From CAD $2,395
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(12 reviews)
Experience Overview
Spot native wildlife, soak up southern coastal vistas and learn about First Nations culture on this six-day road trip along Victoria’s coastline. From hiking the Pinnacle Walk to the summit of Hanging Rock, to visiting a local conservation centre in Apollo Bay and learning about Budj Bim with a Gunditijmara guide – this road trip is all about culture, nature and adventure. Covering much of the Great Southern Touring Route, you’ll begin in Melbourne (Naarm) and follow the coast to the 12 Apostles along The Great Ocean Road, discovering the landscapes of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park before riding the Overland train to Adelaide (Tarntanya).
Highlights
- Hike the Pinnacle Walk to the summit of Hanging Rock for views of the rock formations made famous by the Peter Weir film ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’.
- Visit the social enterprise Wildlife Wonders and meet with a conservationist guide who’ll walk you through the rainforest, fern gullies and eucalypt woodlands of the Otways region.
- Explore the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape with a Gunditjmara guide to learn about First Nations culture firsthand, discover the volcanic landscape and enjoy a traditional bush tucker meal.
- Drive the Great Ocean Road, spot the remaining 12 Apostles and hike through the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park on an all-Victorian road trip.
- Follow much of the Great Southern Touring Route, known as one of Australia’s best drives, before boarding the Overland train to Adelaide.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2394
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle, Train
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Explorer
Supplier Code: PZSG
Starts: Hanging Rock Reserve to Daylesford to Ballarat, Australia
Finishes: Stawell to Adelaide, Australia
Duration: 6 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (2), Lunch (2),Accommodation: Hotel (5 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2395 (CAD $399 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Melbourne! Or Narrm, in the language of the Wurundjeri people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Melbourne is now located. Melbourne is the unofficial foodie capital of Australia, most famous for its fine-brewed specialty coffee. It's recommended that you arrive a few extra days before your adventure starts if you want to experience all this city has to offer. Today, you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers at 8 am for a welcome meeting. Then, start your journey along the Great Southern Touring Route. Your first stop today is Hanging Rock Reserve for the Pinnacle Walk and views over the Grampians and Halls Gap. Your leader will guide you to the summit and share the area’s importance to local First Nations groups. Next, drive to Daylesford to grab lunch and if it’s Sunday, wander the local fresh produce market. Your next destination is the historic goldfield town of Ballarat, where you’ll stay tonight. Perhaps visit Sovereign Hill or the Art Gallery of Ballarat, with the afternoon and evening at your leisure.
Included Activities:
- Hanging Rock - Summit Walk
- Daylesford - Sunday Market
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Depart the highlands and say hello to the coast on the drive south this morning. Arrive in Anglesea and begin your drive along the Great Ocean Road in Eastern Maar country, which was recently returned to its Traditional Custodians in Victoria's first native title in a decade. Once you reach Apollo Bay, you’ll enjoy a guided experience at Wildlife Wonders – a social enterprise operated by the Conservation Ecology Centre working to develop and deliver solutions to the most urgent conservation challenges in the Otways region. Learn the secrets of the bush from your conservationist guide and spot local wildlife like koalas and wallabies and, if you’re lucky, a potoroo or bandicoot. Wildlife Wonders invests 100 per cent of profits into vital research and conservation projects to save local threatened species. After your visit, continue to your accommodation in the laidback Apollo Bay, where you’ll have free time for the rest of the day.
Included Activities:
- Apollo Bay - Wildlife Wonders Guided Tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you’ll discover why this stretch of road is known as Australia’s finest road trip. Travel from Apollo Bay to Warrnambool, taking time to stop and enjoy the Great Ocean Road’s well-loved scenery. There are plenty of lookouts and beach walks (if the weather permits) to break up the drive today, where you can get up close to the cliff views and breathe in the fresh ocean air. However, the highlight of today’s drive is the 12 Apostles. Created by the constant erosion from ocean swells and swirling winds that began approximately 10 to 20 million years ago, these rock stacks rise up to 45 m from the ocean. Spot the remaining seven apostles that are left standing before you continue to your hotel in Warrnambool.
