Small-group hiking day tour · Hamer Hall, Southbank
This 12-hour small-group day heads straight from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles ahead of the crowds, then walks you down Gibson Steps, into Great Otway National Park for a waterfall hike and among the Californian Redwoods. It is the pick for people who want to walk more and sit less, without needing any hiking experience.
Most Twelve Apostles tours are long drives with short stops. This one is built around getting out of the vehicle. You leave Melbourne early and go straight to the Twelve Apostles ahead of the crowds, with time on the boardwalks and lookouts. Then comes the part many tours skip: walking down Gibson Steps to the beach, 86 steps cut into the cliff, for a view of the stacks from sea level. The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority opens the steps when conditions allow, and at high tide most of the beach is under water.
From the coast you head inland into Great Otway National Park for a Grade 2 hike to one of the Otways waterfalls. The listing says no bushwalking experience is needed: the track is hardened or compacted, with some gentle hills and occasional steps. You also walk among the tall Californian Redwoods. Lunch is at a restaurant in Lavers Hill, where you may spot native parrots, at your own cost. The drive home follows the Great Ocean Road with stops in Apollo Bay and Lorne, and a look for koalas on the way.
Guests rate it 4.9 from 79 reviews and keep praising guides who spot koalas from the road. Two things to plan for. There is no hotel pickup: you meet at the undercover taxi rank between Hamer Hall and the Arts Centre on St Kilda Road. And lunch is extra. 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. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Meet at the undercover taxi rank between Hamer Hall and the Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Rd, and head west.
Time on the boardwalks and viewpoints before the crowds build.
Walk down to the beach below the cliffs for the stacks from sea level, if conditions allow.
A Grade 2 walk to an Otways waterfall, then the Californian Redwoods.
Lunch at a local restaurant (own cost), where you may spot native parrots.
The coast road back to Melbourne, with stops in both towns and koala spotting.
★★★★★Excellent trip. The guide, Jayda was helpful and very well informed. Would definitely recommend this tour!
★★★★★Our guide Marcus was great. Tour had a nice selection of stops, wildlife sightings, and wasn't too long of a day. Lunch stop was at a great restaurant! Great experience all round.
★★★★★Absolutely Amazing Tour with a perfect Guide Patrick - we saw places where you can‘t get with a bus! Would do it again! Worth the time and worth the money - Thumbs up!
★★★★★amazing trip!! many things to see, very concentrated in one day, but that was my plan so the perfect solution if you have less time but want to see many things :))
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Easy to moderate. The listing calls it Grade 2: no bushwalking experience required, on a hardened or compacted track with some gentle hills and occasional steps. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
No. You meet at the undercover taxi rank between Hamer Hall and the Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank, and the tour ends back in Melbourne.
Yes, when conditions allow. The listing includes the chance to walk down to the beach, and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority opens the 86 steps when conditions allow. At high tide most of the beach is covered.
No. Lunch is at a local restaurant in Lavers Hill at your own cost. Guests praise the stop, so bring a card or cash.
Ready to book
The Twelve Apostles early, Gibson Steps, a waterfall hike in the Otways and the Californian Redwoods, in a small group.
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