Depart Melbourne at around 8.00 am and enjoy panoramic views of the city and Port Phillip Bay as you cross the Westgate Bridge, Australia’s longest at just under 2.6 kilometres.

Pass by and learn a little about Victoria’s second-largest city, Geelong, as you go down towards the Surf Coast, with its enchanting beachside towns and powerful swells.

Stop just outside the town of Torquay for your first opportunity to visit the beach and enjoy complimentary morning tea.

Depart Torquay and set out along the Great Ocean Road itself as your experienced driver-guide provides informative commentary about the road’s history and place in Australian folklore.

Enjoy the scenic journey along the Great Ocean Road, which is a highlight as you absorb some truly amazing coastal scenery, with new views being revealed around every bend.

Make plenty of scenic stops, including a photo opportunity at the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch at Eastern View.

Make a brief side trip to the township of Kennet River into the sweetly-scented eucalyptus forest to locate some of the local koalas in their native habitat. The koala population here is robust, and numerous sightings are guaranteed!

Have an opportunity to feed the colourful local birdlife, with Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots always keen for a handful of sunflower seeds.

Continue towards your lunch stop in Apollo Bay, with another photo stop at Cape Patten.

Follow the Great Ocean Road after lunch away from the ocean and into the mountains.

Proceed with the tour through the spectacular Otway Ranges, where you will stop to enjoy a stroll in the cool temperate rainforest at Maits Rest. Here, your guide accompanies the group through the forest, where you stop to learn a little about the world’s tallest flowering trees and the ancient rainforest species.

Head to the world-famous Port Campbell National Park and its iconic rock formations. You’ll be awestruck by the majestic monoliths of the Twelve Apostles. Here, you also have the opportunity to take to the air with an optional helicopter flight.

Make a further possible stop at Gibsons Steps for those guests who don’t take to the air. Here, guests can descend the steps to Gibsons Beach below for beach-level views of two of the Twelve Apostles.

Go just down the road to the heart of the Shipwreck Coast, the Loch Ard Gorge, where 52 lives were lost and only two souls survived the wreck of the Loch Ard in 1878. Your guide will recount the legend of the Loch Ard, bringing the gorge to life in a way you never imagined.

Take time to explore and see more rock formations, including the Razorback, the Dumpling Pots and the delightful Island Archway.

Unwind with a dinner stop on the journey back to Melbourne and enjoy a stunning view of the illuminated city as you cross the Westgate Bridge again on the way home.

Drop off right back at your inner city accommodation, and you’ll remember this day as a true highlight of your Australian holiday.