Accommodation
• 2 nights in comfortable motel-style properties – private double/twin/single rooms with ensuite bathrooms or shared dormitory-style rooms with bunk beds and shared facilities
• Night 1 in Warrnambool near the Great Ocean Road, Night 2 in Halls Gap deep within the Grampians surrounded by bushland and mountain views
• All properties chosen for their convenient location and access to daily highlights

Meals
• 2 breakfasts – fresh starts to each day at your accommodation
• 2 dinners – hearty meals prepared with guest participation, including a traditional Aussie BBQ on Night 2
• Opportunities to purchase lunch along the way or join the group for casual dining

✅ What’s Included
• 2 nights accommodation in private rooms or shared dorms
• All coach transport and transfers from Melbourne to Adelaide
• 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners (with guest participation)
• Professional guide and driver
• All listed activities and entry fees (Great Ocean Road stops, Otway walk, Tower Hill, Pinnacle hike, etc.)

🚫 What’s Not Included
• Lunches (opportunities to purchase along the way)
• Flights or onward travel from Adelaide
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
• Personal spending and optional activities

Victoria’s south-west has mild to warm weather year-round with cooler evenings in the mountains.
• Spring (Sep–Nov) • Daytime 15–22 °C • Green landscapes and wildflowers
• Summer (Dec–Feb) • Daytime 22–28 °C • Sunny and ideal for coastal views
• Autumn (Mar–May) • Daytime 18–24 °C • Crisp air and fewer crowds
• Winter (Jun–Aug) • Daytime 12–18 °C • Cool and possible light rain
Practical note: Layers are useful as coastal and mountain weather can change quickly.

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

Clothing (layered for coastal & mountain conditions)
• Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
• Light layers, hat, sunglasses and a light rain jacket
• Modest clothing suitable for all activities

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

Electronics
• Charged phone and portable power bank
• Camera for the scenery

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

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most famous drives, stretching along dramatic cliffs and surf beaches shaped by the Southern Ocean.

The Twelve Apostles are iconic limestone stacks that continue to erode slowly over time – best viewed at sunrise or sunset for fewer crowds.

Tower Hill is a volcanic crater reserve with rich Aboriginal history and excellent opportunities to see kangaroos and emus up close.

The Grampians National Park is known as Gariwerd to the local Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people and contains some of Victoria’s most spectacular rock formations.

The Pinnacle lookout offers one of the best panoramic views in the Grampians and is reached via a short but rewarding hike.

Warrnambool and Halls Gap are small towns that serve as perfect bases for exploring the coast and mountains with a genuine local feel.

Australian wildlife is abundant along this route – keep your eyes open for koalas in the Otways and kangaroos in the Grampians.

The region’s eco-focus means guides emphasise leave-no-trace principles and respect for the traditional owners of the land.

Seasonal changes bring wildflowers in spring and cooler, misty conditions in winter that add their own quiet beauty.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Melbourne to Adelaide 3-Day Great Ocean Road & Grampians Tour

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 340 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: 680 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

• 3 days / 2 nights (one-way Melbourne to Adelaide)
• Small group 8–23 travellers (max 23)
• Starts at Melbourne inner-city pickup points (central: Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St corner Market St; additional hotels with early pickups from 6:50am); ends Adelaide inner-city drop-off (~7:30pm Day 3)
• Air-conditioned 24-seater Mitsubishi Rosa mini-bus (~1,085 km total driving: Day 1 375 km, Day 2 190 km, Day 3 520 km)
• 2 nights: Night 1 Warrnambool (private ensuite motel or shared), Night 2 Halls Gap (Gariwerd Motel private ensuite or Grampians Eco YHA shared; adults 18+)
• Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners (guest participation in prep/clean-up – e.g. Flying Horse Bar & Brewery or Aussie BBQ), lunch at own expense (Apollo Bay or similar)
• Highlights: Great Ocean Road (12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Great Otway rainforest walk), Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, Grampians National Park (Pinnacle Lookout 4.5 km hike, Mackenzie Falls 2 km hike, Balconies/Reeds Lookout, Boroka Lookout), wildlife (kangaroos, emus, koalas, echidnas), Aboriginal cultural insights

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: 3 days / 2 nights
• Key locations: Melbourne start, Great Ocean Road (Apollo Bay, 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Great Otway National Park), Warrnambool, Tower Hill, Grampians National Park (Pinnacle, Mackenzie Falls, lookouts), Halls Gap, Dimboola Pink Lake, Nhill, Bordertown, Adelaide end
• Travel style: Small-group one-way eco-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 – 170 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 (~1,085 km total, shared small group): 145 kg – higher-end diesel factor with realistic low-occupancy buffer

Accommodation – 90 kg CO₂e

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

Meals & Food – 50 kg CO₂e

• 3 days of included meals (2 breakfasts, 2 dinners with guest participation) + own lunch purchases: ~17 kg per day – higher-impact estimate including production, transport and waste

Activities & Excursions – 30 kg CO₂e

• Guided bush walks (~6.5 km total: rainforest, Pinnacle 4.5 km, Mackenzie Falls 2 km), national park entries, lookout stops, wildlife spotting and commentary

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 340 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset:2 × 340 kg = 680 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

How fit do I need to be?
Moderate fitness is recommended. Walks are short (up to 3 km) but can be steep and rocky.

What is the group size?
Between 8 and 23 travellers. Minimum 8 required to guarantee departure.

Is the accommodation private?
Private double/twin/single rooms with ensuite are available. Shared dorms have bunk beds and shared bathrooms.

Are meals suitable for dietary needs?
Yes – please advise at booking so arrangements can be made.

Do I need to carry my luggage?
No. Your main bag stays on the coach. You only need a small daypack for walks.

What happens at the end of Day 3?
The tour arrives in Adelaide around 7:30 pm. Your guide can help with onward arrangements.

Is travel insurance required?
Strongly recommended. Please ensure it covers adventure activities and cancellation.

Can children join?
Yes, from 6 years and over when accompanied by a guardian.