Great Ocean Road & Grampians Adventure

Intrepid Travel · 6 days

4.7

12 Reviews

Duration

6 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

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.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (2), Lunch (2),
Accommodation: Hotel (5 nights)

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

Duration

6 days

Transportation

Private vehicle, Train

Guide Language

English

Starts

Hanging Rock Reserve to Daylesford to Ballarat, Australia

Finishes

Stawell to Adelaide, Australia

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer, Budget

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanging Rock Reserve to Daylesford to Ballarat

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)

Day 2: Apollo Bay

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)

Day 3: Port Campbell to Warrnambool

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)

Day 4: Budj Bim National Park to Halls Gap

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)

Day 5: Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

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)

Day 6: Stawell to Adelaide

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.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $2,525

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 6 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Spot native wildlife, soak up southern coastal vistas and learn about First Nations culture on this six-day road trip along Victoria’s coastline.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 28 Feb 2027

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

Sharon

Traveled, March 2025

04/07/2025

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.

4.5

Jodie

Traveled, February 2025

02/21/2025

This trip was great Geof was an amazing guide very lucky to have someone with such good knowledge.

Tour Operator

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

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