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Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk shadows the route of the iconic Great Ocean Road. Those stunning coastal landscapes you see from your car window are even better enjoyed at walking pace. The walk extends just over 100km and takes eight days, but you can also sample the experience with a range of half-day walks.
Book now Starting at Apollo Bay and finishing at the world-famous Twelve Apostles, the Great Ocean Walk is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The full hike is over 100 kilometres over eight days. Walkers stay at the seven hike-in campsites, which must be booked, or nearby.
What are you likely to see on this epic trek? All or some of the below:
- Koalas sleeping or chewing meditatively in the eucalypt trees.
- Cape Otway Lighthouse, where you can explore the stories of the Shipwreck Coast.
- Wreck Beach and the rusting anchors of the Marie Gabrielle and Fiji shipwrecks.
- Camp at the heritage-listed Aire River
- Quiet beaches at Blanket Bay and Johanna Beach.
- In winter you might spot Humpback and Southern Right Whales on their annual migration.
Bite-sized Great Ocean Walk experiences
If you don't wish to tackle the whole Great Ocean Walk, you can experience it in shorter snippets. Several half-day walks explore the tall forests of the 'tame side' or for the more experienced hiker, the remoter, steep and isolated coves of the 'wild side' in the sections closer to the Twelve Apostles. There are also short walks, day walks and overnight walks. Check out the Great Ocean Walk website for a selection of bite-sized experiences.How to get there
Great Ocean Walk
Apollo Bay, the start of the Great Ocean Walk, is three hours' drive from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road. If you have only one or no vehicles, there are shuttle service providers. If you have one vehicle we recommend that you park at the Twelve Apostles Carpark and get shuttled back to Apollo Bay to start your walk.
We currently recommend the following shuttles:
GOR Shuttle: 0428 379 278
Walk 91: 0439 893 950
Timboon Taxi: 0438 407 777
Christian's Bus Company (V/Line): (03) 5562 9432.
Alternatively, use public transport. The V/Line bus stops at the Twelve Apostles Carpark, Princetown and Apollo Bay.
We currently recommend the following shuttles:
GOR Shuttle: 0428 379 278
Walk 91: 0439 893 950
Timboon Taxi: 0438 407 777
Christian's Bus Company (V/Line): (03) 5562 9432.
Alternatively, use public transport. The V/Line bus stops at the Twelve Apostles Carpark, Princetown and Apollo Bay.
When you're there
The full Great Ocean Walk is from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles and is walked over eight days:
Day 1: Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge, 10km, 3.5 hrs
Day 2: Elliot Ridge to Blanket Bay, 12km, 4.5 hrs
Day 3: Blanket Bay to Cape Otway, 11km, 3.5 hrs
Day 4: Cape Otway to Aire River, 10km, 3 hrs
Day 5: Aire River to Johanna Beach, 14km, 5 hrs
Day 6: Johanna Beach to Ryans Den, 14km, 5 hrs
Day 7: Ryans Den to Devil’s Kitchen, 13km, 5 hrs
Day 8: Devil’s Kitchen to Twelve Apostles, 16km, 5 hrs
The official Information Guide and Map to the Great Ocean Walk can be purchased from the Great Ocean Road Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre in person or over the phone on 1300 689 297.
Download the comprehensive Great Ocean Walk Frequently Asked Questions guide for more information.
Day 1: Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge, 10km, 3.5 hrs
Day 2: Elliot Ridge to Blanket Bay, 12km, 4.5 hrs
Day 3: Blanket Bay to Cape Otway, 11km, 3.5 hrs
Day 4: Cape Otway to Aire River, 10km, 3 hrs
Day 5: Aire River to Johanna Beach, 14km, 5 hrs
Day 6: Johanna Beach to Ryans Den, 14km, 5 hrs
Day 7: Ryans Den to Devil’s Kitchen, 13km, 5 hrs
Day 8: Devil’s Kitchen to Twelve Apostles, 16km, 5 hrs
The official Information Guide and Map to the Great Ocean Walk can be purchased from the Great Ocean Road Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre in person or over the phone on 1300 689 297.
Download the comprehensive Great Ocean Walk Frequently Asked Questions guide for more information.
Need to know
Great Ocean Walk
Accessibility
There are some sections of the Great Ocean Walk that are accessible for visitors with mobility limitations and for families with strollers. These sections vary in level of difficulty and are dependent on the type of mobility equipment used. Visitors to the Great Ocean Walk are required to travel in an east to west direction.
Many sections of the Great Ocean Walk are unsuitable for wheelchairs and strollers due to steepness and the presence of many steps. Some sections of the walk are also unsuitable due to very loose beach sand, river crossings and intertidal zones.
The most accessible sections of the Great Ocean Walk are:
- Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre to Marengo Caravan Park
- Cape Otway Lighthouse car Park to Aire River Camp Ground
- Gibson Steps to Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre.
All-terrain wheelchairs, called Trailriders, are also available for use from Colac Otway Shire and Surf Coast Shire.
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
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Great Otway National Park
Kennett-Wye Jeep Track and Bird Track closed
Kennett-Wye Jeep Track and Bird Track will be closed until 30 June 2020 due to a landslip undermining the road.Upper Kalimna track closed
The Upper Kalimna Falls walking track is closed until further notice due to damage to the boardwalk and lookout. The Lower Kalimna Falls are still accessible from Sheoak Picnic Area via Kalimna Walking Track and from Garvey Track via Kalimna Link Track.Wye River Campground closed
Wye River Road Camping Area is closed until further notice due to dangerous treesRoad Closures within Great Otway National Park
Newcombe Spur Track, Thompson Track and Hayden Road are currently closed due to a road slip on the adjoining Goats Track. Repair works are currently underway and these tracks should reopened by mid February 2020.Fires in the Great Otway National Park
There are several fires in the Great Otway National Park. Access may be restricted due to fire-fighting activity. For the latest information on fires, visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au -
Jamieson Camping Area (Great Otway National Park)
Jamieson Campground closed
The Jamieson Campground, Jamieson Track and Godfrey Track, are closed until Easter 2020 to allow for site upgrades. -
Herberts (Wymbooliel) Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Herbert's Campground closed
Herbert’s Campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees. -
Twelve Apostles (Port Campbell National Park)
Changed traffic conditions - Great Ocean Road near Twelve Apostles
To reduce congestion and manage visitor safety around the Twelve Apostles, speed limit reductions, roadside barriers, dual-language message boards, traffic control and additional parking arrangements will be implemented between 21 December 2019 and 6 January 2020, and then on weekends throughout January.Visitors to the Twelve Apostles are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early, with increased traffic expected around the popular destination.More information -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Tree risk reduction works
Please be aware that tree risk reduction works will be happening at Lake Elizabeth campgrounds and day visitor area from Monday 20th of January until Friday 25th of January. There will be minor disruptions in the area during this time.
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