Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour London Bridge Wildlife

Photo timing beats the crowds. I love the reverse itinerary because it helps you arrive at the big viewpoints with fewer people around, and I love the extra London Bridge stop that most one-day trips skip. One watch-out: it is a long day (13 hours) with a late lunch, so plan for the ride, bring snacks for stop times, and consider a neck pillow.

On this Joy OZ Tours trip, the day feels well-run because the guide actually manages the timing for lookouts and wildlife breaks. Names you might see on the day include William, Phillip, and Allan, and the common theme is smart driving plus clear storytelling about what you are seeing and when you should look.

Key highlights to look forward to

Reverse route for better light and less crowding

London Bridge photo stop at Victoria, a quick win for your camera roll

Wildlife-focused breaks where koalas, kangaroos, and parrots are part of the plan

Twelve Apostles plus Loch Ard Gorge with time to actually take it in

Apollo Bay lunch time around 3 PM so plan your hunger and snack strategy

Reverse Itinerary: Better photos at the Twelve Apostles, without the headache

The smartest part of this Great Ocean Road day is the direction you go. Instead of lining up with everyone else at peak moments, you work the coast in a reverse flow that helps you dodge the busiest crowd waves. You also end up at key lookouts at times that are often better for photos, especially when the sun angle matters for the sea cliffs and dramatic edges.

This sounds like a small tweak, but it changes how the day feels. When you are not fighting a wall of tour groups for the same viewpoint, you can slow down. You can frame a shot, step back, and try a second angle when the tide, clouds, or wind changes the look of the coastline. You also spend less time waiting and more time actually seeing.

I also like that the reverse setup pairs well with wildlife viewing. The day is broken into more frequent stops along the route, so you get multiple chances to spot animals rather than one rushed sprint from bus to lookout.

London Bridge in Victoria: A quick stop that feels way more special than it sounds

Most Great Ocean Road tours chase the headline stops and move on. Here, you get an early photo and sightseeing break at London Bridge in Victoria. It is a short window, about 15 minutes, but it is enough time to see the shape of the coastline and grab a few photos before you head into the thicker action of the day.

Why does this matter? Because London Bridge tends to be quieter and less over-photographed than the main icons. That makes it a great place to get a calmer start, stretch your legs, and get your bearings for the rest of the route. It is also a confidence boost. You see something cool right away, then the day keeps building.

If your camera life depends on timing, this stop helps you start strong before the crowd intensity rises elsewhere.

Loch Ard Gorge: Where the scenery gets dramatic fast

After London Bridge, you head to Loch Ard Gorge. This stop is built for both photos and a proper walk around the viewpoint area, with a break time that lets you look out, take pictures, and get oriented.

Loch Ard Gorge is one of those places where the ocean and cliffs look different from almost every angle. If you give yourself even a little time, you will notice how the rock formations create pockets of water and how the light hits the edges. That is the kind of detail that gets missed when a tour pushes everyone to stand in one spot.

Practical tip: if you want good photos, do not just hold your phone up at eye level. Step slightly, look down the cliff line, then reframe. Even in a short visit, small movement changes your shot.

The Twelve Apostles: Classic icons, plus enough breathing room to enjoy them

You will reach The Twelve Apostles next, with a break that includes time for sightseeing and free time. This is the main reason most people sign up, so the key question is whether you will feel rushed. The reverse flow helps here, and the day is structured with multiple stops so you are not stuck in one giant bottleneck for the entire experience.

At the Twelve Apostles, you get the classic sea-cliff views that made this stretch of coast famous in the first place. But what matters most is how you experience it. With the crowd management element, you are more likely to get those quiet moments where you can watch the waves, take a few photos without stress, and actually look around instead of scanning for the quickest exit.

If you are the type who likes one “perfect” photo, you will appreciate the extra chances to adjust your angle throughout the day. It is also one of the best photo stops for showing the scale of the coastline.

Great Otway National Park pass-by: Don’t expect a hike, but enjoy the drive

You pass through Great Otway National Park. In this tour, it is more about the scenic route than a long hike. Still, the drive is part of the appeal. On the Great Ocean Road, the road itself is the attraction, with viewpoint pull-offs and stretches where the coastline keeps reappearing through trees and cliffs.

If you are hoping for a big walking day, manage expectations. This is a tour built for lookouts and time at stops, not a full-on trail mission.

Kennett River wildlife breaks: The best chance to spot koalas and kangaroos

Then comes Kennett River, which is the wildlife-focused portion of the day. You stop for a photo break and a walk, plus wildlife viewing time. This is where the tour’s animal agenda becomes real, not just a line on a brochure.

You might spot koalas lounging in branches, kangaroos in the bush, and parrots around native trees. The best strategy here is patience and quiet attention. If you keep moving like you are on a checklist, you will miss the still moments when an animal finally comes into view.

Also, wildlife spotting is never guaranteed. But the structure helps. You are not just asking for luck once. This is part of a day with multiple scenic and wildlife opportunities.

One more practical note: if you catch a koala sighting, give it your full attention before you go hunting for a second animal. The best “photo window” is often short, and the animal may settle or shift positions quickly.

Apollo Bay lunch around 3 PM: Great food, but plan your timing

By midday you arrive at the coastal town of Apollo Bay, where you can choose where to eat. Lunch is free time, with the day’s timing pushing lunch late, around 3 PM.

