Great Ocean Walk

A well-supported, mostly coastal point-to-point walk through the Great Otway National Park to the Twelve Apostles.

Time to Hike: Most walkers take about eight days, using the seven hike-in camp-sites spaced roughly 10 km to 15 km apart.

Best Time to Go: Conditions vary year-round on this exposed coast. Whale spotting is noted from June through September, and some sections can be dangerous or impassable at high tide.

Getting there: The track is on Victoria’s southwest coast, about 200 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. Most people start at Apollo Bay and finish near The Twelve Apostles at Glenample Homestead.

Costs: Budget for camp-site bookings, transport to the start and from the finish, and food carries between resupply points. Guided tours and luggage shuttles are available through commercial operators.

Difficulty: Moderate overall, with difficulty increasing as you head west. The section from Apollo Bay to Cape Otway is described as suitable for beginners, while later sections around Ryans Den are more rugged.

The Great Ocean Walk follows Victoria’s southwest coastline, often away from the Great Ocean Road, weaving between high cliff tops, sheltered coves and sandy beaches before ending near The Twelve Apostles at Glenample Homestead. Much of the route passes through Great Otway National Park, with eco-focused facilities and management aimed at reducing impacts.

It is a wildlife-rich corridor: the track traverses habitat for koalas, wallabies and echidnas, and walkers are warned about snakes (including tiger, brown and copperhead) as well as bees, European wasps and leeches. From June to September, whales can be spotted along the coastline.

There is also a strong historical thread. Highlights include the 1848 Cape Otway Lightstation, built to reduce shipwrecks along the Bass Strait coast, and the route’s links to maritime history around Johanna Beach and the end-of-walk museum at Glenample Homestead.

• Stage 1: Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge (hike-in camp) - Forest and coastal walking as you leave town behind and enter the Otways. A good warm-up section before the terrain gets more rugged later.
• Stage 2: Elliot Ridge to Blanket Bay (hike-in camp) - Coastal track with access to beaches; watch conditions around tides. Blanket Bay is also a drive-in camping area.
• Stage 3: Blanket Bay to Cape Otway (hike-in camp) - Easier-going walking by the route’s standards, leading toward the historic Cape Otway Lightstation.
• Stage 4: Cape Otway to Aire River (hike-in camp) - Alternates between coastal viewpoints and more sheltered sections; ends at Aire River and Aire River Beach.
• Stage 5: Aire River to Johanna Beach (hike-in camp) - A classic surf-coast feel with long sand and open exposure. Johanna Beach is also noted as a drive-in camping area.
• Stage 6: Johanna Beach to Ryans Den (hike-in camp) - The walking becomes more challenging as you move into rugged terrain, a point specifically noted in route descriptions.
• Stage 7: Ryans Den to Devils Kitchen (hike-in camp) - A remote-feeling stretch with tougher underfoot conditions; this is one of the sections where weather can strongly affect comfort and pace.
• Stage 8: Devils Kitchen to Glenample Homestead (near The Twelve Apostles) - The final run toward the icons of the Shipwreck Coast, finishing at the historic Glenample Homestead close to the Twelve Apostles area.

The walk can be tackled in different seasons, but conditions on this coast are changeable and exposed. Be prepared for strong winds and wet weather at any time, and factor tides into planning because some sections can be dangerous or impassable at high tide.

For wildlife interest, whale spotting along the coastline is noted from June through September. If you are travelling in peak holiday periods, expect more competition for camp-site bookings and transport services.

The Great Ocean Walk is on Victoria’s southwest coast, about 200 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. The usual direction is east-to-west, starting at Apollo Bay and finishing near The Twelve Apostles at Glenample Homestead.

Most international visitors route travel via Melbourne and then continue by road to Apollo Bay. From the western end, plan onward transport from the Twelve Apostles area, either by pre-arranged pickup/shuttle (including commercial operators) or by coordinating a vehicle transfer.

All walkers are required to register with the managing park authority and must book the hike-in camp-sites. Do this well ahead if you have fixed dates, as there are limited camping pads at each site.

No additional trekking permit is mentioned for simply walking the track, but closures can occur to protect sensitive dunes and cultural sites, so check official updates before you go.

The classic way to do the walk is by tent, staying at the seven dedicated hike-in camp-sites: Elliot Ridge, Blanket Bay, Cape Otway, Aire River, Johanna Beach, Ryans Den and Devils Kitchen. Each has camping pads, toilets, untreated rainwater tanks and benches; most also have shelters (with Blanket Bay noted as an exception).

If you prefer a softer approach, accommodation and transport options range from basic camp-sites to modern eco-lodges, and guided operators can provide transfers between lodgings. Regardless of style, you still need to book any camp-sites you plan to use and should not rely on rainwater tanks without treating water.