Moderate

Great Ocean Walk: Devils Kitchen to Twelve Apostles

Iconic finish past cliffs, dunes, and wetlands to the Apostles

Distance10 mi

Typical time5 hr

DifficultyModerate

PetsNot allowed

Overview

This final leg of the Great Ocean Walk covers about 16 km (roughly 10 miles) from Devils Kitchen to the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre, usually in 4–6 hours. Expect undulating coastal singletrack with sandy patches, steps, and short boardwalks. The route edges cliff‑tops, dips into low dunes and coastal scrub, skirts the Princetown wetlands, and finishes amid the bustling Twelve Apostles precinct. As crowd levels spike near the end, the vibe shifts from quiet backcountry to big‑ticket sightseeing. The land and waters are on Country of the Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung peoples.

Route Highlights

From Devils Kitchen, follow cliff‑top track toward Princetown for early ocean glimpses and bird‑rich wetlands. Cross the Gellibrand River on a trestle bridge, then take a newer scrub track that replaces a stretch of road walking. Near the finish, a dedicated Great Ocean Walk viewing platform gives first full‑frontal vistas of the limestone sea stacks. If tides and surf allow, a short detour down the steep Gibson Steps offers sea‑level views of the dramatic “Gog and Magog” stacks (not counted among the Twelve Apostles), before continuing via the underpass to the Visitor Centre. Along the way, look for boot‑cleaning stations aimed at stopping cinnamon fungus spread.

Conditions and Difficulty

Rated easy to moderate, with soft sand near the river and dunes that can sap energy. After rain, expect mud and slippery sections; wind on exposed headlands can be fierce. Trail crews keep growth clipped back, but stay alert for snakes. Mobile reception is patchy. As you cross the Great Ocean Road and approach the viewing areas, foot traffic rises sharply.

Best Time to Hike

It’s walkable year‑round. Summers are milder than inland but can be windy; winters are cool and damp, with August often the wettest. Wildflowers tend to pop late September to mid‑October, and whale sightings are most common from late August to October. Start early to enjoy quieter viewpoints and softer light; sunset is spectacular but plan extra time and lights for late finishes.

Logistics and Rules

This section runs westbound in the standard direction of travel for the Great Ocean Walk. Water, toilets, and a café await at the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre. Public transport is limited, so most hikers pre‑book a shuttle or arrange a car shuffle; Port Campbell is the common base afterward. Note that seasonal flooding can close parts near the Gellibrand River—check Parks Victoria alerts. The precinct around the Visitor Centre has ongoing works affecting parking and traffic since September 19, 2025; follow signed walkways and crossings and expect crowding at peak times. No dogs (except permitted assistance dogs), and no bikes, vehicles, camping, fires, firearms, horses, or recreational drones without appropriate permissions.

Pros

New coastal scrub track near Princetown replaces a dull road stretch.
Optional Gibson Steps detour gives rare sea‑level stack views when tides allow.

Cons

Soft sand near the Gellibrand River can slow progress more than expected.
Seasonal flooding around Princetown may close sections or force detours.

Parking

Park at the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre and arrange a shuttle or car drop to Devils Kitchen (the start is a hike‑in campground). Expect changed traffic flow and busy car parks due to ongoing works since September 19, 2025; use signed walkways and crossings and consider Port Campbell as an overflow option during peak times.

Caution

High cliffs with strong wind gusts, soft sand and mud after rain, snakes, and seasonal flooding near the Gellibrand River. Only use Gibson Steps at safe tide/surf. Clean boots at stations to prevent cinnamon fungus spread. Reception is patchy; check Parks Victoria changed‑conditions before you go.