Great Ocean Walk Highlights

SELF-GUIDED

Group-guided

Self-guided

OVERVIEW

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

As you walk you will meander your way through giant mountain ash forest, the tallest flowering plants in the world, and along some of the most remarkable pristine beaches in Australia, then traverse massive sea cliffs , that have made this location famous. There’s also ample opportunity to spot wildlife in their natural habitat, from kangaroos to wallabies, echidnas and koalas, to black cockatoos, sea eagles, wedge-tailed eagles, dolphins and whales.

Highlights:

The Twelve Apostles and private Lochard Gorge tour
Stunning views as you progress along the track at Castle Cove the Gables and at Wreck Beach
Flexibility with the transport given we have our own vehicle and guide doing the pick ups
Pristine nature and deafening surf at Johanna Beach one of the ultimate beach walks.
Breathtaking and deserted coastal landscapes, ancient Gondwana forests of Antarctic beech, shady wooded glades and heathland plateaus
Excellent accommodation and meals

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK

SELF GUIDED

TRIP LENGTH

5 DAYS

WALK GRADE

Easy to Moderate

PRICE FROM

$ 1995

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY

$ 615

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
START AT CAPE OTWAY LIGHTHOUSE OR BE TRANSFERRED FROM APOLLO BAY TO LIGHTHOUSE

Start in at Cape Otway Lighthouse on the Great Ocean Road, any time after 1pm. If you’re arriving by public transport to Apollo Bay you will be met here and transferred to your first night’s accommodation. If you’re arriving by private vehicle you are able to park the car at your first nights’ accommodation for the remainder of the trip (we will transfer you back to it at the end of your holiday). You will have plenty of time to explore either the lighthouse and its historic lighthouse keepers cottages, or the Eco Lodge and their conservation efforts.

Walking: Optional walk to Crayfish Bay

Meals: Two course dinner

Accommodation: Cape Otway Lightstation or the Eco Lodge in rooms with ensuites

DAY 2
CAPE OTWAY LIGHTHOUSE TO CASTLE COVE

We start our trek on the Great Ocean Road Highlights at the lighthouse hiking via Station Beach and an optional short trek to Rainbow Falls where a spring cascades down to the rocky coastal platforms below. The track then leads you through some wind-sculpted sand dunes and along the cliff tops to the Aire River estuary and wetlands. Stunning coastal scenery awaits on the route to Castle Cove.

Walking: Moderate / 15.5km / 6 -7 hrs / optional 2km walk available

Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch and two-course dinner in Guesthouse restaurant

Accommodation: The Retreat or Chi Medicinal Farm in rooms with ensuites

DAY 3
MILANESIA BEACH TO MOONLIGHT HEAD OR THE GABLES

Milanesia Beach is one of those secret beaches people can’t get to if they are just driving the Great Ocean Road. It’s one of those beautiful places that we are rewarded with if we take the time to walk. From the beach, 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. The reward for walking is not over as walk from Moonlight Head to the magnificent views at the Gables via a lovely eucalypt forest.

Walking: Moderate / 15km / 6–7 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Walkers Lunch and two-course dinner

Accommodation: Lodge in rooms with ensuites

DAY 4
THE GABLES TO THE 12 APOSTLES

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 Twelve Apostles, a group of limestone sea stacks that are constantly changing.

Walking: Easy to Moderate / 20.1km / 6.5–7.5 hrs / optional extra 1km and 5km walks available

Meals: Breakfast and Walkers Lunch

Accommodation: Motel in Port Campbell in rooms with ensuites

DAY 5
LOCH ARD GORGE TOUR AND PRIVATE TRANSFER BACK TO CAPE OTWAY OR CAMPERDOWN

After breakfast, you will be provided with a private guided tour of Loch Ard Gorge. You will have time to explore the area and its many tracks before being transferred either back to Cape Otway Lighthouse or Eco Lodge (if you arrived by car) or to Camperdown for public transport connections.

Walking: Easy / 3km / 1.5 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast at Waves Restaurant

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Pack-free walking
25+ years experience
Customised
Eco Travel

Five day pack free walking holiday
The highlights of the Great Ocean Walk
Four nights’ accommodation with ensuites
Cooked breakfasts, two-course a la carte dinners (most nights) and substantial walkers lunches
Luggage transport and vehicle transfers
We shift you along the track from accommodation to accommodation to limit time in a vehicle, creating much more time to relax and enjoy the region
National Park admission
Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s comprehensive track notes, maps, map case, insulated lunch bag & info pack
24/7 support from Auswalk’s transfer company and representatives on the ground

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

All of the accommodations are more than comfortable and all rooms have ensuites. Your first night will be spent at either 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 special starts to your walk.

Finish your experience off with a Lodge/ Retreat and then a small neat Motel in Port Campbell. All the properties are conveniently located near the track and have beautiful bush settings right on the edge of the national park. The Motel in Port Campbell is in the centre of the quaint town.

When we stay at remote retreats and guest houses 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 accompanied with a glass of wine (or a beer) if you so choose. 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).

Georgie one of Auswalks local guides take you on tour at Loch Ard Gorge on the last morning. She’s a wealth of knowledge and also great company so you can look forward to a fascinating morning of walking and exploring.

DAY 1

CAPE OTWAY

Your first night will be spent at either 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 special starts to your walk. All the rooms have ensuites.
DAY 2

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. They all have 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.
DAY 3

MOONLIGHT HEAD

The lodge is located a short walk from the 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.

The cottage rooms have a spa the suites do not. All the rooms have ensuites.
DAY 4

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.

GENERAL INFO

You will be picked up from Apollo Bay (about 3 hours SW of Melbourne), if you arrive by public transport, then transferred to your first night’s accommodation at Cape Otway Lightstation. There are daily train/coach services from Melbourne. If you’re arriving by private vehicle then you will able to drive the Great Ocean Road and park the vehicle at Cape Otway Lighthouse for the duration of your holiday. The holiday finishes with a transfer back to your car or to Camperdown for public transport connections back to Melbourne. More detail regarding transfers is available, so please contact us.

Each day we move your luggage ahead for you to the next accommodation. We’ve mapped a point-to-point walk to maximize the Great Ocean Road highlights, staying in different accommodation on the route. This means more variety and less backtracking and time spent in a vehicle for more time to relax at the end of the day. You’ll walk an average of 15–16 km each day, with some optional side walks for those wanting to extend themselves.

The walking terrain is varied following cliff tops, wide forest tracks, beach traverses including Wreck Beach and some shaded forest canopy. It’s relatively easy going, flat stretches, with a couple of steady but challenging climbs. The walk is rated overall as easy to moderate.

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

WEATHER

Weather for a Great Ocean road trek: 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.

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 about the Great Ocean Walk Highlights, 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 2021 - 15 Dec 2021

AVAILABLE

^from
$1995

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$615

BOOK NOW
16 Dec 2021 - 31 Jan 2022

AVAILABLE

^from
$2095

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$615

BOOK NOW
1 Feb 2022 - 15 Dec 2022

AVAILABLE

^from
$2095

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$615

BOOK NOW

REVIEWS

Customer 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 bears the mantle of being one of Australia’s most iconic walks.