Included Activities:
- Great Ocean Road - Scenic Drive
- Great Ocean Road - Twelve Apostles
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Buckle up for another day on the great open road as you set your sights for Budj Bim – the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Victoria outside the Royal Exhibition Building. Within Gunditjmara Country, Budj Bim is both culturally and geologically significant. Learn about its history, bushland and wildlife on a landscape walking tour led by a Gunditjmara cultural guide. You’ll also hear about the local Creation Story and how the Gunditjmara people are considered to have made Australia’s earliest and largest aquaculture venture. After your guided walk, enjoy a grazing board at the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre & Café for lunch, where you can try all-Australian ingredients like grilled kooyang (eel), grilled macadamia nuts, pickled vegetables, kangaroo, emu and other local bush foods. With a belly full of bush tucker, hit the road to Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, where you’ll have the rest of the evening free to explore.
Included Activities:
- Budj Bim National Park - Bush Foods Grazing Board
- Budj Bim National Park - Cultural Landscape Walking Tour with Local Aboriginal Guide
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Be sure to fuel up at breakfast today for a full day of exploring Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. You can expect to see waterfalls, sandstone ridges, mountains and ancient rock art sites on your walks today. Traditionally known as Gariwerd, this region is home to the largest number of rock art paintings and shelters in Southern Australia. Today’s walks will feature these sites and likely introduce you to local wildlife like kangaroos, wallabies, emus and native birds. With a number of walking trails to choose from, your leader will pick the best, considering weather, track conditions and group ability. This evening, kick your feet up and relax after a full day of walking. Perhaps meet up with your group for a final dinner together and reflect on the highlights of your great southern adventure.
Included Activities:
- Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Day Walks
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy one final group breakfast with your fellow travellers before a short drive to Stawell. Here, you’ll visit Bunjil’s Cave – a significant cultural site in Australia and one of the most prominent rock art sites in southern Victoria. Then, your leader will bid you farewell and your group will board The Overland train from Stawell, unaccompanied for the stretch to Adelaide, or Tarntanya in the language of the Kaurna people. Operating for more than 130 years, you can expect views of wheat and sheep farms as you travel through Western Victoria. When you arrive, transfer to your hotel, which is where your adventure will come to an end. If you’d like to spend extra time in Adelaide, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Sharon - Traveled, March 2025
Very well organized trip. Geof our guide was fabulous. Busy itinerary every day. Learned much about this part of beautiful Australia, often places & experiences you would not cover in other tours or self exploring. our group was a mix of singles, couples, frequent small tour fans & travelers using small group for 1st time. Everyone blended very well.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/07/2025
Jodie - Traveled, February 2025
This trip was great Geof was an amazing guide very lucky to have someone with such good knowledge.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/21/2025
Roslyn - Traveled, February 2025
Exceptional experience with depth and many dimensions to activities. Thanks Tev - thanks for an awesome and very special experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/06/2025
Harry - Traveled, January 2025
A fun trip with an amazing tour guide Tev. The Grampians and Hall’s Gap are my standouts, such a beautiful place with really unique nature. Fair warning there’s a lot of time in a bus, be prepared to get in and out constantly. Could have done with a little extra time in Apollo Bay imho.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/26/2025
Cal - Traveled, December 2024
Incredible scenic trip guided by wonderful Intrepid staff Tev and Danya, with spectacular sights out over the Great Ocean Road and through the Grampians. Excellent hikes and well considered destinations for dinners and meals. Very relaxing holiday!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/20/2024
Jacqueline - Traveled, December 2024
This trip was absolutely mind blowing! A fantastic introduction to this area of Australia. I still can't stop thinking about the Great Ocean Road and hiking the Grampians. 100% worth the long flight and I cannot wait to return.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/18/2024
Sally - Traveled, December 2024
Fabulous! Our guide, Tevvi was amazing. Beautiful scenery and group of travellers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2024
Thilaksha - Traveled, September 2024
This is the chance you get to witness the beauty of the great ocean road. Words can hardly capture its wonder. Our tour leader Dan was patient, well organized and shared his travel experiences with us. It wouldn't have been the same without the like-minded adventurers. If I could, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/10/2024
Patricia - Traveled, April 2024
Excellent trip, so much to see & do and every encouragement to do so. A beautiful part of Australia both the Great Ocean Rd and The Grampians. I could repeat it tomorrow!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/22/2024
Sophie - Traveled, February 2025
Amazing tour guide who went above and beyond what the trip says it offers! Great way to see even the small towns in Australia!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/09/2025
Richard - Traveled, December 2023
We had a great a great tour guide Simon who went out of his way to make everyone comfortable and his knowledge of the area is great.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/28/2023
Dmitrei - Traveled, October 2023
The Great Ocean Road & Grampians Adventure tour was simply Amazing! I saw some of the most epic sights in Australia, like the 12 Apostles and the Grampians. The guide was a legend, and the food was great. Highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an unforgettable Aussie adventure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2023
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