GENERAL INFO
Travel down on the Great Ocean Road to the start of the walk. You will have to arrive by 12:00 midday on your first day to commence the walking. This walk is for people that are wanting to condense the number of nights on the walk and/or are looking for a bit of a challenge.
Each day we move your luggage ahead for you to the next accommodation. All you need to carry is a daypack with what you need for the day. We provide comprehensive walk notes for you. It’s easy to find the way on this track but with our notes, you’ll also receive lots of information to help you better appreciate the flora, fauna, history and geology you’re experiencing along the route.
We’ve mapped a point-to-point walk to maximize the highlights, staying in different accommodations on the route. This means more variety, less backtracking and time spent in a vehicle and more time to relax at the end of the day. You’ll walk an average of 15 km each day, with some optional side walks for those wanting to extend themselves.
The walking terrain is varied following clifftops, wide forest tracks, rough trails, beach traverses, including Wreck Beach and tracks shaded by the forest canopy. It’s mostly easy-going, flat stretches, with some steady, challenging climbs and long downhill descents. The walk is moderate to challenging with some longer days, these provide a great opportunity for fit walkers to challenge themselves.
For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice on our FAQ section.
HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY
The walk starts in Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road and ends in Port Campbell. As you are walking on day 1 we recommend starting your walk at 12pm to comfortably be at the pick up point on time. Fast walkers can explore Apollo or start slightly later if necessary.
Arriving / Departing via Private Vehicle – Self DriveÂ
This is the recommended way to travel for this trip. If you are driving you can park your car in a quiet street in Apollo bay near the Visitor Information Centre. At the end of your walk on the last day of your trip we will transfer you back to your car in Apollo Bay.
Important note: Please advise your arrival time to your destination consultant to arrange for your luggage to be collected from the Visitor Information Centre.
Arriving / Departing via Public TransportÂ
If catching public transport we recommend having a pre tour night in Apollo Bay to ensure you start on time. This is a combined train and coach service operated by PTV. You will first need to take a regional VLINE train from Melbourne to Geelong. In Geelong you will take a coach to Apollo Bay Visitors Information Centre the entire journey will take around 4hrs. You can plan your journey and purchase tickets here. At the end of your walk on the last day of your trip we will transfer you to Camperdown Station for train connections back to Melbourne. Alternatively, if you would like to stay a post tour night you can do so either at Port Campbell or Apollo Bay. Please bear in mind transport connections are 2hrs 45 mins from Camperdown (near Port Campbell) or 3hrs 45 mins from Apollo Bay.
If Flying into Melbourne Tullamarine / Geelong AvalonÂ
If you are flying into Melbourne Airport, there is a direct coach service that will transfer you to Geelong Train Station. The trip from Melbourne Airport to Geelong takes around 1 hour will Gull Airport Service. You will need to make a booking directly with them.
If you are flying into Avalon Airport, Avalon Airport Shuttle meets every flight that arrives into Avalon. They will transfer you to Geelong Train Station which will take around 30 minutes. This journey needs to be pre-booked. Please check online for the most up to dates prices and times.
Private TransferÂ
Private transfers are subject to availability please ask you destination consultant at time of booking. Private transfers work best for groups of 4 or more.
WEATHER
December through February is usually warm to hot with excellent swimming weather. Book well in advance for January due to the summer school holidays as the Great Ocean Road walk gets very busy. 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 to November are usually cool to warm and this is when most of the colourful wildflowers appear.
See the Bureau of Meteorology’s information about average temperatures and rainfall at different times of the year.
Source;Â BOM
INSURANCE
We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.
We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office. See the FAQ section for more information.
INFORMATION PACK
For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.
7 DAYS
Moderate 
Andrea P
What an amazing week we had on the Great Ocean Walk. I honestly couldn’t have asked for more. And the food? I was a bit worried about my food intolerances before the trip, but I needn’t have been – every meal was absolutely delicious, high quality, and carefully catered to my needs. The walk itself was just beautiful – the views of the coast are breathtaking. I particularly appreciated being able to skip a few stages to take it easy on my pre-existing Achilles tendon problems – this flexibility allowed me to enjoy the whole experience without worry. Thank you Auswalk for creating such wonderful memories.
