Duration:
TOUR CODE: GP-S
OPERATES: Tues, Wed, Fri, Sun
DEPARTS: 7:35am
RETURNS: 8:30pm
TOUR DURATION: 12.5 Hours
MAIN PICKUP LOCATION & TIME: Immigration Museum – 400 Flinders St, corner Market St, Melbourne @ 7:35am.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Venture into the National Heritage–listed Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park
Learn about the region’s rich Aboriginal heritage at the Visitor Information Centre
Breathtaking rock formations and summit views from Reeds & Boroka Lookout & The Balconies
Australian wildlife encounters in their natural habitat – see wild emus and kangaroos
Be inspired by the spectacular MacKenzie Falls, trek down 260 steps down to the base of the falls
Guided bush walks and panoramic hiking trails through ancient landscapes
The Grampians National Park is home to the town of Halls Gap, which can be explored on foot
ITINERARY:
Prepare to immerse yourself in one of Australia’s most ancient and breathtaking landscapes on our Grampians (Gariwerd) Tour. This is your opportunity to explore dramatic mountain ranges, panoramic views, and a region deeply connected to its rich Aboriginal heritage—all in a single day filled with natural beauty and adventure.
The Grampians are a striking series of sandstone ridges and rugged mountain ranges that have been shaped by millions of years of natural processes. With towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and sweeping lookouts, this iconic region offers some of Australia’s most stunning natural landscapes. Along the way, you’ll encounter native wildlife such as kangaroos, emus, and a vibrant variety of bird species—providing an authentic Australian experience unlike any other.
We start the day with a stop in the charming town of Beaufort, where you can stretch your legs and enjoy a light refreshment. From there, we’ll travel into the heart of Grampians National Park to begin our adventure. Take a moment to enjoy the crisp mountain air as we set off on a scenic hike leading to some of the region’s most remarkable and iconic lookout points—offering views that will truly leave you in awe.
We’ll pause in Halls Gap for lunch, which is at your own expense. This picturesque town offers excellent dining options with a variety of delicious choices to suit every taste—consider trying something local for a truly authentic experience. After lunch, we’ll continue on to some of the Grampians’ most famous sights, including Reeds & Boroka Lookout, Jaws of Death and Balconies Lookout—both well-known for their dramatic rock formations and panoramic views. These locations were famously featured in the Japanese anime Princess Mononoke and are even more impressive in person.
Next, we’ll visit MacKenzie Falls, one of Australia’s most iconic and impressive natural wonders. This majestic waterfall offers a breathtaking sight and a perfect spot for reflection. For those with an adventurous spirit, we may also explore Silverband Falls or Beehive Falls, each offering their own unique charm, beauty, and tranquil surroundings.
After a day of exploration, hiking, and unforgettable scenery, we’ll make our way back to Melbourne with one final stop to relax and refuel. The Grampians will leave you with lasting memories and a newfound appreciation for the incredible diversity of Australia’s landscapes and natural wonders.
Are You Ready to Explore the Grampians? Join us for a day of discovery, adventure, and cultural exploration you’ll treasure for years to come.
Meals: morning tea & snacks
Driving distance: 600km
Walking distance: ~4km
*Autopia Tours reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary schedule during seasonal weather fluctuations and/or during park closures.
INCLUSIONS:
- National Park admission fees
- Aboriginal cultural centre
- Morning tea with wildlife included
- Guided bush walks* (4km, subject to fitness level)
- Australian flora and fauna sightings
- Hosted by an experienced driver-guide
- Air-conditioned mini-coach travel
- Comprehensive local tour commentary
- Selected Melbourne inner-city pick-up/drop-off points
- Audio & text translation app available in 10 different languages (Cantonese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish)
EXCLUSIONS:
- Any meals not indicated within the itinerary – at the guest’s own expense. We provide plenty of opportunities for guests to support locals and buy lunch/dinner along the way.
- Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point.
- Personal travel insurance is highly recommended
- Personal expenses
WHAT TO BRING:
1L refillable water bottle, hat, sunglasses & sunscreen, all-weather active clothing ie. wind-breaker/raincoat, comfortable walking shoes (tread closed toe shoes), small day pack 5-7kg, money for snacks and meals, camera to capture every moment!
CHILD POLICY:
Children aged 6 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian at all times due to terrain and walks involved. Not suitable for infants or children aged 5 and under.
WEATHER:
Please ensure you have checked the average temperatures for the time of year you are travelling and have packed adequate clothing. In the event of rain or inclement weather, your experience will still go ahead, unless contacted by the provider.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- Mandatory Details: Passenger details are required at the time of booking, including date of birth, food allergies, and a contact phone number.
- Medical Conditions: The tour operator must be notified of any known medical conditions at the time of booking. This is a physically demanding tour requiring a moderate to advanced level of fitness and mobility.
