Explore
Great Ocean Walk
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
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
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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Herberts (Wymbooliel) Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Herbert's Campground closed
Herbert’s Campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees. -
Aire River East Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Aire River East Campground closure
Aire River East campground in the Great Otway National Park will be closed until October 31st 2020 due to recent flooding making the campground unsuitable for camping. Campsites are available at Aire River West. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Seasonal road closures 2020
Some roads in this park are subject to seasonal road closures. Seasonal road closures generally operate after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but may be extended due to seasonal conditions. View the list of 2020 seasonal road closures for details and check the corresponding map numbers with the seasonal road closure 2020 index map for locations of the closures or visit the seasonal road closures page for more information.
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Gibson Steps (Port Campbell National Park)
No access to Gibson Steps beach
For public safety, the staircase to the beach at Gibson Steps is currently closed due to potentially hazardous rocks. Cliff-top lookouts remain open. -
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Temporary Park Closure for Maits Rest Visitor Area
To manage visitor and staff risk at the site, the Maits Rest Visitor Area will be temporarily closed whilst works are finalised. The works support recent improvements to the rain-forest walk. Subject to weather and other contingencies these works will be completed by Wednesday 28 October 2020. -
Great Otway National Park
Site bookings required at Hammond Road campground from Sunday 1 November
From Sunday 1 November, sites at Hammond Road campground will need to be booked through www.parkstay.vic.gov.au, the Parks Victoria website or by calling 13 1963. There are 15 sites available at this campground and camping is only permitted in designated sites.Site bookings required at Hammond Road campground from Sunday 1 November
From Sunday 1 November, sites at Hammond Road campground will need to be booked through www.parkstay.vic.gov.au, the Parks Victoria website or by calling 13 1963. There are 15 sites available at this campground and camping is only permitted in designated sites.
Similar experiences
Wilderness Coast Walk
Great South West Walk
Grampians Peaks Trail
