Sunshine photos start with smarter timing. This Great Ocean Road Reverse tour adds a fast stop at London Bridge and plans key coastal sights to help you dodge crowds and catch more flattering light. I like that it’s not just a drive-by postcard day; you get wildlife time and a proper break in Apollo Bay.

Two things I especially like: the reverse itinerary design for better viewing and the way the day mixes famous cliffs with quieter lookouts. One thing to consider is the long coach day—some seats can feel stiff early on, so I recommend planning for comfort.

Key highlights worth aiming for

• London Bridge stop for quick photos and a rare extra viewpoint on this route
• Reverse timing that helps you avoid worst crowding and harsh backlight
• Kennett River wildlife walk where koalas, kangaroos, and native parrots are possible
• Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge with dedicated breaks for photos and sightseeing
• Apollo Bay break around midday, plus a late lunch timing that works well for an easy pace
• Top guides like William, Phillip, and Allan who keep the day organized and fun

Why reverse the Great Ocean Road route matters

The Great Ocean Road is popular for a reason, but popular also means crowds and glare. This reverse approach starts you with a different flow than the usual day-tour rhythm, so you’re more likely to get breathing room at the big stops and better photo angles. For me, that’s the real value: less waiting, more seeing.

You also spend the day moving with a rhythm that makes sense. You get the classic icons (Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles), then roll into wildlife time, and finish with a final set of coastal views. It’s a layout that works if you want photos, but also want the day to feel like a trip, not a checklist.

London Bridge: a short stop with big payoff

Most Great Ocean Road day tours focus only on the headline stops. This one adds an extra photo stop at London Bridge in Victoria with about 15 minutes for sightseeing and scenic viewing.

It’s quick, so you won’t feel like you’re losing the day. But it can be a big win for two reasons: it gives you another signature coastal perspective, and it spreads out the crowd pressure so the rest of the day doesn’t feel jammed. If you love getting the best-looking coast angles, this is the kind of small addition that makes a difference.

Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles in the right order

After London Bridge, the day heads to Loch Ard Gorge for a break time, photo stop, visit, and sightseeing. You’re not rushing through it; you’re given time to step out, take in the sea-cliff scenery, and reset before the big finale stretch.

Then comes the Twelve Apostles with break time, free time, and sightseeing. The reverse itinerary is designed to help with the light and crowd flow, and that matters here because the Apostles are the stop everyone wants. If you show up when it’s too crowded, you end up doing the “single photo, then shuffle away” routine. This route aims to reduce that problem.

Practical tip: wear layers and hold onto your best camera settings for the walk to viewpoints. The cliffs don’t forgive mistakes if it’s windy or bright. Also, if you’re the kind of person who likes to wait for the perfect angle, you’ll appreciate the extra time built into these stops.

Kennett River wildlife viewing: where the day gets real

Here’s where the tour stops feeling like an all-coast postcard day. You pass through Great Otway National Park, then you get to Kennett River for a photo stop, a short walk, and wildlife viewing.

This is where you have a strong chance of spotting the animals people come for: koalas lounging in branches, kangaroos hopping through bush, and native parrots. The tour can’t guarantee wildlife (no one should promise that), but the setup is clearly built around giving you multiple opportunities to look and wait calmly instead of sprinting between viewpoints.

I also like that this is a break from the big cliff stops. It gives your brain a different kind of focus. You’re not hunting angles; you’re scanning trees, edges of bush, and places where the animals tend to show up when the timing is right.

Apollo Bay lunch timing and how to use the break

You arrive at Apollo Bay around midday for lunch and free time. The big practical point: lunch is effectively late in the day, around 3 PM, so it’s smart to plan for a longer gap than you might expect when you leave Melbourne early.

The tour notes that you should bring snacks. That makes sense. You can’t have food or drinks in the vehicle, so treat snacks as “between-stop fuel,” not something you’re casually eating on the bus. Once you reach Apollo Bay, you’ll be able to choose from waterfront restaurant options for a proper meal.

What you do with the free time depends on your mood. If you want an easy reset, hang around the waterfront area and eat slowly. If you want light exploring, use the time to stretch your legs and enjoy the coastal town vibe before you head back to the icon viewpoints.

One small caution: if you’re the type who wants a long lunch walk plus a full sit-down meal, you may find time feels tight. The day is paced to fit big sights, and the lunch window is built for getting fed, not disappearing into the local coastline for hours.

Memorial Arch at Eastern View: the final photo moment

The last major photo moment comes at Memorial Arch at Eastern View. You’ll get a photo stop plus visit and sightseeing time before the drop-offs.

This is a good “wrap-up” stop. After the Twelve Apostles and wildlife time, it helps to have one final place that lets you reset and take a last round of shots without the pressure of the crowd chaos that can happen at the most famous cliffs.

