A vehicle just for your group
No strangers and no waiting for other guests. Enjoy the Great Ocean Road with your own guide and private vehicle.
The iconic coast, just for your group.
Private Great Ocean Road Adventure
Explore the 12 Apostles, wild beaches, rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife with your own guide and private vehicle. Follow our favourite route or contact us beforehand to shape the day around your group.
$1,500 per vehicleUp to 10 guestsPrivate vehicleCustomisable itinerary
A private adventure, Hike & Seek style.
Explore more. Take your time. Make the day your own.
This is the Great Ocean Road without sharing the vehicle with strangers or fitting your day around a larger group. It is just your crew, your local guide and one of Victoria’s greatest coastal adventures.
Our recommended reverse route brings together the famous sights with the experiences that make the region special: rainforest trails, waterfalls, wild beaches, local towns and the chance to spot koalas and kangaroos in the wild.
You can enjoy the route exactly as we have designed it or contact us beforehand to discuss a more personalised day. Spend longer walking, focus on photography, make the pace easier for your family or tell us what you most want to experience.
Why go private?
More freedom for a bigger day out.
The coastline is still wild and the adventure is still unmistakably Hike & Seek. The difference is that the vehicle, guide and day belong entirely to your group.
A day shaped around you
Follow our recommended route or speak with us before the tour about adjusting the day around the places and experiences that interest you most.
Accommodation pickup
Complimentary pickup is available from accommodation in Melbourne CBD and selected nearby areas within approximately 5 km driving distance.
More time actually exploring
Walk along wild beaches, venture into the rainforest and visit waterfalls rather than spending the whole day looking through a window.
Wildlife worth slowing down for
Your guide knows where to look for wild koalas, kangaroos and native birds—and your private group has the freedom to take its time.
Photos included
Your guide can capture moments throughout the adventure, so everyone in your group gets to be part of the memories.
Have something else in mind?
Start with our favourite route—or help us shape yours.
Our itinerary gives you a full Great Ocean Road experience without having to plan a thing. If your group has particular interests, mobility needs or must-see places, contact us before booking and we will discuss what can comfortably fit into the day.
More or less walkingFamily-friendly pacingPhotography focusFavourite places prioritised
Custom requests depend on driving times, weather, track access, park conditions and what can be safely achieved within a day.
Our recommended adventure
Coastline, rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife.
This is the route we recommend when you want to experience as much of the Great Ocean Road as possible in one day. Times are approximate and naturally become more flexible on a private tour.
The adventure
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
Around 7:30 AM
Pickup From Your Accommodation
Your guide will collect you from accommodation in Melbourne CBD or within approximately 5 km driving distance of the CBD. Staying outside our pickup area? Meet us at our convenient central Melbourne pickup point at 180 St Kilda Road. We will confirm your exact pickup time before the tour.
Standard meeting point:180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Morning
Country Coffee Stop
Ease into the adventure with a coffee and a stretch in country Victoria. Because the vehicle is yours for the day, the morning feels relaxed from the beginning—no collecting other guests from multiple stops around the city.
Late Morning
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, with time to enjoy the view without being rushed back to the vehicle.
Late Morning
Gibson Steps
Leave the lookout behind and descend 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 what Hike & Seek means by getting out and exploring.
Lunch
Lunch in the Otways
Slow down for lunch in the heart of the Otways. Enjoy local food, coffee and Victorian beer or wine, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices normally available. Lunch is purchased separately, giving everyone the freedom to choose what they feel like.
Early Afternoon
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.
Afternoon
The Redwoods
Wander beneath giant Californian Redwoods hidden among the forests of the Otways. It is peaceful, unexpected and one of those places that shows there is far more to the Great Ocean Road than its famous coastline.
Afternoon
Wild Koala Spotting
Search the eucalyptus canopy for wild koalas. Your guide knows the local wildlife areas and, on a private tour, there is more freedom to slow down when nature gives us something special to see.
Mid Afternoon
Apollo Bay
Spend some time in the laid-back seaside town of Apollo Bay. Wander down to the beach, grab something local to eat or drink, or enjoy a relaxed break before continuing along the coast.
Afternoon
Drive the Great Ocean Road
Now it is 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.
Late Afternoon
One of Our Favourite Lookouts
Step away from the busiest viewing platforms and take in the coast from one of our favourite clifftop stops—the kind of place a local outdoor guide loves sharing with travellers.
Late Afternoon
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 the adventure.
Late Afternoon
Wild Kangaroo Spotting
Finish the day searching for wild kangaroos grazing around the Surf Coast. We watch from a respectful distance and take the time to enjoy one of Australia’s classic wildlife encounters.
Around 7:00–7:30 PM
Return to Melbourne
Relax on the journey back to Melbourne after a full day of coastline, rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife. We will return you to your original pickup location where practical, with the exact arrival time depending on traffic and conditions.
Bring your favourite people.
