Ryan’s Den to Devil’s Kitchen

This is the 13 km one-way Great Ocean Walk leg from Ryan’s Den hike-in campground to Devil’s Kitchen hike-in campground. Allow about five to six hours for a long, rolling walk with several steep sections. It’s a rewarding stretch if you’re walking the multi-day route and have your overnight plan sorted; it is not a loop from a roadside trailhead. Neither end campground has vehicle access, so arrange the next camp and your transport before setting out.

From Ryan’s Den the track winds through coastal forest and scrub over Cape Volney toward Moonlight Head. The opening stretch follows the high coast above steep sea cliffs, with repeated rises and drops. It later turns inland through a valley and climbs a newer track toward The Gables. This is a full walking day, not a quick lookout spur.

The Gables Lookout is the big pause on this section: it sits above some of the highest sea cliffs on mainland Australia. In winter, Southern Right Whales migrate along this coast, so keep an eye on the water below. A sighting is a bonus, not something to plan around.

Past the lookout, the route goes through casuarina trees to Wreck Beach. At low tide, if the sea is calm and the tide window is safe, steps lead down to the cliff-locked beach and the Fiji and Marie Gabrielle shipwreck anchors. The marked high-tide route continues inland from Wreck Beach carpark toward Devil’s Kitchen; follow the on-site decision signs and check Port Campbell tide times before you choose. Don’t commit to the beach if water or swell could cut off the way out.

Ryan’s Den and Devil’s Kitchen are remote hike-in camps with toilets and untreated rainwater tanks. Book a site ahead; the tanks may be empty, so carry enough water and a way to treat it. There’s no dependable food stop on this stage, so bring what you need. Dogs aren’t allowed in Great Otway National Park.