Tips, tricks, and trail insights - everything you need to know about multi-day walks in Australia.
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Overview
Victoria's best-kept walking secret, the Great South West Walk is a 250-kilometre loop through four entirely distinct landscapes, making it one of the most varied walking experiences in Australia. Starting and finishing in Portland, the trail moves through tall eucalypt forests, along the Glenelg River as it carves through a spectacular limestone gorge, across the vast pristine beaches and rolling sand dunes of Discovery Bay and finally along the dramatic clifftops of the Capes.
The grand finale is the Capes and Bays section, where the trail hugs Victoria's highest coastal cliffs above the roaring Southern Ocean. The surreal Petrified Forest, the thundering Blowholes and a year-round colony of Australian fur seals at Cape Bridgewater are among the highlights that make this closing stretch unforgettable. Throughout the walk, kangaroos, koalas, echidnas and abundant birdlife accompany walkers through remote and largely uncrowded country.
Walk a 250-kilometre loop through one of Victoria's most underrated wilderness regions
Explore the Discovery Bay Coastal Park, with its wild dune systems and pristine beaches on the Southern Ocean
Walk through the ancient Lower Glenelg National Park along the Glenelg River gorge
Wellness
The walk suits walkers seeking a genuine multi-day wilderness experience without crowds or hype
Nelson, the small river town at the mouth of the Glenelg, provides a charming and welcoming midpoint
The walk's remoteness, with few other walkers on most sections, creates a genuine and uncommon sense of solitude
Nature
Windswept coastal heath, dramatic sea cliffs, and remote beaches along the Discovery Bay Coastline
The Glenelg River cuts through ancient limestone gorges lined with cave systems and native forest
Hooded plovers, fairy wrens, and sea eagles are among the birds encountered on the coastal sections
Coming soon
Local recommendations are coming soon.
Great South West Walk reviews
4.8
29 reviews
5 Star
24
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5
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JM
Julie M
May 2026
Beautiful part of the world and great and varied walks - loved those seals!
LB
Lisa B
April 2026
The notes are fantastic and great to have the app as well. The hosts were a highlight. Each went above and beyond. Our hosts in Nelson took us to Mt Gambier and Port McDonald for dinner, which was so lovely and enabled us to see more of the area. Great local knowledge. Our pick ups and drop offs were perfect as well. So well organised making it such a stress free trip for us. Great food too! Shout out to the Bridgewater Cafe, food was a highlight! Just from a safety point of view, I’d emphasise the being prepared for snakes…we saw one, but a nurse from Mt Gambier we ran into had three snake bite emergencies at the hospital the day before. We were happy we took a sat phone. Highly recommend that. We thought the days were really well set out…each day was amazing in its own way. A really fantastic world class walk! Loved it!
NB
Nicole B
April 2025
Notes were great on the whole. Detailed and step by step explanations very useful and fairly accurate.
PY
Peter Y
April 2025
I can highly recommend doing a self-guided GSSW with Auswalk. Excellent communication before the walk, the standard of accommodations is high and everything worked seamlessly. The walk itself is very enjoyable with diverse forest, river, ocean and lake sections. For the most part the track is flat with very few hills, well maintained by volunteers and very well signposted.
LG
Leigh G
April 2025
Really well organized and absolutely delightful accommodation and hosts. A real treat!
JW
Jacqui W
December 2024
As usual all aspects of the walk were seamlessly organised. We like the new app, but love the notes for the extra info on the things we see on the walk. Accommodations were well up to the standards we have come to expect.
WH
Wendy H
December 2024
With all the information you provide, the walk notes are excellent. Recommend Auswalk to organise your next walking holiday. They provide all the information, accommodation and safety issues that you will possibly require if you follow their recommendations.
Well done Auswalks
GG
Genevieve G
December 2024
Spectacular walk for those who enjoy a challenge. Be as fit as you can be so that the challenges created by wind, rain and heat are easier to handle.
R
Rachael
January 2023
Just completed the 6 day great south west walk. Fantastic. Auswalk had everything planned to last detail. Lovely to just walk and know the food, accommodation, transfers all taken care of. Our self guided notes were very detailed. The scenery was delightful, loved every bit of it.
