Grampians/Great Ocean Road – 3 Day Tour

Our most popular trip and there are many reasons why. This 3-day tour combines stunning mountain ranges, top food and wine, spectacular coastal scenery and plenty of Australia’s famous wildlife.

Sovereign Hill is where Australia’s history comes to life. Experience this unique piece of history and witness how life was in the goldfields in the 1850’s.

Explore the majestic Mackenzie’s Falls and be awed by several of the best lookouts you could wish to see, including Boroka and Reeds Lookout and enjoy a spectacular walk to the Balconies for views of The Victoria Valley and surrounding ranges.

Journey on one of the worlds most spectacular coastal drives with our Great Ocean Road tour package. Visit all the famous sites in reverse and avoid the crowds at each stop we take. This is a trip that will be sure to stick in the memory for the rest of your life!

Sovereign Hill – A Must See Destination

After being picked up from your accommodation we then set off on a wonderful tour to the stunningly beautiful Grampian mountain ranges to the west of Victoria. First stop is Ballarat and Sovereign Hill.

Sovereign Hill is where Australia’s history comes to life – from the hustle and bustle of Main Street where characters dressed in traditional goldfields costumes are more than happy to pose for a photo, to the excitement of the Red Hill Gully Diggings where you can pan for real gold. Visit working shops, hotels, schools, a theatre, crafts, a wheelwright, a candle maker, a confectioner and steam-driven machinery. After lunch we head to the Grampians.

Some of the best mountain views in the country!

Visit the Brambuk Aboriginal cultural centre and learn about the fascinating history of the indigenous people of this land. See fascinating displays of art and artefacts housed in an extraordinary building in the shape of cockatoo wings. Don’t miss the chance to see ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings in shelters throughout the park, evidence of Aboriginal people’s long association with the Grampians.

Explore the majestic Mackenzie’s Falls and be awed by several of the best lookouts you could wish to see.

Boroka Lookout provides panoramic views over Halls Gap and the east of the Grampians. It is only a short 5 minute stroll to two viewing platforms and is suitable for people with limited mobility. The sunrise here is especially stunning and the views towards Halls Gap and Lake Bellfield are amazing with both the Wonderland and Mt William mountain ranges in view.

A further two spectacular locations from one car park. Reeds Lookout gives you views while an easy 2km walk will take you to The Balconies for views of The Victoria Valley and surrounding ranges.

As dusk descends spot kangaroos and wallabies along with many of our famous wild birds. Freshen up at your accommodation in Hall Gap before heading out to dinner and then a restful night.

See the world famous 12 Apostles!

Our first few stops are on The Great Ocean Road including London Bridge, The Grotto, Bay of Islands and Lock Ard Gorge. It was here that in 1878, an iron-hulled ship, the Loch Ard ran aground. There were only two survivors: wealthy 17-year-old Eva Carmichael who had travelled with her family for a new life in the colonies, and Tom Pearce, a teenage ship’s apprentice.

And while the views are worth the visit alone, the long-ago story of survival that played out here adds a sense of awe and mystery to the place too. Standing in the gorge today, particularly at beach level, it’s hard to imagine the scene playing out, or the bravery of a teenage Tom scaling the crumbling and unstable 11m high ochre cliffs — which makes it an even more fascinating place to explore.

From here one of the very best things to do on the Great Ocean Road is the famous 12 Apostles. The iconic stacks rise precariously from the powerful Southern Ocean, and rugged clifftops give way to pretty coves and golden sand beaches.

First up, head to the beautiful Gibson’s Steps. One of the few places in the Port Campbell National Park that allows for proper beach access, walk the 86 narrow steps to the beach below where cliffs tower above as you wander along the sand, foamy waves pummel the shore, and the limestone stacks of the remaining Apostles loom overhead just a few metres away.

It’s an awe-inspiring place to be, and unsurprisingly is one of the most popular things to see on our Great Ocean Road day tour.

We then detour through the ancient Otway National Park, one of the most pristine swathes of rainforest in Victoria. If we have time, the Otway Fly Treetop Adventure is close by where you can explore the forest from the treetops – an hour-long 25m high treetop walk amongst the magnificent forest of giant Myrtle Beech, Blackwood, and Mountain Ash trees.

Apollo Bay is a delightful town to spend the night. Visit Maits Rest to discover gorgeous fern gullies or the giant beech trees – some of which are up to 300 years old and walk among the towering Californian Redwoods.

A wonderful day on the Great Ocean Road!

The morning finds us heading towards Kennett River. Witness koala’s in their natural habitat before discovering picture-perfect waterfalls such as Erskine Falls and Teddy’s Lookout above Lorne.

Sitting down to lunch in Lorne with the sparkling sea as a backdrop is one of life’s pure joys. From here, the Great Ocean Road day tour continues as the road hugs the coast all the way to Torquay, with the Memorial Arch marking the gateway to this iconic route.. Visit the Split Point Lighthouse in Airey’s Inlet and make a detour to the famous waves of Bells Beach, where the Rip Curl Pro is held each year.

From here it’s just over an hour back to Melbourne where we finish our epic 3 day adventure of a lifetime!

Let us customise a tour to suit your interests. If you want to explore this fabulous tour over 3 days we can design a tour that covers everything you want to see. Please call on +61 0403 450 790 or email info@melbourneelitetours.com.au. To enquire about a booking please click https://melbourneelitetours.com.au/tour/3-day-great-ocean-road-and-grampians-tour/