Great Ocean Walk - Guided 6 Days

Opened in 2006, the Great Ocean Walk spans 104 kilometres of one of the World’s most renowned coastlines – a walk that has to be done to be believed. Coastal and forest scenery (sometimes in one day) demonstrates the diversity that is the Otways and provides amazing opportunities to see native Australian wildlife. The trail itself passes through two national parks, over looks a marine national park and a marine sanctuary and although the region is one of the most popular for visitors to Victoria, we will help you descend onto beaches, that make you feel like Christopher Colombus!

Guides are safety first walking companions that think of all the details so you don't have to. Experienced walkers, outdoors people, flora and fauna enthusiasts and qualified in wilderness first aid, they carry the things you will probably never need. Walking in a small group creates a camaraderie unlike anything else and we know our guide and your new walking friends will become one of the most memorable part of your holiday.

Walkers know what walkers need at the end of a day on the trail. That's why we stay at an exclusive lodge. Be our guest at a 4 Star walking lodge, a fabulous purpose built walking retreat located half way along the Great Ocean Walk. State of the art, best practice sustainable design and a serene bush setting combine to compliment perfectly the experience of one of Australia's best walking trails. Did we mention fabulous regional food prepared by our internationally trained chef onsite and some of Victoria's best wines?

Think only of the crashing waves, rainforest canopies, wonderful beaches and soaring ocean views – we take care of the rest. Five exclusive nights at an exclusive 4 star walking lodge and expertly guided walking & walking & walking to keep even the avid enthusiast happy. Starting in Apollo Bay, we end 6 days later at the Twelve Apostles.

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To truly discover what the region known as the Great Ocean Road has to offer the best way is to step off the road and onto the Great Ocean Walk. 104km of superb dedicated hiking trail that just keeps getting better and better. Parks Victoria are the owners of the trail itself and they are commited to constantly upgrading and improving the visitor experience.

Please note: recent track alignment works have made the distance 104km end to end with some variations for choice of high or low tide decision points.

Day 1: Apollo Bay to Shelly Beach

This makes a great joining day. Travel from Melbourne or enjoy a morning at leisure in Apollo Bay.

This section takes about 3.5 hours from Apollo Bay itself past the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary and conclude at sheltered Shelly Beach. Urban footpath gives way to rural farm zone and bald hills, followed by the beginnings of the cool climate rainforest the Otways is famous for. Tidal decision points excist in three places, and it's important to know whether you are taking the beach or the inland route well in advance. Wildlife on this section includes New Zealand fur seals, koalas, bird life and kangaroos.
Walking distance: 7.9km Walking time: 3.5 hours Grade: Easy to Moderate

Day 2: Shelly Beach to Parker Hill Campground

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, one of the truly hidden gems of the trail.
Walking distance: 19.6km Walking time: 6 hours Grade: Easy to Moderate

Day 3 : Parker Hill to Aire River (via Cape Otway):

More koalas this morning, then it's on to the Lightstation and shipwreck stories aplenty. Climb to the top of the light for magnificent views of Bass Strait one way and the Southern Ocean the other. From here, the next section of trail includes some walking that is soft underfoot on the journey to the river mouth. Take the low road and discover Station Beach and Rainbow Falls. 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.
Walking distance: 15.5km Walking time: 5 hours Grade: Easy to Moderate

Day 4: Aire River to Johanna Beach

Make this a shorter day and enjoy an afternoon at Johanna fossicking or take time to relax at the lodge. First up, 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. One of the most diverse days, todays walk continues 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.
Walking distance: 15km Walking time: 6 hours Grade: Easy to Moderate

Day 5: Johanna to Moonlight Head The Wild Side

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. 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: 16km Walking Time: 6 hours Grade: Moderate to Hard

Day 6: Moonlight Head Road to Princetown:

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 its a lovely gentle afternoon of coastal walking to the hamlet of Princetown.

Walking Distance: 17km Walking Time: 6 hours Grade: Moderate

Day 7: Princetown to the Twelve Apostles

The final stretch departs Princetown over the reeds and rushes of the wetlands. Just over the ridge, the 12 Apostles reveal themselves slowly with each step upwards giving glimpses and then a dip takes them away. Finally, the end peak delivers spectacular private viewing opportunities away from the madding crowds. Continue on to the 12 Apostles visitor centre. From here it is a 3.5 hour return road journey to Melbourne.

A Typical Day

• around 7.00am we give a gentle knock on your door to plant the seed of getting up (that is, unless you're already up or have let us know the night before that you don't intend to walk).
• between 7.00am and 8.00am enjoy breakfast and a briefing of the day ahead.
• between 8.00am and 8.30am we set off for the day. Usually there is a short vehicle transfer to the place we start our walking.
• between 8.30am and 9.30am set out on fresh tracks with the day ahead and the trails to ourselves. Most days your guides carry lunch for you and there are no appointments along the way. So, there is no reason to hurry and nowhere in particular you have to be. Want to walk further each day? There are ways to cater for you. Want to hang back a bit and take photos of the flora? No problem. Chat to your guide and they will show you some vantage points. On average we walk between 12 and 15km per day and our emphasis is on discovery, not speed.
  All guides carry satellite phones and are in touch with the support vehicle throughout the day.
• around 4.00pm miraculously (or not!) your driver knows just where to meet you, whisking you back to the guest house in time for a hot shower, a massage (one included per walk), pre dinner drink and a delicious 3 course meal.

Departs: 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month

Day 1: Melbourne pick up: 8.00am Crown Promenade Hotel

Ends: Friday 7pm at Melbourne Airport or Melbourne CBD