Great Ocean Walk

GROUP-GUIDED

Group-guided

Self-guided

OVERVIEW

With its breathtaking coastal scenery, magnificent forests, abundant wildlife, and sheer diversity of landscape, the Great Ocean Walk is one of Australia's most iconic walks.

Walk the 104km Great Ocean Walk track from end to end as it meanders its way through manna gums with koalas only a few steps away, to traversing massive sea cliffs that have made this location famous.

A local shipwreck historian will give incredible insight into the local shipwreck history. One of the most fascinating stops along the Great Ocean Walk is the geological formations and shipwreck of Loch Ard Gorge.

We move you along the coast staying in excellent accommodation as we go. We take care of every last detail and with 2 expert and very experienced guides looking after you, you can pace yourself and with options to shorten the walk if you prefer.

Highlights

Step through giant Mountain Ash forest, beneath the tallest flowering plants in the world
Spotting a koala or three!
Mesmerising cliff top walk to Parker Inlet
Stunning views as you progress along the track at Castle Cove and at The Gables
The pristine nature and deafening surf of Johanna Beach
The imposing Twelve Apostles

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK

GROUP GUIDED

TRIP LENGTH

7 DAYS

WALK GRADE

Moderate

PRICE FROM

$ 3395

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY

$ 725

per person

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Departure Dates

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ITINERARY

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

DAY 1
MELBOURNE TO APOLLO BAY AND THE WALK TO SHELLEY BEACH

We will depart Melbourne at about 8.30 am from pick up at the Mercure Southbank in Melbourne. Travel on the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay with regular stops to other places like Lorne, taking in this magnificent area. In the afternoon, we’ll leave the tourists behind as we walk along the coast away from Apollo Bay. Observe the colony of fur seals that frequent Marengo Reef Marine Sanctuary. The track hugs the coast at first before heading inland through tall eucalypt forest and patches of rainforest to Shelly Beach.

Walking: Easy / 6 km / 1.5 – 2 hrs

Meals: Lunch and a two-course dinner

Accommodation: Apollo Bay

DAY 2
SHELLEY BEACH TO BLANKET BAY, POINT FRANKLIN and CAPE OTWAY LIGHTHOUSE

Walk down to Elliot river admiring the crashing waves of the southern ocean as you cross at the estuary before ascending to begin the meander through delightful mountain ash forest to Blanket Bay, then through coastal forests and along the cliff tops to Parker Inlet – a postcard setting and one of our favourites and the original anchorage for dropping off supplies in this area. The Mountain Ash trees through here are some of the biggest trees in Australia, making for superb walking.

Continue through manna gum forests that are home to large numbers of koalas, emerging at Point Franklin.

After admiring the Cape Otway Lighthouse while meandering the stunning coastline, we will get to tour it after todays hike.

Walking: Moderate / 20 km / 6-7 hrs / shorter options are available

Meals: Cooked breakfast, a walkers lunch and a two-course dinner

Accommodation: Apollo Bay

DAY 3
POINT FRANKLIN AND AIRE RIVER TO CASTLE COVE

Leaving from Point Franklin, we enjoy the morning rays lighting up one of the most important lighthouses on mainland Australia on our way to spectacular Station Beach. An optional side-trip to Crayfish Bay is an added highlight.

The track continues through the wind-sculpted sand tracks and along the cliff-tops to the Aire River estuary and surrounding wetlands. After stopping for lunch at Aire River we will continue on to Castle Cove where you will be treated to stunning coastal scenery on the route. The views along the towering cliffs towards Castle Cove are some of the best on the track. (On select walks the accommodation may be the same as night 2)

Walking: Easy to moderate / 19.2 km / 6-7 hrs / a shorter option is available

Meals: Cooked breakfast, lunch and two-course dinner

Accommodation: Cape Otway

DAY 4
CASTLE COVE TO JOHANNA BEACH and MILANESIA TRACK

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 extraordinary grass trees. Another highlight is the long, white, sandy expanse of Johanna Beach, one of the best surf beaches in Australia and also one of the most beautiful. (On select walks the accommodation may be the same as night 5)

Walking: Easy to moderate / 16.7 km / 5-6 hrs / a shorter walk is available

Meals: Cooked breakfast, lunch and two-course dinner

Accommodation: Cape Otway

DAY 5
MILANESIA TRACK TO THE GABLES

Today’s the hardest day of all the walks but the most satisfying as the views and diversity of terrain are outstanding. Walk steadily down from the gate to Milanesia Beach, a bit of a secret that not many people get to see, making it all the more special. From here, the track continues along the cliff tops looking all the way back to Cape Otway lighthouse. High sea cliffs, breathtaking views and coastal forests lead to Moonlight Head. Our next stop is Gables Lookout, perched on top of one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. There is also an opportunity to see an amazing sunset at London bridge.

