Wildlife Tours Australia: Great Ocean Road Rainforest Tour

TOUR CODE: WGOR-B

OPERATES: Daily

TOUR DURATION: 12 Hours

MAIN PICKUP LOCATION & TIME: Immigration Museum - 400 Flinders St, corner Market St, Melbourne @ 7:35am.

HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Take a scenic coastal drive along the world-famous Great Ocean Road, a National Heritage Listed site
• See the historic Memorial Arch and the Great Ocean Road sign, a perfect place for a photo opportunity
• Search for Australian wildlife in its natural habitat 
• Enjoy a guided walk through an ancient rainforest at the Great Otway National Park
• Check out the amazing lookout views of the shipwreck coastline of Port Campbell National Park
  
• Take a stroll along the beach of Loch Ard Gorge, surrounded by dramatic cliff walls and dramatic scenery
• Take in  panoramic views at the 12 Apostles lookout in the delight of the afternoon sun

ITINERARY:

One of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world can be found on this Great Ocean Road tour! As we leave Melbourne, we cross the West Gate Bridge, a bridge that spans the width of the Yarra River, providing a link between the capital of Victoria and the second-largest city in the state of Victoria, Geelong.

Upon arrival in Anglesea, we get the first glimpse of our breathtaking southern coastline views; from here, we will twist and turn our way along one of the world's most spectacular coastal drives, which is listed as a National Heritage site. Throughout the drive, there will be plenty of opportunities to capture some awesome images, including the historic Memorial Arch at Eastern View and the introduction to the Great Ocean Road drive. 

It is advisable that you keep your eyes open as you pass through beachside towns such as Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Wye River and Kennett River in order to search for Australian wildlife, as you never know what you might come across. Guests will have time to explore and support the local economy of Apollo Bay as this is our lunch stop before heading into the Great Otway National Park to walk amongst towering ancient rainforest habitats.

The afternoon will be filled with marveling at the shipwreck coastline and gigantic limestone stacks, known as the 12 Apostles. As well, the cliff-side beaches of Loch Ard Gorge form part of the Port Campbell National Park, which has been carved out of the wild southern ocean over a period of time. A visit to the Great Ocean Road and the scenic locations that we visit along the way is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have when visiting Victoria.

Meals: N/A. Driving distance: 540km. Walking distance: 2-3km

INCLUSIONS:

• National Park entry fees
• Australian flora and fauna sightings
  
• Guided rainforest walk (fitness level easy)
  
• Hosted by an experienced driver guide
  
• Modern air-conditioned coach travel
  
• Comprehensive local tour commentary
  
• Selected Melbourne inner-city pick-up/drop-off points
  
• Audio & text translation app available in 10 different languages (Cantonese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish)

EXCLUSIONS:

• Any meals not indicated within the itinerary - at the guest’s own expense. We provide plenty of opportunities for guests to support locals and buy snacks along the way.
  
• Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point.
  
• Personal travel insurance is highly recommended
  
• Personal expenses

WHAT TO BRING:

1L refillable water bottle, small day bag 5-7kg, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, all-weather clothing ie. windbreaker, comfortable walking shoes, money for snacks and meals, camera to capture every moment!

CHILD POLICY:

Child fare prices apply from 0 to 12 years old. Infants aged 0 to 4 are not permitted to travel on adult laps and must be safely restrained within a child protective seat. Infant protective seats are free of charge and must be requested at the time of booking.

WEATHER:

Please ensure you have checked the average temperatures for the time of year you are travelling and have packed adequate clothing. In the event of rain or inclement weather, your experience will still go ahead, unless contacted by the provider.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Mandatory passenger details are required at the time of booking: phone number.
• Child fare prices apply to children aged between 0 to 12 years old.
• Infants aged 0 to 4 are not permitted to travel on adult laps and must be safely restrained within a child protective seat. Infant seats are free of charge and must be requested at the time of booking.
• This terrain is not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers, wheelchairs, walkers, prams or strollers. Limited storage space on our vehicle, baggage kept to 1 x 5-7kg day bag per person.
• Autopia Tours reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary schedule during seasonal weather fluctuations and/or during park closures.
• Please re-confirm your tour details within 7 days prior to departure on 03 9393 1300.
• Private touring is available on request.