Great Ocean Road Tours From Melbourne For Canadian Travellers
If you spend your weekends on the trails of Banff, paddling Algonquin, or hiking the Bruce Peninsula, you are going to feel right at home with us. Australia’s southern coast is wilder than most Canadians expect. Limestone sea stacks, ancient temperate rainforest, wild koalas in the trees, kangaroos at dusk, and the Southern Ocean crashing against cliffs with nothing but Antarctica beyond.
Our small group tours from Melbourne are built for Canadian travellers who came for the wilderness, not the gift shops.
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Trusted Operator Since 2002
Over 20 Years Of Touring Experience
We have hosted travellers from across the globe.
Maximum 8 Guests On Every Group Tour
Intimate, never crowded.
Eco-Certified Operator
Sustainable tourism that respects the land.
Custom Itineraries Available
Call us to design your ideal Australian holiday.
WHY CANADIANS CHOOSE ANT TOURING
A flight from Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, or Montreal to Melbourne is one of the longest journeys you can take. When you finally arrive, you want comfort, character, and a real connection to the country. You did not fly 16 hours to look at it through a coach window with 50 strangers.
Our tours go deeper than the standard route. We walk through rainforest that has been growing since dinosaurs roamed the continent. We visit beaches you cannot reach by tour bus. We spend time looking for wildlife rather than ticking off photo stops.
We collect you from your Melbourne hotel. We sort the driving, the accommodation, the dining, and the timing. You bring the boots and the camera.
Many of our Canadian guests tell us this was the most memorable part of their entire trip Down Under.
Our Most Popular Tours For Canadian Visitors
Below are the experiences our Canadian guests choose most often. Each tour is run as a small-group or private journey, capped at eight guests, with all driving, accommodation and meals handled by us.
Great Ocean Road - 2 to 4 Day Tours
The Great Ocean Road runs 243 km (151 miles) along Victoria’s wild southern coastline. Canadians often compare it to the Cabot Trail or the Pacific Rim – and the comparison holds. Rugged coast, big skies, small fishing towns, and a road that hugs cliffs the whole way.
The difference is the wildlife. Koalas sleep in the gum trees above the trail. Kangaroos and emus appear in the open paddocks. Echidnas trundle across the path when you least expect it. The 12 Apostles rise from the Southern Ocean like something out of a documentary, and you will see them without fighting for a parking spot.
You will walk through ancient rainforest, hike to hidden waterfalls, and end each day with a relaxed two-course dinner at Chris’s Restaurant and Villas, looking out over the ocean.
The Grampians (Gariwerd)
If you love the Canadian Rockies, Gariwerd will surprise you. The scale is smaller than the Rockies, but the geology is far older – sandstone laid down before life crawled onto land. Aboriginal rock art shelters here are tens of thousands of years old, predating anything in North American human history.
Expect dramatic cliffs, rock pools, wildflower meadows in spring, and walking trails that range from easy strolls to full-day climbs. Stay at the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, home to one of Australia’s most celebrated regional restaurants.
Melbourne To Adelaide (Or Adelaide To Melbourne)
A 3 day journey between two of Australia’s great cities, and one of our most adventurous routes. Travel through wine country, world heritage limestone caves, ancient volcanic plains, and rolling farmland. See megafauna fossils from giant kangaroos and marsupial lions that walked here long after the last North American mammoth. Spot echidnas, emus, and kangaroos in the wild.
This route reveals the Australia most international visitors miss completely.
Mountain Bike Adventures
For active Canadian travellers who want to ride. We have access to some of Victoria’s best trail networks, from flowing single track to technical descents through eucalypt forest. If you ride Whistler, Squamish, or the Sea to Sky, you will find a lot to like here. Day tours and multi-day rides available, beginner-friendly to challenging.
Melbourne City Sights
A 4 hour tour for travellers who want to make the most of a short stay. We cover Queen Victoria Markets, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the laneway café culture, and the Gold Rush history that built modern Melbourne. It is a city that reminds many Canadians of Montreal – European bones, multicultural soul, serious coffee culture. Ideal for your first afternoon before the jet lag catches up.
Want to learn more? Enquire here, and a member of our team will be in contact.
What Makes Our Tours Different For Canadian Guests
Small Groups, Real Wilderness
We limit our group tours to 8 guests. That means we can stop where bus tours cannot, walk trails that bigger groups skip, and spend a quiet hour watching a koala move between gum trees without rushing back to the vehicle. No microphone announcements. No queueing for photos.
Local Guides With Decades Of Bush Experience
The three owners – Jeremy Redmond, Pierre Jacobsson, and Glenn Webster – guide most tours personally. They know which gully holds kangaroos at sunset, where to find wedge-tailed eagles soaring on the thermals, and which lookouts catch the light best. You learn about Australian wildlife, geology, history, and Aboriginal culture from people who have spent their lives in this country.
