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The reverse Great Ocean Road tour is an excellent design choice, as it allows travelers to explore the less crowded parts of the coast first before working our way to the more famous and popular spots.

The timing was immaculate. At no point did I feel rushed or inconvenienced by delays, nor did I find myself staring at my watch wondering when the next stop would arrive. It was as though Joe had an innate understanding of the laws of physics—precisely balancing every element to maximize enjoyment without ever breaching the temporal constraints.

Now, let's talk about Joe, the tour guide extraordinaire who single-handedly elevated this experience from exceptional to transcendental. To say that Joe is knowledgeable would be an insult to the very concept of knowledge. His command over the details of the Great Ocean Road, its history, geology, and ecology was so profound that I began to suspect he may be a living encyclopaedia on wheels.

Joe's ability to explain the nuances of the landscape, the significance of the landmarks, and the intricate details of the coastal environment was nothing short of extraordinary. He didn’t just point out a rock formation and say, "That’s the Twelve Apostles." No, no. He gave a detailed, captivating narrative of how each geological feature came to be, providing context that sparked curiosity, intellectual stimulation, and a profound appreciation for the natural wonders surrounding us.

But what truly set Joe apart was his ability to balance knowledge with humor. He wasn’t just a walking database—he had a sharp wit that kept the group engaged and entertained, even when we were taking in some of the more tranquil and meditative views. Joe's jokes were delightfully cerebral, and while they might have left some scratching their heads, it only increased my respect for his cerebral prowess.

Now, let us address the culinary component of the tour—because what good is a tour if you are not adequately fed and nourished? Joe, in a brief moment of humor, jokingly claimed that the sandwiches were made by his wife, and I found myself imagining an elaborate, Michelin-star level kitchen hidden in the back of the van. Alas, he was joking, but what followed was still a gastronomic revelation.

The sandwiches on offer were of astonishing variety and quality. I was presented with choices that catered to nearly every possible dietary preference, a feat I can only assume was the result of extensive research into the collective preferences of the human race. There was the classic chicken sandwich, which was perfectly seasoned and brimming with flavor, followed by the tuna option, which was just the right balance of protein and refreshment. The egg sandwich, simple in its elegance, was a humble delight. And to top it all off, there was a slice of cake—the kind of cake that, if I were to assess it scientifically, would achieve a perfect 10 on the flavor index.

Joe was, of course, quick to remind us that no, he did not bake the cake himself, but at that point, I didn’t care whether it came from his kitchen or from an award-winning patisserie. All I cared about was the fact that it was delicious, providing a necessary fuel boost before we continued our adventure.

Now, let me address an important question: Would I, or my friends, take this tour again? The answer is not just yes—it is a definitive, resounding, and unquestionably repeated yes. If Joe is the tour guide, I would not hesitate to make a million visits to the Great Ocean Road, as I am confident that each experience will be as fresh, enriching, and enjoyable as the last.

In fact, I would be willing to travel at least 10,000 kilometers if necessary just to take this tour again. The thought of experiencing Joe’s insightful commentary, impeccable timing, and delightful sandwiches makes me feel that no distance is too great to be covered in pursuit of such a perfect tour.

Final Verdict: The Greatest Tour in Melbourne, Led by the Most...

After deliberating for some time on which Great Ocean Road Trip we would take, we happened across the Wildlife Tours of Australia website which offered a reverse trip that allows you to see all the sites in reverse order from the usual tours and means there are less crowds. We opted for this and couldn’t have been happier.

We were picked up promptly by our guide Doug right beside our hotel and after a few short pick ups of other guests, we were on our way to the 12 apostles. On route, we stopped for a comfort break at a lovely little bakery for some hot coffee before driving on again with Doug giving us all the facts and history along the way.

Once we got to the apostles, we were given free time to explore and take in the views which we absolutely stunning and offered full panoramic looks over the towering rock formations. Pictures online do not do these sites justice and they need to be witnessed in person. We were slightly unfortunate in our timing in that we arrived during what must have been one of the windiest days in Melbourne’s history.

We left the 12 Apostles and headed for Loch Ard and the magnificent lookout point, albeit a little windswept. We were given a tasty lunch of sandwiches and fresh fruit and given free time to explore the area. You are given enough time to explore both the beach and clifftop walk, both of which I fully recommend. Again the views at this location are unrivalled and need to be seen to be believed.

Once back on the bus were given the interesting and informative story of how Loch Ard had gotten its name and the history of the Shipwreck. Doug really knew his stuff and imparted his knowledge in a very engaging manner. We continued the journey to the Great Ocean Road whilst stopping a couple more times to see koalas in the wild and flocks of parrots, sulphur crested and gallah cockatoos which was a real highlight for us as we were desperate to see Australian animals in the wild. We even had time to stop at Melba’s Gully, a rainforest on route where we were lucky enough to encounter a special black snail which is only found in this area.

The drive along the Great Ocean Road was stunning and delivered unparalleled views all along the coast taking in sweeping coastlines, beautiful coastal towns and stunning beaches. We made our final stop at the Great Ocean Road memorial arch and had plenty of opportunity to explore and take photos. Doug even took the time to take a picture of us together on our camera.

All in all, we had an amazing time on this trip and it delivered exactly what was promised. The sites were relatively quite and well worth the journey. Doug, our guide was mazing and has a real passion for what he does. Doug took the time to engage with his guests, find what each person wanted to see and tried to accommodate...

This company is absolute garbage . I originally was genuinely excited for the Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour. They refused to pick me up at hostel that morning , which in turn caused me to be late because I had an anxiety attack trying to get there on time. I received a call from the tour company that morning I said I was two blocks away, I was running down the street and the bus left me! I called the tour company back panicking and they said " I'm sorry you're having a bad day because of your lack of organization of youtlr day". Very rude. They told me I couldn't get my money back, so they booked me on a tour I didnt want to go to which didnt pick up for another 5 hours after already waking up early at 5:30 to get to the original tour. They said to meet at a different hotel on the other side of town.. by then I realized I had no more aud so I had to go to a money exchange last minute so I asked if they could pick me up at a different hotel close to the exchange, they said no. I had to call my Travel Agent company just to have them call the tour company because this lady, Ina was giving me a serious panic attack trying to communicate with her. Finally she agreed with my travel company and picked me up at a different hotel. Let's go on to the tour, so this isn't a "wildlife tour".. you actually go to an animal review where these animals are hand fed.. plus is you want a picture with a koala you have to pay like $35 ), so silly. Also... the penguins on phillip island are being tracked and researched. On top of that my great ocean road tour was supposed to have included small breakfast lunch and dinner. The lady said there would at least be lunch. NOPE . She lied to me. I spent $20 extra on the worst most tasteless meal I have ever had. On top of that the tour guide looked very happy fo lucky until she had the small attitude with me when she was putting the coffee and tea away at the end of the night. I asked for sugar, it was in her hand and she said nope I put it away already. This was the worst tour with the worst staff I've ever been on. Thank you for making it a memorable experience . I'd like my Money back,...