Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Timboon–Port Campbell Trail

Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng is a 19.3 km one-way, shared-use trail from Lambert Street in Timboon to Desaily Street at Port Campbell. It moves from wet forest and rolling dairy country through coastal heath and wetland, finishing above Port Campbell Bay and the Southern Ocean. The grade is gentle, but the distance makes this a full-day walk: allow about five hours, within the published 3.5-to-6-hour range. Start in Timboon if you want the coast to arrive as the payoff rather than walking away from it.

There is no loop, so arrange a pickup or other transport between the towns before you start. The Timboon trailhead is beside the swimming pool on Lambert Street; at the Port Campbell end, the trail starts by Desaily Street, with parking at the Recreation Reserve. Water is available at the Timboon station and Paaratte, and toilets are listed near the Timboon Ice Creamery and at Paaratte. Dogs are allowed on lead. The route is also used by cyclists, so expect to share the wide track.

If you want a shorter version, walk about 12 km return from Timboon to Schulz Organic Creamery & Café. It is on the route and makes a natural halfway turn-around for a shorter day.

From Power Creek Reserve, the first 8 km pass through tall wet forest and along the edge of farms. Most of the trail is crushed gravel, with boardwalks and bridges across wet ground and underpasses where the path goes beneath farm access. Short informal creekside tracks branch away and rejoin; keep to the signed main route. Koalas are sometimes seen near Power Creek, though a sighting is never guaranteed. Schulz Organic Creamery & Café is an on-route stop for coffee and house-made treats.

Paaratte Recreation Reserve is a useful rest stop with water, toilets, picnic facilities and a toolkit. The trail then undulates along the forest edge through farmland. Cattle overpasses mark changes in the view as the route moves into lower coastal forest and heath. The ocean first comes into view around North South Road, then opens out as taller trees give way to coastal plants. Paaratte’s shelter shed and remnant tennis courts belonged to a larger local precinct that once included Paaratte School.

The final 1.5 km changes to paved path and boardwalk through wetland toward town, with elevated sections above the coastal landscape. A short spur near the bike rack looks over sheltered Port Campbell Bay and the Southern Ocean. About 300 m along the track, a left turn leads down steps and across a suspension bridge as a shortcut into town. The 4 km Port Campbell Discovery Walk follows the eastern headland separately; it is an optional add-on, not part of this 19.3 km crossing.

The trail crosses Keerray Wooroong Country. Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation chose Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng, a Kirrae Whurrong name meaning “travel through Country.” The route was first known as the Twelve Apostles Trail during the project, but its current endpoint is Port Campbell; it does not continue to the Twelve Apostles. Carry that distinction into your plans, especially if you are looking for a way to walk the coast farther west.