great ocean walk apollo bay to the twelve apostles
self guided walking holiday
INN-to-INN walking holiday
Self guided departures
9 day itinerary (includes 7 days of walking)
Or Part A:
5 day itinerary (includes 3 days of walking)
Or Part B:
6 day itinerary (includes 4 days of walking)
highlights
Victoria's new long-distance walking track, bound for iconic status
Wreck Beach, Milanesia Beach, Station Beach - remote, beautiful, rarely visited
Twelve Apostles limestone sea stacks and wind-sculpted coastline of Loch Ard Gorge
Abundant native wildlife - koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, whales, birds of prey, sea birds and much more
Auswalk's Great Ocean Walk is an INN-to-INN accommodated walking holiday. You progress along a scenic section of the Great Ocean Road area, walking along beaches and through National Parks from one delightful accommodation to the next. We move your luggage for you while you are out walking. This holiday is a Self-Guided trip.
This recently constructed new walking track traverses dramatic coastline for 91km from Apollo Bay to Glenample historic homestead. Together with our extension to include the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, Auswalk is offering the very best way to experience this region. The setting is the Great Otway National Park, Victoria’s newest park and the largest coastal park in the state. The breathtaking coastal scenery, remote terrain, magnificent forests, abundant wildlife and colourful heathlands will ensure that this new walk will quickly become an iconic walk both within Australia and internationally.
Highlights include the spectacular limestone sea-stacks known as the Twelve Apostles, groves of Manna Gums inhabited by koalas, pretty spring-fed Rainbow Falls cascading to the sea platforms below and deserted beaches featuring some of the highest sea-cliffs in Australia.
Wildlife abounds too. The animals you might spot on the walk range from kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and koalas to sea eagles, wedge-tailed eagles, whales and dolphins.
The track offers variety of walking experiences including remote cliff top walking trails, forest tracks that meander along gentle gradients, pristine sandy beaches, private farmland and short sections on minor dirt roads.
Auswalk is offering three options along the Great Ocean Walk:
1) 9 days / 8 nights – covers the entire track from Apollo Bay to Loch Ard Gorge
2) Part A: 5 days / 4 nights – covers the first section from Apollo Bay to Castle Cove
3) Part B: 6 days / 5 nights – covers the second section from Castle Cove to Loch Ard Gorge
One of many deserted beaches along the Great Ocean Walk
location
The Great Ocean Walk commences in Apollo Bay, a sea-side town about 3 hours SW of Melbourne. There are daily train/coach services from Melbourne.
grading
Sandy beaches, cliff top and forest walking tracks. Mostly moderate terrain with some harder sections. 45% easy, 35% moderate, 20% harder. An average day has 15-21km walking, taking around 5-6.5 hours).
Cape Otway lighthouse stands as a lonely
sentinel along this treacherous coastline
accommodation Typical accommodation includes comfortable B&Bs, a home-stay, a motel and an Eco Lodgethat has achieved Advanced Eco Tourism Certification - all private rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
regional wine & food The area is noted for Great Ocean Road / Geelong wines, freshly caught seafood and fresh berries.
what's included Entire route – 9 day itinerary: 8 nights accommodation, 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners, entry to Cape Otway lightstation, all transport ex Apollo Bay, luggage transfers, information pack, insulated lunch bag, map case, National Park fees, walking notes, maps. Part A – 5 day itinerary: 4 nights accommodation, 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, entry to Cape Otway lightstation, luggage transfers, all transport ex Apollo Bay, information pack, insulated lunch bag, map case, National Park fees, walking notes, maps. Part B – 6 day itinerary: 5 nights accommodation, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, luggage transfers, all transport ex Apollo Bay, information pack, insulated lunch bag, map case, National Park fees, walking notes, maps.
not included Alcohol, meals not listed in itinerary.
the best time to go December through February is usually warm to hot with excellent swimming weather. Book well in advance for January due to the summer school holidays. March through May is usually cooler, with long sunny days, perfect for walking. The winter months (June to August) are cool and sometimes stormy, providing exhilarating walking along the beaches. In winter the hills are covered with pink heath, Victoria's floral emblem. September and November are usually cool to warm and this is when most of the colourful wildflowers appear.
Pristine sandy beaches feature on this walk
departure dates
Self guided "INN-to-INN" - any day of the year year, with a minimum of 2 people booking together.
