Small-group sunset tour · Selected Melbourne city hotels
This 13-hour day collects you from a selected Melbourne city hotel late in the morning, follows the coast past the Surf Coast and the Memorial Arch, and ends with sunset at the Twelve Apostles. Pick it if you want the stacks in evening light, with no dawn alarm and fewer people around you.
Most Twelve Apostles tours leave Melbourne at dawn. This one picks up at selected city hotels between 9 and 11am (the time shifts with the season, and the exact time is emailed to you), then times the whole day around one moment: sunset at the Twelve Apostles. Guests say the late start pays off. One writes that starting later than most tours meant they avoided the big crowds.
The route runs along the coast. First a stop in one of the Surf Coast towns, then the Memorial Arch, the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, then wild koala spotting (the listing is honest that sightings cannot be guaranteed) and scenic lookouts on the way west. At Loch Ard Gorge the guide tells the story of the 1878 shipwreck and its two survivors. The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority has closed the Loch Ard Gorge beach steps for now, but the lookouts are open. Short stops let you buy lunch and dinner, with places that vary by season.
Groups are capped at 24, and the vehicle has upgraded seating, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. National park entry fees are included, and you can play commentary in 16 languages on the operator's app. Guests rate it 4.8 from 613 reviews. Since 16 October 2026, drivers need a timed-arrival booking to park at the new Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre. Tour operators get guaranteed parking bays at a set time, so as a tour guest you book nothing extra. After sunset you relax on the drive back, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before lets you hold a date while you watch the forecast.
Pickup at a selected Melbourne city hotel. The window is seasonal, and your exact time arrives by email.
A stop in one of the relaxed seaside towns on Victoria's Surf Coast.
The arch that marks the start of the Great Ocean Road, then a short stop to buy lunch.
Wild koala spotting among the eucalypts and scenic stops along the cliffs.
Walk among the limestone cliffs while the guide tells the shipwreck story. A short stop for dinner follows.
Watch the evening light change the stacks, then settle in for the drive back to your hotel.
★★★★★This was an amazing Tour. Tom was a great guide and told us many interesting stories. The sunset at the 12 Apostels was spectacular, and the fact that we started later than most other tours gave us the advantage of avoiding great crowds. It was a small group, which made the tour even more enjoyable. Highly recommended!
★★★★★A MUST in Melbourne. It was a wonderful day. We made several stops on the way to the Twelve Apostles. A longer one at noon for lunch, then several short ones for different lookouts. [...] But the highlight was, of course, the Twelve Apostles. [...] at sunset they looked even more beautiful than they already are. Thanks to our great guide Jono, who explained and showed us so much, and of course also for the safe round trip!
★★★★★It was an extremely satisfying excursion! [...] We had a really fun time working together to spot koalas and enjoying ourselves on the coach while listening to the guide's commentary. We also arrived at the Twelve Apostles at the perfect time for sunset.
★★★★★It was a great day on the road with Bluey! He was very friendly, shared lots of interesting information about Melbourne and Australia more broadly, and really took the time to engage with people on the tour individually. [...] The drive was smooth, the stops were well thought out, time was well spent, and we were all kept very happy and comfortable.
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Between 9 and 11am, depending on the season, from selected Melbourne city hotels. The operator emails your exact pickup time after you book.
No. Food and drinks are not included, but you may bring your own. The tour makes short stops so you can buy lunch and dinner.
The guide will help you look for wild koalas, and guests often spot them, but the listing is upfront that sightings cannot be guaranteed. Our wildlife post covers what else lives along the coast.
No. Since 16 October 2026, drivers need a timed-arrival booking to park at the new Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre. Tour operators get guaranteed parking bays at a set time, so as a tour guest you book nothing extra. Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge sit outside the booking system anyway.
Ready to book
A later start, the Surf Coast and Loch Ard Gorge, then sunset at the Twelve Apostles, with hotel pickup and park entry included.
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