The Great Ocean Road is without doubt Australia’s most iconic coastal drive. 243 kilometres of breathtaking highway that hugs rugged cliffs, reveals hidden pristine beaches, skirts ancient rainforests, and features unforgettable natural landmarks. For any visitors to Victoria, exploring this World Heritage-listed landscape is a must. But with so many tour options advertised online, how do you choose the best one?

If you’re staying in Melbourne and want a truly unforgettable experience that goes beyond a typical overcrowded bus tour, this guide will help you identify what makes a great Great Ocean Road tour. So you will enjoy a day out that delivers comfort, insight, flexibility, and genuine connection with the land and its stories.

1. Personalised Service: The Difference Between a Trip and a Journey

When comparing tour providers, personalised service should be your top priority.

Large group tours often operate on a fixed schedule with little room for flexibility. They tend to rush from stop to stop, prioritising time efficiency over the quality of the experience.

However a private tour company based in Melbourne can tailor your day to your interests, your pace, and your group. So whether you are with family, friends or just a couple, you will get the day out you really want.

To be really great, a Great Ocean Road Tour should emphasise:

• Smaller group sizes of less than 12 people, especially if you want genuine interaction and comfort

• Flexible itineraries that you can easily change to suit your personal preferances and which can adapt to changing weather conditions or wildlife sightings

• Direct communication with your driver/tour guide before and throughout the tour to ensure your needs are met

A private Great Ocean Road tour feels less like a pre-set itinerary and more like a day spent exploring the region with a friendly, knowledgeable host who shows you their favourite places.

2. Expert Guides with Full Commentary and Local Knowledge

A memorable Great Ocean Road Tour isn’t just about seeing the spectacular sights as you drive along this magnificent highway. It’s also about understanding the unseen stories vision alone can’t reveal. The best private tour is led by an experienced guide/driver who does so much more than simple drive a vehicle; they bring the stories of the region you are visiting to life.

What to look for in a top private tour guide:

• In-depth local knowledge of Victoria’s history, culture, and ecology

• Engaging commentary that reveals the hidden stories of landmarks like the Memorial Arch, the Loch Ard Gorge or the Twelve Apostles

• Stories of the land including indigenous history and traditions, enriching your understanding of this ancient area

Private tours that offer genuine commentary transform the landscape into a narrative - connecting you with the land’s natural forces, its people, and its history. Whether it’s explaining the timeless forces that shaped the stunning limestone stacks you will see on your journey or the cultural significance of indigenous sites, a great guide makes all the difference.

3. Safe, Comfortable Vehicles with optional VIP Upgrades

The Great Ocean Road is very much about the journey as much as it is about the destination. The complete loop from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles and back covers nearly 600km. You’ll be spending up to 10 or 11 hours on the road, so comfort really matters.

When choosing your private tour make sure you check they offer vehicles with:

• Comfortable seating including ample legroom

• Climate control for warmth in cooler months and cooling in summer

• Quality sound systems for commentary and music

• Optional VIP upgrades for a more luxurious experience

A premium private tour operator should offer you the option of an upgrade (at a price) to a VIP vehicle. These are ideal for those wanting extra space, premium seating, and a more intimate atmosphere. Often you will also enjoy charging ports and a smoother, more comfortable ride.

Being as comfortable as possible means you are more likely to enjoy the drive, listen to the stories, and take in the scenery!

4. Authentic Indigenous Insights

Victoria’s coastline and forests are rich with Indigenous history that stretches back tens of thousands of years. Private Great Ocean Road tours that include authentic Indigenous perspectives offer a deeper, more respectful understanding of the country you are visiting.

The very best private tours will:

• Collaborate with local indigenous communities

• Share cultural history and traditional stories relevant to the land you are visiting

• Include information about indigenous relationships with plants, animals, and the country itself.

These insights enrich your overall experience by framing the Great Ocean Road not just as a scenic drive, but as a landscape that has been shaped by thousands of years of human history and connection.

5. Wildlife Spotting: See Koalas, Kangaroos and More in Their Natural Habitat

For many visitors to Melbourne and Victoria, the biggest highlight of touring the Great Ocean Road is the opportunity to see Australian wildlife in the wild!

A well-planned private tour with a knowledgeable and experience driver/guide will increases your chance of seeing:

• Koalas in the wild (knowing which eucalyptus trees they live in)

• Kangaroos in some surprising and unusual places

• Birdlife like Australian King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas, Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, Kookaburras and Wedge-Tailed eagles

• Marine life offshore including seals, dolphins, and even whales (in season)

Choose a private tour company that knows the current and most recent locations of groups of Koalas or mobs of Kangaroos, as these can change quickly, even from day to day. And choose those that give you the time to watch, photograph, and enjoy moments of natural beauty without feeling rushed.

6. A Private Tour covers the Must-See Stops and Scenic Lookouts

The beauty of a private tour is that you can adjust the itinerary to suit what you want to see. A top Great Ocean Road tour company will ensure you see all the iconic sights plus offer you optional stops or detours that make your day personal to you. Here’s are some of the most popular sights you would expect in a comprehensive Great Ocean Road Tour itinerary:

The Memorial Arch

A meaningful way to begin your journey, the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch honours the soldiers who built this marvellous road after WWI (and therefore made it the world’s longest war memorial). Beyond its historical significance, this stop offers an iconic photo opportunity and the chance for a quick stroll to the beach.

