Great Ocean Walk End-to-End Challenge

SELF-GUIDED

Group-guided

Self-guided

OVERVIEW

Challenge yourself to walk the Great Ocean Walk Australia’s most iconic coastal walk in just 5 days. A walk that stretches for 105kms from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles via a diverse range of landscapes with changing flora. The walk slices through the Great Otway National Park and meaders along the coast on top of some of the highest sea cliffs in Australia.

The walk makes its way through Mountain Ash and Manna gum forest, with koalas only metres from the track. The massive sea cliffs at the 12 Apostles, which have made this location famous, are a fitting end to this stunning walk.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Walk the full track in 5 days averaging 21kms a day
Private transfers along the track from our Auswalk driver and van, with flexibility around pick times
Walk beneath Mountain Ash forest, the tallest flowering plants in the world
Traverse inaccessible pristine beaches and witness the awesome power of the Southern Ocean
Ample opportunities to spot wildlife in their natural habitat: kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, koalas, black cockatoos, sea eagles, wedge-tailed eagles and even whales and dolphins.
Walk the full track from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles passing Castle Cove, the Gables, as well as Wreck and Johanna Beaches, one of the world’s ultimate beach walks

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK

SELF GUIDED

TRIP LENGTH

5 DAYS

WALK GRADE

Moderate to Challenging

PRICE FROM

$ 1995

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY

$ 495

per person

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Departure Dates

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ITINERARY

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

DAY 1
APOLLO BAY TO BLANKET BAY

The walk starts in Apollo Bay, on the Great Ocean Road in the morning. Leave the tourists behind as you meander along the coast. The track follows the coast before heading inland through Mountain Ash forest with an array of other flora; be surprised if you don’t spot at least a couple of koalas around Shelly beach. This is also a great place to spot black wallabies, echidnas, seabirds, dolphins and in season whales.

The walking finishes at delightful Blanket Bay an ideal place for a swim. This day can be split into two parts if you wish which adds another nights accommodation to the trip.

Walking: Moderate to challenging / 23.4 km / 6.5 – 8 hrs
*This day can be split into two parts if you wish which adds another nights accommodation to the trip.

Meals: Walkers lunch and 2-course dinner

Accommodation: Ensuite rooms at Cape Otway

DAY 2
BLANKET BAY TO CASTLE COVE

From Blanket Bay, we walk to the beautiful Parker Inlet, the track contours through coastal forests and along cliff tops. There’s an optional side-trip to Crayfish Bay. The track continues through Manna Gum forests that are home to large numbers of koalas, eventually emerging at Cape Otway Lightstation. Visit the Lighthouse grounds walking up the 18m high lighthouse, one of the oldest in the region. There’s also a fascinating indigenous centre here. It’s then onto Station Beach. The track continues through wind-sculpted dunes and along the cliff tops to the Aire River estuary and wetlands. Stunning coastal scenery awaits you on the route to Castle Cove, the end of today’s walk. This day can be split into two parts if you wish which adds another night’ accommodation to the trip.

Walking: Moderate to challenging / 25.8 km / 6-7 hrs
*This day can be split into two parts if you wish which adds another night’ accommodation to the trip.

Meals: Cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and 2-course dinner

Accommodation: Ensuited rooms at Castle Cove

DAY 3
CASTLE COVE TO MILANESIA GATE

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. The last part of the walk has you walking briefly through farmland before ending at Milanesia Gate.

Walking: Moderate / 15.2 km / 5 hrs / plus a 2 km optional 50 min walk

Meals: Cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and 2-course dinner

Accommodation: Ensuited rooms at Castle Cove

DAY 4
MILANESIA GATE TO THE GABLES

Milanesia Beach is one of those secret beaches, not many people get to and one of the most special places on the walk. It is only possible to access this beach on foot. From here the track continues along the cliff tops, and you can see all the way back to Cape Otway lighthouse. The walk is characterised by high sea cliffs, breathtaking views and coastal forests that lead you to Moonlight Head. The last 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.

Walking: Moderate to challenging / 15 km / 5 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and 2-course dinner

Accommodation: Ensuited rooms at Moonlight Head

DAY 5
THE GABLES TO 12 APOSTLES

From the Gables, it is another walk through a grove of casuarinas to Wreck Beach, where the remains of two shipwrecks can be inspected. Walk via the small town of Princetown before finishing the hike at the impressive 12 Apostles, a group of limestone sea stacks that are constantly changing. An epic way to finish this epic trek. We will collect you at 4 pm to take you back to either Apollo Bay or Camperdown, depending on how you got to Apollo Bay.

