Hike the Great Ocean Walk

Welcome to Melbourne! Or Narrm in the language of the Wurundjeri people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Melbourne is now located. Today, meet your group at 8 am to depart the Melbourne CBD as you head for the spectacular Great Ocean Road and Apollo Bay – the start of the Great Ocean Walk. Enjoy the first of many fresh picnic lunches for the week, get to know your walking companions and see if you can spot some Australian fur seals on the rocks. Today's walk is relatively easy with some short sections of beach walking and a few hills. Meet your driver at the car park for the drive to the night’s accommodation in Apollo Bay, where you’ll enjoy an included sunset dinner and dusk tour at a local wildlife sanctuary. As the sun goes down, the Otways’ most elusive residents start waking up: potoroos, bandicoots and pademelons. Your guide for the evening is a conservationist who’ll teach you all about the lives of these local marsupials.

Fuel up on breakfast before embarking on the first big walk of the trip, from Shelly Beach to Parker Inlet. Walk through the towering forest of Mountain Ash in the Great Otway National Park. This national park stretches from Torquay to the Otway hinterland, along the incredible Great Ocean Road. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife like black wallabies, echidnas and black cockatoos. You’ll traverse a few inland hills before hitting the coast again at Blanket Bay – one of the few safe swimming spots along the walk. Enjoy lunch at the bay then continue along cliff tops and through coastal forests to Parker Inlet. Spend some time here to relax after your walk and take in the views of the small cove and sandy beach that’s met by beautiful Australian bush.

This morning, you’ll walk the inland trail, passing towering manna gums as you head toward Cape Otway. As the path sweeps toward the coast once again, you’ll see the turquoise water of Crayfish Bay and catch glimpses of Cape Otway lighthouse in the distance. Prior to the lighthouse being built, thousands of lives were lost along this stretch of coast. Built in 1848, this lighthouse known as ‘the beacon of hope’ is the oldest on mainland Australia. Walk along wind sculpted landscapes of sand dunes, coastal scrubland and magnificent calcified cliffs. Continue through Aire River Valley before ending the day at Castle Cove lookout surrounded by towering cliffs, where you’ll watch as waves crash into shore and perhaps catch a glimpse of whales jumping in the distance.

After breakfast, head out for today’s walk through a variety of different landscapes – from cliff tops, through heathlands and forests, occasionally emerging for views along the extensive coast. Keep your eyes peeled for peregrine falcons today, as they’ve been spotted along this section of the trail. In spring, you can expect wonderful wildflower displays. Once you reach Johanna Beach, take in the sweeping sand dunes and crashing surf. Finally, continue towards Milanesia Track, through rolling hills with wildlife like eastern grey kangaroos.

Today’s hike showcases more spectacular highlights like Milanesia Beach, which is so isolated it feels like this section of coastline is all yours. From here, walk through coastal forests and farmland before reaching Ryan’s Den where you’ll soak up breathtaking views all the way back to Cape Otway and west to Cape Volney. Next up, it’s a steep climb to Moonlight Head – a hidden gem on the coastal walk – before you continue to The Gables Lookout on one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. If you’re lucky, you’ll see seabirds and whales from June to September. Enjoy unspoiled views of the Southern Ocean and Great Ocean Road cliffs before making your way back to Apollo Bay for a home-cooked dinner and a little time to put your feet up and relax.

After breakfast, continue the walk from Gables through to Gibson Steps. After a walking through large stands of casuarina trees, you’ll come out at the aptly named Wreck Beach where the anchors from shipwrecks can still be seen at low tide. Continue along the high tide route to the Devils Kitchen, then follow a trail that hugs the wild coastal cliffs, protected by coastal heath, all the way to Princetown. From here, cross the Gellibrand River on a trestle bridge and start to see glimpses of the famous 12 Apostles. Originally known as the Sow and Piglets, these iconic limestone formations were renamed The Twelve Apostles as part of a 1920s tourism campaign, despite the fact there were only nine pinnacles (now there are only eight). Today's walk ends just before Gibsons Steps with stunning views from the Shipwreck Coast's Great Ocean Walk Lookout. Head to the town of Port Campbell for a final dinner at the local hotel with your walking crew and leaders. Put your feet up and relax as you toast to the incredible effort you’ve all made over the last six days on the Great Ocean Walk!

Embark on your final walk from Gibson Steps to the Twelve Apostles visitor Centre today – officially marking the end of your Great Ocean Walk. Wander along the windswept boardwalks and viewing platforms and take in the views of these natural beauties before the rush of the crowds. After, head to Loch Ard Gorge for morning tea. This is the perfect spot for a bite to eat before your route back to Melbourne. The gorge is picturesque with two yellow-washed cliff faces framing the smooth blue water below. Expect to arrive back in the city by late afternoon, where your adventure comes to an end.