A very good experience. They pack a lot in a short time. The bus was a little cramped; they could take out a row of seats to provide a little more leg room for comfort. The Ocean Road was a very long day; right at the limit for the drivers. It was 14 hours from pickup to drop off. Be prepared. Bathroom stops are few and far between - a function of geography more than anything else. At one point, we were told it was 2 hours till the next opportunity. "Breakfast" was half a very large muffin with choice of instant coffee or hot chocolate or hot tea. Our driver, Zoe, was in training with a second driver (Jacqui) along for evaluation purposes. Both were awesome. Very friendly and outgoing and knowlegable. Great music playlist. They shared a bunch of stories about the local lore and sought feedback. They did their best to find us Koalas in the wild for photos and made it happen. A highlight. Lucy was our driver for Penguin Parade and was likewise excellent. Very laidback and easy to talk to. Also knoweldgable, outgoing, and friendly. The tour was well done. The Moonlit Wildlife Sanctuary was excellent. The vistas at Woolamai Surf Beach and The Nobbies were stunning. Catching dinner at the Penguin Parade was better than expected. The show was the highlight. It was chilly sitting in the stands waiting for dark so dress appropriately. The stands are removed from where the Penguins come ashore so kind of hard to get a great look at them, but still worth it. You can get a lot closer at the "highway" and worth it to leave your seat early to do that. The Free City Tour was also well done. Sherif was our driver/guide and also very knowledgable and kept us informed about what we were seeing and entertained. Visiting the "G" was kind of a waste as we had about 10 minutes to wander outside the stadium. Could have easily saw as much on a drive by. The Shrine of Rememberance was a highlight. Very well done and the view from atop was worth it.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Transportation by air-conditioned coach with upgraded seating
- Pickup from Selected Hotels
- Access to our free translation app (16 languages)
- WiFi on board
- Friendly & Informative Tour Guide
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- All Fees and Taxes
- Standard Entry Fees at Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- Breakfast
Excludes
- Food & Drink other than as stated
- Accommodation
- Gratuities
- Pickup on Melbourne City Discovery tour (central meeting point only)
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Pickup is only available from the list of hotels provided upon checkout. Your pickup will be between the times listed depending on your selected hotel. Your exact meeting time will be provided after a booking is placed. Great Ocean Road: 7am-8am Phillip Island Day Tour: 10am-12pm (seasonal) Melbourne City Discovery Tour: 9am-10am or 2:15pm Approximate return times are: Great Ocean Road: 8:30pm-9:30pm Phillip Island Day Tour: 9pm-12am (seasonal) Melbourne City Discovery Tour: 3.5 hours after departure time
Itinerary
Day 1
1
Begin your Great Ocean Road adventure with a convenient inner-city pickup. Settle into one of our premium touring vehicles with upgraded seating and enjoy a more personal small-group journey with an expert Go West guide bringing the landscapes and stories of the day to life.
Ease into your Great Ocean Road adventure with an included beachside morning tea near the famous surfing town of Torquay. Enjoy the coastal surroundings before setting out along one of Australia’s most spectacular scenic roads.
Stop beneath one of the Great Ocean Road’s most recognisable landmarks and capture the classic Memorial Arch photo. Your guide will share the story behind this historic road and the people who helped build it.
Keep your eyes on the eucalyptus treetops as you search for wild koalas along the Great Ocean Road. Your guide’s local knowledge will help you know where to look and add to the excitement of spotting these iconic Australian animals in their natural habitat.
Take a relaxing break in the picturesque seaside town of Apollo Bay. Enjoy time to explore the town, soak up the coastal atmosphere and purchase lunch from one of the local cafés or restaurants.
Step beneath the rainforest canopy on a guided walk through towering trees, ancient ferns and lush native vegetation. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings while your guide shares insights into this remarkable natural environment.
Travel through the lush landscapes of the Great Otway National Park as rainforest surrounds the road. Along the way, your guide will share stories and fascinating insights into this unique part of Victoria.
Experience the Great Ocean Road’s most famous landmark as towering limestone formations rise dramatically from the Southern Ocean. Take time to enjoy the viewpoints, capture the scenery and appreciate the scale of this unforgettable coastline. Your guide will help you make the most of your visit and, when conditions and access allow, may also take you to Gibson Steps for a different perspective from closer to sea level.
