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, returning                    late afternoon.

  2.     SUNSET TOUR - Leave Melbourne mid 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. Then               we travel back into Melbourne inland through Colac.                

   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                  to 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 :

1.    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 leaving 5 to brave the elements.

  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 12 Apostles site.

*   25 mins -   $ 275.00 pp.   A Tour from Gibson's 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 and then swimming back to shore with her. 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 sent 2 horsemen out to investigate - they found Tom then went to the Gorge and rescued Eva from the beach below.   

     *    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 coast 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 Melbourne.

         FEES and FARES :

         Tour is 9 hrs.

          1-7 people     - CAR              $   795.00     ( Mercedes Valente )

          7 - 10 people - Mini Bus       $   975.00

      NO food, meals or drinks allowed in car price.

      Cool water supplied for this Tour.