Short and Day Walks

Return again and again and build your own Great Ocean Walk experiences. Several half-day walks explore the tall forests of the 'tamer 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.

Short Walks

Less than 3 hours in length, ranging in difficulty and all are accessible from established visitor car parks.


Lighthouse Cemetery and Lookout Walk – 800m, walk grade easy

The gravel path leads walkers from the carpark out through beard heath to a hilltop lookout. You will be rewarded with views across to the lighthouse, and the ocean. Visit the historic cemetery which bears witness to the realities of lives lost at sea and the harsh isolation of early light station life. Fee applies for Cape Otway Lightstation entry.

Orange location icon Start: Cape Otway Lightstation carpark

Orange location icon End: Cemetery


Marengo to Shelly Beach – 4.4kms, walk grade medium

A mixture of rocky foreshore, wind swept hilltop views and tall shady forest. The exposed, and aptly named, Bald Hill traverses on and off the beach through the sheltered forest to picturesque Shelly Beach and up to the picnic area. Take the coastal route at low tide and during calm seas.

Orange location icon Start: Marengo caravan park

Orange location icon End: Shelly Beach picnic area


Shelly Beach Walk – 900m loop, walk grade medium

This is one of the best short walks on the Great Ocean Walk. The track will take you through fern gullies, coastal scrub, to Shelly Beach.

Orange location icon Start: Shelly Beach picnic area

Orange location icon End: Shelly Beach picnic area


Princetown to the Twelve Apostles – 7.0kms, walk grade medium

The walk begins near the Gellibrand River Bridge. You will traverse cliff-tops and undulating heath-clad dunes as the distinctive rock stacks begin to reveal themselves. Continue past Gibson Steps Beach (which is not accessible at high tide) to end at the iconic Twelve Apostles kiosk and carpark facility.

Orange location icon Start: Princetown Recreation Reserve

Orange location icon End: Twelve Apostles kiosk and carpark facility


The Gables Lookout – 400m, walk grade easy

This easy return walk travels through a Casuarina tree grove to a spectacular clifftop lookout. Enjoy views over the ocean and the reefs surrounding Moonlight Head. This is one of the highest sea cliffs on mainland Australia. Keep a close eye out for seabirds, or whales from June to September.

Orange location icon Start: The Gable carpark

Orange location icon End: The Gable Lookout


Wreck Beach – 350m, walk grade medium/hard

This difficult but rewarding walk descends over 350 steps to Wreck Beach. At low tide the walk takes you to the anchors of the Marie Gabrielle and the Fiji – haunting reminders of the treacherous nature of the sea. Make this walk at low tide only and beware of large sea swells.

Orange location icon Start: Wreck Beach Carpark

Orange location icon End: Wreck Beach Carpark


Day Walks

Day walks are up to 6 hours in length. All walks start from the main visitor areas and the distance and terrain make these longer walks more challenging and requiring preparation for safety and enjoyment.


Aire River to Johanna Beach Day Visitor area –12.5 km, walk grade medium/hard

This is a long but satisfying walk through diverse terrain to beautiful Johanna Beach. Pass through heathland with spring wildflowers and experience awesome sea views. Watch above for Sea Eagles soaring overhead. Johanna River is an unbridged beach crossing, so carefully assess before wading across following heavy rains.

Orange location icon Start: Aire River Visitor Area (information shelter)

Orange location icon End: Johanna Beach Day Visitor Area.


Cape Otway to Aire River – 10kms, walk grade medium

Explore the lightstation before you set out. The walk to Aire River carves its way through a wind-sculpted landscape of sand dunes, coastal scrubland and calcified cliffs. Along the way Station Beach (and Rainbow Falls) is side trip well worth taking. Rainbow Falls is spring-fed water trickling down through algae to the rock platform below. The Falls are a 3-kilometre return journey from where you first enter Station Beach at Decision Point 8. When you return from Rainbow Falls, exit Station Beach at either Decision Point 8 where you first entered the beach, or further towards Aire River at Decision Point 8B, which will take you back onto the main GOW route. Continue along to the Aire escarpment lookout, before descending down to the beautiful Aire River Campground.