We’ll bring the adventure.
$1,500 for your private vehicle and guide, with room for up to 10 guests.
We’ll come to you.
Start the adventure from your accommodation.
Complimentary pickup is available from accommodation in Melbourne CBD and selected nearby areas within approximately 5 km driving distance of the CBD.
Inside our pickup area
Send us your hotel or accommodation address when enquiring. We will confirm your pickup location and exact time before the tour.
Your local guide
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.
Expect local stories, relaxed conversation, wildlife spotting and a guide who can adapt when weather, conditions or an unexpected wildlife encounter gives us a better idea.
Your guide will explore alongside you, help capture photos and keep the day moving without making it feel rushed.
First Aid qualifiedLocal knowledgeIndependent & localPhotos included
The essentials
What’s included
- ✓Private vehicle for your group
- ✓Friendly local outdoor guide
- ✓Up to 10 guests
- ✓National park entry
- ✓Guided walks and nature experiences
- ✓Accommodation pickup within our central pickup area
- ✓Recommended reverse-route itinerary
- ✓Customisation discussed before the tour
- ✓Wildlife spotting opportunities
- ✓Tour photos
Not included:Lunch, drinks and personal purchases. Child seats, luggage and pickup outside the standard area should be discussed before booking.
Before you book
Private Great Ocean Road tour FAQs
How much does the private Great Ocean Road tour cost?
The tour costs $1,500 AUD for the private vehicle and guide—not per person. The price covers private transport for up to 10 guests, your local guide, national park entry, guided walks and tour photos. Lunch and personal purchases are not included.
How many people can join the private tour?
The private tour can accommodate up to 10 guests. The $1,500 price is for the entire vehicle, whether you are travelling as a couple, family or larger group.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. The itinerary shown on this page is our recommended Great Ocean Road adventure, but this is your private tour. If you would like to prioritise particular walks, viewpoints, wildlife, photography or local stops, contact us before the tour and we will discuss what is possible within the day. Weather, track closures, driving times and park conditions may affect the final route.
Is this a completely private tour?
Yes. You will have your own Hike & Seek guide and vehicle, and we will not add other bookings to your tour.
Where can you pick us up?
Complimentary accommodation pickup is available within Melbourne CBD and selected inner-city locations within approximately 5 km driving distance of the CBD. Send us your accommodation address when enquiring and we will confirm whether it is inside the pickup area.
What if our accommodation is outside the pickup area?
If your accommodation is outside our pickup area, the standard meeting point is 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Please contact us if you are unsure and we will confirm the easiest option.
What time will we be picked up?
Pickup is generally around 7:30 AM. Your exact time will depend on your accommodation and any agreed changes to the itinerary. We will confirm the details before the tour.
Do we have to customise the day?
Not at all. Our recommended reverse itinerary is designed to include the 12 Apostles, Gibson Steps, Otway rainforest, Hopetoun Falls, the Redwoods, coastal towns and wildlife spotting. You can simply leave the planning to us.
Why do you travel the route in reverse?
We usually travel inland first and visit the 12 Apostles earlier in the day, avoiding much of the coach traffic that follows the coastal route from Melbourne. We then return along the coast through Apollo Bay and Lorne.
How much walking is involved?
The recommended itinerary includes several short walks on beaches, rainforest tracks, stairs and lookout paths. You do not need to be an experienced hiker, but you should be comfortable walking on uneven ground. Because it is a private tour, contact us beforehand if someone in your group has limited mobility or would prefer more or less walking.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is not included. We normally stop in the Otways, where guests can purchase lunch, coffee and drinks. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices are normally available.
Will we definitely see koalas and kangaroos?
We visit areas where wildlife sightings are common, but koalas and kangaroos are genuinely wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Your guide knows what to look for and will allow time to search respectfully.
Can children join the tour?
Yes. Private tours are a great option for families because the day is limited to your group. Please tell us the ages of any children when enquiring so we can confirm seating requirements and help shape an appropriate day.
Can we bring luggage?
Luggage space depends on your group size and the amount of equipment being carried. Contact us before booking if you need to bring suitcases or anything larger than a day bag.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
The Great Ocean Road is beautiful in changing weather and tours generally operate in most conditions. Your guide may adjust the itinerary because of severe weather, ocean conditions, track closures, fire danger or other safety considerations.
What should we bring?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a reusable water bottle, warm layers, a waterproof jacket, sunscreen, a hat and clothing suitable for changing coastal weather. Victoria can deliver several seasons in one day.
How do we book?
Send us an enquiry with your preferred date, group size and accommodation address. If you would like to customise the tour, include your interests or must-see places and we will discuss the best route before confirming the booking.
Let’s go exploring.
A full day of wild coast, rainforest and wildlife—just for your group.
Tell us your preferred date, group size and accommodation. If you want to personalise the adventure, let us know what your perfect Great Ocean Road day looks like.
Enquire About Your Tour