Maximum 10 travellers
No big coaches or disappearing into a crowd. Small groups mean a more personal, relaxed and social day.
The iconic coast, done differently.
Great Ocean Road Small-Group Adventure
See the Great Ocean Road with a maximum of 10 travellers and a local outdoor guide. Think rainforest walks, wild beaches, waterfalls, koalas, kangaroos and local stops—with more time actually exploring and less time stuck on a bus.
Maximum 10 guestsReverse routeMore time outdoorsLocal guides
More than a sightseeing tour.
A Great Ocean Road tour for travellers who actually want to explore.
The Great Ocean Road deserves more than a day spent looking at it through a bus window. We combine the icons you came to see with rainforest trails, waterfalls, wild beaches, wildlife and local places that make this part of Victoria special.
With a maximum of 10 travellers, there’s less waiting around and more freedom to explore. No huge group, no scripted microphone commentary and no racing through a checklist of photo stops. Just a small group, a local guide and a proper day out on the Great Ocean Road.
The Hike & Seek difference
Fewer people. More exploring.
We created Hike & Seek for travellers who want something more personal, adventurous and local than the standard big-bus day tour.
More time actually exploring
Beaches, rainforest trails, waterfalls and wildlife. We believe the best part of the Great Ocean Road happens outside the vehicle.
Reverse route, fewer crowds
We head inland first and reach the 12 Apostles earlier, avoiding much of the Great Ocean Road coach traffic and giving us more freedom to explore throughout the day.
Wildlife worth slowing down for
Our guides know where to look for wild koalas, kangaroos and native birds — and we give ourselves time to actually enjoy finding them.
Local guides, flexible days
Wildlife, weather and local conditions shape every adventure. If something special happens along the way, we have the flexibility to enjoy it.
Photos included
Your guide captures moments throughout the adventure so you can put the phone down occasionally and actually be there.
“Kurtis is the most amazing tour guide and goes above and beyond what’s expected! In a split second we saw an awake koala in a tree and we stopped to take photos, one of the highlights of an already amazing tour!”
Your adventure
See the icons. Then go beyond them.
Every adventure is a little different. Weather, wildlife and local conditions shape the day, and travelling with a small group gives us the flexibility to make the most of what's happening around us.
Our reverse route
Melbourne→12 Apostles→Gibson Steps→Lunch in the Otways→Hopetoun Falls→The Redwoods→Wild Koala Spotting→Apollo Bay→Great Ocean Road Coastal Drive→Lorne→Wild Kangaroo Spotting→Melbourne
7:30 AM
Melbourne Pickup
Meet your local guide and a small group of fellow travellers in central Melbourne. With a maximum of just 10 guests, the day feels more like a road trip with good company than a conventional coach tour.
Pickup:180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
8:45 AM
Country Coffee Stop
Ease into the adventure with a coffee and a stretch in country Victoria. We prefer relaxed local stops over rushing from one tourist attraction to the next.
10:40 AM
12 Apostles
Experience Australia's iconic 12 Apostles before spending the rest of the day exploring beyond the famous viewpoints. Take in the towering limestone stacks, dramatic cliffs and wild Southern Ocean without feeling like you're being rushed back onto the bus.
11:15 AM
Gibson Steps
Leave the lookout behind and head down the historic Gibson Steps to the beach. Standing beneath the enormous limestone cliffs gives you a completely different perspective of the Shipwreck Coast — and is exactly the kind of experience we mean by getting out and actually exploring.
12:15 PM
Lunch in the Otways
Slow down for a proper lunch in the heart of the Otways. Enjoy local food, coffee and Victorian beer or wine, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available. Colourful native parrots often join us nearby while we eat.
1:25 PM
Hopetoun Falls
Venture deeper into the Otways and follow a forest trail to one of the region's most beautiful waterfalls. Giant ferns, towering trees and lush temperate rainforest make this feel a world away from the busy roadside viewpoints.
2:00 PM
The Redwoods
Wander beneath giant Californian Redwoods hidden among the forests of the Otways. It's peaceful, unexpected and one of those places that shows there is far more to the Great Ocean Road than its famous coastline.
2:45 PM
Wild Koala Spotting
Slow things down and search the eucalyptus canopy for wild koalas. Our guides know the local wildlife areas and, with a small group, we have the flexibility to take our time when nature gives us something special to see.
3:10 PM
Apollo Bay
Enjoy some free time in the laid-back seaside town of Apollo Bay. Wander down to the beach, grab something local to eat or drink, or simply enjoy having some time to explore at your own pace.
3:40 PM
The Great Ocean Road
Now it's time to experience the road itself. Travel along the spectacular coastal section of the Great Ocean Road, where forest-covered hills meet the ocean and incredible views appear around almost every corner.
4:10 PM
One of Our Favourite Lookouts
Step away from the busiest viewing platforms and take in the coastline from one of our favourite clifftop stops — the kind of place a local guide loves sharing with travellers.
4:45 PM
Lorne
Stretch your legs in one of the Great Ocean Road's favourite seaside towns. Wander along the beachfront and soak up the relaxed Surf Coast atmosphere before the final part of our adventure.
