Engage your mind, body and soul as you weave your way through the Great Otway and Port Campbell National Parks. Nature’s drama unfolds at every step…
Strap on your boots, open the back gate and take your first step into one of Australia’s most iconic coastal walks. Apollo Bay is the starting point for the 100 kilometres of trail making up the Great Ocean Walk. With walking itineraries ranging from a stroll to 8 days, weekend wanderers and seasoned trampers can uncover breathtaking vistas exploring the Great Otway and Port Campbell National Parks.
The Great Ocean Walk is a one way long distance walk extending East to West, just over a 100kms between Apollo Bay and the iconic Twelve Apostles.
The spectacular walk weaves its way through the National Park which is full of tall forests, coastal heathlands, wild rocky shores and windswept cliff tops presenting amazing views.
Step on and off the trail with convenience; enjoy comfortable accommodation and excellent local meals or pitch your tent at wild wildly picturesque campgrounds along the way.
The Great Ocean Walk Map is available for purchase at The Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre – Apollo Bay
Day hikes range from short, well made paths to more challenging, full day treks. A great starting point is the 2km Shelly Beach walk, only a 10 minutes drive from Apollo Bay. From there, shine your gaze towards the Cape Otway Lighthouse, the haunting shores of Wreck Beach and everything in between.
With the aid of vehicle or pre-arranged shuttle, single and multi day hikers along the coastal trail can be mixed and matched to create an itinerary based upon the time and distances you want to travel. Anything from 1 night – 7 nights is possible.
Walk the entirety of the Great Ocean Walk taking in every inch of beauty, or put together your own itinerary selecting bite sized highlights to create your own experience.
See the Great Ocean Walk Short Walks & Day Hikes Park Note
Local knowledge can make all the difference when planning your walk experience. Find guided tours, pick up & drop off services, shops and luggage transfers to make the most of your Great Ocean Walk outdoor adventure.
Walk 91
Base in Apollo Bay, with a shop at the start of the Great Ocean Walk, ‘Walk 91’ will help you plan your perfect hiking holiday.
Auswalk Walking Holidays
Auswalk offers guided touring or self-guided walks on the superb Great Ocean Walk. Stay in comfortable accommodations and enjoy good food and wine.
Bimbi Park
Bimbi park offers restaurant quality catering, in house shuttle service, guided walks as well as local advice on planning your walk itinerary.
Hike 2 Camp
Hike 2 Camp is a small local business offering food, water & equipment transfers along the Great Ocean Walk.
Hedonistic Hiking
Hedonistic Hiking is a small company, owned and operated by Jackie and Mick parsons, offering gourmet guided walking holidays along the Great Ocean Walk.
Otway Eco Tours – Great Ocean Walk
Otway Eco Tours specialize in leading personalized guided tours along the iconic Great Ocean Walk. Tailored tour to the most spectacular sections of the trail.
Park Trek Walking Holidays
Park Trek Walking Holidays run both scheduled departures and private departures along the Great Ocean Walk.
Port Campbell Touring Company
Port Campbell Touring Company specialise in value adding to the visitor experience along the Apostle Coast
Timboon Taxi
Timboon Taxi Service offers a shuttle service for Great Ocean Walkers.
Book to pay and camp: Register and pay to camp on The Great Ocean Walk.
The Great Ocean Walk is a one way, long distance walk between Apollo Bay in the east towards the Twelve Apostles in the west. Overnight hikers using the purpose-built Great Ocean Walk hike-in, and the Great Otway National Park campgrounds, are required to make bookings and pay a fee in advance.
Visit www.parks.vic.gov.au/stay to book full, individual and group area Great Ocean Walk campsites and or Great Otway National Park campgrounds nearby, or call parks Victoria on 13 1963. Fees may apply for telephone bookings for Great Ocean Walk.
Stay nearby: Overnight accommodation for those who prefer the extra comfort of a soft bed, hot shower or perhaps a spa.
Enjoy the Great Ocean Walk by day and overnight at special Great Ocean Walk accommodation providers. Step on and off the track to relax in luxury spa accommodation and comfortable beds nearby. Choose from privately operated campgrounds, bed and breakfast and self-contained cottages, located at convenient points along the walk.
For more information on accommodation contact The Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre – Apollo Bay
The initial idea for a coastal walk along the west coast of Victoria was first mooted in 1974 and members of the local community developed the concept for the walk in 1994 (over bottles of port in a shed near Cape Otway). Initially known as the ‘Great Ocean Rad Walk Track’, it was later refined to be known as the ‘Great Ocean Walk’.
The Great Ocean Walk was officially launched by the Hon. John Thwaites, Minister for the Environment on January 9th 2006 and has since become one of Victoria’s iconic long distance coastal walks attracting many national and international walkers.
The TrailRider is an all-terrain wheelchair that will allow for residents and visitors with physical and mobility issues to get out in the great outdoors and explore some of the Great Ocean Walk. The one wheeled chair is a cross between a wheelbarrow and a sedan chair. The wheel supports the rider’s weight while the handles at the front and the back allow two, three or four helpers (or Sherpas) to guide the rider up and down tracks.
Book the chair for FREE from The Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre – Apollo Bay
Sign up to get the latest deals, tours & events along the Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