Orange location icon Start: Cape Otway Carpark

Orange location icon End: Aire River Visitor Area

A map of the Great Ocean Walk

More Great Ocean Walk Experiences

The Great Ocean Walk offers a range of options for walkers with varying skill levels. Tackle the whole eight days, or experience it in shorter snippets. Choose from a variety of short, day and overnight hikes. You can experience the walk independently, use a licensed tour operator, or mix and match.
Two female hikers pose for a camera at the end of the Great Ocean Walk

Licensed tour operators

Local knowledge can make all the difference when planning for a spectacular hiking experience. Great Ocean Walk tour operators offer a range of services for walkers, including guided tours, transport, camping equipment hire and food provision.
A woman with a large hike pack stands on a rock next to the ocean

Hike for 1–3 nights

If you don't wish to tackle the whole Great Ocean Walk, you can experience it in shorter snippets. Get a taste of the Great Ocean Walk on these 1-3 night itineraries.
Two female hikers follow the Great Ocean Walk trail down to Wreck Beach

Hike for 4–6 nights

Have a little longer to taste the Great Ocean Walk? Choose from these itineraries to plan your hiking adventure according to how much time you have.
Six friends sit on a boardwalk that has Great Ocean Walk written on it. Their backs are to the camera and the Twelve Apostles are in front of them

Hike the whole 8 days

Create your own unique experience and discover the nature of Australia as you walk beneath tall trees, across rock seashore platforms, along deserted beaches and soak in breathtaking cliff-top vistas.

How to get there

Short and Day Walks

Explore the region

Chairs surround a firepit with cabins surrounded by trees in the background

Off-walk accommodation

If you're looking for a little more luxury in nature, consider the wide range of accommodation options along the Great Ocean Road. Enjoy the extra comfort of a soft bed, hot shower, or even a spa.
A woman sits on the beach, behind her is boats on the ocean and hills in the distance

Towns and Villages

Each with their own history, culture and highlights, towns & villages along the Great Ocean Road have plenty of unique experiences. Read more and discover which regions suit you.
Four friends with tasting paddles do cheers

Eat and Drink

Discover where the popular bars, breweries, cafes, restaurants and wineries are around the Great Ocean Road region. Regardless of your dining preference, there is a venue for everyone!
A koala sits in a tree beside a Visitor Information sign on a tin building

Visitor Information Centres

Discover where & how to contact Visitor Information Centres along the Great Ocean Road. Each have local experts ready to ensure you make the most of your journey to the region.

Need to know

Short and Day Walks

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.

  • The Arch Day Visitor Area (Port Campbell National Park)

    The Arch Closure - Port Campbell National Park

    The Arch visitor site including lookout, walking trails and carpark remains closed following geotechnical changes and cliff instability. The site has been assessed by a Geotechnical Engineer and Parks Victoria are assessing options for the site. 

  • Loch Ard Gorge (Port Campbell National Park)

    Loch Ard Gorge Beach Access Stairs Closure

    The beach access has been closed following an independent geotechnical inspection after a rock fall over the steps themselves. Parks Victoria is working with The Great Ocean Road and Parks Authority as well as Traditional Owners to implement identified works required to make the site safe for all users.  

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Kalimna Tramline link walk and Upper Kalimna is closed

    The Kalimna Tramline link walk is closed due to damage to a pedestrian bridge. Walkers can still access the Lower Kalimna Waterfall via the Kalimna Falls Walking Track, which starts at Sheoak Picnic Area. Upper Kalimna Falls closed until further notice.


    Temporary night closures of sections of the Great Otway National Park

    Between Monday 17th February 2025 and Friday 4th April 2025,  rolling closures park closures will occur between dusk and dawn Great Otway National Park to enable staff to safely undertake park conservation programs.  For your safety and for safety of park staff and contractors, please adhere to park closure signage.
     
    Visitor sites that may  be impacted by temporary closures include:
     
    Surf Coast Walk between Southside and Anglesea  
    Ironbark Basin
    Point Addis
    Eumeralla Area - including all mountain bike tracks
    Anglesea Heath
    Old rifle range between Cecil and Woodland Tracks
    Distillery Creek
    Moggs Creek

    Other areas that may be impacted by temporary closures include:
    Carlisle Heath, Kennedys Creek  and Chapple Vale areas
     
     
    Parks Closures will only occur at night and for short periods of time.  Closures will be signposted, supervised and patrolled by Parks Victoria staff and Authorised Officers.

    For further information please email: westregiondcp@parks.vic.gov.au

    Great Ocean Walk - Important Notice

    Parks Victoria is received increasing reports of concerning observations on the Great Ocean Walk .

    This includes use of bikes, horses, unrestrained dogs, campfires and hikers arriving at their pre-booked campsites only to find them already occupied.