LD
Lisa D
July 2022
Once again, Ian and I had the most wonderful experience, walking the entirety of the Great South-West Walk, magnificently supported by Auswalk. The hospitality of each of our bnb hosts, yummy meals, prompt pickups and drop-offs, complementing our exploration of this amazing corner of Victoria. This was the 6th time we have completed the GSWW with Auswalk. We can’t wait for the 7th!!!
GP
Geoff P
July 2022
Excellently organised by Auswalks. Friendly accommodation, reliable transfers and good food. All the hosts were friendly and contribute to an enjoyable event.
PW
Pauline W
July 2022
Auswalk did a great job of planning our trip, will definitely use them again.
M&
Mark & Kerry F
July 2022
We have just finally experienced the pleasure of completing the Great South West Walk. Auswalk provided us with an amazing adventure supported by great B&B hosts and reliable transfers. The quality and location of the B&B’s was first class.
J&
Jules & Margaret
July 2022
It was a fantastic walk. The hosts were very helpful and did all they could to make our stay and walk successful. Overall it was very well organised. The variation in environments was remarkable; although the walking was demanding at times we felt a real sense of achievement. We would recommend it to those who prefer a long and challenging walk.
PM
Patricia M
July 2022
I found the experience with Auswalk well organized and enjoyable. Hosts of the accommodation stayed in were most hospitable, friendly and helpful (didn’t meet Dennis as he was away the night we stayed). Meals and lunches were tasty and satisfying.
SB
Simon B
February 2021
I'd never done a supported walk before and it made it all very easy. Al the arrangements worked perfectly. Accommodation etc. and meals were excellent. And I don't know if we were tracked by the epirb I carried - but both times John (from Nelson) picked us up, we walked in to the pick up point just as he drove in! An extraordinary coincidence. No waiting for either of us.
C
Carol
November 2020
Thanks for your effort it is much appreciated. If you require more room for your response feel free to email us.:
My brother and I did the self guided 8 day Great South West Walk from the 8 - 15 October. The weather was cool with light showers for the first 2 days then perfect walking weather. The landscape changed from river to cliff top to the beach. At all times we felt looked after, both by Auswalk and our lovely B&B hosts. The walking notes were detailed and informative. We are both on the far side of 60 but look forward to doing it all again somewhere else. Thanks Auswalk!
C
Carol
November 2020
It was wonderful to complete the entire walk to experience such diversity of landscape. We were blessed with wonderful weather and it was warm enough to swim in the Glenelg River and freshwater lakes. A true surprise was the amount of wildlife on the track: wallabies, kangaroos, echidnas, emus, koalas, snakes! (we came across 9), and even a fox! And that is not to mention all the birds. The seal colony and gannet rookery were highlights too. The accommodation was wonderful. It was nice to be able to stay in each place for a few nights to experience the locality a little more and get to know the kind hosts. Fabulous! We rate the GSWW 11 out of 10!!
JM
Julie M
November 2020
The country we went through on the GSWW was so diverse ranging from close woodland to epic coastline with river and limestone cliffs in the middle. The organisation was brilliant- all so easy, good to excellent accommodation, varied, flexible and easy. I liked the background notes about flora, fauna and local history.
MJ
Mike J
November 2020
My brother and I did the self guided Great South West Walk from the 8 - 15 October. The weather was cool with light showers for the first 2 days then perfect walking weather. The landscape changed from river to cliff top to the beach. At all times we felt looked after, both by Auswalk and our lovely B&B hosts. The walking notes were detailed and informative. We are both on the far side of 60 but look forward to doing it all again somewhere else. Thanks Auswalk!
K
Kevin
November 2020
I did the Auswalk 8 day Great South West Walk with my sister in early October 2018. Right from the time we engaged with Auswalk, we found them helpful and supportive. Once we were close to the walk they checked in with us to ensure that we were ready (and I wasn't and it was a great reminder to get my head into that space). The walk itself was absolutely great - we followed the Glenelg River and along the coastline and were greeted with many types of fauna and animal life. The accommodation and hospitality of our hosts were outstanding. They were the other side of the trip that made the comfort factor after a day of walking so much more bearable. They also gave us an insight into how much they care about their community and their habitat. Although I have lived in Victoria my whole life I do not know this part well at all and I am so glad that I now have some seen some of the most breathtaking parts of State. I have not hesitation recommending Auswalk, the Great South West Walk as a nature trip and the opportunity to engage with some of the local and their nature fauna and flora.
