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Walk91 look forward to welcoming you on arrival with your own personal walk briefing. We will hand you a map, tide chart, walk notes, EPIRB (emergency position-indicating radio beacon) & a phone or poles, if needed.
We will also explain in detail the Great Ocean Walk decision points as well as our daily ‘texting’ system. Our goal is to keep your waiting times for car transfers at a minimum, no matter how slow or fast you choose to walk.
As locals, with a team on the ground to support you, you will start your exciting journey with Walk91 feeling relaxed, confident and safe in the knowledge that we are never far away if you need us.
Note: This experience requires 2 people or more to run.
Itinerary:
DAY 1 MONDAY 19KM - SHELLY BEACH TO PARKER HILL CAMPGROUND.
8AM Bus transfer from Apollo Bay. ETA: Shelly Beach 8.15AM
3.30PM Bus transfer from Parker Hill Campground. ETA Apollo Bay 4PM.
As you leave Shelly Beach and head onto the Elliot River Track, the trail meanders into the cool rainforest of the Great Otway National Park. You will enjoy watching the vegetation change as you pass lush tree ferns and tall eucalyptus found in the wet gullies. Spot black wallabies and kangaroos (and occasionally deer!) who enjoy the seclusion of this now quiet and deserted area. It is wonderful to see the clear blue sea visible between the trees as you reach the top of the Telegraph Track, before slowly winding down the trail onto beautiful Blanket Bay.
You will now enjoy wonderful views as you gently wind up to Point Lewis Lookout. The trail moves on past several creek foot bridges before slowly descending to Parker River. You might have to remove your shoes as there is no footbridge here, but this gives you a chance to stop and marvel at the wild ocean beating the rocks just outside the inlet. If you are very lucky, you might even see the remains of the ‘Eric the Red’ shipwreck rising tantalisingly out of the sand.
DAY 2 TUESDAY 16KM PARKER HILL CAMPGROUND TO AIRE RIVER BRIDGE.
8AM Bus transfer from Apollo Bay. ETA: Parker Hill Campground 8.40AM.
4PM Bus transfer from Aire River Shelter, western side of the bridge. ETA: Apollo Bay 4.45PM.
On today's walk you will notice the vegetation slowly changes to dry coastal forests inhabited by echidnas and king parrots. Remember to look up, as this is a popular spot for local koalas to rest in the manna gums. Enjoy fabulous views of the Bass Strait as you walk above Crayfish Bay, and enjoy your first glimpse of the Cape Otway Lighthouse from the sweeping staircase at Point Franklin.
Today, if opening hours allow, you may use our complimentary tickets to visit the Cape Otway Lighthouse where you may walk up the 18 metre, 150-year-old lightstation tower and learn about the lives of the hard-working, isolated and incredibly resourceful lighthouse keepers. If you still have the energy, you may also like to visit the telegraph station built in 1859 and the World War ll radar station.
After exiting the Lighthouse you will pass the old lightstation cemetery. The tombstones reflect the hardships experienced by the early settlers and make for somber reading. The track then meanders on towards the wild and wonderful Station Beach, which is littered with driftwood. If you have the energy, and the swell and tide allows, you may take a small detour to Rainbow Falls, or simply carry on walking to enjoy sweeping views from the cliff tops. You’ll slowly make your way towards walking along the heritage listed Aire River. This stunning river is so peaceful it is teaming with wildlife, but sadly it has a dark history. Tragically this spot was the location of a massacre of the Traditional Owners of the land, the Gadubanud, following a conflict at Blanket Bay with the new settlers.
DAY 3 WEDNESDAY 22.5KM - AIRE RIVER TO MILANESIA GATE.
7.30AM Bus transfer from Apollo Bay. ETA: Aire River 8AM.
4PM Bus transfer from Milanesia Gate. ETA: Apollo Bay 5PM.
Start your day by walking over the Aire River bridge, towards Castle Cove beach. This magnificent beach has its own lookout platform. Stop and marvel at the prowess of local surfers and watch the wild waves rolling in!
Moving on, be prepared for walking on sand as you drop down onto the wild and wonderful Johanna Beach. This beach has been used as an alternative in the past for professional surfing competitions when surf conditions at the famous Bells Beach in Torquay were not big enough. Needless to say – don’t try and go for a swim here! Look out for majestic wedge-tailed eagles and white bellied sea eagles and remember to stop at the lookout platforms for unbelievable views.
After leaving Johanna Beach behind, you climb alongside picturesque farmland and winding valleys before heading towards Milanesia. As you climb, look out for kangaroos grazing in the sun and you may even spot the Otway Panther! (There is an ongoing debate in Apollo Bay as to whether this panther truly exists, which we will happily chat to you about when you arrive if your interest is piqued!) After passing ‘3 ways’ , (you may stop walking here if you wish) head on down to Milanesia Gate where we will pick you up after a great days walk!
DAY 4 THURSDAY 18.5KM - MILANESIA GATE TO THE GABLES.
7AM Bus transfer from Apollo Bay. ETA: Milanesia Gate 8AM.
4PM Bus transfer from ‘The Gables’ Beach. ETA: Apollo Bay 5PM
The trail starts by descending onto the rugged shoreline of Milanesia Beach. Stop and marvel at the stunning rock formations and think of Charles Joseph La Trobe who was ordered by his superintendent in 1846 to find a route from here to Cape Otway through this rugged landscape!