Explore the towering cliffs, sheltered beach and dramatic coastline of Loch Ard Gorge. As you take in the scenery, your guide will bring the area’s fascinating maritime history to life through the remarkable story of the 1878 shipwreck.
Enjoy a short dinner stop in the country town of Colac, with time to purchase a meal at your own expense before continuing the journey back to Melbourne.
Day 2
2
Begin your Phillip Island adventure with a convenient inner-city pickup. Travel comfortably in one of our premium touring vehicles while your expert local guide shares stories and insights throughout the journey.
Start with a colourful photo stop at Melbourne’s famous Brighton Bathing Boxes. Take in the vibrant beachfront setting and capture one of the city’s most recognisable sights before continuing towards Phillip Island.
Get up close to some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife at Moonlit Sanctuary. Explore the sanctuary, discover a variety of native animals and enjoy the opportunity to feed kangaroos and wallabies.
Discover the natural beauty, wildlife and coastal landscapes of Phillip Island with an expert local guide by your side. Throughout your time on the island, enjoy engaging stories, local insights and plenty of penguin knowledge as the anticipation builds towards the evening’s Penguin Parade.
Stop at the spectacular Cape Woolamai and take in rolling surf, rugged coastline and wide-open ocean views. It’s a beautiful introduction to the wilder side of Phillip Island. We visit this spot only during the summer.
Stop at the spectacular Cape Woolamai and take in rolling surf, rugged coastline and wide-open ocean views. It’s a beautiful introduction to the wilder side of Phillip Island. We visit this spot only during the summer.
Take in dramatic cliffs and sweeping ocean views at one of Phillip Island’s most spectacular coastal locations. Explore the boardwalks, keep watch for native wildlife and look towards the famous Seal Rocks offshore.
Finish the day with Phillip Island’s most unforgettable wildlife experience. Watch as the world’s smallest penguins emerge from the ocean at sunset and waddle across the beach towards their burrows — a magical natural spectacle and the perfect finale to your island adventure.
Day 3
3
The 'Paris' end of Melbourne City
Step into the heart of Melbourne’s famous street-art scene at Hosier Lane. Wander among colourful murals and ever-changing artworks while experiencing the creative energy that has made this laneway a Melbourne icon.
Marvel at one of Melbourne's most iconic buildings
Pass through the Arts Precinct to glimpse one of Melbourne's most prestigious cultural institutions
Visit Victoria’s magnificent Shrine of Remembrance and explore one of Melbourne’s most meaningful landmarks. Learn about its history and significance while taking in the impressive architecture and surroundings.
Stop at the forecourt of the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground, one of Australia’s most famous sporting venues. Hear about Melbourne’s passion for sport and discover the story of Australian Rules Football from your local guide.
Drive through Parliament Hill and enjoy the sight of some of Melbourne's most well known buildings
Take in the impressive Gothic Revival architecture of St Patrick’s Cathedral, built from bluestone and sandstone. Enjoy time to appreciate one of Melbourne’s most striking historic landmarks.
Escape the city streets for a stroll through the peaceful Fitzroy Gardens. Explore the greenery, visit the conservatory and enjoy a glimpse into Melbourne’s history at Cooks’ Cottage.
Stop for a photo at Little Lon Distilling Co., tucked away in one of Melbourne’s most historic neighbourhoods. Your guide will share a glimpse into the colourful past of the notorious Little Lon district of the 1850s.
Discover a darker chapter of Melbourne’s past at the historic Old Melbourne Gaol. Hear stories from your guide about the prison’s place in the city’s history, including its connection to infamous bushranger Ned Kelly.
Melbourne's Little Italy. Home to some of the best restaurants and coffee shops in Victoria
Drive by the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere nestled amongst Carlton Gardens
Pass the iconic Queen Victoria Market, a much-loved Melbourne institution known for its fresh produce, delicatessens, specialty stalls and lively market atmosphere.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Five stars with Rhys. Thank you!
