Wildlife Tours 3-Day To Adelaide
Melbourne to Adelaide 3 Day Tour via Great Ocean Road & Grampians
Check Price & Availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site.
- Duration
- 3 days
- Meeting point
- Melbourne
- Run by
- Wildlife Tours Australia
Overview
This three-day trip from Wildlife Tours Australia links Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road, with a middle day that travels from Warrnambool through Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and into the Grampians. You board a bus near the Immigration Museum on Flinders Street at 7:35am and finish in Adelaide around 7:30pm on day three. Two nights of hostel dormitory accommodation, two breakfasts and two dinners are built into the fare, along with all National Park entry fees.
Day one follows the coast: a photo stop at the Memorial Arch, time in Apollo Bay, a stop at Great Otway National Park, then the big draws, the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, before an overnight in Warrnambool. Day two heads inland through Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and into the Grampians, with a hike to the Pinnacle and a night in dormitory accommodation in Halls Gap. Day three packs in MacKenzie Falls, Reed Lookout and the Balconies before the long drive into Adelaide.
Reviews describe it as busy, with a lot of activities squeezed into the days, and the Grampians hiking in particular is demanding for some. Meals not listed, such as lunches, are bought along the way, so bring spending money.
Wildlife Tours 2-Day Roundtrip
2 days · Wildlife Tours Australia
See live price Check availability →
What's Included
Included
- 2 nights Hostel dormitory accommodation with shared bathroom facilities
- All National Park entry fees and opportunities to spot native Australian wildlife and flora
- Experienced driver-guide with live commentary throughout the tour
- Air-conditioned small-group bus travel with Melbourne pick-up and Adelaide drop-off
- Breakfast (2)
- Dinner (2)
Not Included
- Meals not listed in the itinerary - There'll be heaps of chances to grab food along the way
- Spending money, For snacks, drinks, souvenirs, or anything else you might want on the road
Itinerary
- Melbourne departureMeet at the Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St, corner of Market St, at 7:35am. Pickup location changes can be arranged by contacting the operator.
- Great Ocean Road stopsMemorial Arch at Eastern View (25 minutes), Apollo Bay (30 minutes), Great Otway National Park (30 minutes), the Twelve Apostles (45 minutes) and Loch Ard Gorge (20 minutes), with entry tickets included at the paid sites.
- Overnight in WarrnamboolThe first night is dormitory accommodation with shared bathrooms at the end of the Great Ocean Road. Dinner is included.
- Tower Hill and Halls GapAn hour in Warrnambool, then one hour at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve with entry included, followed by 45 minutes in Halls Gap.
- The Pinnacle hikeOne hour at the Pinnacle in the Grampians, entry included. The tour then spends the night in dormitory accommodation in Halls Gap, with breakfast and dinner.
- Grampians highlightsMacKenzie Falls (45 minutes), Reed Lookout (25 minutes) and the Balconies (25 minutes), with Horsham passed by along the route.
- Arrival in AdelaideRoughly five hours of travel time brings the group into Adelaide city at approximately 7:30pm. Breakfast is included on this final day; accommodation in Adelaide is not.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points will shape how this trip goes, from luggage limits to the pace of the hiking.
- Fitness needed. The listing asks for a moderate level of fitness and says the walks are a required part of the itinerary. One reviewer found the Grampians section quite demanding and wanted easier options. Be honest with yourself about the hiking before booking.
- Pack light. Storage on the bus is limited. Each traveller is allowed one suitcase and one carry-on bag, and oversized items such as surfboards, golf clubs or bikes may face restrictions.
- Spending money. Lunches and any snacks, drinks or souvenirs are on you. The listing says there are plenty of chances to buy food along the way, so keep spending money handy for the stops.
- Dietary needs. Vegetarian options exist but must be advised at the time of booking. Reviewers had mixed views on the food, with one suggesting breakfasts and lunches could be better, though the same reviewer praised the barbecue dinner.
- All weather. The tour runs in all weather conditions and the listing advises dressing appropriately. Layers and rain gear are sensible given the mix of coastal, forest and mountain stops.
- Group feel. The group runs to a maximum of 23 travellers. Reviews mention meeting a lot of wildlife and enjoying the guide's commentary, so expect a social, shared-bus atmosphere rather than a private outing.
Common issues. The pace is the main complaint: one reviewer described the three days as very busy with activities packed in, and felt the Grampians hiking was too demanding for anyone with health limits. The dormitory accommodation with shared bathrooms is basic and this fare applies only to adults 18 and over, so it does not suit children travelling with you. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, is not recommended for travellers with back problems or pregnant travellers, and cancellations inside six days of departure carry reduced or no refund. Accommodation upgrades cannot be arranged online and must be booked directly with the operator.
Common Questions
Where Does The Tour Start And Finish?
The default meeting point is the Immigration Museum at 400 Flinders St, on the corner of Market St in Melbourne, at 7:35am. The tour ends in Adelaide city at approximately 7:30pm on day three. You can ask the operator about changing your pickup location by calling their reservations team.
What Meals Are Included?
Two breakfasts and two dinners are included, with dinner on the Warrnambool night, breakfast and dinner around the Halls Gap night, and a final breakfast on day three. Lunches and any snacks or drinks are not included, but the listing says there will be plenty of chances to buy food along the way.
Do I Need To Pay National Park Entry Fees?
No. All National Park entry fees are included in the tour price, including the paid stops such as the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, MacKenzie Falls, Reed Lookout and the Balconies.
Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?
The dormitory fare applies only to adults 18 and over, so it is not suitable for infants or children aged 17 and under. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and requires a moderate fitness level for the walks.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 6 full days before the start time for a full refund. Cancelling 2 to 6 full days before earns a 50 percent refund, and cancelling less than 2 full days before earns no refund. Changes made less than 6 full days before the start are not accepted, and cut-off times use local time.
What Should I Bring?
Pack for all weather, since the tour operates rain or shine, and keep luggage to one suitcase plus one carry-on bag. Bring spending money for unlisted meals, drinks and souvenirs. Sturdy walking shoes are a given, considering the hikes to the Pinnacle and MacKenzie Falls.
Ways To See The Grampians
Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
Check Price & Availability →Other Tours Worth Comparing
Wildlife Tours 3-Day Roundtrip
3 days · Wildlife Tours Australia
See live price Check availability →Mackenzie Falls: Parks Victoria has closed the Mackenzie Falls precinct for construction, so the operator confirms the substitute stop. Check Parks Victoria for current status.