Walking: Moderate to challenging / 18.5 km / 6.5-7.5 hrs / a shorter walk is available

Meals: Cooked breakfast, lunch and two-course dinner at a local restaurant

Accommodation: Port Campbell in ensuite rooms

DAY 6
THE GABLES AND WRECK BEACH, GIBSONS STEPS AND 12 APOSTLES

Start the day with a gentle forest walk to finish atop the cliffs at Wreck Beach. A timber staircase descends to the Wreck Beach where the remains of two shipwrecks can be inspected. Onwards along an undulating track and the cliff tops to the Gellibrand River wetlands. On this section, we get our first impressive views of the Twelve Apostles, a group of limestone sea stacks that are constantly changing their composition. Descend Gibson’s Steps which have been cut into the limestone cliff by early settlers and explore the boardwalks and viewing platforms around the Apostles.

Walking: Moderate / 18.8 km / 5.5-6.5 hrs / a shorter walk is available

Meals: Cooked breakfast, lunch and two-course dinner at a local restaurant

Accommodation: Port Campbell in ensuite rooms

DAY 7
Loch Ard Gorge

After breakfast, we will head to the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. You will have time to explore the area and its many tracks before we make our way back to Melbourne stopping en route for lunch arriving about 4.30 pm back at Southbank.

Walking: Easy / 3km / 2 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast and lunch

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Pack-free walking
25+ years experience
Customised
Eco Travel

Genuine all inclusive pack free Great Ocean Walk walking holiday (all luggage transfers)
Two engaging, knowledgeable and experienced guides
Six nights’ comfortable ensuite accommodation
We shift you along the track from accommodation to accommodation to limit time in a vehicle, creating more time to relax and enjoy the region
Daily meals including cooked breakfasts, walkers lunches, two-course dinners and track snacks
Tour of lighthouse and national park admission
Auswalk guide pack including notes, maps & lunch bag

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

We provide very comfortable ensuite rooms for the 6 nights of this holiday. We stay 2 nights in Apollo Bay right on the foreshore. The hotel has all the modern conveniences you’d expect and we make sure there’s enough time to explore this very lovely quaint seaside town.

We then move from Apollo Bay to Cape Otway into modern ensuite cabins. The property is expansive and you are once again free to roam.

The last two nights are spent at Port Campbell in private rooms with ensuites. Port Campbell is a gorgeous little town and a great place to swim. It is one of the rare places along the coast where there is a break in the cliffs and where you can sit on the beach or swim safely. There are limited single rooms available on this walk so please speak to the office if you need one.

By shifting along the track from accommodation to accommodation we greatly reduce the time spent in a vehicle each day. It is up to a two-hour drive from one end of the track to the other. We know that staying in just one place will add hours to travel each day of the walk and ruin the experience.

We provide healthy and delicious food for breakfast and dinner, including a la carte meals on most nights. Eating in restaurants means that the food we offer is superior to that of one where the guides prepare the meals. It also leaves the guides to guide rather than using their precious time preparing food.

The comprehensive lunches are taken in cafes for four of the mornings and the remainder laid out in the morning by our guides. The local cafes are excellent and the local restaurants we dine in at are all of good quality.

We take great care to ensure that our walkers are always well fed and of course ensure that you remain hydrated throughout the day. Please bring at least 2 water bottles.

NIGHTS 1 & 2

APOLLO BAY

The motel on the first night is the best of its type in Apollo Bay. It is almost opposite the start of the Great Ocean Walk Trailhead and within easy walking distance to central Apollo Bay and all the restaurants. All the rooms have ensuites.
NIGHTS 3 & 4

CAPE OTWAY

From Apollo Bay, it is on to Cape Otway where you will stay at Bimbi Park. Bimbi Park offers excellent cabins with ensuites in beautiful manna gum woodland setting. There is an abundance of native fauna in the Bimbi Park area. Wake up to Koalas in the trees above you. Owner and chef Frank takes great care in ensuring everyone has delicious and nutritious meals.
NIGHT 5 & 6

PORT CAMPBELL

The motel in Port Campbell is centrally located and is very comfortable. All the rooms have ensuites and have the modern conveniences that you’d expect.

It is a short walk to the beach and the safest place to swim on the walk.

Dinners and breakfast are at local restaurants and cafes and are all meals are prepared by professional chefs.