The Great Ocean Road and Philip Island are great, albeit they take a lot of time and may be tiring. I must say that the Great Ocean Toad was amazing, we upgraded the tour with a helicopter ride and it was really worth it. The Moonlit Sanctuary and Philip Island are definitely worth doing as well, although the Penguin Parade was a little disappointing. There weren’t that many of them coming out of the ocean at any given point so it’s not really a parade. They were really cute though, and Jools and Gumnut, our guides for the day, were outstanding, always giving us great advice to make the most of the day.
I’m currently on my way home from the Great Ocean Road tour. It’s been a fantastic day, especially thanks to our amazing bus driver, Jooles. Thank you for the wonderful day! Oliver
We had a wonderful day! Jooles is a fantastic tour guide - friendly, funny, dedicated and a very warm person. The organisation was excellent and the various spots we saw gave us a good impression of the great ocean road.
Our experience with Go West was absolutely exceptional. We’ve traveled to 38 countries around the world and encountered many guides, but Lucy was truly the best we’ve ever had. We had an amazing trip with Lucy, who was an absolute gem from the Go West Tour Company. She was incredibly informative, humorous, and thoughtful, even preparing pastries and hot coffee for us. With her college degree in wildlife and her deep knowledge of Australian history, she brought 13 hours of stunning nature to life with her stories. We felt so lucky to have her expertise. Yesterday, we also had a wonderful trip to Phillip Island with Aleks. She was equally great, making for a seamless two days of touring. WeAn highly recommend this company to anyone looking for a professional, knowledgeable, and smooth travel experience!
Great way to see Melbourne and its outskirts! We had Tim and Sophia as our guides over these 3 days and they were just so excellent, knowledgeable and easy going. Totally recommend for anyone wanting to squeeze in as much of Melbourne and surrounds as they can.
We booked a combo tour covering the Great Ocean Road on Day 1, Phillip Island on Day 2, and a complimentary half-day Melbourne City Tour on Day 3. The tour operator was Go West Tours, and the vehicle provided was comfortable and well-suited for long journeys. Day 1 – Great Ocean Road We were picked up at 8:00 a.m. for the Great Ocean Road tour. The itinerary included: Great Ocean Road Arch Maits Rest Rainforest Walk Twelve Apostles Loch Ard Gorge Our guide, Jon, kept us engaged throughout the journey with interesting facts and historical context, while also providing personal attention to our dietary requirements. Lunch at George’s and dinner at Golden Sky were both sumptuous and included vegetarian options. We returned by 8:30 p.m. after a thoroughly enjoyable day. Day 2 – Phillip Island The Phillip Island tour began around noon, timed to align with the main attraction, the Penguin Parade. Our guide, Jool, ensured we made several scenic stops and had ample opportunities to spot kangaroos and wallabies along the way. The tour included: Photo stop at Brighton Beach Boxes Moonlit Sanctuary Forrest Caves Pyramid Rock The Nobbies The highlight, of course, was witnessing the Penguin Parade at sunset—a truly memorable natural spectacle. We returned to the city close to midnight. Day 3 – Melbourne City Tour On the final day, we could participate in the city tour for only a couple of hours, as we needed to depart early for our next destination. Overall, the combo tour provided an excellent and well-organised experience, combining iconic landscapes, wildlife encounters, comfortable travel, and attentive guides. It is a well-designed option for visitors seeking to cover Melbourne’s key attractions efficiently.
Day 1 Great Ocean Road. Jai took very good care of all of us. We especially enjoyed his personalized commentary along the way. Highly recommend!
Rick was a good guide, not the best driver but he gives clear instructions and enjoys his job so I enjoyed also. Views were amazing!
Tim - Great Ocean Road. 5/5 Jaimes - Penguin Parade 5/5. Chris - City Tour 4/5. Tim and Jaimes were great tour guides in knowledge, keeping the group well-entertained throughout and made everyone feel included, building relationships with our tour group easily. The Great Ocean Road and Penguin Parade were spectacular. It is worth stating in advance though the weather on Philip Island typically is very windy so ensure appropriate attire. City Tour - Chris had a great knowledge and created a positive atmosphere among the group. I didn’t feel the sites visited were to the same spectacle as the Great Ocean Road nor Penguin Parade, but for a free event, definitely worthwhile. Feedback would be to consider more time spent in certain areas (Gardens,) maybe add on a Victoria Market tour, and reduce time at graffiti wall.
