Great Ocean Road Tours From Melbourne For American Travellers
Flying from the USA to Australia is a serious commitment. You cross the Pacific, lose a day to the date line, and arrive on the other side of the world. Every day of your holiday needs to count.
Our small group tours from Melbourne give American visitors the best of Victoria without the rush, the crowds, or the stress of driving on the left side of the road in an unfamiliar country.
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Trusted Operator Since 2002
Over 20 Years Of Touring Experience
Established before most online tour operators existed.
Maximum 8 Guests On Every Group Tour
No crowded coaches.
Eco-Certified Operator
Sustainable tourism you can feel good about.
Custom Itineraries Available
Call us to build your perfect Australian adventure.
WHY AMERICANS CHOOSE ANT TOURING
Flying from Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, or Chicago to Melbourne is a 15 to 20 hour journey. After that effort, you deserve more than a packed bus tour with 50 strangers and a tight schedule.
Our tours are built for travellers who want depth, comfort, and a real connection with the Australian landscape. Think of it as the difference between driving Highway 1 yourself with a printed guide, and exploring it with a local who knows every hidden lookout, every wildlife spot, and every great place to eat.
We pick you up from your Melbourne hotel. We handle the driving, the accommodation, and the restaurant bookings. You simply enjoy the view.
Most of our American guests tell us the same thing: this was the highlight of their entire Australian holiday.
Our Most Popular Tours For US Visitors
Below are the experiences our American 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 stretches 243 km (151 miles) along Victoria’s southern coast. Americans often compare it to California’s Pacific Coast Highway, and the comparison holds up. Both routes hug dramatic cliffs and serve up world-class ocean views.
The difference? Along the Great Ocean Road, you can spot wild koalas in the trees overhead. Kangaroos graze beside the road at dusk. Limestone stacks rise from the Southern Ocean where there is nothing but water between you and Antarctica. And the crowds are a fraction of what you find on the California coast.
You will see the famous 12 Apostles without fighting for parking. Walk through ancient temperate rainforest. Finish each day with a sit-down dinner overlooking the Southern Ocean.
The Grampians (Gariwerd)
If you have explored Yosemite, Zion, or the Rocky Mountains, you will love Gariwerd. This rugged sandstone range is older than the Appalachians and home to some of the oldest Aboriginal rock art on the continent. The landscape feels both ancient and alive.
Stay at the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, where the dining is award-winning and the views across the plains are unforgettable.
Melbourne To Adelaide (Or Adelaide To Melbourne)
A 3 day journey between two of Australia’s most loved cities. Travel through wine country that rivals Napa and Sonoma, world heritage caves, volcanic plains, and working farmland. See ancient megafauna fossils older than anything in North America. Spot echidnas and emus in their natural habitat. This trip shows you a side of Australia most international visitors never see.
Mountain Bike Adventures
For active American travellers who want world-class trails just outside Melbourne. Day tours and multi-day options available. If you ride in Moab, Bentonville, or Bend, you will appreciate what we have on offer.
Melbourne City Sights
A 4 hour tour built for travellers short on time. Visit the Queen Victoria Markets, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the hidden laneways, and the Gold Rush history that shaped Melbourne.
Think of it as a smaller, more walkable version of San Francisco, with British colonial roots and one of the world’s best coffee cultures. Perfect for your first day before jet lag sets in.
Want to learn more? Enquire here, and a member of our team will be in contact.
What Makes Our Tours Different For American Guests
Small Groups, Real Experiences
We cap our group tours at 8 people. You get to know your guide, your fellow travellers, and the country itself. Compare that to the 40-seater coach tours running the same route on a tight schedule.
English-Speaking Guides Who Know Australia Deeply
All three owners – Jeremy Redmond, Pierre Jacobsson, and Glenn Webster – guide tours personally. You learn about Australian wildlife, history, geology, and Aboriginal culture from people who have spent decades exploring this country. They can answer your questions about how Australia compares to the States, from the political system to the wildlife to the coffee.
Premium Accommodation Included
We have hand-picked accommodation partners along every route. Picture yourself looking out at the Southern Ocean from your bedroom window, or waking up at the foot of the Grampians.
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 Certified
Sustainability is built into everything we do. Small groups mean a smaller footprint. We work with local suppliers, family-run accommodation, and restaurants that source ingredients regionally.
What Our Clients Say
“What an excellent tour Jeremy gave us. He was very informative but also very attentive to our group. We had a private tour and the vehicle was beautiful. Jeremy started the day by buying us coffee and tea. A nice touch. He also asked us what our interests were and adapted the tour to our tastes.”
— Michael T, Trip Advisor
“I went on a wonderful two-day Great Ocean Road tour that combined wildlife and landscape viewing, some walking, and great dining. Jeremy was an incredible guide: knowledgeable and informative, fun, helpful, patient and caring. It was a really perfect trip!”
— Sequoia16, Trip Advisor
“Jeremy was our guide in a spacious vehicle for 3 days 2 nights that took us on the Great Ocean Road, the Apostles, Port Fairy, Apollo Bay, and to an intriguing tour of the mega-fauna exhibit. We were able to see echidnas, koalas, kangaroos, and various birds in the wild. An amazing, memorable and informative experience.”
— Edward M, 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 US Travellers
How To Get To Melbourne From The USA
Direct flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, and Honolulu land at Melbourne Airport (MEL). United, Qantas, and Delta all fly the route. Flight time is roughly 15 to 17 hours depending on your departure city.
When To Visit
Australian seasons are flipped compared to the USA. Keep that in mind when planning.
- December to February – Australian summer, warm beach weather (peak season for US travellers escaping winter)
- March to May – Autumn (fall), mild and pleasant, fewer crowds
- June to August – Cooler but dramatic coastal scenery, whale watching season
- September to November – Spring wildflowers in the Grampians
Visa Requirements
US passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before travelling. Apply online before your trip. It is simpler than a standard tourist visa and usually approved within minutes.
Time Difference
Melbourne is 16 to 19 hours ahead of US time zones, depending on where you are flying from. Plan to rest on day one, then start touring on day two when your body has adjusted.
Currency And Payment
We accept all major credit cards. The Australian dollar is currently favourable for US travellers. Tipping is not expected in Australia, though appreciated for great service. Restaurant staff are paid a proper wage, so a 15 to 20 per cent tip is not part of the culture here.
Driving In Australia
We drive on the left, the steering wheel is on the right, and country roads can be narrow with wildlife crossings. This is one of the main reasons American visitors book a guided tour rather than a self-drive holiday. You see more and stress less.
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)