great ocean walk highlights
highlights of the route from apollo bay to the twelve apostles
guided walking holiday

Progressive walking holiday Daily guided departures for a minimum of 2 people booking together 6 day itinerary (includes 4 days of walking)

highlights

• Victoria's new long-distance walking track, bound for iconic status

• Wreck Beach, Milanesia Beach, Station Beach - remote, beautiful, rarely visited

• Twelve Apostles limestone sea stacks

• Abundant native wildlife - koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, whales, birds of prey, sea birds and much more

Auswalk's Great Ocean Walk is a guided and fully accommodated walking holiday. You progress along a scenic section of the Great Ocean Road area, walking along beaches and through National Parks, staying in different delightful accommodations along the way. We move your luggage for you while you are out walking.

To do this particular holiday you need to form your own group of two or more people. You will most likely be the only people on the trip. If others choose the same starting date you will walk in a small group; however, if you prefer to have the guide exclusively for your group then just let us know.

Note: If you prefer to walk with a larger group we also operate group guided trips on the Great Ocean Walk.

This recently constructed new walking track traverses dramatic coastline from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. Auswalk is offering the very best way to experience this region, with four days of the highlights of the track. The setting is the Great Otway National Park, Victoria’s newest park and the largest coastal park in the state. The breathtaking coastal scenery, remote terrain, magnificent forests, abundant wildlife and colourful heathlands will ensure that this new walk will quickly become an iconic walk both within Australia and internationally.

See more photos of the Great Ocean Walk.

Rusting anchor on remote Wreck Beach

Highlights include the spectacular limestone sea-stacks known as the Twelve Apostles, groves of Manna Gums inhabited by koalas, pretty spring-fed Rainbow Falls cascading to the sea platforms below and deserted beaches featuring some of the highest sea-cliffs in Australia.

Wildlife abounds too.  The animals you might spot on the walk range from kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and koalas to sea eagles, wedge-tailed eagles, whales and dolphins. 

The track offers variety of walking experiences including remote cliff top walking trails, forest tracks that meander along gentle gradients, pristine sandy beaches, private farmland and short sections on minor dirt roads. 

One of many deserted beaches along the Great Ocean Walk

location
The Great Ocean Walk commences in Apollo Bay, a sea-side town about 3 hours SW of Melbourne. There are daily train/coach services from Melbourne. 

grading
Sandy beaches, cliff top and forest walking tracks. Mostly moderate terrain with some harder sections. 45% easy, 35% moderate, 20% harder. An average day has 15-21km walking, taking around 5-6.5 hours).

Cape Otway lighthouse stands as a lonely
sentinel along this treacherous coastline

accommodation
Typical accommodation includes comfortable B&Bs, a motel and an Eco Lodge that has achieved Advanced Eco Tourism Certification - all private rooms with ensuite bathrooms.

regional wine & food
The area is noted for Great Ocean Road / Geelong wines, freshly caught seafood and fresh berries.

what's included
6 day itinerary: Guiding, 5 nights accommodation, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, entry to Cape Otway lightstation, luggage transfers, all transport ex Apollo Bay, information pack, insulated lunch bag, map case, National Park fees, walking notes, maps.

not included
Alcohol, meals not listed in itinerary.

the best time to go 
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.

Pristine sandy beaches feature on this walk

departure dates
Trips depart any day of the year year, with a minimum of 2 people booking together. 

prices
Please see our Prices section of the website

itinerary guide - 6 days
(includes 5 nights accommodation & 4 days walking)

Day 1: Starts in Apollo Bay any time after 2pm. No walking scheduled today but if you arrive early enough there's a lovely beach stroll and some interesting stores to browse in. Accommodation: Apollo Bay

Day 2: Leave the tourists behind as you walk along the coast away from Apollo Bay.  The track hugs the coast at first before heading inland through tall eucalypt forest and patches of rainforest. This is an excellent day in which to spot black wallabies along the trail. The walking passes by delightful Blanket Bay – an ideal place for a swim. From Blanket Bay the track contours through coastal forests and along the cliff tops to Parker Inlet – a picture-postcard setting and definitely one of our favourite places!  An optional side-trip to Crayfish Bay is also a highlight. The track continues through Manna gum forests that are home to large numbers of koalas, eventually emerging at Cape Otway Lightstation.Accommodation: Cape Otway

Day 3: Start the day with some time to explore the lighthouse, museum and displays. Then it's on to Station Beach and pretty Rainbow Falls where a spring cascades down to the rocky coastal platforms below.  The track continues through the wind sculpted sand dunes and along the cliff tops to the Aire River estuary and wetlands.  Stunning coastal scenery awaits you on the route to Castle Cove.  Accommodation: Castle Cove

Walking along deserted Wreck Beach

Day 4: 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. Accommodation: Princetown area

Day 5: 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 12 Apostles, a group of limestone sea stacks that are constantly changing.  Accommodation: Port Campbell

Day 6: After breakfast you will be transported back to Apollo Bay.

fact sheet
Would you like more detailed information about this trip?
 
Download our Great Ocean Walk Highlights guided INN-to-INN Fact Sheet. It contains a detailed itinerary with walking times and distances and more information on accommodations including photos of places you will stay at.

Note: If you are having trouble opening this Fact Sheet, please click on the link to download the latest version of Adobe Reader.

prices
See the prices section

how to book
See the booking section

Auswalk also offers a guided and Self-Guided walk along another section of the coast, from Torquay to Lorne.  Called the “Surf Coast Walk”, this walking holiday has been a favourite with thousands of walkers for over ten years, and is still one of our most popular walking holidays.

View a sample page of Self-Guided walking notes

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Auswalk Pty Ltd | 4 Red Gum Lease Track | Halls Gap Victoria 3381 | Australia
Phone +61 (0)3 5356 4971 | Fax +61 (0)3 5356 4970 | Email info@auswalk.com.au