Kudos to Go West for such a terrific team. 3 days of tours and all were amazing and exceed our expectations. Lucy helped make our trip to see the penguins fun and efficient! She knows so much. Thanks to Jacqui for a terrific day on the Great Ocean Road. Lots of great facts. They are always trying to find ways to help make your trip a wonderful experience.
This offers a little of everything. A city tour that allows you to familiarize yourself with the city and devide what you'd like to explore more in depth, amazing scenery on the Great Ocean Road and fantastic wildlife experiences on the Phillip island tour
Jools and Gumnut very fun, positive and thoughtful. Gave us a fantastic day despite rain and wind all afternoon! Also a lot of information throughout the day!
We had a great experience. Israel, our tour guide, was extremely kind and patient with us. I really recommend him to enjoy your trip.
Great tour guide. Excellent communication with the back office to ensure accurate info for the tour. Both my wife and I enjoyed the tour very much and definitely recommend Go Westv Tours for any of the excursions in Melbourne.
The great ocean road was a fantastic scene, won’t be forgotten the feeling & atmospheric experienced especially the Twelve Apostles, rainforest, etc. the most grateful was having Lisa to both 2 days for the the great ocean road & penguin parades though the 2nd day trip was not so great. Can’t deny to have Red on the 3rd day leading us for the city tour, he is joyful & fun to tell about the history & identical spot on every stopping street. Lisa’s full with smiling days, patiently watching & waiting everyone to get up the van, so much so as Red who is given awesome information stories. I am really impressed & much appreciated to receive both Lisa & Red as our tour leaders.
This review is for the half day city tour included with the 2 paid full day tours we arranged - great ocean road and Philips island penguin tour. We started around 930 and ended around 1230-1245. Michael was such a great tour guide providing us with so much history/info about the city of Melbourne and its culture. He was always willing to snap pictures for us and other people on the tour. He was very articulate and each to understand during the tour. The bus was comfortable and also had wifi during the trip. We are so glad this tour was provided as a complimentary item for booking the other 2 tours. I highly recommend this tour and Michael as a tour guide. Thank you!
Woody, our guide, was a star. We were lucky to have him on multiple days. The final day we had Cloe. Everyone at GoWest showed up on time, ran the day perfectly on time, and made us most welcome. Definite winner if you choose this company.
I had Sophia as a guide for the penguin parade day tour and the whole day was seamless! Sophia was friendly, informative and the tour was really made by her fantastic energy and singing! Despite the rainy weather it was still a great day.
Such an amazing day out! Great start and the beach huts, Bree had lots of great information and helped us take some photos. The next stop at Moonlit sanctuary was brilliant as we got to see some wombats and lots of other animals. From there we went into the best part of the day - Philip Island. Bree was so helpful in telling us the best place to sit and then where to explore afterwards. It was amazing seeing the penguins running up the beach. I would recommend spending a good amount of time at the super highway as seeing the penguins greet each other at their burrows has to be seen. They are so vocal which is lovely to hear. I would say if you are reading this please listen to advice and don't use your phones to take photos - just enjoy the experience. Amazing day that we won't forget.
It was so amazing We have a blast watching spectacular natural view And our tour guide ash is the best He was funny and always give good tips Recomended
The view is amazing with an amazing guide.The timings given was just nice for us to take a good photo The walk was amazing with a breathtaking view too
Micheal was so sweet to guide us well and took our photos and also guided us the right spots to see penguins and giving us the perfect advice for the trip through he is best at his work
A great experience with Cloe, yes you hear me right, our guide cum driver cum photographer cum friend Earlier we were thinking of renting a car but after my journey on Go West tour, I will say no to car renting It's a great great experience and चेरी on cake was Cloe
Great ocean road is beautiful. Penguin parade is good too though we didn’t see many went on parade. Our guide Chris H is amazing. He is funny and caring, one of the best guide we have ever met. Bluey is amazing too with full description for City tour. Thanks so much guys .
I had a great time on the 3 days of activities. Chris N, Lucy and Bill were all fabulous tour guides.
Best great ocean road trip with a superstar guide Tom AKA Bluey. My family enjoyed it. I recommend tourists to go with this trip. Chees
我英语不是很好，但是Aleks讲的很清晰，语速也合适，一路上跟着她了解了很多，不仅仅是app上已有的内容。It’s really a long journey, but I did have fun. Many thanks to Aleks，our guide and driver. She is so lovely and funny that the long trip is worthy.