Late Afternoon
Wild Kangaroo Spotting
Finish the day searching for wild kangaroos grazing around the Surf Coast. Rather than treating wildlife as another box to tick, we'll take the time to watch from a respectful distance and enjoy one of Australia's classic wildlife encounters.
7:00–7:30 PM
Return to Melbourne
Relax on the journey back to Melbourne after a full day of coastline, rainforest, waterfalls, wildlife and good company — with plenty more memories than roadside photo stops.
Ready for a different kind of Great Ocean Road tour?
Join a small group and actually explore.
Maximum 10 travellers. Reverse route. More time outdoors.
Is this your kind of day?
Made for travellers, not checklist tourists.
If you'd rather walk through a rainforest, search for a koala and share lunch with a small group than spend the day hopping on and off a giant coach, you'll probably fit right in.
You'll love this tour if you:
- ✓Love nature, wildlife and wild landscapes.
- ✓Prefer intimate groups over large coach tours.
- ✓Want to spend more of the day outside the vehicle.
- ✓Like the idea of seeing the icons with fewer crowds.
- ✓Enjoy walking, beaches, waterfalls and forests.
- ✓Want time to look for wild koalas and kangaroos.
- ✓Like meeting curious, like-minded travellers.
- ✓Prefer local places and independent businesses.
It may not be the best fit if you:
- —Need a fully accessible, step-free itinerary.
- —Prefer a large luxury coach with minimal walking.
- —Only want the main attractions and quickest possible photo stops.
- —Would rather stay on the bus than explore on foot.
- —Are uncomfortable with a long, active day outdoors.
Your local crew
Guided by outdoor people, not a script.
Hike & Seek is a small independent Melbourne tour company created for travellers who want to properly experience Victoria's wild places. Our guides are friendly, First Aid qualified and genuinely passionate about hiking, wildlife and the landscapes we explore.
Don't expect memorised commentary delivered through a microphone. Expect local stories, conversations, wildlife spotting and a guide who can adapt the day when weather, conditions or an unexpected wildlife encounter gives us a better idea.
Travelling with us also means supporting a small local business and the cafés, communities and independent places we visit along the way.
First Aid qualifiedLocal knowledgeIndependent & localPhotos included
The essentials
What's included
- ✓Friendly local guide
- ✓Small-group transport
- ✓National park entry
- ✓Guided walks and nature experiences
- ✓Tour photos
- ✓Central Melbourne pickup
- ✓Reverse itinerary
- ✓Wildlife spotting opportunities
- ✓Flexible, weather-aware itinerary
- ✓Maximum 10 travellers
- ✓Free cancellation up to 24 hours
Not included:Lunch, snacks and personal expenses. We stop for a proper lunch in the Otways with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available to purchase.
Before you book
Great Ocean Road tour FAQs
How is Hike & Seek different from a typical Great Ocean Road tour?
We keep our groups to a maximum of 10 travellers and build the day around actually experiencing the places we visit. That means more time outside the vehicle, rainforest walks, waterfalls, beaches, wildlife spotting, local stops and a relaxed atmosphere rather than racing through a checklist of roadside viewpoints.
Why do you travel the Great Ocean Road in reverse?
Most day tours travel along the coast from Melbourne and reach the 12 Apostles later in the day. We head inland first, allowing us to reach the 12 Apostles earlier and avoid much of the coach traffic. It generally means fewer crowds at the major sights and gives us more time and flexibility for rainforest walks, wildlife spotting and local stops throughout the afternoon.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes several short walks on beaches, rainforest tracks, steps and lookout paths. You don't need to be an experienced hiker, but you should be comfortable walking on uneven ground and climbing stairs. The walking is part of the experience rather than simply driving between viewpoints.
Where does the tour depart?
The tour departs from 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne at 7:30 AM. Please arrive around 10 minutes early so our small group can leave Melbourne on time.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is purchased separately. We stop in the Otways for a proper lunch rather than a rushed roadside stop, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available, along with coffee and local drinks.
Will we definitely see koalas and kangaroos?
We visit reliable wildlife areas and sightings are common, but these are genuinely wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed. Our guides know what to look for and we allow time to search rather than treating wildlife as a quick photo stop.
Who normally joins Hike & Seek tours?
Our tours attract travellers who enjoy nature, wildlife, walking and discovering somewhere properly. Travelling in a small group also makes the day naturally more social, and many guests enjoy meeting like-minded travellers from around the world along the way.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
The Great Ocean Road is wild and beautiful in every season. Tours generally operate in changing weather, and one advantage of travelling with a small group and local guide is that we can adjust stops when necessary for safety, track closures, wildlife or local conditions.
What should I bring?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a reusable water bottle, a warm or waterproof jacket, sunscreen, a hat and clothing suitable for changing coastal weather. Victoria can give us several seasons in one day.
Can I bring luggage?
Storage is limited in our small-group vehicle. Please contact us before booking if you need to bring anything larger than a small day bag.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations made within 24 hours are generally non-refundable.
Let's go exploring.
Fewer people. Fewer crowds. More Great Ocean Road.
Join a maximum of 10 travellers and experience Victoria's coastline, rainforest and wildlife on our reverse route with a local guide who genuinely loves exploring it.
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