Scenic Lookouts Along the Coast

A great private tour will ensure you pause at multiple lookouts along the way where you can:

• Stare down precipitous sea cliffs

• Watch the Southern Ocean crash against the rocks

• Photograph sweeping coastal curves and hidden beaches

An experienced guide/driver will know the best vantage points, sometimes away from the busiest spots.

Apollo Bay

A favourite lunch stop (at your own expense) Apollo Bay is brimming with charming cafés and restaurants, many with ocean views. From curried scallop pies at the bakery to fish and chips on the beach and everything in between, this relaxed seaside town is perfect for stretching your legs and grabbing some fresh local fare before the next leg of your journey.

Maits Rest Rainforest Walk

A peaceful detour from the open coast, this ancient rainforest boardwalk is a lush, shaded, easy stroll, that is great for nature lovers. Walk among towering Mountain Ash trees that literally reach for the sky and gorgeous tree ferns, surrounded everywhere by moss covered plants, tree stumps and rocks. Take in the birdsong in this temperate rainforest ecosystem of unbelievable beauty.

The Twelve Apostles

The star attraction. These towering limestone stacks rise from the Southern Ocean in an unforgettable picturesque scene that stuns everyone at first sight. Even more so at sunset. The smart tour operators will give you options to time your visit to avoid peak crowds and give you plenty of time to soak in the views and take photos.

Loch Ard Gorge

Named after a shipwreck in 1878, Loch Ard Gorge combines dramatic sea caves, and fascinating history, with a tragic tale of death, survival and unrequited young love. It’s one of the most emotionally evocative spots along the road.

Gibson Steps

These famous and historic steps once descended down the towering cliffs to the beach, but are currently closed due to instability in the cliff face. However standing at the top and looking down on the ocean still gives you a powerful sense of scale to this landscape.

7. Thoughtful touches and views for all

An exceptional private tour company will go beyond merely providing a bus and a driver. They often include:

• More flexibility in starting times, so you can leave at a time that suits you not them

• Refreshments (free bottle water supplied throughout the tour)

• Local tips and advice for choosing the best places to eat and other destinations to visit on your holiday

• Personalised service ensuring everyone gets their say and a window seat

If you really want to design your very own experience, for a truly memorable Great Ocean Road Tour, an experience private tour company will create a personalised itinerary for you.

8. Testimonials and Reputation

Before you book your Great Ocean Road Private Tour, always do your research:

• Read customer reviews about private tour companies on Google, TripAdvisor, or social media

• Look for positive comments about the guides/drivers, comfort, flexibility, and value

• See if the company responds to feedback (positive or negative) with care

A reputable private tour operator will be transparent about pricing, inclusions, and expectations. There should be no hidden fees and no surprises.

9. Sustainability and Respect for Country

Lastly, you should consider tours that:

• Respect wildlife (showing you the animals while keeping a safe distance)

• Encourage you to stay on official paths and lookouts

• Educate you about protecting the environment when visiting

• Support local communities and indigenous cultural custodians

The Great Ocean Road country is fragile and precious. An exceptional private tour operator will help protect it while showcasing its beauty.

Summary: What Makes the Best Great Ocean Road Private Tour?

Choosing the right Great Ocean Road private tour can transform a long day trip into a memorable highlight of your Australian adventure.

Here are the key things to look for:

• Personalised service, individually tailored to your needs

• Experienced, friendly, engaging guides who combine local knowledge with indigenous insights

• Comfortable vehicles, with optional VIP upgrades

• Wildlife encounters included (and guaranteed)

• Visits to all major landmarks

• Plenty of time for relaxation, photos, and personal exploration

• Respect for culture, land, and environment

When you book with a trusted Melbourne-based private tour company, like Melbourne Touring Company, that delivers all this, you’re not just signing up for a bus tour. You are embarking on a rich, immersive experience that becomes a lifetime memory you will want to share with everyone when you return home, wherever that may be.

Book your Great Ocean Road Tour today with us

What Makes the Best Great Ocean Road Private Tour?

Choosing the right Great Ocean Road private tour can transform a long day trip into a memorable highlight of your Australian adventure.

Here are the key things to look for:

• Personalised service, individually tailored to your needs

• Experienced, friendly, engaging guides who combine local knowledge with indigenous insights

• Comfortable vehicles, with optional VIP upgrades

• Wildlife encounters included (and guaranteed)

• Visits to all major landmarks

• Plenty of time for relaxation, photos, and personal exploration

• Respect for culture, land, and environment

When you book with a trusted Melbourne-based private tour company, like Melbourne Touring Company, that delivers all this, you’re not just signing up for a bus tour. You are embarking on a rich, immersive experience that becomes a lifetime memory you will want to share with everyone when you return home, wherever that may be.

Need an expert guide?

Check out Great Ocean Road private tours by Melbourne Touring Company.