    🔹 All hikers must book a campsite before their trip, even though camping is free.
    🔹 Camping without a booking or outside designated areas is not permitted.
    🔹 Campfires are NOT permitted at any Great Ocean Walk hike-in campsite.
    🔹 Only medical certified companion animals are permitted (on lead).
    🔹 The Great Ocean Walk is a walking/hiking trail - not a  long distance horse, trail bike or Mountain bike course.

    National Park Regulations Apply.
     
    Parks Victoria Authorised Officers patrol the Great Ocean Walk.  
    Evidence of a booking must be shown to a Parks Victoria Ranger on request.
     
    To ensure a fair and safe experience for all:
    ✅ Book your campsite before starting your walk.
    ✅ Only camp in designated areas and at your assigned site.
    ✅ Respect fellow hikers by only using the site you have booked.
    ✅ Do not light campfires—use fuel stoves for cooking.
    ✅ Do report observations of concern.

    If you observe:
    🚨 A campfire, bikes, animals other than native ones or hikers occupying an already booked site, please report it immediately (when safe to do so) to Parks Victoria on 131 963.

    ⚠️ Parks Victoria cannot respond to emergency situations involving hikers and campers who have not booked a campsite.

    Thank you for helping us protect the Great Ocean Walk and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone.
    For bookings and further information, visit Parks Victoria’s website.

    Parks Victoria
    Caring for Country, Connecting People

    Access to The Redwoods along Binns Road from the Great Ocean Road closed

    The Colac Otway Shire has announced that Binns Road access from the Great Ocean Road (southern end) will be closed for two weeks, from the 18th March, to fix a landslip.

    Access from this side of the road will prevent access to the Aire Valley (Redwoods) and Hopetoun Falls within the Great Otway National Park.

    Binns Road will remain open from the Beech Forest (northern end) which will allow access to visitor sites including Aire Valley (Redwoods), Hopetoun Falls and Beauchamp Falls.


  • Cora Lynn Cascades Walk (Great Otway National Park)

    Cora Lynn Cascades Walking Track Closure

    Cora Lynn Cascades walking track is currently closed due to damaged infrastructure. Please note this closure will affect you if you plan to walk from Allenvale through to Erskine falls and vice versa. 

  • Aire River West Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)

    Aire River West campground - Sites 24 - 40 - CLOSED

    • Aire River West Camp ground - camp sites CLOSED
    • Sites 24  to 40 at  the Aire West Campground are CLOSED due to potential for flooding.
    • Due to ongoing river mouth closures these sites are prone to inundation and not suitable for camping. 
    • Sites will require time to dry out once any river opening occurs.
    • Sites 24 to 40 are advised as closed until at least 30 April 2025
    • Sites 1 -23 are not impacted > at this point.
    • The Great Ocean Walk hike in camp sites are not impacted.
    • Closed areas can not be booked nor camped in.
    • National Park Regulations apply. 
    • Flood water can be hazardous.
    • Visitors and campers should avoid flood water.

  • Melba Gully Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park)

    Melba Gully - Large bus access

    Melba Gully Walk Track and picnic area is accessible for large coaches. Toilet facilities are available on site

  • Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)

    Maits Rest Carpark- bus access

    Maits Rest Carpark is suitable for small coaster buses only. Large buses or coaches are advised to use Melba Gully walk track near Lavers Hill.

  • Aire Crossing Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)

    Aire Crossing Campground

    • Camping: Aire Crossing Campground has five (5) unbooked campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping outside these designated sites—including in the car park or along the Aire River—is strictly prohibited.
    • Campfires: Not permitted at any time.
    • Access: The campground is accessible via Aire Crossing Track. A 4WD is recommended.
    • Halls Ridge Track (4WD only) is seasonally closed and frequently inaccessible outside these periods. Use is not advised.
    • Vehicle Recovery: If your vehicle becomes stranded, retrieval must be arranged privately at your own cost.
    • Fire Danger > South West Fire District Closures:
    • The campground may close on Extreme Fire Danger Rating days.
    • It will be closed on Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days.
    • Weather & Track Conditions: Conditions can change rapidly due to wind and rain, leading to potential track closures.
    • Tree Hazards: Trees and branches may fall at any time, even in calm weather. Please be aware of the risk.
    • Phone Signal: No mobile reception is available at Aire Crossing.
    • Regulations & Enforcement:
    • National Park Regulations apply.
    • The area is regularly patrolled by Parks Victoria Authorised Officers, Rangers, Forest Fire Management Victoria, and the Conservation Regulator.

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