KS
Kevin S
October 2018
We did the 8 days, Great South West Walk, that follows the Glenelg River and the south-west coastline. While I love walking along rivers and pathways through bushland I found on this occasion the highlights were equalled by spectacular views and interesting insights into the formation of the landscape along the coastline. The variety and notes provided by Auswalk were informative. The advice they provide on what to bring, such as cameras and what to be careful about was sound. I would suggest that you have your camera handy at all times - so many times I was too slow to catch a photo of a kangaroo, wallaby or another of the natural wildlife. The hosts at the various locations were outstanding.
KJ
Kath J
December 2017
We recently completed the Great South West Walk self guided trek facilitated by auswalk and what wonderful walking holiday it was! I can’t imagine a better introduction to the beauty and wonders Australia has to offer. We trekked though the forest, along a limestone gorge with the Glenelg River flowing peacefully below followed by a dramatic coastline complete with sandy beaches and rocky outcrops continuously pounded by and incredibly blue ocean. And that was just the scenery. First time sightings of kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, emus, a countless variety of new birds and snakes added to the down-under experience. As fabulous as all that was, I have to say each BnB also holds a special memory of outstanding welcomes and accommodations. Also, a huge thank you to the team at auswalk for their complete and accurate descriptions of trail conditions and times.It took the worry out of the day and left us to enjoy.
What a wonderful country! I am already planning my next trip for 2019.
AA
Aussie A
July 2017
A well organised walk. Accommodation and meals were excellent and the flexibility of the hosts and taxis enabled us to adapt our days to suit our needs. We would book with Auswalk again.
G
Gat16
April 2017
I was a member of a group that did sections of the Great South West Walk on a self-guided basis, customised by Auswalk to the group’s requirements. All the details and logistics were handled by Auswalk, and everything worked like clockwork. The notes were good and the maps provided by Auswalk were outstanding.
Both of the places we stayed at were obviously familiar with dealing with Auswalk and all the arrangements, including the drop-offs and pick-ups went without a hitch. On the two longest days, the arrangements provided options for drop-offs allowing some shortening of the days concerned, which the B&B hosts (who provided the transport) were happy to work with.
The arrangements included some self-catering and the B&B proprietors were very helpful in assisting with this aspects.
KB
Karen B
November 2016
I have just completed a 7 day guided walking trip, including 4 days on the Great South West Walk. Auswalk guided tour has selected 4 sections (from the 250 km walking track) to walk on this tour and they were outstanding. Two days walking along near Glenelg River and two days along the tops of the cliffs looking out over the Southern Ocean. Three travel days over the week provided opportunities to visit and walk around local destinations, attractions and wildlife colonies in the south west corner of Victoria and into South Australia. All the details and logistics were handled by Auswalk, leaving the walkers to thoroughly enjoy each day. Good company with like-minded people, good food, very comfortable accommodation and great guides made for a sensational trip ( my 10th with this company)
LS
Leonie S
November 2016
My sister-in-law and I completed the Auswalk 8 day self-guided Great South West Walk on Tuesday.
Tucked away on the Victorian/SA coastal border, this beautiful walk is like a well-kept secret. Spectacular cliffs, quiet forest, deserted beaches, clear lakes, abundant wildlife and stately river.
Photos advertising this walk do not represent a rare highlight or two. The scenery constantly changes and is consistently magnificent.
Auswalk are friendly to deal with and very well organized. We could tell there are years of experience behind the planning of our walk. Our comfortable accommodations at Portland, Nelson and Bridgewater each had their own unique charm. The owners have longstanding relationships with Auswalk and that knowledge and experience shows.
The meals were great; when you are walking you especially look forward to what is in that insulated lunch-bag! The walk notes and kit were also excellent.
This is a great way of having a comfortable hiking holiday with someone else doing the planning. You really do unwind. Life becomes simple. Rest, Eat, Walk (with beautiful scenery all around you), Rest, Eat, Sleep. All the hard stuff has been done by Auswalk.
Many thanks for a wonderful experience.
