✓ Three nights at Cape Otway Lightstation or Johanna Seaside Cottages and two nights at Southern Ocean Villas, Port Campbell.
✓ Two nights 4-star accommodation in Melbourne
✓ Afternoon at Twelve Apostles
✓ 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 two-course dinners included
✓ Incredible sightseeing along the 105km coastal train between Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apossles
✓ Tour the historic Cape Otway Lightstation
✓ All transport and guiding (pick up and drop off in central Melbourne)
✓ Plenty of trail mix, fresh fruit, pre-dinner nibbles, tea/coffee
All national park entry fees
✓ Small group of 10 guests or less
9 Day Great Ocean Road Walking Tour
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Group Size
Small
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Escorted
Fully
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Trip Style
Active
✓ Three nights at Cape Otway Lightstation or Johanna Seaside Cottages and two nights at Southern Ocean Villas, Port Campbell.
✓ Two nights 4-star accommodation in Melbourne
✓ Afternoon at Twelve Apostles
✓ 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 two-course dinners included
✓ Incredible sightseeing along the 105km coastal train between Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apossles
✓ Tour the historic Cape Otway Lightstation
✓ All transport and guiding (pick up and drop off in central Melbourne)
✓ Plenty of trail mix, fresh fruit, pre-dinner nibbles, tea/coffee
All national park entry fees
✓ Small group of 10 guests or less
-
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Travelling with Inspiring Vacations allows you to explore the wonders of the world in a variety of different ways. We have partnered with a worldwide network of local travel experts to bring you culturally unique and delightfully unforgettable travel experiences. Whether it is meandering through narrow canyons by rail, cruising the idyllic waters of the Mediterranean or touring through the backroads of provincial towns, Inspiring Vacations trips offer amazing value and will leave you inspired.
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Welcome to Melbourne!
Make your way to your accommodation. You can arrive at any time as there are no organized activities. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 2pm, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
Make your to the National Gallery of Victoria on 180 St Kilda Road (by the large pools) by 7.20am for a 7.30am take off. We start driving south towards the Great Ocean Road and stop at Anglesea for morning tea.
The walk officially starts by the Visitor Centre in Apollo Bay and you will travel the entire 105 km journey of the Great Ocean Walk. The trail winds out through the town to the beach-side suburb of Marengo, named by a passing French explorer. Marengo is home to a colony of Australian Fur Seals who hang out on rocks in the bay.
At several points along The Great Ocean Walk we have the choice of walking along the beaches or rock platforms at low tide or following the inland trail. Due to the unpredictable nature of the tides our guides will make a decision which is the safest route for the day.
Continuing onwards the countryside becomes more rural farmland. The trail continues up a small hill with a stile to climb over a fence. There are good views along the coast looking south-west towards Cape Otway and north-east over the ranges surrounding Apollo Bay. There is a conveniently placed rest bench, followed by a steep descent past The Blowhole. We descend down to a beach where we typically rest before heading into a small section of delightful Otway rainforest. The area after Three Creeks Beach can get a bit boggy after rain so be prepared with appropriate footwear.
The trail enters low forest initially, and then starts to climb into the higher forests of the Great Otway National Park just above Shelly Beach. There is a junction on the trail which leads left down to Shelly Beach or right to the car park at Shelly Beach picnic area.
Walking Distance: Approx. 9kms, 3 hours
Track Grading: 2
The first section of today’s walk leads away from the coast and into the towering forests of Mountain Ash that characterise this part of the Great Otway National Park. At up to 65m high these are some of the biggest trees in Australia and walking through the heart of the giant forest is a wonderful experience, though there are some hills to be negotiated.
The trail rejoins the coast at Blanket Bay, an isolated stretch of coast that was one of the original ports for unloading supplies for the Cape Otway Lightstation. Blanket Bay is one of the few safe swimming locations along the walk.
The track then meanders along the cliff tops and through coastal forests to the quiet haven of Parker Inlet. Expect to see black wallaby, echidna, black cockatoo, rosella and other wildlife along the way.
Walking Distance: Approx. 18kms, 6 hours
Track Grading: 3
At Parker Inlet you can walk along the water’s edge following rock shelves and beaches around Point Franklin or take the inland route. A worthwhile side trip is the short walk to idyllic Crayfish Bay, another safe swimming location. The trail then heads inland through manna gums to the Cape Otway Lightstation, which is Australia’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse.
The walk from the lighthouse to Aire River winds its way through wind sculpted landscapes of sand dunes, coastal scrub-land and magnificent calcified cliffs. At the Aire River Lookout there are great views down to the estuary where the Aire River meets the Southern Ocean and Glenaire Beach. It’s is a steady downhill walk to the Aire River Bridge which crosses the river to the picnic area where we have lunch and look out for koalas.
