Great Ocean Walk - 3, 4 or 6 daysTake beautiful coastal scenery; add some long stretches of remote beach, and historic lighthouse, stunning rock formations that happen to be world renowned and wildlife galore and what do you have? The recipe for one of the world's great walks, that's what.
Trip options:
Daily itinerary - 3 day Great Ocean walk
This wonderful 3 Day trip gives you the highlights of the Great Ocean Road on foot. Starting at Blanket Bay (the local's favourite picnic spot), we end three days later at the 12 Apostles, looking back east along this stunning jagged coastline. In between are spectacular cliff tops, secluded beaches and paths that cut a swathe through the coastal heath like goat trails. If you are time poor, like your creature comforts or are new to walking holidays, then this 3 Day/2 Night gem of a trip is for you.
Day 1 - Melbourne to Blanket Bay (transported); Blanket Bay to Cape Otway
This morning we travel to Blanket Bay via Anglesea, Lorne and the Great Ocean Road. The changes in vegetation give clues to the return of the coast well before we alight onto the beach at Blanket Bay (tide dependent) or into the Blanket Bay picnic ground. The afternoon will be spent discovering the Parker River Estuary and Cape Otway Lightstation itself.
Walking distance: 10km
Walking time: 4 hours
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Day 2 - Milanesia Beach to Moonlight Head “The Wild Side”
This is the most challenging section of the Great Ocean Walk. We drop down a path of Manna Gum and Stringybarks to beautiful Milanesia Beach before turning upwards for a short, but steep climb to the top of the ridge. Once on the saddle, we follow the contour of the hillside about 50 metres above sea level. There is then an ascent of 138 steps then the trail continues in a westerly direction until a steep climb leads us out of the forest and into a clearing. Be rewarded with superb views of the coast leading back to Cape Otway; then from Cape Volney there are breathtaking views of the western coast.
Walking Distance: 13.8km
Walking Time: 6 hours
Grade: Moderate to Hard
Day 3 - Castle Cove to Johanna Beach, and Princetown to the 12 Apostles
One of the most diverse days, today’s walk rejoins at the cliff tops of Castle Cove, the trail head for a lovely coastal path that meanders through heath land, wildflowers and grasstrees before dropping onto Johanna beach itself. The last 2km before lunch are beach walking, with the Southern Ocean crashing only metres away from each footstep. At Johanna Beach, the trail crosses into farmland where some of the most contented cows graze only metres from the Beach.
The views of the Southern Ocean just get better and better and the Gables Lookout showcases the best the coastline has to offer. If tides permit, Wreck Beach will be the trail for the morning, otherwise it’s inland to the coastal hamlet of Princetown. The final stretch leads to the 12 Apostles before a 3.5 hour return road journey to Melbourne.
Walking Distance: 12km
Walking Time: 5 hours
Grade: Moderate to Easy
Daily itinerary - 4 day Great Ocean walk
Total distance: approx 60km (37 miles)
Start at the very beginning of the walk - Apollo Bay - and enjoy parts of the "mild side" of the trail. Then climb 106 stairs up the Cape Otway Lightstation for an unforgettable view of one of the world’s most renowned coastlines. This is the mid point of our walk. The next 2 days are spent walking west to the further most point you can see. Our 4 Day Great Ocean Walk contrasts the "mild side" with the “wild side” of the trail, getting views of the coastline few people see. Breathe fresh air, marvel at the power of the waves crashing on the cliffs, then stand on the edge of Ryan’s Den, put your face to the wind and realise there is nothing but ocean between you and the wilds of Antarctica.
Day 1 - Melbourne to Apollo Bay (transported); Apollo Bay to Shelly Beach
This morning we travel to Apollo Bay via Anglesea, Lorne and the Great Ocean Road. The journey will take about 3.5 hours. Today we walk for about 3.5 hours from Apollo Bay itself past the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary and conclude at sheltered Shelly Beach.
Walking distance: 7.9km
Walking time: 3.5 hours
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Day 2 - Shelly Beach to Cape Otway
This morning we return to Shelly Beach and follow the Elliot River Track down to the mouth of the river, crossing on well define stepping stones. There is a steep climb up the ridge to Blue Gum and Wet Forests before joining the Elliot River Road. The descent to the coast begins when we turn onto Johnson Track. The changes in vegetation give clues to the return of the coast well before we alight onto the beach at Blanket Bay (tide dependent) or into the Blanket Bay picnic ground. The afternoon will be spent discovering the Parker River Estuary and Cape Otway Lightstation itself.
Walking distance: 19.6km
Walking time: 6 hours
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Day 3 - Milanesia Beach to Moonlight Head “The Wild Side”
This is the most challenging section of the Great Ocean Walk. We drop down a path of Manna Gum and Stringybarks to beautiful Milanesia Beach before turning upwards for a short, but steep climb to the top of the ridge. Once on the saddle, we follow the contour of the hillside about 50 metres above sea level. There is then an ascent of 138 steps then the trail continues in a westerly direction until a steep climb leads us out of the forest and into a clearing. Be rewarded with superb views of the coast leading back to Cape Otway; then from Cape Volney there are breathtaking views of the western coast.
