Monday, February 17, 2014

Melbourne, Australia Day 3: 1 Day Great Ocean Road Classic Tour

Date of Visit: 2nd October 2012

To enjoy most of Melbourne's fascinating places and attractions, most of them were located on the outskirt of the city center; such as Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula and more. So in the case where you are travelling with a group of friends and family, you can opt to rent a vehicle and plan for unforgettable road trip. But if you are travelling alone just like me, the downside was getting to those places by general public transport would be difficult. Hence, I got no choice but to book from the local tour operator and my friend recommended Bunyip Tour. From there, I bought two full one day tour packages - 1 Day Great Ocean Road Classic Tour as well as 1 Day Phillip Island Penguin Parade Ultimate Eco Tour. In return, besides the 5% off for each tour, but I was given a free admission ticket to Melbourne Aquarium, Eureka Skydeck and option between Old Melbourne Gaol or Polly Woodside. It was indeed a really great deal for me.

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road Bunyip Tours Bus 
#1: Bunyip Tours bus 

The spectacular Great Ocean Roas is one of the world's most beautiful and naturally maintained secrets. This prestigious road is built by the returned soldiers dedicated to soldiers killed during the World War I, making this road is the world's largest war memorial. Every twist and turn exposes to stretches of broad, pristine beaches, dramatic coastlines and the lush rainforests of the Otway Ranges - all of which provides an amazing postcard backdrop for all the photo memories.

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 01
#2: The first pit stop, Bells Beach, one of Australia's famous surfing beaches and world renowned for the Rip Curl Surfing Pro. We even had morning tea and watched few surfers catch waves for surfing.

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 03
 #3: Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch at Eastern View

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 04
 #4: Wye River, a popular place for Melbournians to holiday

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 16
#5: Cape Patton Lookout offers spectacular views east towards Apollo Bay and Skenes Creek

#6: For the very first time in my life, I saw wild koala bear. Not just one or two, but we spotted more than 5 koala bears. Lucky us!

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 06
 #7: The iconic Cape Otway Lighthouse, mainland Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse.

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 06-1
#8: We even had Aussie BBQ as lunch at the park nearby the lighthouse

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 07
 #9: The Twelve Apostles is a collection of gigantic limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 08
 #10: Walking down the boardwalk for this beautiful views of the coastline along The Great Ocean Road 

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 09
#11: Magnificent rock stacks that rise up from the Southern Ocean on Victoria's dramatic coastline

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 10
#12: Originally, there was 12 but then decreased over the time due to erosion and up to date, leaving eight remaining.

Option
If you don't mind to pay extra for breathtaking scenic view over the 12 Apostles from the top, take a helicopter flight which cost AUD$95.

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 17
#13: Loch Ard Gorge, a small network of clifftop walks and there is a staircase leading down to a beach gave us the opportunity to view the fantastic rock formations all around

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 13
#14: Our final pit stop of the day, Gibson Steps

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 12
#15: Perfect place for wedding photoshoots, perhaps?

Before spending another two and half hours ride back to Melbourne city centre, we stopped by a small Chinese restaurant for dinner. As I had Asian meals for the two previous nights, I opted for fast food instead and there were two world famous fast foods nearby that particular neighbourhood - McDonald and KFC.

Day 3 Melbourne, Australia - Great Ocean Road 14
#16: At the end, I choose KFC cause I found out it was more extraordinary compare to McDonald - Bacon & cheese burger, something which couldn't be found in elsewhere.

Note: The cost for this tour was AUD$120 which included all park entrance fees, morning tea & biscuits and also Aussie BBQ lunch. It even included pick-up and drop-off from where you stay.

This tour package I booked from Bunyip Tours.
You can book online at their website www.bunyitours.com or go to their office:
Bunyip Tours
570 Flinders Street,
Melbourne Victoria,
Australia 3000 

30 comments:

  1. so, so, soooo beautiful! it's a perfect place for a getaway & seeking peace

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  2. omg...i still amaze with this rock formation...mesti pegi ni...

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  3. breath taking view. These shots can be turn into postcards and send to friends

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  4. oh i miss this place, went here sebelum conceived Aqilah hahaha..nanti nak datang bawak Aqilah pulak la :D

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  5. MG all pics are really beautiful! I wish i can go there one day.

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  6. The photo of the light house is so pretty, good job Diana!

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  7. I can't believe that the cost for the helicopter flight is just AUD 95. It's quite reasonable, in my opinion. And I am falling in love with those photos of the cliffs and the lighthouse.

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  8. Wow, koala bear can be seen at everywhere...nice!

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  9. Thank you very much for sharing and I love all your beautiful photos! The price is worth the package!!
    I emailed one tour guide in Medan to ask about the Day Trip to visit Lake Toba and he quoted me USD$175 per couple. Goodness! Robbery! I have changed my mind too after a friend complained about his trip there.

    I should visit Melbourne!

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  10. wahhhh you visited all those beaches?? man they are soooo gorgeous~~ dunno when I can get to Melbourne yet

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  11. This is my very first time that I am visiting here and I’m truly pleasurable to see everything at one place.vietnam tour

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  12. nice photos... i'am from Indonesia like this them..thanks

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the compliment. I'm really glad to have reader all the way from Indonesia =)

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  13. So how if we would like to have road trip? is that vy far away from town?

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  14. Hi, may I know roughly what time does the trip end and what time did you reach back to city?

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  15. Australia is one the beautiful place ,full of beautiful places beaches , adventurous sports .


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  16. so, so, soooo beautiful! it's a perfect place for a getaway & seeking peace
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  17. When you visit Mel? I plan to go Mel in mid Dec but concern the weather there.

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    1. Hi Elaine,
      I went Melbourne end of Sep - early of Oct and I really love and enjoy the weather during that period. It was spring. December is summer and might be hot.

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  18. You got best pictures there! Great that I witnessed them with my own eyes, perks of being a Melbourne locale. I'd suggest everyone to bring their strongest cameras, bet you don't want to miss the scenic views of Melbourne!

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  19. Beautiful pictures! and very informative. TQ for sharing : ))

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  20. Wow, I am so jealous. I've been wanting to go to Melbourne for years! These pictures are all incredible, did you take them? I especially love the one of Cape Patton Lookout. A spectacular view, indeed!
    Megan | http://www.froschvacations.com/cruises/river/

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  22. Great post.
     
    Thank you very much for sharing and I love all your beautiful photos
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  23. What a great foodie and beautiful pictures round up of your trip! I will definitely refer to your blog for tour lovers .Great blog! :) Campervan Hire Australia

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  24. Hello, Thank you for sharing beautiful blog. I want to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!! I I am so happy.
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