Aire River to Johanna Beach

Start at the Aire River West information shelter and finish at the Johanna Beach hike-in campground. Leave a vehicle at each end or arrange a pickup; walking back adds another long stage. Horden Vale Road has narrow sections and a single-lane timber bridge, so it is unsuitable for large buses. Hike-in campsites are limited and need advance booking if you are staying overnight. No food stop is documented on the route, and campground rainwater is untreated and may not be available, so carry enough water for the whole walk.

The track first heads inland and climbs around a headland through spinifex forest, then returns to the coast. Before Castle Cove, the route rolls up and down with a few sustained climbs. Most of the mapped coastal path is gravel, but expect uneven footing and sections that can turn wet, muddy or slippery after rain. The walk alternates between scrubby inland stretches and open coast, so it does not feel like a beach walk from end to end.

At Castle Cove, a sandy beach sits beneath high cliffs. Dinosaur fossils have been found in the cliffs, giving this bend in the coast a story beyond its dramatic shape. From the route, look for the beach framed below the cliff face; seeing both together makes the scale of the cove clear. Keep the stop to established access rather than scrambling onto unstable edges.

After Castle Cove, the Great Ocean Walk follows cliff tops through heath and forest, opening now and then to long views along the rugged coast. Manna gums and grass trees grow along this stretch, and spring brings wildflowers through the heath. Peregrine falcons are worth watching for overhead. The views come in gaps between the vegetation, so expect a changing mix of enclosed track and exposed lookout sections rather than an uninterrupted panorama.

The route ends at Johanna Beach, a broad shore with powerful surf. The final beach section includes an unbridged Johanna River crossing. Check tide, swell and river level before you start: the beach and crossing should be attempted only at low tide, with calm seas and low water. Heavy rain or large swell can make the crossing unsafe, so wait or turn back if conditions are wrong. The beach is unpatrolled and has currents and rips; do not swim.