If you still have energy for photos, this is where I’d spend it. If you’re done for the day, it’s still worth stepping out for a few minutes—Eastern View is a classic vantage point for understanding how the Great Ocean Road threads together.

Coaches, group sizes, and the three tour options

Joy OZ Tours runs three versions of this day trip, and the differences matter for comfort and vibe.

Classic Coach Tour: air-conditioned coach, departing Melbourne around 7:00–7:30 AM.

Mid-Size Coach Tour: limited to no more than 35 guests, also around 7:00–7:30 AM.

Premium Small-Group Tour: a Mercedes van limited to 15 guests, with complimentary pickup in Melbourne’s CBD area and a later departure around 8:00 AM.

If you’re trying to maximize value, the coach options are the obvious choice. If you want a quieter ride and more personal attention at stops, the smaller-group van has appeal.

Also note the pickup detail for the Premium option: some areas aren’t included for complimentary pickup, including St Kilda Road while within postal code 3000 due to its remote location. If your hotel is on the edge of the CBD, I’d double-check the exact pickup area they message you.

Drop-offs happen at Docklands, Southbank, 3000, and 52 Spencer St, so you’re not stuck finishing the day far from where you started.

What the guide does (and why names like William and Phillip pop up)

A Great Ocean Road day lives or dies on pacing. This tour is led by a live English guide, and you’ll feel it in how stops are timed and how you’re guided to the right moments for photos and wildlife viewing.

In the feedback, guides like William, Phillip, Allan, and Philip/Philippe come up again and again. The common thread is not just friendliness—it’s how they keep the day moving without turning it into a sprint. People also appreciated humor and stories that connect the scenery to the wider Great Ocean Road setting.

I’d call that “hidden value.” The route has a lot going on, and a good guide turns it into a smoother day. A tough guide turns it into a series of confused meet-ups. On this tour, the odds are much better.

Price and value: how $38 holds up for a 13-hour day

At about $38 per person, this is priced for people who want the highlights without blowing the budget. The best way to judge value is not the headline price—it’s what you get stacked together.

You’re paying for:

• A full day out of Melbourne (13 hours) with air-conditioned transport
• Multiple major coastal stops (London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge, Twelve Apostles, Eastern View)
• Wildlife-focused time at Kennett River
• A live guide handling the route so you can focus on seeing

Lunch isn’t included, and the optional helicopter tour costs extra, but that’s also part of the value logic. You get control over where and what you eat in Apollo Bay instead of being locked into a fixed meal.

If you’re traveling solo, this kind of day tour often beats the cost and stress of trying to rent a car and drive the whole stretch yourself. You lose independence, yes. But at this price, you gain a guided day with major sights packed in.

Comfort and timing: the honest trade-offs

This is a long day. Even with a smart itinerary, you’re still spending hours on the road, which is where comfort becomes personal.

One practical tip that came up: bring a neck pillow, especially for the early portion of the ride when headrests may not be ideal for everyone. If you run cold, pack layers too—coastal air can shift fast.

Timing also matters. Lunch happens around 3 PM, which can feel late if you’re used to earlier Australian tour meal times. The good move is to plan snack breaks so you’re not stuck waiting hungry for Apollo Bay.

And, like all road trips, expect possible adjustments for severe weather, traffic controls, mechanical failures, or road closures. The tour may tweak the schedule, and that’s normal.

Finally, there’s a hard limitation: the tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users.

Should you book this reverse Great Ocean Road tour?

If you want the Great Ocean Road highlights with a plan designed to improve your chances at good light and manageable crowds, I’d book it. The reverse route and the extra London Bridge stop are real differentiators, not marketing fluff. Add in wildlife time at Kennett River and you get a day that feels like both scenery and nature.

I’d skip it only if you:

• Hate long coach rides and can’t handle early stiffness
• Need a more flexible, no-rush schedule at lunch (because the day is paced to fit many stops)
• Require wheelchair access

If you’re in the sweet spot—want iconic cliffs, want wildlife chances, and you like a guided plan—this one is strong value for the time you spend.

FAQ

How long is the Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour with London Bridge?

The tour duration is 13 hours.

What stops are included besides the main Great Ocean Road sights?

The itinerary includes stops at London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge, the Twelve Apostles, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, and the Memorial Arch at Eastern View.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch isn’t included, and you’ll have time in Apollo Bay to buy something at nearby waterfront restaurants. Lunch is timed for around 3 PM.

Do I need to pay extra for a helicopter tour?

A helicopter tour is optional and costs extra.

What’s included in the tour price?

You get air-conditioned transport (coach or Mercedes van depending on option), a guide, and the included sightseeing/photo stops. The exact pickup is described by option.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.