Day 1

Departs Melbourne airport at 10.00am. Travel via Geelong and the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay. In the afternoon we’ll leave the tourists behind as we 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 to Elliot River. Accommodation: Apollo Bay

Day 2

Today’s walk meanders through delightful mountain ash forest to Blanket Bay then 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. We will stay in the lighthouse keepers cottages for 2 nights and enjoy a tour of the lighthouse. Accommodation: Cape Otway Lightstation

Day 3

On to Station Beach, then an optional short return hike to 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: Cape Otway Lightstation

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. Another highlight is the long, white, sandy expanse of Johanna Beach. At the end of the day we’ll travel on to Port Campbell where we’ll settle in for a three night stay. Accommodation: Port Campbell

Day 5

Milanesia Beach is one of those secret beaches not many people get to and what a special place it is! From here 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. Accommodation: Port Campbell

Day 6

The first highlight today is The Gables Lookout, perched on one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. Continue through a grove of casuarinas to Wreck Beach where the remains of two shipwrecks can be inspected. Onwards to the Gellibrand River and wetlands. Next comes the first impressive views of the 12 Apostles, a group of limestone sea stacks that are constantly changing. Descend Gibsons Steps that have been cut into the limestone cliff by hand by an early settler and explore the boardwalks and viewing platforms around the Apostles. Accommodation: Port Campbell

Day 7

The grand finale is the fascinating geological formations at Loch Ard Gorge where you’ll learn the amazing tale of survival of the Loch Ard shipwreck. Evocatively named places indicate the turmoil that hardy pioneers of the area endured, including the crews of over 150 ships that have been shipwrecked along this rugged coast. Then we travel back to Melbourne, arriving around 3.30pm.