Walking Distance: 13.8km
Walking Time: 6 hours
Grade: Moderate to Hard
Day 4 - Moonlight Head Road to the 12 Apostles
The views of the Southern Ocean just get better and better and the Gables Lookout showcases the best the coastline has to offer. If tides permit, Wreck Beach will be the trail for the morning, otherwise it’s inland to the coastal hamlet of Princetown. The final stretch leads to the 12 Apostles before a 3.5 hour return road journey to Melbourne.
Walking Distance: 17km
Walking Time: 5 hours
Grade: Moderate to Easy
Daily itinerary - 6 day Great Ocean walk
Total distance: 104km (64 miles)
We know there are always those walkers who want to say "I did it all" and for you, there is the 6 Day Great Ocean Walk. Transfers, accommodation and meals are all taken care of while our expert guide accompanies you along the entire 104km of the marked trail. Our 6 Day Walks operate as stand alone groups, so you will share your journey with other dedicated "end to enders". And whether it's cold towels, walking poles or gatorade, we have everything on hand to make sure you make it through every last kilometre. Staying at our new bothfeet walking lodge, this is definitely the only way to say you walked it all.
Day 1 - Melbourne to Apollo Bay (transported); Apollo Bay to Shelly Beach
This morning we travel to Apollo Bay via Anglesea, Lorne and the Great Ocean Road. The journey will take about 3.5 hours. Today we walk for about 3.5 hours from Apollo Bay itself past the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary and conclude at sheltered Shelly Beach.
Walking distance: 7.9km
Walking time: 3.5 hours
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Day 2 - Shelly Beach to Cape Otway
This morning we return to Shelly Beach and follow the Elliot River Track down to the mouth of the river, crossing on well define stepping stones. There is a steep climb up the ridge to Blue Gum and Wet Forests before joining the Elliot River Road. The descent to the coast begins when we turn onto Johnson Track. The changes in vegetation give clues to the return of the coast well before we alight onto the beach at Blanket Bay (tide dependent) or into the Blanket Bay picnic ground. The afternoon will be spent discovering the Parker River Estuary and Cape Otway Lightstation itself.
Walking distance: 19.6km
Walking time: 6 hours
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Day 3 - Cape Otway to Castle Cove
The next section of trail includes some walking that is soft underfoot on the journey to the river mouth. From a lookout, you will see the Aire River and enjoy beautiful views back up the inlet to the Aire Valley. The flood plains of Lake Craven and Lake Costin are a stunning sanctuary for birdlife, fresh water fish and are in various stages of regeneration. After lunch we cross the river and continue on to Castle Cove. Taking a short side trip to the beach it is possible to see dinosaur fossils in the limestone cliffs behind, and surfers tackling the daunting southern ocean waves.
Walking distance: 15.5km
Walking time: 5 hours
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Day 4 - Castle Cove to Milanseia via Johanna Beach
One of the most diverse days, today’s walk rejoins at the cliff tops of Castle Cove, the trail head for a lovely coastal path that meanders through heath land, wildflowers and grasstrees before dropping onto Johanna beach itself. The last 2km before lunch are beach walking, with the Southern Ocean crashing only metres away from each footstep. At Johanna Beach, the trail crosses into farmland where some of the most contented cows graze only metres from the Beach. A change of pace, sees us finish the day on Old Coach Road, ready for the “Wild Side” of the walk.
Walking distance: 17.2km
Walking time: 6 hours
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Day 5 - Milanesia Beach to Moonlight Head “The Wild Side”
This is the most challenging section of the Great Ocean Walk. We drop down a path of Manna Gum and Stringybarks to beautiful Milanesia Beach before turning upwards for a short, but steep climb to the top of the ridge. Once on the saddle, we follow the contour of the hillside about 50 metres above sea level. There is then an ascent of 138 steps then the trail continues in a westerly direction until a steep climb leads us out of the forest and into a clearing. Be rewarded with superb views of the coast leading back to Cape Otway; then from Cape Volney there are breathtaking views of the western coast.
Walking Distance: 13.8km
Walking Time: 6 hours
Grade: Moderate to Hard
Day 6 - Moonlight Head Road to the 12 Apostles
The views of the Southern Ocean just get better and better and the Gables Lookout showcases the best the coastline has to offer. If tides permit, Wreck Beach will be the trail for the morning, otherwise it’s inland to the coastal hamlet of Princetown. The final stretch leads to the 12 Apostles before a 3.5 hour return road journey to Melbourne.
Walking Distance: 17km
Walking Time: 5 hours
Grade: Moderate to Easy
Accommodation on the walks
All places to stay are based on comfort, quality and uniqueness. All are comfortable and offer warm hospitality. Some are retreats, some Eco lodges and others are four star resorts. Some have shared facilities and some have private ensuites. The accommodation depends on the style of walk and the location.
Enquire here and we put your personal adrenalin filled trip together!
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