Travel on one of the world's most scenic roads through the Great Ocean Road region which covers south-west Victoria.

See limestone cliffs, sweeping white sandy beaches, lush forests, and amazing limestone rock formations dramatically rising from the sea - the 12 Apostles.

Enjoy panoramic views from numerous stops over the ocean and land, discover the tragic history of many ships wrecked along this rugged coastline.

The Great Ocean Road is called Number One in Australia, and its main attraction, the 12 Apostles, lies about 320 km from Melbourne. This winding 243 km road, which offers ever-changing views of the coastline and the colour of the ocean, was built over 16 years through dense forest and rock by soldiers returning from the First World War, and is regarded today as the largest war memorial in the world. The spectacular monumental rocks and giant ocean waves look magnificent from above, but they have been dangerous for ships, and historic Port Campbell has a sad history of shipwrecks.

You will see and visit:

• The Memorial Arch, dedicated to the builders of the road and to those who died in the First World War
• Giant eucalypts and ancient tree ferns in the rainforest, where you may meet koalas, kangaroos and colourful parrots
• Golden surf beaches and picturesque coastal towns
• Idyllic Australian pastures
• The fishing village of Apollo Bay, with unusual wooden sculptures by local craftsmen on the waterfront (lunch stop, not included). Apollo Bay is ranked among the top ten of Australia's best 100 small towns
• Great Otway National Park, with a walk among towering eucalypts, the tallest flowering trees in the world
• Port Campbell National Park and the 'Shipwreck Coast'
• Lookouts with breathtaking views of the 12 Apostles and the Loch Ard Gorge with the Razorback rock formation

8-hour express tour

If you are short of time but want to see the highlights, the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, an 8-hour express tour goes by the direct route through the scenic pastures and countryside to Port Campbell National Park, where you can walk to the lookouts for photographs of the great natural monuments.

Optionally, you can take a 25-minute helicopter flight over the rocks that broke away from the shore thousands of years ago (extra, booked in advance). The 90 km luxury helicopter flight from the 12 Apostles to the Bay of Islands follows the most famous stretch of the Great Ocean Road. From the air you will see the Apostles from different angles, Loch Ard Gorge, the Sentinel, the Arch, London Bridge, the Grotto, Schomberg Reef, Martha's and Islands bays and other rock formations that cannot be seen from the shore. In the surf you may spot dolphins and, in the cold months, migrating whales.