Anglesea Perimeter Walk

Anglesea Perimeter Walk is a signed 22 km loop from the Anglesea Visitor Information Centre, circling town through coastal paths and Great Otway National Park. Allow six to seven hours for the full circuit; the route is described as two roughly 11 km loops, so you can choose a half-day option instead. This is a mixed town, coastal and park walk, not a route wholly inside the national park. The brochure gives a schematic map rather than a GPS track: the app line is an approximate tracing and measures about 23.5 km. Follow the waymarkers and check the printed route at junctions.

Expect a changing surface: gravel paths, firebreaks, bush tracks and some rough 4WD tracks. The coastal half follows cliff-top paths before turning inland, while the western leg passes through Anglesea's heath and woodland and climbs toward Mount Ingolsby. Some stretches are deeply rutted, and the sticky clay can be slippery when wet. Great Ocean Road crossings can have heavy traffic. On the western leg, the map's walking line beside the former mine boundary is approximate; confirm the signed footpath there rather than assuming the road is the route.

Coogoorah Park's footbridges and boardwalks cross wetlands and small islands, a good place to slow down and watch for birds. Elsewhere, the walk protects remnant heath and heathy woodland. Late winter and spring bring the strongest flower displays, including orchids in the heath; the exact show changes year to year. Keep to the marked track and clean footwear before walking to help limit the spread of plant pathogens.

Mount Ingolsby, the walk's high point at about 121 m, gives a break spot looking over surrounding hills and the mine rehabilitation area. Don's Track has several seats with views toward Anglesea's sports fields and coast. The route was established in 2010 to give walkers a car-free way to experience the area's heath and woodland, following local naturalist Don Hutton's advocacy and community fundraising after his death.

The Visitor Information Centre is the most practical start and finish; parking is marked there, though capacity, fees and hours aren't confirmed. Coogoorah Park has picnic facilities and toilets. Older route notes say there is no water along the walk, so fill up in town. Dogs must be on lead inside the national park; rules for the town and coastal portions of this multi-owner route weren't confirmed.