Walking: Moderate / 20.1 km / 6-7 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast and walkers lunch

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Pack-free walking
25+ years experience
Customised
Eco Travel

Pack free walking at your own pace and with who you want, when you want
Private vehicle transfers in the company of our friendly knowledgeable Auswalk driver who knows the area intimately, plus all luggage transfers
4 nights’ accommodation in rooms with ensuites
Cooked breakfasts, two-course dinners and substantial walkers lunches
National Park fees
Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s comprehensive track notes, maps, map case, insulated lunch bag & info pack
24/7 support with our local partner network on the ground
Nearly 30 years of Auswalk’s experience in organising these types of holidays

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

From Apollo Bay, it is on to Cape Otway where you will either stay at the Great Ocean Eco Lodge or the historic Cape Otway Lightstation. Both properties offer something a little extra, an opportunity to learn all about the conservation efforts at the Eco Lodge on a guided evening walk or the exclusive use of the Lightstation’s environs are a special start to your walk. The accommodations are more than comfortable and all rooms have ensuites.

The retreats we use at Castle Cove are both excellent as is the lodge at Moonlight Head. Here you’re in for a showcase of regional produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

When we stay at remote retreats and guesthouses the meals are prepared by your expert hosts or a local caterer. The days start with cooked breakfast and end with a 2-course meal. Each day you’ll be provided with a substantial walkers lunch and the opportunity to enjoy it whilst taking in some of the most breathtaking views in the world. A walkers lunch is varied and may include a high protein type salad, roll or a wrap, muesli bar, cake or muffin and a piece of fruit

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

NIGHT 1

CAPE OTWAY

You will either stay at the Great Ocean Eco Lodge or the historic Cape Otway Lightstation. Both properties offer something a little extra, an opportunity to learn all about the conservation efforts at the Eco Lodge on a guided evening walk or the exclusive use of the Lightstation’s environs are a special start to your walk. The accommodations are more than comfortable and all rooms have ensuites.
NIGHTS 2 & 3

CASTLE COVE

Both properties we use at Castle Cove have outstanding views over nature. They are also both located right near the track and very close to Castle Cove beach. On a calm day, it is possible to take a dip in the sea here but not on days when the swell is working as it is dangerous. Both properties have a sense of privacy that ensures that you can relax and chill with the knowledge that you’re remote. The rooms are all comfortable and have bathrooms.
NIGHT 4

MOONLIGHT HEAD

The lodge is located a short walk from the Great Ocean Walk track. The property has an amazing outlook over the valley and glimpses of the coast. The meals will be cooked for you tonight as are the breakfasts.

Some of the rooms have a spa. All the rooms have ensuites

GENERAL INFO

Travel down on the Great Ocean Road to the start of the walk in Apollo Bay. You will have to arrive early in the morning (by 9:00 am) on your first day. This walk is for people that are either in a rush or want to challenge themselves (or both).

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 your 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 21kms each day, with some optional sidewalks for those wanting to extend themselves.

The walking terrain is varied following clifftops, wide forest tracks, rough trails, beach traverses (including Wreck Beach) and sections shaded by the forest canopy. It’s mostly relatively easy-going, flat stretches, some steady, challenging climbs and long downhill descents. The walk is moderate to challenging with some longer days. This is 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

The trip starts in Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road. You will have to arrive in the morning (by midday at the latest) on your first day. There are various ways to get the start, however, if you are going to use public transport (a train to Geelong and a connecting bus to Apollo Bay) then you will need to arrive the day before. This walk is for people that are either in a rush, perhaps live in Melbourne or want to challenge themselves (or all three).
If you drove to Apollo Bay we will transport you back there, arriving late afternoon. If you arrived by Public transport we will drop you in Camperdown to catch the train back to Spencer St Station in Melbourne CBD.

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 and 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.

climate graph for the Great Ocean Walk

Source; BOM

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance for all of our trips. We absolutely require that you purchase a travel insurance policy for all travel overseas. We charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it. It is also important in the event of an accident or loss of property. See FAQ’s 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

Single Occupancy

DETAILS
1 Feb 2022 - 15 Dec 2022

AVAILABLE

^from
$1995

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$495

BOOK NOW
16 Dec 2022 - 31 Jan 2023

AVAILABLE

^from
$1995

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$545

BOOK NOW
1 Feb 2023 - 15 Dec 2023

AVAILABLE

^from
$2055

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$545

BOOK NOW

REVIEWS

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Overview