Great Ocean Walk

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Melbourne (transfer to Apollo Bay) walk to Shelly Beach

   Your Great Ocean Walk Tour starts at Southern Cross Station, Melbourne. Your luggage will be loaded into the vehicles before you set off for Apollo Bay, at the close end of the Great Ocean Walk. Arriving in the late morning, you’ll get set up and head off after a safety briefing, orientation and some lunch from the famous Apollo Bay Bakery.
   
   Before you know it, you will be walking the world-famous Great Ocean Walk, taking in sweeping rural farmland views with a couple of short beach walks. At the end of a good first day’s walking, you’ll arrive at your accommodation for a hot shower and the opportunity to settle in and relax.
   
   Tonight, you’ll enjoy a welcome restaurant dinner together with your fellow walkers and crew.

   • 5.6 miles
   • Hotel in Apollo Bay
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Shelly Beach to Parker Hill

   This morning after breakfast, you’ll be all fired up to get back on the track for your first full day of walking. It’s a 19km day that starts with a downhill section to the river, followed by a climb up to Elliot Ridge. The track leaves the coast for a while, winding through thick Mountain Ash trees and forest with plenty of wildlife and birds to spot before hitting the beach again at Blanket Bay, where your lunch will be ready and waiting for you.
   
   The remainder of the walk presents some small creek footbridges and coastal forest to Parker Hill before a transfer back to Apollo Bay.
   
   Free evening: Tonight is one of two evenings free to explore the local restaurants on your own or with some new-found friends — from fine dining to a classic pub meal or the local fish and chips, you’ll have some great recommendations to choose from.

   • 11.8 miles
   • Hotel in Apollo Bay
   • Breakfast and Lunch
3. Day 3Parker Hill to Aire River

   Back on the track today, you have a special stop for morning tea at Cape Otway Lightstation, where you’ll also listen to some of the history and stories of this historic site. After Cape Otway, you’ll walk high along the ridgeline overlooking the wild Southern Ocean, ducking in and out of tree-covered track sections before dropping down to Aire River, where you may want a swim in the fresh river water before lunch, all supplied by the crew.
   
   It’s time to head back to your accommodation for your final night in Apollo Bay, where you’ll get together for a group dinner at a favorite Italian restaurant, specialising in traditional Italian dishes using fresh local ingredients.

   • 9.3 miles
   • Hotel in Apollo Bay
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Aire River to Yuulong

   This morning after breakfast, pack up your luggage and get ready for another great day on the track. Your luggage will be taken to your next overnight destination while you take in the views from the cliff-top walk as you make your way to Castle Cove, where the Great Ocean Walk meets the Great Ocean Road and your location for morning tea.
   
   After a recharge, more lovely views from upon high unfold before you drop down to Johanna Beach for a stunning 2km beach walk, which is one of the day’s highlights. You’ll then stop for lunch at the tour vehicles.
   
   The afternoon walk climbs out of Johanna with ocean views, so don't miss Slippery Point, and finishes in tea tree scrub and blue gum woodland, where you’ll meet your vehicle to take you through to your new accommodation at Port Campbell and a lovely dinner overlooking the bay.
   
   

   • 11.8 miles
   • Hotel in Port Campbell
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Yuulong to Moonlight Head

   Today’s walk begins with some significant stair-work that will eventually lead you to Milanesia Beach for a short beach walk section and through to the tour crew waiting with morning tea. Refuel and get back on the track again with more stairs through to Moonlight Head, providing rewarding views as a pay-off.
   
   On the way back to Port Campbell in the vehicles, you’ll stop at the stunning Loch Ard Gorge for a few photos, and you’ll have plenty of time this afternoon to continue exploring the town, head down to the pub for a drink or take a swim in the sheltered bay.
   
   Free evening: Your second free evening — splash out on something special at one of Port Campbell's bayside restaurants or keep it simple. Up to you.

   • 8.7 miles
   • Hotel in Port Campbell
   • Breakfast
6. Day 6Moonlight Head to Princetown

   Your last full day on the track, and another stunner. Wooden bridges thread through wet forested gullies in Moonlight Valley, with beautiful views from the Gables Lookout. Wreck Beach lies below — the resting place of multiple 1800s shipwrecks, hence the name 'Shipwreck Coast'. Your crew will meet you at Devils Kitchen for morning tea.
   
   The second section meanders high above the beach through dense vegetation, opening out to the Gellibrand Estuary. A final boardwalk takes you into Princetown, then you’ll head back to Port Campbell for a relaxed afternoon. Tonight, you’ll celebrate the week with your final group dinner.

   • 10.6 miles
   • Hotel in Port Campbell
   • Breakfast and Dinner
7. Day 7Princetown to Twelve Apostles

   The climax of the tour is nearly upon you. You’ll head out from Princetown with just a few kms to the Twelve Apostles. Making this a short day allows you to arrive at the popular location before most of the crowds and gives you plenty of time for photos, exploring the area and helicopter flights (optional extra).
   
   You’ll be on the road heading back to Melbourne before lunchtime, when the place can get very busy. Congratulations on your walk! Whether you walked the full distance, skipped a couple of sections or decided to take a day off here and there, your experience is sure to be a memorable one.

   • 4.3 miles
   • Breakfast