FITNESS GUIDE

It’s well worth investing some time and effort preparing for your walking holiday. The graph shows the average daily distance, elevation and terrain difficulty for your hike. The dotted line indicates the average across all our walks, which will give you a feel for how challenging your walk is compared to all – and the recommended type, and amount, of preparation needed. Of course, you can adapt this according to your existing fitness levels and lifestyle.

The graph and the information below can be used in conjunction with the fitness guide to help you prepare for your walking adventure. Across all walks, average daily distance is 16.8km, average daily elevation is 448m, average terrain difficulty is 5/10.

DISTANCE - ABOVE AVERAGE

Distance training is a major consideration in your overall training program. As you progress, incorporate longer walks into your training plan.

Schedule one or two long walks each week, gradually increasing the distance until you can comfortably cover 17-25 km in a single day. Also include walks on consecutive days to help your body adapt to the demands of walking for multiple days in a row. Take every opportunity you can to walk. If you have a fitness watch or phone, you should try to reach >15,000 steps every day.

Ensure you can comfortably walk the average distance per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs.

If you do not have access to hills, it is essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible such as on a treadmill or stair climber. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills is incredibly useful. Also, prioritising resistance weight training will help you develop overall muscle strength. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems, opposed to distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking.

If high altitude is a factor, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels if you are able to. Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

TERRAIN

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles.

UNEVEN TERRAIN

Preparation for hiking on uneven terrain demands a blend of physical and mental readiness.

Begin with balance-enhancing exercises, such as one-legged stands and stability ball workouts, laying a groundwork for stability and coordination. Strengthening the lower body is especially important, achieved through the incorporation of squats, lunges, and step-ups. Gradually increase the complexity of the terrain on which you walk, moving from gravel paths to rocky trails. Cultivate mindfulness during your practice, directing focused attention to both your immediate surroundings and precise foot placement.

The importance of suitable footwear cannot be overstated; prioritise options that offer robust support and reliable grip to navigate varying terrains with confidence. Build endurance through consistent hikes, progressively increasing distance and difficulty.

GENERAL INFO

The trip starts and finishes in Melbourne. Most walks range from 18-22 km on well-formed tracks with a few short beach sections. Whilst the walking is mainly easy to moderate, there are a few steep hills making it tiring in some places. Those that want to walk the whole track will be able to do so. This trip operates with two professional guides ensuring that you have both a safe and enjoyable walking holiday. Knowledgeable of the region and specific area, they can offer easier and harder walk options along the way. Please contact the office if you need further advice, or if you wish you can speak with one of our guides.

Alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).

For what to bring please refer to the Gear Advice on our FAQ section.

PICK UP LOCATION AND DROP OFF LOCATION AND TIME

Our pick up location for this trip is the Mercure Southbank, 9 Riverside Quay, Southbank, Melbourne, with an early departure of 8:30 am (we request you be there by 8.15 am). It would be beneficial to stay near here as it is near everything. There are many options, however, we can also recommend the nearby Quay West Suites, or the DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Melbourne.

We arrive back in Melbourne on the last day with drop off at the Mercure Southbank at approximately 4.30 pm .

WEATHER

We only offer this holiday during the very best periods to walk, autumn and spring, when daily temperatures are usually mild. It can sometimes still be quite warm, too hot on occasions but, as mentioned before, there is usually an opportunity for a refreshing swim. See the Bureau of Meteorology for information about temperatures and rainfall ahead of time to ensure proper clothing.

climate graph for the Great Ocean Walk

Source; 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.

MAP

DEPARTURE DATES

DATES

AVAILABILITY

PRICE
PER PERSON

Single Occupancy

DETAILS
27 Apr 2024

FULL

^from
$3395

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$725

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9 Sep 2024

AVAILABLE

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$3395

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$725

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4 Oct 2024

AVAILABLE

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$725

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24 Oct 2024

SELLING FAST

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$725

2 rooms left

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15 Mar 2025

AVAILABLE

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$3595

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$765

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24 Mar 2025

AVAILABLE

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$765

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11 Apr 2025

AVAILABLE

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$765

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28 Apr 2025

AVAILABLE

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$765

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10 May 2025

AVAILABLE

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$3595

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$765

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13 Sep 2025

AVAILABLE

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SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$765

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3 Oct 2025

AVAILABLE

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$3595

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$765

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23 Oct 2025

AVAILABLE

^from
$3595

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$765

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REVIEWS

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Overview

OVERVIEW

With its breathtaking coastal scenery, magnificent forests, abundant wildlife, and sheer diversity of landscape, the Great Ocean Walk is one of Australia's most iconic walks.