Great Ocean Walk

Great Ocean Walk is a roughly 100 km, one-way coastal trek from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. It suits hikers who want a real multi-day crossing, with forest, heath, beaches and sea cliffs changing along the way. It is not a day hike or a loop, so sort out the camps and your finish transport before you start. Published totals vary: the eight stage distances add to 100 km, while other route estimates run longer. Treat the stored distance as a planning figure, not a GPS-perfect measurement. The full itinerary takes about 36 hours of walking; a five-night, six-day plan is a sensible fit, with longer stops for weather, tide timing and the coast.

Leaving Apollo Bay, the track climbs through tall forest and coastal woodland toward Elliot Ridge and Blanket Bay. West of Blanket Bay it reaches Cape Otway, where heath and coast take over. The middle stages pass the Aire River estuary, wetlands and dunes before reaching Johanna Beach. Farther west the route crosses rolling coastal country and exposed ridge tops around Ryans Den and Devils Kitchen. The scenery changes often enough that the distance feels less repetitive than a long walk along one beach, but the open sections are more exposed to coastal weather.

The stages range from easy to medium-hard, but the whole trip is demanding because of its length and the repeated climbs. Official route notes warn of steep staircases and slopes; walkers also report slippery, muddy sections. The western ridge stages take longer than their distances suggest, and the final leg to the Apostles is still about 16 km. Allow roughly 36 moving hours, not counting campsite stops, meals or delays. If wet footing or a long exposed day is a problem for you, plan shorter sections rather than trying to rush the full route.

The Cape Otway to Aire River section includes beach walking and an unbridged river crossing. The route guidance calls for a low tide, calm sea and low river level, especially after heavy rain. Check the appropriate tide information for the part of coast you are walking; times differ between the Apollo Bay and Twelve Apostles ends. If surf or river conditions are unsafe, wait or turn back. The crossing is not a place to make up time by taking a chance.

Seven small hike-in campgrounds break the route into stages, and they need to be booked ahead. The designated camps are Elliot Ridge, Blanket Bay, Cape Otway, Aire River, Johanna Beach, Ryans Den and Devils Kitchen. Route material lists untreated rainwater tanks, so bring treatment and confirm what is available before relying on a tank. Toilets are listed at nearby vehicle campgrounds at Blanket Bay and Aire River West; do not assume the same facilities at every hike-in site. Food and refill stops along the trail were not verified, so plan supplies between towns rather than counting on services on route.

The walk passes close to Cape Otway Lightstation, whose lighthouse has stood on the headland since 1848. Later, Castle Cove opens to a broad sandy beach beneath a green headland. The route finishes at the Twelve Apostles, where the sea stacks and rugged coast make a memorable end to a long walk. Leave time to enjoy that final stretch, but arrange the one-way ride back before setting off from Apollo Bay.