Had done this twice:
- Camille, Camille’s mum and aunt via tour bus
- Dylan, Dylan’s mum, and Camille via private car
Having your own car gives you more flexibility (and cost less for a big group) but the experience will more or less be the same even if you join a tour group: just looking mostly at rocks.
Doing it with your own car (or rented car) makes it easier to switch up the itinerary for a bit. The beaches (and rocks) all start to look similar at one point and there is not much to do at these spots except to take pictures.
Australian beaches are typically known for surfing and the tides, but these tours are only for sight-seeing so it’s hard to appreciate the “same view”, when the experience of swimming is what differentiates the beaches from each other.
I personally think it is more enjoyable if you go on your own itinerary to make the activities more varied — unless you just absolutely love looking at windy views.
Cape Otway Lightstation was quite nice for photos, but it’s also just another location you pass through.
🔥 HOT TIP!
No car and want to travel as a group?
Instead of booking tours, download the Air Tasker app and find a driver for a full day. Just put up an ad and wait until someone responds with an offer. Payments are made through the app.
It’ll be cheaper and you will have more control over your itinerary.