Premium Accommodation Hand-Picked For Each Region
We have built relationships with the best accommodation along every route. From oceanfront rooms above the Southern Ocean to peaceful farmhouse stays at the foot of the Grampians, every night is restful. After a full day on the trails, you want a hot shower, a good meal, and a proper bed – not a chain motel.
Our modern, air-conditioned vehicles take the pressure off. No need to learn to drive on the left, watch for unfamiliar wildlife on country roads, or work out where to refuel. Just enjoy the view while we handle the roads.
Comfortable Vehicles, No Driving Required
Our modern, air-conditioned vehicles are built for comfort on long drives. No left-side driving, no unfamiliar road signs, no roundabouts to navigate. You sit back and enjoy the view while we handle the roads.
Eco-Tourism At Heart
We are certified by Ecotourism Australia. Small groups, local suppliers, family-run accommodation, and regional ingredients sit at the core of how we operate. The wild places we visit stay wild because of how we visit them.
What Our Clients Say
“My dad and my mum enjoyed the tour journey with Jeremy and they thoroughly enjoyed the accommodation stays, delicious food and well thought out itinerary. Moreover, the vehicle transport was very comfortable and spacious!”
— Ying R, Trip Advisor
“It was nice to be a small group (4 people) and I very much enjoyed every minute of our Great Ocean Road tour. Wonderful and amazing trip: breathtaking sightseeing, wildlife, best local dining. Our tour guide Glenn had a lot of knowledge and did a fabulous job.”
— Tatyana S, Trip Advisor
“Had a fantastic time on the 2 day Great Ocean Road tour. Both tour drivers Eddie and Jeremy were lovely, informative, and made for interesting conversation. Plenty of stops at incredibly scenic points along Great Ocean Road. The hotel’s view was stunning and dinner and breakfast included was lovely. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to explore more of Victoria.”
— Aislinn G, Trip Advisor
See more reviews on Trip Advisor, Facebook, and Google
The Regions of the Great Ocean Road
Torquay & Bells Beach - Surf Capital of Australia
Your journey begins in Torquay, the official start of the Great Ocean Road and a paradise for surf lovers. It’s home to Bells Beach, world-renowned for its towering waves and the Rip Curl Pro surf competition. Dive into Australia’s coastal lifestyle and soak in the sun, sea, and surf culture.
Anglesea to Aireys Inlet - Coastal Serenity
Lorne – Art, Waterfalls & Coastal Chic
Apollo Bay - Gateway to the Otways
Cape Otway - Wildlife and Shipwreck History
The 12 Apostles & Shipwreck Coast – Natural Wonders
Port Campbell - Fishing Village Charm
This small town punches above its weight in charm. Enjoy local produce, chat with friendly locals, and learn about the Shipwreck Coast’s maritime tales. It’s the ideal lunch stop before heading inland or continuing your adventure.
Grampians Detour (for 3- and 4-day tours)
Discover Your Perfect Great Ocean Road Tours
4 Day Great Ocean Road, Grampians And Ballarat
3 Day Great Ocean Road And Grampians
2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour
View our tours on an interactive map
3 DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD & GRAMPIANS
4 DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD, GRAMPIANS & BALLARAT
Private 3 DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD & GRAMPIANS
Private 4 DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD, GRAMPIANS & BALLARAT
Practical Information For Canadian Travellers
How To Get To Melbourne From Canada
Air Canada flies direct from Vancouver to Melbourne. From Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Ottawa, most travellers connect through Vancouver, Los Angeles, or Sydney. Qantas also operates the route from Vancouver via Sydney. Total travel time is roughly 17 to 22 hours depending on your departure city.
When To Visit
Australian seasons run opposite to Canada. Plan with that in mind.
- December to February – Australian summer, perfect beach and coastal weather (a strong escape from a Canadian winter)
- March to May – Autumn, mild temperatures, quieter trails
- June to August – Winter, dramatic coastal scenery, whale watching along the Great Ocean Road
- September to November – Spring wildflowers across the Grampians, great hiking weather
Visa Requirements
Canadian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or eVisitor visa before travelling. Both are quick to apply for online and usually approved within minutes.
Time Difference
Melbourne sits 14 to 18 hours ahead of Canadian time zones, depending on daylight saving. Most international guests rest on arrival day, then start touring on day two when fresh.
Currency And Payment
We accept all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, and Amex. The Australian dollar tracks closely with the Canadian dollar, so prices feel familiar. Tipping is not standard in Australia, though always welcomed for excellent service – hospitality staff are paid a proper wage here.
Wildlife And The Bush
Australian wildlife is different to anything in Canada. No bears, no moose, no cougars. Instead, you will see kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, wallabies, emus, and over 800 species of birds. Most of it is harmless. We carry first aid kits and know the bush well, so you can focus on the experience and not the risks.
JOURNEY WITH US
Contact Us
- Email: journey@anttouring.com.au
- Phone (within Australia): 1300 353 335
- International: +61 418 270 438 (Pierre)
- International: +61 409 650 886 (Jeremy)