As the track rises back to the cliff tops you are presented with outstanding views from the coastal forests, high on the sea cliffs. Take the time to look back at how far you have already walked, and rest at Ryans Den campground. But, before you leave, be sure to check out some of the campsite locations for some amazing views.
Walking on you will pass the ‘Lost Apostle’ – a rather phallic rock formation standing surprisingly all alone. From Moonlight Head the track winds along boardwalks and tracks lined with fern trees. As this is quite a sheltered area, you will likely see more wildlife here than before with wallabies, kangaroos and echidnas rustling in the bushes. Walk on through the blue gums, ending amongst the heath at the breathtaking Gables Lookout.
DAY 5 FRIDAY 19.5KM - THE GABLES TO THE 12 APOSTLES.
7AM Bus transfer from Apollo Bay. ETA: ‘The Gables’ 8AM
3.30PM Bus transfer from 12 Apostles. ETA: Apollo Bay 5PM.
You will now be transported back in time to discover the shipwreck history of this unforgiving and rugged section of coast. Your last day will start with a walk through the Sheoak trees, dropping down onto Wreck Beach (tide permitting). Marvel at the old anchors rising out of the sand from the lost shipwrecks of the ‘Fiji’ and the ‘Marie Gabrielle’ and stop and think of the many lives lost at sea. Hike on towards the Gellibrand estuary and as the track climbs up to the last section of the walk you will see the iconic 12 Apostles in the distance.
This is an exciting and memorable part of your walk as you slowly watch the 12 Apostles grow larger and more impressive as the end of your walk approaches. The vegetation starts to change into scrub, wedged deeply in the rocky limestone, and if the tide permits you can walk down ‘Gibsons Steps’ to enjoy amazing sea-level views of the 12 Apostles. At the end of your walk you will enjoy celebrating your great achievement, taking photos from the official 12 Apostles viewing platform. This is a truly memorable walk and an experience you will never forget!
Please note you will not be back in Apollo Bay in time to catch the early afternoon vline bus out of Apollo Bay, so please book an additional night’s accommodation in Apollo Bay if you have not travelled here by car/private vehicle.
We appreciate that in some cases customers have to cancel their bookings. In the event of cancellation, you agree to pay the cancellation fees listed below. Travel insurance is strongly recommended & provides protection against most legitimate reasons for cancellation. For any bookings cancelled after reservations have been confirmed and up to:
Your voucher(s) and booking information will be included in the confirmation email you will receive shortly after purchasing the experience on Amazed.com.
If the booking needs to be first confirmed by the host, you will receive your Amazed voucher within 24-48 hours of purchase.
Cynthia Lui
2 weeks agoWe just completed the first half of the Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay to Castle Cove. Mark and his team were fantastic. Our bus driver Brad was a legend. The home cooked food was nourishing and plentiful (thanks Nancy), accomodation at the lighthouse was unique and added to our experience. Highly recommend Walk 91.
Sandra Burgess
5 months agoI cannot recommend the Walk 91 team enough. The team were fantastic to deal with and nothing was too much trouble. The accommodation at the Lighthouse Keepers house in Cape Otway was amazing. The food provided was delicious. The Great Ocean Road walk is out of this world so much to see and well worth doing. I cannot wait to complete the next section sometime next year. Also if you want a really nice meal in Apollo Bay you cannot go past the Vault or Casalinga.
Cathy Batchelor
5 months agoMy sister & I have recently completed the GOW, using the terrific staff of Walk91 to assist us with every aspect of this adventure. From the early planning stages and all the way through to our completion of the walk, the staff could not have been more helpful and great to deal with. Because Walk91 dealt with all of our arrangements, including accommodation before & after our walk, all transfers needed each day along the track, full catering of all of our meals (and snacks) and provision of safety items & regular check-ins, we were able to focus on the enjoyment of walking this amazing track and taking every opportunity to explore the natural wonders we encountered. Obviously great ocean vistas were a huge part of the scenery, but there is actually so much more to this area. The wildflowers were abundant through much of the track and so the birdlife & insects were plentiful too. Amazingly we were also able to spot about 4 different native orchids growing along the track and, as an avid gardener, this was pretty special for me. Other wildlife was certainly on show too. We had the pleasure to see koalas, wallabies, kangaroos & echidnas in their natural habitat - sadly this can be so difficult to do these days. We also searched rock pools along the shore at low tide & discovered beautiful coloured starfish & anenomes in the tidal pools. This is just a small selection of the wonderful experiences we had over the days of our walk, and I cannot recommend it enough - If you've ever considered doing the GOW you need to contact Walk91 right now & make it a reality - you won't regret it!!
Tarryn Summers
8 months agoWe had an amazing girls weekend away hiking this trail (self guided). Walk91 made everything so easy! We didn't have to worry about a thing... Food was delicious and there was plenty of it. Accommodation was comfortable and beautiful. We felt supported and safe on the trail knowing the team at walk91 were only a text away. Our bus driver Brad was an absolute legend, lots of local knowledge and interesting stories. We will be back again!!
Peter Semianiw
a month agoHad a group of 9 walkers - aged from mid forties to over 80. Walked 20 km first day 13 km second and 8 last day. Found second day 13 km difficult due to the hign temps - over 35 degrees C. Staff from Walk 91 looked after us everyday - breakfasts and lunches and were always there to pick us up at the end of the day and transport us back to our accomodation in Marengo.