Experience walking along one of Australia’s most stunning sections of coastline over the period of a week, while returning of an evening to comfy accommodation, incredible food & the company of new friends.
The walk officially starts by the Visitor Centre in Apollo Bay and you will travel the entire 105 km journey of the Great Ocean Walk. The trail winds out through the town to the beach-side suburb of Marengo, named by a passing French explorer. Marengo is home to a colony of Australian Fur Seals who hang out on rocks in the bay.
At several points along The Great Ocean Walk we have the choice of walking along the beaches or rock platforms at low tide or following the inland trail. Due to the unpredictable nature of the tides our guides will make a decision which is the safest route for the day.
Continuing onwards the countryside becomes more rural farmland. The trail continues up a small hill with a stile to climb over a fence. There are good views along the coast looking south-west towards Cape Otway and north-east over the ranges surrounding Apollo Bay. There is a conveniently placed rest bench, followed by a steep descent past The Blowhole. We descend down to a beach where we typically rest before heading into a small section of delightful Otway rainforest. The area after Three Creeks Beach can get a bit boggy after rain so be prepared with appropriate footwear.
The trail enters low forest initially, and then starts to climb into the higher forests of the Great Otway National Park just above Shelly Beach. There is a junction on the trail which leads left down to Shelly Beach or right to the car park at Shelly Beach picnic area.
Walking distance: 8.75 km to Shelly Beach Car Park
Meals: Morning Tea, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Cape Otway Lightstation
The trail rejoins the coast at Blanket Bay, an isolated stretch of coast that was one of the original ports for unloading supplies for the Cape Otway Lightstation. Blanket Bay is one of the few safe swimming locations along the walk.
The track then meanders along the cliff tops and through coastal forests to the quiet haven of Parker Inlet. Expect to see black wallaby, echidna, black cockatoo, rosella and other wildlife along the way.
Walking distance: 20.5km (6-7hrs walking)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Cape Otway Lightstation
The walk from the lighthouse to Aire River winds its way through wind sculpted landscapes of sand dunes, coastal scrub-land and magnificent calcified cliffs. At the Aire River Lookout there are great views down to the estuary where the Aire River meets the Southern Ocean and Glenaire Beach. The wetlands look quite spectacular from this vantage point and it is a nice steady downhill walk from to the Aire River Bridge which crosses the river to the picnic and campsite areas.
Walking distance: 16.5km (4.5-5.5hrs walking)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Cape Otway Lightstation
From Castle Cove the track winds its way along the cliff tops, through heath-lands and forests, occasionally emerging to give breathtaking and extensive views along the coast. The forest here is an interesting mixture of manna gums, spring wildflowers and magnificent expanses of grass trees. Make sure you keep an eye out above for Peregrine Falcons.
Eventually you will emerge onto the broad expanse of Johanna Beach. This beautiful beach is one of the best in Australia with superb views and enormous crashing surf.
Walking distance: 14km (5-6hrs walking)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Cape Otway Lightstation
Isolated, rugged and hidden, Milanesia Beach receives few visitors and is all the more special for it. Look for the “beachcomber’s cottage†when you reach the beach.
From here the trail continues along the high sea cliffs to Ryans Den with breathtaking views all the way back to Cape Otway, and west to Cape Volley.
Walking distance: 14km (4-6hrs walking)
From Ryan’s Den the track continues through coastal forests that lead over Cape Volney to the evocatively named (by Matthew Flinders during a break in showery weather at night in April 1802) Moonlight Head.
Walking distance: 5 km (2.5 hrs walking).
Food included: breakfast, lunch, trail mix and dinner
Accommodation: Loch Ard Motor Inn, Port Campbell
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Loch Ard Motor Inn, Port Campbell
Continuing along the track through a grove of casuarina trees you will come out near Wreck Beach where at low tide you can descend and see the anchors of two of the many shipwrecks that lie submerged along this coast (The Fiji and the Marie Gabrielle). From Devils Kitchen you will follow a new section of track that hugs the wild coastal cliffs towards Princetown where our days walking concludes.
Walking distance: 17 km (6.5 - 7 hrs walking)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Loch Ard Motor Inn, Port Campbell
The Great Ocean Walk now finishes at Twelve Apostles car park, and we recommend, tides allowing, you descend Gibson’s Steps to view Gog and Magog (not strictly counted as two of The Twelve Apostles) up close from sea level.
The last few kilometers can be walked to reach The Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre where you can celebrate your achievements and view The Twelve Apostles up close. We’ll then head back into Port Campbell where walkers can buy their lunch, have a coffee before we departing back to Melbourne. Our arrival time in the CBD outside the National Gallery of Victoria (same location as pick up) is approximately 5.30pm
Walking distance: 8.5 km (2.5 - 3 hrs walking)
Meals: Breakfast
Transport which includes collecting from Melbourne and returning back. We use a comfortable 12 seater mini coach with a trailer attached for luggage. Plus we use the coach to drop off and pick up during the course of the day.
6 dinners, 6 lunches, 6 breakfasts. Plus trail mix, nibbles, fresh fruit
We always have the kettle ready to boil, plenty of tea, coffee, milo and biscuits.
4 night’s accommodation on a twin share basis at Cape Otway Lightstation (unless single supplement arranged)
2 night’s accommodation on a twin share basis at Port Campbell in motel rooms (unless single supplement arranged)
Great Ocean Walk map 1:25,000 scale
1 Morning Teas
6 Lunches
5 Dinners
6 Breakfasts
Guest Notes
Single Supplement Available on Request
Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions:
No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.
