Accommodation
• 1 night in Halls Gap – comfortable rooms deep in the Grampians National Park with mountain surroundings
• Private ensuite rooms available at Gariwerd Motel (twin/double) or shared dormitory-style rooms at Grampians Eco YHA
• All properties offer a peaceful base after a full day on the road with easy access to the park

Meals
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner included – fresh and hearty with opportunities for guest participation in prep and clean-up
• Day 1 features lunch at Apollo Bay Bakery and dinner at a local venue like The Flying Horse Bar & Brewery
• Day 2 starts with breakfast at accommodation – meals highlight regional produce and give time to connect with the group

✅ What’s Included
• Air-conditioned small-group bus transport from Melbourne to Adelaide
• 1 night accommodation in Halls Gap (private or shared rooms)
• All meals: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
• All national park entry fees (Grampians, Great Otway, Port Campbell)
• Guided short walks and local commentary
• Hotel pickups from multiple Melbourne locations

🚫 What’s Not Included
• Flights or onward travel from Adelaide
• Pre- or post-tour hotel transfers
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
• Personal spending and any meals not listed
• Tips

Victoria’s Great Ocean Road and Grampians experience changeable weather year-round.
• Summer (Dec–Feb) • Daytime 20–28 °C • Warm and ideal for coastal views
• Autumn (Mar–May) • Daytime 15–23 °C • Mild with beautiful colours
• Winter (Jun–Aug) • Daytime 10–16 °C • Cooler with possible rain
• Spring (Sep–Nov) • Daytime 15–22 °C • Green landscapes and wildflowers
Practical note: Pack layers and a waterproof jacket – conditions can change quickly along the coast and in the mountains.

Documents & Essentials
• Photo ID and booking confirmation
• Any personal medications (extra supply recommended)
• Reusable water bottle

Clothing (layered for coastal and mountain conditions)
• Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
• Light quick-dry layers plus a warm fleece or jacket
• Waterproof rain jacket and hat

Toiletries & First Aid
• Sunscreen, lip balm and insect repellent
• Basic first-aid items and blister care

Electronics
• Charged phone with camera
• Portable power bank

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Small daypack for walks
• Binoculars for wildlife spotting

The Great Ocean Road is a National Heritage listed stretch of coastline shaped by dramatic shipwrecks and towering cliffs.

Great Otway National Park protects some of the world’s tallest trees and ancient rainforest ecosystems.

The 12 Apostles are the most famous of the limestone stacks along the Shipwreck Coast.

Grampians National Park is rich in Aboriginal cultural history and home to abundant native wildlife.

Loch Ard Gorge tells the tragic story of a 19th-century shipwreck and the two survivors who reached the beach.

Boroka and Reeds Lookouts offer some of the best panoramic views across the rugged Grampians terrain.

The area supports kangaroos, emus and many bird species that you may spot during the short guided walks.

Halls Gap is a small town nestled in the heart of the Grampians with easy access to lookouts and trails.

The route crosses into South Australia on Day 2 passing through quiet towns like Dimboola and Nhill.

Local driver-guides often share stories of the land that make the landscapes come alive.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Melbourne to Adelaide 2-Day Great Ocean Road & Grampians Tour

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 195 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average local travel to/from Melbourne pickup points)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 390 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• 2 days / 1 night (one-way Melbourne to Adelaide)
• Small group 8–23 travellers (max 23)
• Starts at Melbourne inner-city pickup points (central meeting: Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St corner Market St); ends Adelaide inner-city drop-off (~7:30pm Day 2)
• Air-conditioned 24-seater Mitsubishi Rosa mini-bus (~520 km total driving)
• 1 night in Halls Gap, Grampians (Gariwerd Motel private ensuite or Grampians Eco YHA shared bathroom, adults 18+)
• Meals: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch (Apollo Bay Bakery), 1 dinner (guest participation at Flying Horse Bar & Brewery or similar)
• Highlights: Great Ocean Road coastline, 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Great Otway National Park rainforest, Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, Grampians National Park (Boroka Lookout, Reeds Lookout/Balconies, Mackenzie Falls), wildlife spotting (kangaroos, emus)

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: 2 days / 1 night
• Key locations: Melbourne start, Great Ocean Road (Apollo Bay, 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Great Otway National Park), Halls Gap, Grampians National Park (Boroka Lookout, Reeds Lookout/Balconies, Mackenzie Falls), Dimboola Pink Lake, Nhill, Bordertown, Adelaide end
• Travel style: Small-group eco one-way tour with guided bush walks, scenic drives and wildlife focus
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Local travel to Melbourne pickup points is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness.

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for Melbourne-to-Adelaide mini-bus operations and tourism-level meals.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs or optional extra tastings).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 105 kg CO₂e

• Average local travel to/from Melbourne pickup points (higher-end mix of car, taxi or public transport): 25 kg
• All on-tour air-conditioned mini-bus transfers (~520 km total, shared small group): 80 kg – higher-end diesel factor with realistic low-occupancy buffer

Accommodation – 45 kg CO₂e

• 1 night in Halls Gap (motel ensuite or eco YHA shared): 45 kg – higher-end for regional energy, heating and laundry

Meals & Food – 25 kg CO₂e

• 2 days of included meals (lunch, dinner with guest participation, breakfast) + snacks: ~12.5 kg per day – higher-impact estimate including production, transport and waste

Activities & Excursions – 20 kg CO₂e

• Guided bush walks (~4 km total), national park entries, lookout stops, wildlife spotting and commentary

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 195 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset:2 × 195 kg = 390 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices (minimal ecosystem disturbance, respect for traditional owners, refillable water encouraged, stay on designated tracks, no feeding wildlife, waste management, guest participation in meal prep/clean-up); our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

What time does the tour depart and arrive?
Departs Melbourne at 7:35 am from the Immigration Museum (or earlier hotel pickups). Arrives Adelaide around 7:30 pm on Day 2.

How many people are in the group?
Maximum 23 travellers with a minimum of 8 to guarantee departure.

What accommodation is provided?
One night in Halls Gap with a choice of private ensuite rooms or shared dormitory-style rooms.

Are meals suitable for dietary needs?
Yes – please advise at booking so the team can cater appropriately.

Do I need to carry my main luggage?
No. Your bag travels on the bus while you only need a small daypack for walks.

Is the walking difficult?
Short guided walks total around 4 km across both days and are at a comfortable pace.

What happens if the weather is bad?
The route may be adjusted slightly for safety while still delivering the best possible experience.

Is travel insurance required?
Strongly recommended – please ensure it covers road travel and any activities.