sure to check out the {Google Map} box at the bottom of this post for the cities exact location.
🌅 Visit Victoria – Melbourne 🌅
🔖 I Only Endorse Products/Services That Are Trusted, Verified &/Or, That I’ve Personally Used! 🔖
🙏 Safe and Healthy Travels! 🙏
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Although our tour was in collaboration with the Hit The Road Tours, rest assured, all content and opinions are mine and reflect my personal experience only.
All personal 📸 photographs on this post are the property of gr8traveltips.com and are copyright protected.
🚫 Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. 🚫
✨ Did You Know …
💰 Visiting Melbourne On A Budget – Travel Tips
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