Explore
Great Ocean Walk - Day 1 - Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge (Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve, Great Otway National Park, Apollo Bay Coastal Reserve)
Your Great Ocean Walk adventure starts here in the shadows of the iconic Great Ocean Road, meandering through a rural farmland setting, onto beaches and through sheltered forests to the Elliot River. Follow the stone steps up the Elliot River Track to the hike-in campsite on Elliot Ridge.
How to get there
Great Ocean Walk - Day 1 - Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge (Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve, Great Otway National Park, Apollo Bay Coastal Reserve)
Need to know
Great Ocean Walk - Day 1 - Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge (Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve, Great Otway National Park, Apollo Bay Coastal Reserve)
Safety in nature
You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
Warnings & Restrictions
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed
Restrictions
- No camping
- No fires permitted
- No drones without a permit
- No horses
- No firearms allowed
- No bicycles
- No dogs allowed
- No vehicles
Warnings
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Water hazards
- Rough Surf
- Deep water
- Strong currents
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Other warnings
- Trees may fall take care
- Limbs may fall take care
- Vehicles
- Unpatrolled area
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Animals and pests
- Beware European wasps
- Snakes
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Terrain hazards
- Slippery surface
- Slippery rocks
- Uneven ground
Be Prepared
Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.
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.
Event = Great Ocean Walk - Saturday, 25 October 2025
NOTICE TO PARK VISITORS
A permitted trail running event will be operating on the Great Ocean Walk trail system on Saturday, 25 October 2025.
Event: Great Ocean Trail Ultra
Date: Saturday, 25 October 2025
Time: 5:00 AM - 1:00 AM (20 hours)
Route: Apollo Bay to Princetown Recreation Reserve via Great Ocean Walk
Participants: Up to 400 registered runners (100km and 45km events)
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AFFECTED AREAS AND TIMES
Morning Activity (Higher Impact Period)
• Apollo Bay vicinity: 4:30 AM - 5:30 AM
• Blanket Bay Day Use Area: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
• Cape Otway Lightstation Car Park: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
• Aire River West Campground: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Peak Activity Period
• Castle Cove Lookout: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
• Johanna Beach Day Use Area: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (includes 45km event start)
• Parker Access Track/Great Ocean Road: 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Evening Activity
• Princetown Recreation Reserve: 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM (finish line area)
• GOW Lookout Car Park (near 12 Apostles): 1:30 PM - midnight
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WHAT TO EXPECT
For Great Ocean Walk Users:
• The Great Ocean Walk remains fully open to public use
• You may encounter trail runners throughout the day
• Participants are required to give way to walkers and be courteous
• Event marshals positioned at key locations to assist
Facility Access:
• All public toilets and facilities remain available
• Car parks accessible (brief periods of increased activity expected)
• Campground facilities protected - event routes bypass overnight camping areas
• Walk-in campsites not affected by event operations
Traffic Considerations:
• Minimal road impact - event follows walking trails
• Brief activity at Great Ocean Road crossings with marshal supervision
• "Event in Progress" signage displayed at key locations
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ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
Parks Victoria confirms the following protective measures are in place:
• Mandatory compliance with cinnamon fungus prevention protocols
• Leave No Trace principles enforced for all participants
• Waste management systems - all event waste removed from parks
• Professional medical support and emergency response procedures
• Regular monitoring by experienced event management team
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WEATHER AND CONDITIONS
This event is subject to cancellation or modification due to:
• South West District Fire danger ratings (Extreme or Catastrophic conditions)
• Severe weather warnings
• Track closure requirements
• Emergency service direction
Event organisers monitor conditions closely and will cancel if necessary to ensure public and participant safety.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Parks Victoria Information Centre:
📞 13 1963
Great Ocean Road Coast & Parks Authority (GORCAPA):
📞 1300 736 533
Event Information:
• Website: www.greatoceanultra.com
Emergency Services: 000
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This notice will remain in effect until Monday, 27 October 2025
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Eastern Maar People as Traditional Owners of these lands and waters and recognises their ongoing connection to Country.
Great Ocean Walk Trail Advisory: Echidna & Long-nosed Bandicoot Activity
Important Safety Alert – Great Ocean Walk > Trail Conditions
Recent observations in Great Otway National Park have recorded a significant increase in digging activity by both short-beaked echidnas and long-nosed bandicoots—themselves ecosystem engineers—resulting in numerous diggings and burrows along the entire Great Ocean Walk. These excavations create trip hazards, especially in low-light conditions during dawn and dusk when both species are most active.
Safety Recommendations
- Remain vigilant for fresh soil disturbances, shallow holes, and uneven ground surfaces.
- Wear sturdy hiking boots with ankle support to reduce injury risk.
- Carry a torch or headlamp for early starts or late finishes to spot potential hazards.
- Echidnas and long-nosed bandicoots are fully protected native wildlife.
- It is illegal to disturb, harass, handle, injure, or remove them—or any part of their habitat—from the wild.
- Do not approach, touch, chase, corner, or attempt to move these animals.
- Keep a respectful distance and allow wildlife to move away naturally.
- If you encounter an injured or orphaned animal, do not intervene directly.
- Echidnas move up to 200 m³ of soil annually through their digging behavior, promoting soil health and biodiversity.
- Long-nosed bandicoots create shallow foraging pits that aid seed germination and nutrient cycling, further enhancing ecosystem function.
Reporting & Contacts
For any wildlife concerns or to report animal incidents or injured wildlife, contact
Parks Victoria on 131963 or visit the
Conservation Regulator on 136186 or online at https://www.vic.gov.au/conservation-regulator.
Please stay on designated tracks to protect native vegetation and minimize disturbance to habitat.
Attachments: GONP Spring 2025 (349KB)