✅ What’s Included
• Morning tea and snack
• National Park entry fees
• Guided rainforest walk in Great Otway National Park
• Comprehensive commentary from experienced driver-guide
• Modern air-conditioned coach with onboard WiFi
• Selected Melbourne inner-city pick-up and drop-off points
• Audio translation app service in 10 languages

🚫 What’s Not Included
• Lunch in Apollo Bay and dinner in Colac (at your own expense)
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
• Personal expenses

The Great Ocean Road can be changeable year-round.
• Summer (Dec–Feb) • Daytime 20–28 °C • Warm and sunny, ideal for coastal views
• Autumn (Mar–May) • Daytime 15–23 °C • Mild with beautiful light
• Winter (Jun–Aug) • Daytime 10–17 °C • Cooler with possible showers
• Spring (Sep–Nov) • Daytime 15–22 °C • Fresh and green
Practical note: Pack layers and a light rain jacket – weather can shift quickly along the coast.

Documents & Essentials
• Photo ID and booking confirmation
• Any personal medication

Clothing (layered for coastal conditions)
• Comfortable walking shoes suitable for easy rainforest paths
• Light layers plus a windproof or rain jacket
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen

Toiletries & First Aid
• Basic personal toiletries and any needed first-aid items
• Reusable water bottle (refill stations available)

Electronics
• Charged phone and portable power bank

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Small daypack (max 5–7 kg – no large luggage)
• Camera or binoculars for wildlife and coastal views

The Great Ocean Road stretches 243 km along Victoria’s southern coast and is one of the most scenic drives in the world.

The 12 Apostles are actually seven remaining limestone stacks – the name stuck even though the number has changed over time.

Great Otway National Park protects one of the most beautiful stretches of temperate rainforest in Australia with ancient trees and lush ferns.

Loch Ard Gorge is named after the 1878 shipwreck where only two young passengers survived – a powerful reminder of the coast’s rugged history.

Apollo Bay sits on the edge of the Otways and is known for its relaxed vibe and fresh local seafood.

Memorial Arch marks the official start of the Great Ocean Road and honours the soldiers who built it after World War I.

The area is home to kangaroos, koalas, colourful birds and other native wildlife you may spot along the route.

This is Wurundjeri and Gadubanud Country – the tour moves respectfully through land cared for over thousands of years.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Melbourne Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Discovery Day Tour

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 100 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: 200 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

• 13-hour day tour
• Average 35 guests (max 38)
• Starts and ends at selected inner-city Melbourne pickup points
• Modern air-conditioned coach (~500+ km round trip)
• Morning tea and snack included; lunch/dinner at own expense
• Rainforest walk, wildlife spotting, 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and multiple lookouts

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: 13 hours
• Key locations: Inner-city Melbourne start/end, Great Ocean Road (Memorial Arch, Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park, Island Archway, Razorback, Loch Ard Gorge, 12 Apostles)
• Travel style: Iconic scenic discovery day tour with easy walks and lookouts
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Local travel to pickup 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 (0.06–0.08 kg CO₂e per passenger-km for coach with buffer), plus well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for tourism operations.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs or optional alcohol).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 65 kg CO₂e

• Average local travel to/from Melbourne pickup points (higher-end mix): 25 kg
• All on-tour coach transfers (~520 km round trip, shared): 40 kg – higher-end factor with realistic occupancy

Accommodation – 0 kg CO₂e

• Day tour only – no overnight stay

Meals & Food – 15 kg CO₂e

• Morning tea/snack + higher-end estimate for own lunch/dinner purchases: 15 kg – tourism-level portions and waste

Activities & Excursions – 15 kg CO₂e

• Guided rainforest walk, wildlife spotting, multiple lookouts and national park entries with commentary

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 100 kg CO₂e (rounded higher for full coverage)

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset:2 × 100 kg = 200 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

How fit do I need to be?
A low level of fitness is required. The guided rainforest walk is easy and suitable for most people.

What is the group size?
Average of 35 guests on a modern 28–38 seater coach.

Is lunch included?
No – lunch in Apollo Bay and dinner in Colac are at your own expense so you can support local cafes and businesses.

Do I need to bring my own water bottle?
Yes – a 1-litre refillable bottle is recommended as refill stations are available on the coach.

What happens if it rains?
The tour runs in most weather conditions unless it is unsafe. Rain jackets are a good idea.

Is there WiFi on the coach?
Yes – onboard WiFi is available for the duration of the trip.

Can children join?
Yes – child fares apply for 0–12 years. Infants must be accompanied by an adult.

Do I need travel insurance?
Yes – we strongly recommend it covers medical, cancellation and any unforeseen events.