This is by far Melbourne's most popular day tour destination and is truly one of the world's great scenic drives. It's a big day, with the return trip from Melbourne covering about 550km, so if you're self-driving it's a good idea to stay overnight somewhere, but there are a large number of tour companies that offer the journey in a single day.

One of the best things about the Great Ocean Road is the amazing variety of views and experiences to be found through its three different sections - the Surf Coast, the Green Coast and the Shipwreck Coast. There's fabulous beaches, quaint seaside towns, plentiful wildlife (lots of wild koalas!!!), tranquil ancient rainforest walks and stunning rock formations. Add to this some awesome panoramas and you're in for a real treat!

The road itself was built between 1919 & 1926 by soldiers who had just returned from the First World War, and is considered the world's largest & longest war memorial. A visit here will certainly create plenty of memories for you.

One option is Go West Tours, who have won the last three Victorian Tourism Awards for best tour operator.

A cheaper option is to use public transport.  Rail and coach operator V/Line (www.vline.com.au) operates three daily trains each way between Melbourne's Southern Cross railway station and Warrnambool, and multiple coaches each day from Geelong to Lorne and Apollo Bay along the GOR. 

However the great thing about V/Line is that on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays one can travel by train from Melbourne to Geelong, then V/Line coach to Apollo Bay, enjoy lunch at own expense, then join another V/Line coach that makes stops of up to 30 minutes at scenic attractions like The Twelve Apostles, and then at Warrnambool you board the train back to Melbourne.  Both trains have a buffet service: seat reservation is compulsory and for A$3pp in the morning to Geelong you can upgrade to first class, and for A$6 back from Warrnambool in the afternoon/evening: make sure you specify this when booking. Fares are far cheaper than the tour bus companies and the train is far more comfortable than being in a bus all day.