- Fitness Level: A moderate level of fitness is required to complete hikes to lookout views and stairs down to the base of MacKenzie Falls.
- Age Restrictions: Children aged 6 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian at all times due to terrain and walks involved. Not suitable for infants or children aged 5 and under.
- Mobility Considerations: This tour is not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers, including those using wheelchairs, walkers, prams, or strollers.
- Baggage Limitations: Limited storage space on our vehicle, baggage kept to 1 x 5-7kg day bag per person. We are not able to accommodate travellers’ suitcases on day trips, please store at your hotel whilst on tour.
- Itinerary Variations: Itineraries and touring routes may change to adapt to seasonal conditions, park closures and changes in road conditions. Safety is our top priority, and we plan accordingly to ensure the best experience for our guests.
- Reconfirmation of Details: All travellers are asked to reconfirm their tour details within 7 days prior to departure by calling 03 9393 1333.
- Private Tours: Private charters services are available on request at charters@gltg.com.au.
SUITS
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Watching the little penguins emerge from the ocean at sunset and make their way across the beach to their burrows was something we’ll remember for a long time. The whole experience is very well organised, with excellent viewing areas and knowledgeable staff helping visitors appreciate the importance of protecting this unique wildlife.
One piece of advice for anyone booking tickets: we chose the VIP Underground Viewing experience, but in hindsight we don’t feel it offered enough extra value over the Premier Viewing tickets. The Premier option provides an excellent view, and we think it offers the best balance of experience and value. If we visited again, we’d happily choose Premier Viewing.
Overall, this was a fantastic wildlife experience and a real highlight of our time in Victoria. It’s a must-do if you’re travelling to Melbourne or the surrounding area.
The tour itself was great, from pick-up, to site visits, to easy drop-off at the end of a long day! We really lucked out with the weather and got to see so many more sights than we would have otherwise if we'd gone alone. There was a lot of ground to cover, with the "Twelve" Apostles being the clear highlight of the tour. We did great on time and even managed a few bonus stops which included a Koala sighting and a whole group of Kangaroos!
The star of the show was honestly our guide, Ilkay. I have no idea how he maintained such great energy throughout what must have been an incredibly long day for him (bearing in mind he was driving AND guiding, and we were his first pick-ups at 7am, and last drop-offs around 8pm). His explanations were brilliant, both in content and delivery, and his enthusiasm really kept our group engaged. Couldn't have asked for a better guide!
The natural scenery was beautiful, and seeing koalas and penguins up close was an unforgettable experience. I’d never seen them that close before.
Great day..
Our guide, Kiwi, is very knowledgeable about history, nature and how to assure that his guests are getting the most out of the trip.
The coffee was served as committed. It's a DIY coffee where they keep hot water, coffee, sugar, milk etc and make your own. Alongwith Tim Tams. The sandwich for lunch was tasty and filling. I opted for veg and the veggies inside it were so fresh n crunchy. I didn't feel hungry till evening. I saw the veg sandwich bigger than the non veg ;)
Special credits to our tour guide Joel. He did a fab job telling us about the points, history of the places. Sweet person to spend the day with. He made all the tourists comfortable, co and waited patiently incase we were late.
Joel- Thanks and love from India.
The had been the perfect guide shared interesting stories and information in an entertaining way. Thanks for a wonderful day!
My highlight was definitely Nobbies Lookout and of course the penguins.
My experience on the Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour (Booking: 122799) was a catastrophic failure of service, hygiene, and basic safety. This tour is NOT worth the premium price of AUD $165.
MAJOR FAILURES:
• CORE PROMISE BROKEN: The driver was over an hour late, ensuring we arrived at the 12 Apostles with massive crowds, completely nullifying the 'Reverse Tour' promise.
• ITINERARY OMITTED: We only stopped at 2 out of 5 major promised sites. The driver intentionally skipped 60% of the itinerary, including the guaranteed rainforest walk.
• HYGIENE : The 'picnic lunch' was served standing up next to the bus from a cooler box. Furthermore, the restrooms at the morning tea stop were in a shockingly unsanitary state, forcing me to avoid using them for hours.
• SUBSTANDARD SERVICE: The vehicle was dirty and loud (not 'modern and comfortable'). Onboard Wi-Fi and USB charging were unavailable. The same individual served as both the driver and the guide. He provided commentary while actively driving on long, winding roads. This was extremely stressful for passengers as his focus was repeatedly diverted from the road, creating a serious safety risk throughout the tour. Moreover, the 'guided tour' existed only inside the bus; when we stopped at sites, the driver/guide never joined the group to provide explanations.There were no promised "Guided walks", no rain forest walk, nothing. We stopped for only 15 minutes for restroom in the forest!
This company failed to provide the service they advertised and showed a profound disregard for customer welfare!


























