David N
The trip was fantastic , transfers were always on time , col and Venessa made these transfers one of the highlights of the trip , accommodation was good and food was brilliant at chi farm , a seamless trip with a magnificent walk , we saw all the wildlife including koala , echidna , wallaby , kangaroo , deer , fox, black cockatoos , various other birds and yes brown , tiger and black snake ( and they left us alone)
5 stars this trip
Madeleine J
I had the best time on the Great Ocean Walk! The walk was incredibly beautiful, the accommodation and staff were lovely and very well organised by Auswalk!
Suzanne P
We were so glad we arranged this walking holiday with AUSWALK as the attention to detail in the planning, communication, walking note booklets, booking summary and the app were excellent. All we really had to do was walk and enjoy ourselves. It was everything we’d hoped it would be and we look forward to planning more such walks.
Kristy C
I have just spent the best week walking the Great Ocean Walk with Auswalk. The scenery was everchanging & spectacular. The walk itself was challenging in parts but for the most pretty easy going. We fluked fantastic weather for the time of year which made for a pleasant walking experience. There was so much food I don’t think I lost any weight despite walking every day. The food & accommodation was excellent – you did not need to spend any money on the trip, apart from drinks, as everything was provided. We are already looking at where our next Auswalk trip might be. Thank you Auswalk for a fantastic week.
Trish W
The Great Ocean Walk is amazing. Having Auswalk organise everything from start to finish without a hiccup makes it a pleasure. The accommodation and food could not be faulted.
Thank you
Terri S
Fantastic, from beginning to end, and all the echidna and koalas on the way
Geoffrey G
We would like to say what a delightful group of people you have that looked after us. Apollo Bay Taxis were on time every time. They went above and beyond especially when Marions walking boots fell apart and had to be replaced. Thank you Vanessa, Colin and Sue.
Chi Farm (WOW). Magnificent fresh healthy food, and so much of it. I think we both had put on weight by the end of the walk. Thank you Jodie and Shane.
Cafe 153, Waves and Des at Portside Motel thank you all for making us so welcome.
It was obvious to us that they all highly value their relationship with Auswalk, and this made the walk a thoroughly enjoyable experience for us.
Paulette S
The Great Ocean Walk is not to be missed – the views around every corner continually changing along with the locals we come across on the track – koalas, snakes, seals and wallabies to name a few! The track was quiet in November, passing a few walkers and school groups who all had wonderful conversations of the beauty of the location. The weather was kind with only one misty-morn. Sun block was required on some days. Outsourcing our group walk to Auswalk took away the burden of car-shuffles, etc. that is normally involved for our group activities. The accommodation was excellent in all locations and the food was in abundance along with the quality! Frank’s lamb shanks (Bimbi Park) not to be missed! Amazing Australian tucker, cooked by expert chefs! Auswalk’s representative Katie went above and beyond to assist our group with all those little needs and requirements, driving safely and diligently around the twisty bendy roads of the Great Ocean Raod.
Of course, the highlight of this walk is the end destination the 12 Apostles. We commenced in Apollo Bay day 1 to Day 7 arriving at the 12 Apostles, but in achieving this milestone, the true experience along the track was the journey and people we met along the way.
Judith R
A great well organised 6 night trip designed for keen walkers who like comfortable accommodation and good food at the end of the day. This trip allowed us to explore this corner of Australia while our luggage was moved along each day. We started with an overnight stay in the atmospheric Cape Otway Lighthouse but all the properties we stayed in had there own character and our hosts were welcoming.
Jenny & Chris
We loved every step of the way, even the uphill ones! This walk rates highly among the great Australian Walks in our experience of several of them. It’s achievable without going too far off the grid, and by anyone of average fitness (for reference we are in our late 50s and not hugely fit but do have some multi-day walking experience). The variety of scenery is fabulous, from beaches and cliff tops, to fern glades and green lanes, to eucalyptus forests and grass tree plains. There is an astonishing amount of bird life, both visible and audible. Accommodation and food was wonderful, from the simple but atmospheric Cape Otway Lighthouse to the boutique B&Bs. Highly recommend this wonderful walk to anyone seeking a breath of fresh air.
Chris S
So good we did it twice! Everything was great, but special props to Johnny both as an accommodation host and a driver. He really adds to the experience!