This is why I recommend snacks even if lunch is included in your mental plan. Since lunch is not built right into the early part of the day, you can get hungry. Joy OZ Tours does not include lunch, and you are also not allowed food or drinks in the vehicle, so your best move is to bring snacks for your break times, then buy proper lunch in Apollo Bay when you get there.

Apollo Bay is a laid-back coastal stop. You are there long enough to breathe, walk a bit, and decide what kind of lunch you want, including the local seafood options many people go for.

Practical tip: if you hate making decisions when hungry, pick your restaurant as soon as you arrive so you are not wandering while your energy drops.

Memorial Arch at Eastern View: A strong finale for the route’s mood

In the afternoon, you finish with a photo stop and sightseeing time at Memorial Arch at Eastern View. This is a classic viewpoint payoff, a way to connect the earlier dramatic coastal stops to one more iconic framing point.

Even though it is not as headline-famous as the Twelve Apostles, it makes the day feel complete. You get another angle on the coastline and another moment to slow down before the return ride.

If you are still taking photos, this is a good place to check your settings and switch lenses or modes. By now your eyes are trained on coastal framing, so you will likely spot better compositions than you did at the start.

Coach comfort, group size, and which tour option fits you

Joy OZ Tours offers three ways to do the Great Ocean Road reverse trip. Here is how I’d think about the differences, based on what matters day-to-day.

Classic Coach Tour: spacious, air-conditioned coach, central Melbourne departure around 7:00 to 7:30 AM, and it runs the reverse flow with the major stops.

Mid-Size Coach Tour: limited to no more than 35 guests. This is a good middle ground if you want the classic coach experience but with a slightly less chaotic vibe. You still get the London Bridge stop and the wildlife viewing opportunities, with the same general timing.

Premium Small-Group Tour: limited to just 15 guests, a late-model Mercedes van, and (if you are staying in Melbourne CBD) complimentary pickup. It also departs later, around 8:00 AM, giving you an extra hour to relax before the long day starts. This option tends to feel more personal, especially at wildlife stops where small-group movement helps.

I like the value logic here. If you want the best price, the coach options can be a bargain for a full-day run of iconic coastal stops. If you hate big groups, mid-size or premium can make the whole day feel smoother.

What to bring so the day feels easy, not exhausting

This tour is rewarding, but it is not short. Plan for a long bus day, frequent stops, and changing weather along the coast.

Bring:

• A light jacket or layers. Coastal wind can shift quickly.
• Snacks for your break times. Lunch is late around 3 PM, and you cannot eat in the vehicle.
• A neck pillow, especially if you tend to get sore on longer rides. Some headrest setups can feel minimal early in the day.
• A charged phone or camera, and keep your battery saver in mind if you use lots of photo bursts.

Also, the day rules are simple: no alcohol or drugs, and no food or drinks in the vehicle. Follow that and you will stay comfortable without surprises.

Time management: Why the schedule feels packed but not totally rushed

You get multiple kinds of time during the day: quick photo stops, break times, sightseeing moments, and free time for lunch in Apollo Bay. That mix matters because your attention does not drop as fast when you keep switching between movement and looking.

Some stops are shorter, like London Bridge at around 15 minutes, while others are designed for walking and viewpoint time, like Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles. Even Kennett River works as an “active pause” from the road.

If you have a sensitive schedule, the one factor to watch is the late lunch. Everything else is structured to keep you moving and seeing the right places in a logical flow.

Who should book this Great Ocean Road reverse tour

This is a strong pick if you:

• Want the big Great Ocean Road icons plus a less common stop at London Bridge
• Care about photo timing and avoiding the most crowded moments
• Like wildlife breaks and want a better chance at seeing koalas, kangaroos, and parrots
• Prefer a guided day over DIY driving and parking stress

It is probably less ideal if you:

• Need wheelchair accessibility, because it is not suitable for wheelchair users
• Want a long hiking day, because stops are mainly viewpoint walks rather than heavy trails

If your travel style is “see a lot, take great photos, and learn something along the way,” this tour format fits.

Should you book it? My honest take

If you are deciding between a standard Great Ocean Road day trip and one that tweaks the timing, I would lean toward this reverse itinerary version, especially because of that extra London Bridge stop. You get the headline scenery of the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, plus a realistic wildlife-chance day built around Kennett River and good stop spacing.

Just be honest with yourself about the tradeoff: it is a long 13-hour day with lunch around 3 PM. Pack snacks for your stop times, bring layers, and settle into the idea that the bus ride is part of the experience, not downtime.

If that fits your style, booking this with Joy OZ Tours is a smart value move for a full Great Ocean Road highlight day.

FAQ

How long is the Great Ocean Road reverse tour?

The duration is about 13 hours.

Where does the tour start in Melbourne?

The Classic Coach and Mid-Size Coach Tours depart from a central Melbourne meeting point at about 7:00 to 7:30 AM. The Premium Small-Group Tour departs later, around 8:00 AM, and may include complimentary pickup within Melbourne’s CBD area.

Does the tour stop at London Bridge?

Yes. There is a London Bridge photo stop in Victoria, with sightseeing and scenic views on the way, about 15 minutes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you get free time to eat in Apollo Bay, with lunch happening late around 3 PM.

What wildlife might I see?

The tour includes wildlife viewing time where you might spot koalas, kangaroos, and parrots, plus other native wildlife depending on conditions.

Are helicopter tours included?

An optional helicopter tour is available, but the cost is not included.

Can I eat or drink on the vehicle?

No. Food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.