The trail continues through to Castle Cove following the cliff top, offering incredible views back along the coastline.
Walking Distance: Approx. 19kms, 7 hours
Track Grading: 3
Located on a spectacular bend of the Great Ocean Road at Glenaire, Castle Cove is a beautiful beach surrounded by towering cliffs which have high archaeological significance, as dinosaur fossils have been found here.
From Castle Cove the track winds its way along the cliff tops, through heath-lands and forests, offering extensive views along the coast, the forest a mixture of manna gums, spring wildflowers and magnificent expanses of grass trees.
Eventually you will emerge onto the broad expanse of Johanna Beach and cross Johanna river. This beautiful beach is one of the best in Australia with superb views and enormous crashing surf.
The trail continues uphill as you walk high above the Johanna River valley’s farmland. Don’t forget to look back for spectacular coastal views. Some steep climbing through tea tree scrub and blue gum woodland to Milanesia Gate. Expect to see Eastern Grey Kangaroo in the grassy valleys out from Johanna Beach.
Walking Distance: Approx. 17kms, 6-7 hours
Track Grading: 4
The walk from Milanesia Gate to Ryan’s Den is the wildest and most challenging section of the entire track. Isolated, rugged and hidden, Milanesia Beach receives few visitors and is all the more special for it. Look for the “beachcomber’s cottage” when you reach the beach. If time permits we will pause here and imagine life back then…
From here the trail continues along the high sea cliffs to Ryans Den with breathtaking views all the way back to Cape Otway, and west to Cape Volley. Enjoy the view over lunch at the tip of Ryan’s Den hike-in campground before we continue along steep descents into valleys with sensational remote coastal sea cliff views and finish at Moonlight Head.
Walking Distance: Approx. 13kms, 7-8 hours
Track Grading: 5
After Moonlight Head the track dips down into a valley and follows a newly cut section of track which will lead to The Gables Lookout, perched on one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia.
Continuing along the track through a grove of casuarina trees you will come out near Wreck Beach where at low tide you can descend and see the anchors of two of the many shipwrecks that lie submerged along this coast (The Fiji and the Marie Gabrielle). From Devils Kitchen you will follow a new section of track that hugs the wild coastal cliffs towards Princetown where our days walking concludes.
This evening we will dine at a local hotel (dinner at your own expense).
Walking Distance: Approx. 17kms, 6-7 hours
Track Grading: 3
Our walk starts above the wetlands around Princetown which support a wide variety of bird life. We’ll walk down through the Gellibrand River Estuary and reconnect with the Great Ocean Walk on a new track section. This section replaces 1.5km of road walking with about 2km of pleasant walking through the coastal scrub and escarpment. We are now on the home stretch into Port Campbell National Park and the world famous Twelve Apostles soon come into sight.
The Great Ocean Walk now finishes at Twelve Apostles car park, and we recommend, tides allowing, you descend Gibson’s Steps to view Gog and Magog (not strictly counted as two of The Twelve Apostles) up close from sea level.
The last few kilometers can be walked to reach The Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre where you can celebrate your achievements and view The Twelve Apostles up close.
We’ll then begin our return journey back towards Melbourne, stopping enroute to eat our packed lunch along the way. Our arrival time in the CBD outside the National Gallery of Victoria (same location as pick up) is approximately 5pm. Make your way to your accommodation for tonight.
Walking Distance: Approx 7kms, 2.5 hours
Track Grading: 3
We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.
Standard check out is by 10.00am. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or, alternatively, please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time.
Contact us if you wish to extend your stay in Melbourne as we can assist you arrange additional accommodation and the below optional activities.
Our Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour highlights the best of Victoria’s nature and wildlife. Get up close and personal with the friendly residents of Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, have your photo taken with a koala and learn about the conservation of these amazing animals. This Eco-certified sanctuary showcases the famous and endangered faces of Australia’s wildlife, including the southern bettong, eastern quolls and rare fluffy gliders. From here we travel to historic Churchill Island, where you will see sheep shearing and working dogs in action.
On Phillip Island we visit the stunning Cape Woolamai surf beach, see the Nobbies and Seal Rocks and stop in at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory (time permitting) before arriving at the Penguin Parade. Home to Victoria’s largest colony of little penguins, Summerland Beach provides the backdrop to the world famous Penguin Parade. Watch as hundreds of little penguins make their way across the beach and return to their sand dune burrows.
This tour departs between 09.45am to 10.45am and arrives back in Melbourne between 09.00pm and 12.00am (midnight). It includes Moonlit Sanctuary entry, BBQ lunch, Churchill Island & standard viewing at penguin parade, return transfer. Maximum group size is 24 guest.
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