Sandboarding at Little Sahara (optional, at own cost)

Accommodation
• Parkview Port Campbell Motel (or similar) – comfortable rooms in the small fishing village of Port Campbell with ocean views and easy access to local cafés
• Ashmont Inn and Apartments (or similar) – well-located in Port Fairy with a relaxed atmosphere near the waterfront
• William Macintosh Motor Lodge (or similar) – peaceful setting on the outskirts of Naracoorte with easy access to the caves and town

Meals
• Breakfasts – included on Days 2, 3 and 4 at local cafés or your motel
• Lunches – included each day featuring fresh regional produce and café meals
• Dinners – not included so you can choose from local restaurants, cafés or pubs in each town

✅ What’s Included
• Pickup from Melbourne Southern Cross Coach Terminal
• Comfortable air-conditioned coach transport throughout
• Experienced driver-guide
• All national park entry fees and guided activities
• Lunches on all days and breakfasts on Days 2–4
• Accommodation for 3 nights in comfortable motels

🚫 What’s Not Included
• Dinner each night (own expense – many local options)
• Breakfast on Day 1
• Personal purchases and souvenirs
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

The Great Ocean Road and inland South Australia have mild to warm conditions year-round.
Summer (Dec–Feb) • Typical daytime: 20–28 °C • Conditions: sunny with sea breezes • Practical note: pack swimwear and sunscreen
Autumn (Mar–May) • Typical daytime: 18–24 °C • Conditions: pleasant and green • Practical note: light layers for evenings
Winter (Jun–Aug) • Typical daytime: 12–18 °C • Conditions: cooler with possible rain • Practical note: warm clothing and rain jacket
Spring (Sep–Nov) • Typical daytime: 16–22 °C • Conditions: wildflowers and mild days • Practical note: comfortable walking shoes

Documents & Essentials
• Photo ID and booking confirmation
• Travel insurance documents

Clothing (layered for coastal and inland conditions)
• Comfortable walking shoes for short walks and boardwalks
• Light layers, hat, sunglasses and swimwear
• Light rain jacket (possible showers)

Toiletries & First Aid
• Sunscreen, insect repellent and personal toiletries
• Any personal medication

Electronics
• Charged phone and camera
• Portable power bank

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Small daypack
• Reusable water bottle

The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, hugging the cliffs of the Shipwreck Coast with dramatic rock formations shaped by the Southern Ocean.

Tower Hill Wildlife Park is a volcanic crater reserve where kangaroos and emus roam freely and you can learn about Aboriginal history and geology.

Naracoorte Caves are a World Heritage site famous for their fossil record of extinct Australian megafauna.

Coonawarra is one of Australia’s premier wine regions, known for its terra rossa soil that produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon.

Port Fairy is a charming fishing village with historic buildings and a relaxed coastal atmosphere.

Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest German settlement, full of heritage buildings, galleries and traditional bakeries.

Mt Lofty Summit offers panoramic views over the Adelaide plains and is a perfect finale to the journey.

The region’s changing landscapes take you from volcanic plains and rainforest to limestone caves and rolling vineyards in just a few days.

Local hospitality shines through in the small towns along the route where you’ll feel genuinely welcomed.

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 420 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: 840 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

• 4 days / 3 nights
• Small group – max 16 travellers
• Starts at Southern Cross Coach Terminal in Melbourne; ends with drop-off at accommodation in Adelaide
• Air-conditioned coach with expert driver-guide
• 3 nights comfortable motels (Parkview Port Campbell Motel or similar on Night 1, Ashmont Inn and Apartments or similar on Night 2, William Macintosh Motor Lodge or similar on Night 3)
• Meals: Breakfasts on Days 2–4, lunches each day (fresh regional produce and café meals); dinners at own expense
• Highlights: 12 Apostles at sunrise, Otway National Park rainforest walk, Tower Hill Wildlife Park with kangaroos, emus and Aboriginal history tour, Seal Bay & Loch Ard Gorge, Coonawarra winery tasting, Naracoorte Caves (World Heritage fossil site), Umpherston Sinkhole, Hahndorf & Mt Lofty Summit with panoramic views over Adelaide

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: 4 days / 3 nights
• Key locations: Melbourne start, Great Ocean Road (Bells Beach, 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Great Otway National Park), Warrnambool, Tower Hill, Port Fairy, Cape Bridgewater, Mount Gambier, Coonawarra, Naracoorte Caves, Hahndorf, Mt Lofty Summit, Adelaide end
• Travel style: Small-group eco-tour with guided walks, scenic drives and wildlife/cultural 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 coach operations and tourism-level meals.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs or optional dinners).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 220 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 coach transfers (~1,200 km total, shared small group): 195 kg – higher-end diesel factor with realistic low-occupancy buffer

Accommodation – 135 kg CO₂e

• 3 nights comfortable motels: 45 kg per night – higher-end for regional energy, heating and laundry

Meals & Food – 45 kg CO₂e

• 4 days of included breakfasts/lunches + own dinners/snacks: ~11 kg per day – higher-impact estimate

Activities & Excursions – 20 kg CO₂e

• Guided walks, national park entries, winery tasting, caves visit and commentary

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 420 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset: 2 × 420 kg = 840 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; 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 is the group size?
Maximum 16 people for a personal and comfortable experience.

Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at Southern Cross Coach Terminal in Melbourne and ends with drop-off at accommodation in Adelaide.

Are meals included?
Lunches each day and breakfasts on Days 2–4 are included. Dinners are at your own expense.

Do I need to be fit?
Moderate fitness is recommended with some short walks and boardwalks. Comfortable shoes are advised.

Is the coach comfortable?
Yes – air-conditioned with reclining seats and plenty of legroom.

Can I do extra activities?
Some optional activities like sandboarding or extra tastings can be arranged locally.

What wildlife will I see?
Kangaroos, koalas, colourful birds and possibly other native animals in their natural habitat.

Is travel insurance required?
Yes, we strongly recommend it covers medical, cancellation and adventure activities.