prices
Please see our Prices section of the website
itinerary guide - 9 days (includes 8 nights accommodation & 7 days walking)
Day 1: Starts in Apollo Bay any time after 2pm. Optional afternoon walk to Marriners Lookout for panoramic views over the ocean and Apollo Bay village. Accommodation: Apollo Bay
Day 2: Leave the tourists behind as you walk along the coast away from Apollo Bay. The track hugs the coast at first before heading inland through tall eucalypt forest and patches of rainforest. This is an excellent day in which to spot black wallabies along the trail. The walking finishes at delightful Blanket Bay – an ideal place for a swim. Accommodation: Cape Otway
Day 3: From Blanket Bay the track contours through coastal forests and along the cliff tops to Parker Inlet – a picture-postcard setting and definitely one of our favourite places! An optional side-trip to Crayfish Bay is also a highlight. The track continues through Manna gum forests that are home to large numbers of koalas, eventually emerging at Cape Otway Lightstation. The afternoon is free to explore the lighthouse, museum and displays. Accommodation: Cape Otway
Day 4: On to Station Beach and pretty Rainbow Falls where a spring cascades down to the rocky coastal platforms below. The track continues through the wind sculpted sand dunes and along the cliff tops to the Aire River estuary and wetlands. Stunning coastal scenery awaits you on the route to Castle Cove. Accommodation: Castle Cove
Walking along deserted Wreck Beach
Day 5: Today’s section has some of the most spectacular coastal views of the entire track. It’s also a great day for wildflowers with colourful heathlands and numerous grass trees. In the winter months there are native orchids and masses of pink heath – Victoria’s floral emblem. Another highlight is the long, white, sandy expanse of Johanna Beach. Accommodation: Castle Cove
Day 6: Milanesia Beach is one of those secret beaches not many people get to and what a special place it is! From here the track continues along the cliff tops and you can see all the way back to Cape Otway lighthouse. High sea cliffs, breathtaking views and coastal forests lead you to Moonlight Head. Accommodation: Princetown area
Day 7: The first highlight today is The Gables Lookout, perched on one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. This is a superb spot for whale watching between June and September. Continue through a grove of casuarinas to Wreck Beach where the remains of two shipwrecks can be inspected. Today’s walk finishes at the impressive 12 Apostles, a group of limestone sea stacks that are constantly changing. Accommodation: 12 Apostles area.
Day 8: The grand finale is the fascinating geological formations at Loch Ard Gorge where you’ll learn the amazing tale of survival of the Loch Ard shipwreck. Evocatively named places indicate the turmoil that hardy pioneers of the area endured, including the crews of over 150 ships that have been shipwrecked along this rugged coast. There's also time for an optional coastal hike in Port Campbell. Accommodation: Port Campbell
Day 9: After breakfast you will be transported back to Apollo Bay.
On the beach at Loch Ard Gorge
itinerary guide - part a: 5 days (includes 4 nights accommodation & 3 days walking)
Day 1: Starts in Apollo Bay any time after 2pm. Optional afternoon walk to Marriners Lookout for panoramic views over the ocean and Apollo Bay village. Accommodation: Apollo Bay
Day 2: Leave the tourists behind as you walk along the coast away from Apollo Bay. The track hugs the coast at first before heading inland through tall eucalypt forest and patches of rainforest. This is an excellent day in which to spot black wallabies along the trail. The walking finishes at delightful Blanket Bay – an ideal place for a swim. Accommodation: Cape Otway
Day 3: From Blanket Bay the track contours through coastal forests and along the cliff tops to Parker Inlet – a picture-postcard setting and definitely one of our favourite places! An optional side-trip to Crayfish Bay is also a highlight. The track continues through Manna gum forests that are home to large numbers of koalas, eventually emerging at Cape Otway Lightstation. The afternoon is free to explore the lighthouse, museum and displays. Accommodation: Cape Otway
Day 4: On to Station Beach and pretty Rainbow Falls where a spring cascades down to the rocky coastal platforms below. The track continues through the wind sculpted sand dunes and along the cliff tops to the Aire River estuary and wetlands. Stunning coastal scenery awaits you on the route to Castle Cove. Accommodation: Castle Cove
Day 5: After breakfast you will be transported back to Apollo Bay.
Magnificent sculpted coastline near the 12 Apostles
itinerary guide - part b: 6 days (includes 5 nights accommodation & 4 days walking)
Day 1: Starts in Apollo Bay at 2pm (if arriving by public transport – you will be transferred to Castle Cove). Or starts any time after 2pm at Castle Cove if arriving by private car. Accommodation: Castle Cove
Day 2: Today’s section has some of the most spectacular coastal views of the entire track. It’s also a great day for wildflowers with colourful heathlands and numerous grass trees. In the winter months there are native orchids and masses of pink heath – Victoria’s floral emblem. Another highlight is the long, white, sandy expanse of Johanna Beach. Accommodation: Castle Cove
Day 3: Milanesia Beach is one of those secret beaches not many people get to and what a special place it is! From here the track continues along the cliff tops and you can see all the way back to Cape Otway lighthouse. High sea cliffs, breathtaking views and coastal forests lead you to Moonlight Head. Accommodation: Princetown area
Day 4:The first highlight today is The Gables Lookout, perched on one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. This is a superb spot for whale watching between June and September. Continue through a grove of casuarinas to Wreck Beach where the remains of two shipwrecks can be inspected. Today’s walk finishes at the impressive 12 Apostles, a group of limestone sea stacks that are constantly changing. Accommodation: 12 Apostles area.
Day 5: The grand finale is the fascinating geological formations at Loch Ard Gorge where you’ll learn the amazing tale of survival of the Loch Ard shipwreck. Evocatively named places indicate the turmoil that hardy pioneers of the area endured, including the crews of over 150 ships that have been shipwrecked along this rugged coast. There's also time for an optional coastal hike in Port Campbell. Accommodation: Port Campbell
Day 6: After breakfast you will be transported back to your car at Castle Cove or Apollo Bay for public transport back to Melbourne.
fact sheet Would you like more detailed information about this trip?
Download our Great Ocean Walk self guided INN-to-INN Fact Sheet. It contains a detailed itinerary with walking times and distances and more information on accommodations including photos of places you will stay at.
Note: If you are having trouble opening this Fact Sheet, please click on the link to download the latest version of Adobe Reader.
Auswalk also offers a guided and Self-Guided walk along another section of the coast, from Torquay to Lorne. Called the “Surf Coast Walk”, this walking holiday has been a favourite with thousands of walkers for over ten years, and is still one of our most popular walking holidays.
