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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
Beach between Red Rocks and Anglesea Family Caravan Park closed until further notice
The beach between Red Rocks, off Hurst Rd, and the Anglesea Family Caravan Park is closed until further notice for public safety. There has been recent landslip activity at the area known as Demon's Bluff and monitoring of the site has identified an increase risk for further landslips. -
Beauchamp Falls Reserve
Beauchamp Falls Reserve Closure
Beauchamp Falls campground, road and waterfall are closed to visitors until further notice due to upgrade works. -
Herberts (Wymbooliel) Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Herbert's Campground closed
Herbert’s Campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees. -
Castle Rock Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Castle Rock Lookout Limited Access
Castle Rock lookout is only accessible via the walking tracks from Sheoak Picnic Ground and Sheoak Falls. Due to planned burning operations Garvey Track and the Cumberland Garvey Link Track are closed until further notice. -
Gibson Steps (Port Campbell National Park)
Gibsons Steps beach access reopened
The Gibsons Steps beach access has been reopened after the the completion of a rock hazard works project. A geotechnical report commissioned by Parks Victoria confirms that the access can be reopened to allow safe beach access for park visitors.
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Newfield Bay Walk (Port Campbell National Park)
Blue Green Algae Alert for Curdies Inlet - Peterborough
The Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP) are investigating a blue-green algae bloom at Curdies River Estuary at Peterborough.Blue-green algae can be harmful to humans and animals, so we urge people and pets to avoid direct contact with affected water until notice. This includes swimming, fishing and boating activities.Do not eat any whole fish, shellfish or crustaceans from either water bodies. Fish caught from affected water should have its gills and guts removed prior to cooking.Anyone who comes into contact with affected water should immediately wash in fresh water and seek medical advice if they experience any illness.Signage is being installed at both locations to advise visitors of the algal bloom. We will continue monitoring both water bodies until the bloom disperses and advise when they are safe for use again.
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