Great Ocean Walk - Day 2 - Elliot Ridge Campsite to Blanket Bay Campsite (Stony Creek (Otways) Reference Area, Great Otway National Park)

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Great Ocean Walk - Day 2 - Elliot Ridge Campsite to Blanket Bay Campsite (Stony Creek (Otways) Reference Area, Great Otway National Park)

This section of the Walk traverses the beautiful forested hinterland of the Great Ocean Road. Walk through giant Mountain Ash forests and lush fern-strewn valleys before descending to towards the stunning coastal scenery of Blanket Bay, sheltered from the rough swells of the wild Southern Ocean.

How to get there

Great Ocean Walk - Day 2 - Elliot Ridge Campsite to Blanket Bay Campsite (Stony Creek (Otways) Reference Area, Great Otway National Park)

Need to know

Great Ocean Walk - Day 2 - Elliot Ridge Campsite to Blanket Bay Campsite (Stony Creek (Otways) Reference Area, Great Otway National Park)

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

  • No dogs allowed
  • Management vehicle only
  • No fires permitted
  • No camping
  • No firearms allowed

Warnings

  • Animals and pests
    • Snakes
  • Terrain hazards
    • Slippery surface
  • Other warnings
    • Limbs may fall take care

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
________________________________________
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
________________________________________
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
________________________________________
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.
________________________________________
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Parks Victoria Information Centre:
📞 13 1963
Great Ocean Road Coast & Parks Authority (GORCAPA):
📞 1300 736 533
Event Information:

Emergency Services: 000
________________________________________
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. 
Protected Wildlife Notice
  • 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.
Ecosystem Importance
  • 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)

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