12 APOSTLES EXPRESS Private Tour

This Tour is offered to our Clients in three (3) ways;

  1,     Travel by road in our Mercedes Valente leaving Melbourne at 9.30 am in the morning visiting all               of the sites and returning early in the evening.

  2.     SUNSET TOUR - Leave Melbourne late morning visiting all of the sites by Car BUT arriving at                  the 12 Apostles site at Sunset ready for that special photograph at this time. Returning early                   evening back into Melbourne.                              

   3.    We follow our first option but arrive at the 12 Apostles site at an agreed time for a 25 minute                  Helicopter ride along the Coast. On arrival back at the Heliport we take a stroll out onto the                12 Apostles viewing deck before travelling into Port Campbell for a meal before returning to                   Melbourne. 

 OUR TOUR :    Time - 9 hrs.   

We travel from Melbourne via the M1, the Princes Highway, south past Geelong turning SW to Colac a trip of approx. 1 75 hrs. for morning tea at Lake Colac. From here we travel a further 1 hr. down through Simpson to begin our sightseeing Tour at Gibson's Steps.

GIBSON"S STEPS :

Here we find Steps carved into the sheer Limestone Cliff face. These steps were here, carved by our         local Aborigines prior to White settlement in this area of Victoria. They provided access from above       down onto a beautiful beach area for fishing and enjoyment purposes.

     Take time to descend the 90 odd steps down onto the beach and walk to the point to see one of             the Limestone Stacks up close.

2.   Just a short distance by car, about 5 mins. we arrive at the Apostle's Information Centre and                    Viewing Deck.  

      12 APOSTLES:   - originally called " The Piglets "

     A short walk along a concrete path finds us at the 12 Apostles " Viewing Deck " with the remaining        Apostles , Limestone Stacks, standing defiant to the weather conditions that are continually                    wearing them away as we look Westward along the coastline.

     In 1922 when this area was renamed the 12 Apostles from "The Sow and the Piglets" there were             only 9 Stacks standing at that time. The last one to collapse was in 1966.

    Helicopter Rides :

    Helicopters are available for Hire from the Heliport here at the 12 Apostles site.

    Costs to Hire are NOT included in our Tour Fees.

    Rides are :

*   15 mins -   $ 175.00 pp.   A lap around the immediate 12 Apostles site.

*   25 mins -   $ 275.00 pp.   A Tour from Gibsons Steps through to The Bay of Islands and return  ****

*   60 mins -   $ 600.00 pp.   From the Otway Lighthouse through to the Bay of Islands and return.

    ****     -  Best value for money anywhere !!!!    

    Prices to be confirmed at confirmation of Booking.

3.    Another short drive of 5 minutes finds us at Loch Ard Gorge which has been named after the Ship           that sank here in 1878. As we walk the Ship-wreck trail we learn of the two survivors the Ships               Apprentice - Tom and a young girl - Eva.

      But that's not all to look at here.

      LOCH ARD GORGE :

     We have three areas to walk to and view here- so allow around an hour for this site.

     *     The Razorback :

            a walk of 450 metres to view cliffs carved out by the wind and sea with a cliff face finish as                      smooth as the back of a Razor.    

     *     The Shipwreck Walk adjoining the Gorge Lookout .

            A walk of 350 metres to the viewing deck to lookout over this area and to see beyond Mutton                Bird Island to see where the ship sank.

     *     The Gorge : 

           Returning back to the Carpark we go left to the Gorge lookout and then further along to read                 the story of Tom reaching the beach area before hearing a female's voice calling out. How he                 then swam back out to rescue Eva who was holding onto a Halyard of the boat nd then                           swimming back to shore.  The next morning Tom climbed out of the Gorge to search for help.                Fortunately, there was a Station established close bye and they had heard the noise of the                       wreck during the night and had sent2 horsemen out to investigate - they found Tom then                       went to the Gorge and rescued Eva from the beach.    

     *    Mutton Bird Island : 

           A 150 metre walk that provides us with the Island with its under-cuts and arches, plus the                        adjoining headlands where there are arches, under-cuts caves all in one place.

            We also learn of the Mutton Bird that arrives along the coats of Victoria and Tasmania  before                 its annual flight up to just below Alaska before returning back home for the next breeding                       season.    

4.       Our next stop is at scenic Port Campbell a small coastal Town where we can enjoy our Lunch                    break, of your choosing, plus time to walk on the beach or take in the small Shopping area.                 

    PORT CAMPBELL :

           Port Campbell a small coastal Town set between the high cliffs of this area  at the top of a                       beautiful bay with a very inviting sandy beach to enjoy.

          If we have time you might like to take a walk up to the scenic Lookout high above the Town                    looking out over the Ocean and along the coastal cliff faces.

  5.     We leave Port Campbell  and make our way North before turning East to pass through Simpson              on our way to Colac and onto Winchelsea for a Coffee stop.

         From here we return direct to your accommodation  by-passing Geelong as we return to your                 accommodation in Melbourne.

         FEES and FARES :

         Tour is 9 hrs.

          1-7 people     - CAR              $   845.00     ( Mercedes Valente )

          7 - 10 people - Mini Bus       $ 1045.00

      NO food, meals or drinks allowed in car price.

      Cool water supplied for this Tour.