Did the combo tour and first day was a good highlight tour of Melbourne hitting all the major spots but Chris made the experience even better with his enthusiasm and storytelling. Day 2 is a full day experience so it could have easily been too much but our guide James C. Made sure we felt taken care of by sharing his experience and local knowledge and taking every opportunity to give us hints to make the experience memorable .
Sherif our guide was wonderful. This trip was exceeded our expectations. From the pick up to the drop off was amazing. Because we were so happy with Sherif we booked another tour with Go West for the next day.
Jai did a superb job as our guide! He was knowledgeable, friendly, and the perfect mix of enthusiasm and cheerfulness. A very long day seemed to fly by because he packed so much in without rushing us to make timelines. Starting with morning tea at Torquay and continuing down the coast was simply spectacular. Our time spent at Maits Rest in the Otway National Park was tranquil and the cool crisp air of this temperate rainforest was a highlight of the day. The stunning views at the 12 Apostles and Lach Ard Gorge are well worth the travel time from Melbourne. Tomorrow we are touring Phillip Island with Go West tours and fully expect another amazing adventure.
Thank you for Raquel for this Gourmet Tour! It was well organized. We had a lot of wine tastings, a quick stop to eat some cheese, lunch Break with tasty roasbeef and at the end the chocolaterie with tasting and free time. Yesterday I was with Cloe on another tour from same tour organized Go West to discover the Great Ocean road! It went also well 👌
started with the great ocean road tour with our lovely guide Cloe!! couldn’t have asked for a more patient guide for the first day. the views were breathtaking and soooo worth it!! the penguin parade was such a wholesome experience with the littlest penguins, such an amazing day with our very cheerful and friendly guide Jacqui!! overall the best introduction to melbourne ever.
We did the Philip island and penguin parade with Jono. Jono was thr best tour guide I've ever had. Very informative, funny and made sure everyone had a good time. If you're lucky to get him, your in for the best time. We saw tons of penguins! The wildlife preserve was also great. Very happy with this tour. Highly recommend!
James C was a friendly, accommodating and professional guide/driver. There was a reasonable amount of time for the stops. The views were fantastic and the tour was relaxing. I would highly recommend it.
Amazing experience. Had great fun with Aleks our tour guide from Go West . She is amazing lady with good experience of this tour. Gave us lot of insight on this tour . Thanks Aleks
Chloe was outstanding as a tour guide! Very knowledgeable of the area and passionate about sharing experiences and insights. Chloe is the best of the best and loved the French accent!
I have participated in two tours with Go West: the Great Ocean Road tour led by Terry R and the Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour led by Damo. Both experiences were highly satisfactory. The Great Ocean Road tour is a full-day excursion that spans from 7 am to 8 pm. Terry provided an exceptional experience by sharing the historical context of each location. His explanations were easily comprehensible, even for non-Australian speakers like myself. This tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the Melbourne region and is highly recommended. The Phillip Island tour provided an opportunity to visit a sanctuary with koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and other wildlife. Notably, there was a designated area where visitors could pet the koalas. The tour culminated in witnessing the mesmerizing penguin parade after sunset. I would also like to acknowledge the excellent music selection curated by Damo during our journey.
Highly recommended excursion along the Great Ocean Road, accompanied by Alisha, excellent guide, very pleasant and knowledgeable in all history. The Rainforest and the Coast with the Twelve Apostles, a Wonder
Operator and tour highly recommended! Alisha, Chris H, Bluey and Jaimes were excellent guides! Alisha with her great energy! Chris with his great passion! And Bluey and Jaimes all aussies. I really enjoyed every moment! Gracias Go West Tours!
The tour with Terry's guide was amazing! Good music, with interesting comments of the points of interest, very friendly and giving us the best tips to spend a very pleasant afternoon.
Incredible experience, sublime and varied landscapes! We dive into an adventure with our guide Jacqui! She is always present to convey her good mood! And his energy is contagious! Its superb playlist accompanies us throughout the trip! I recommend you! (especially with Jacqui)
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
Reach us by email