J
JmRToM
October 2016
We have just completed the GSWW self guided walking holiday staying at B & B's each night. Auswalk staff before and during the walk were so helpful, supportive and generous with their time. There were some 'interesting' moments due to significant weather patterns that had caused flooding in some areas and the staff at Auswalk kept us up to date with information and other options. We always felt so safe and supported that no matter what the weather threw at us we knew Auswalk had an eye out for us. This holiday was amazing plus awe inspiring experience on so many levels and Auswalk were the key part in bringing it all together. We will certainly be doing more walks with Auswalk and would highly recommend them to anyone considering this type of holiday. Thanks so much to everyone at Auswalk.
KB
Keith B
January 2016
We have just completed 11 days of walking with 12 nights accomodation self guided with Auswalk. The organisation worked perfectly for us. The walk notes worked well as we had no problem finding our way and at no time felt more information was necessary. The accomodation and food provided was the best availlable in the locations we stayed and our hosts couldn't have been more welcoming or helpful. The couple of evening meals we had to organise ourselves in one of the small villages we stayed were difficult because of the limited options in the village. However this is no fault of Auswalks and we understand they are doing everything they can to make alternative arrangements. The walking is generally relatively easy without any significant steep climbs or descents however there are some long distances with some days over 25km. We found it was possible to reduce the length of some of these days without feeling we had missed anything significant. The walking was varied with a mix of forest, river valley including some gorge, long sandy beaches and cliff top capes. Wildlife encountered included several emus, wallabies, echidnas and koalas, fortunately only one snake.We were lucky enough to have perfect walking weather for our first 10 days but did suffer on the last day with temperatures in the high 30s. This was soon forgotten after a couple of cold beers at our final destination. Many thanks to the whole team at Auswalks.
More About This Destination
This walk can be done any time of the year except for the winter months of June, July and August. September to April is the ultimate time of the year for walking. Sea breezes usually keep the temperatures comfortable in summer, although there can be a period of quite hot weather, especially during February.
Warning about tide times – we may have to be a little flexible with your start date to make sure that walking on the beach at high tide is avoided.
This walking holiday includes some sections of beach walking, so you need to take into account the tide times when choosing a starting date. To check tide charts, go to the Bureau of Meteorology and select your location as Portland. We can assist you if you need help understanding the charts.
As with any journey, it is essential to be prepared for your walking holiday. While we will be transporting your luggage from accommodation to accommodation, you will still be carrying a lightweight day pack with you. Here is what we suggest that you carry with you each day:
Walking notes, a map, and a map case
Picnic lunch packed in an insulated container (when supplied)
Quality waterproof jacket with a hood
Warm jumper or jacket
Sunhat
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunscreen (at least 15+)
1 to 2 litres of water
First aid kit
Toilet paper
Some money
Mobile phone (please note that reception is not available in all walk areas)
Personal insect repellent, band-aids, and a small container of salt mixed with rice grains
Personal necessities (example: required medication)
Now that we have the essentials packed, it is time to think of those additional items that may be worth packing along with you. These may include and are not limited to:
Waterproof over-trousers
Warm hat
Sunglasses
Camera (with an extra battery or sim cards)
Binoculars
Notebook and pen
Matches
Small torch
Walking stick
Thermos (for hot drinks)
Additional snacks
Frequently Asked Questions
The trail is often described as a symphony in four movements — each section has its own distinct character. Highlights include the Glenelg River Gorge, the blowholes and petrified forest near Cape Bridgewater, Victoria's highest sea cliffs, a colony of endangered Australasian gannets, Aboriginal heritage sites, and the chance to spot seals, whales, and abundant wildlife throughout.
Yes — itineraries range from 6 days covering the best highlights through to the full 13-day end-to-end experience. All options focus on the most spectacular sections of the trail.
A good level of fitness is required. Daily distances can reach up to 27km on some stages, and the terrain is varied — river trails, clifftops, beaches, and forest paths. Building endurance through regular longer walks before departure is strongly advised.
Broken-in hiking footwear with good grip is essential for the varied terrain. Pack a waterproof jacket, sun protection, and plenty of water capacity — remote sections offer limited refill points. Note that mobile coverage is patchy in parts of the track.
Tipping is not expected, though always appreciated if you feel those looking after you have gone above and beyond.
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