Great Ocean Walk
This iconic multi-day walk begins in the seaside town of Apollo Bay and takes you, via majestic forests, rugged cliff tops and wild beaches, to the stunning conclusion at the Twelve Apostles. While you can choose selected shorter sections as a taste of what the Great Ocean Walk has to offer, it is a special experience to complete the entire 104kms.
Stretching 104 kilometres along Victoria’s rugged coastline, the Great Ocean Walk offers a world-class hiking experience for adventurers of all levels. From day hikes to multi-day treks, this walk immerses you in stunning natural landscapes, including beaches, clifftops, rainforests, and remote hinterlands. Whether you’re looking for a quick stroll or a multi-day adventure, the Great Ocean Walk is your gateway to the wild beauty of the Great Otways National Park and beyond. Let’s dive into the best ways to experience this iconic trail.
Top Tips:
• Walkers must move in an east-west direction. This maximises views and generally provides the best gradient to reduce impacts and congestion on the walk and its facilities.
• For anyone planning the Great Ocean Walk, the Parks Victoria Great Ocean Walk Map/Booklet is a must-have! This essential guide can be purchased from the Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre in Apollo Bay. It’s packed with detailed maps, route information, and practical tips to help you navigate the trail.
Full Walk Overview
Type of walk
Self Guided or Guided
Full Walk Length
104 km
Walk Grade
Grade 4 ⓘ
Day & Short Walk
Walkers of almost any ability can explore sections of the Great Ocean Walk, with shuttle services available to transport you between your parked car or accommodation and key points along the Great Ocean Road. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hiker, there’s a walk suited for you.
Relaxed Explorer? Opt for the Shelly Beach to Blanket Bay walk—an easy, scenic section perfect for a half-day adventure along the coastline. Challenge Seeker? The Ryans Den to Devils Kitchen stretch, with its steep climbs and stunning clifftop views, offers a rewarding challenge for those seeking more rugged terrain.
Multi-Day Walk Itineraries
There are a number of itineraries to choose from to plan your hiking adventure according to how much time you have, and how frequently you would like to stop and camp overnight, in the Great Ocean Walk purpose built campsites.
Official Great Ocean Walk Maps and Brochures are available for purchase at surrounding certified Visitor Information Centres. Certified Visitor Information Centres are indicated by the yellow and blue ‘i’ signs and are located in Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell.
Trails of the Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk offers a versatile experience, with options for both the casual explorer and the seasoned adventurer. Traverse pristine beaches, towering cliffs, lush rainforests, and scenic hinterland. Whether you’re up for the ultimate eight-day challenge or prefer a half-day stroll, you’ll find a section of the trail that fits your style.
Good To Know:
• Keep an eye out for the yellow triangle markers indicating beach access points, as missing them could mean some backtracking.
• If you plan to camp in one of the dedicated campsites along the Great Ocean Walk, ensure you purchase a camping permit for the campground at least 2 weeks before your walk, for more information see Parks Victoria. Tip: plan your overnight stop (a limit of one night at each hike-in campsite unless otherwise approved by Parks Victoria) at secluded Great Ocean Walk sites.
Day 1. Apollo Bay - Elliot Ridge
Section Length
10 km
Section Grade
Grade 3
Approx. Time
3hr 30min
The Great Ocean Walk starts at Apollo Bay Visitor Centre, leading through town to Marengo, where Australian Fur Seals often rest on the rocks. The trail offers inland and beach route options, marked by yellow flags.
From Marengo, boardwalks lead through sandy foreshore and open farmland before reaching the scenic Blowhole. After Three Creeks Beach, expect some boggy patches in wet weather.
The forested section begins above Shelly Beach and climbs into the higher Otways and a junction here gives the choice of heading to Shelly Beach or the nearby picnic area car park. For those continuing on to the Elliot Ridge Campsite, there’s a steep climb along the Elliot River Track
Good To Know:
• You can finish up the section at either Shelly Beach Car Park or Elliot Ridge Campsite.
• Stay: Elliot Ridge campsite, bookable here. There is no vehicle access to Elliot Ridge Campsite.
Day 2. Elliot Ridge - Blanket Bay
Section Length
12 km
Section Grade
Grade 3
Approx. Time
4hr 30min
The walk from Shelly Beach to Blanket Bay highlights Great Otway National Park’s diverse landscapes. Leaving the coast, you’ll enter a towering Mountain Ash forest, with trees up to 65 metres tall, though there are some hills to climb.
The trail then returns to the coast at Blanket Bay, a remote, serene beach and one of the few safe swimming spots along the route. From Blanket Bay, the path winds along cliffs and coastal forests, offering rugged views before reaching the quiet Parker Inlet. Look out for wildlife like wallabies, echidnas, and colourful wildflowers in spring.
Good To Know:
• Stay: Blanket Bay campsite, bookable here.
Day 3. Blanket Bay - Cape Otway
Section Length
11 km
Section Grade
Grade 3
Approx. Time
3hr 45min
From Blanket Bay, the trail begins to open up, offering glimpses of the coastline along with patches of forested trail. Highlights of this section include coastal views and the historic Cape Otway Lightstation nearby. The mix of terrain and scenic vantage points makes this leg particularly rewarding.
Good To Know:
• You can finish up at the Cape Otway Lightstation
• Stay: Cape Otway Hike-In Campsite, bookable here.
Day 3. Cape Otway - Aire River
Section Length
10 km
Section Grade
Grade 3
Approx. Time
3hr 15min
This section delivers a diverse experience, with grassy clifftops, sandy beaches, and scenic river views as you approach Aire River. You’ll be treated to expansive ocean views and might spot marine life from the cliffside trails. This part of the track also offers some solitude, with fewer hikers than the earlier sections.
Good To Know:
• The Aire River Campground is a popular stop, with facilities for both hikers and campers – arrive early if you’re hoping for a prime campsite spot.
• Stock up on supplies in advance, as there are no shops nearby.
• Stay: Aire River Campsite, bookable here.
Day 4. Aire River - Johanna Beach
Section Length
14 km
Section Grade
Grade 3
Approx. Time
5hr 15min
This is one of the longer sections, but the changing landscape will keep you captivated. You’ll walk through coastal scrub, and farmland, and finally reach the sweeping sands of Johanna Beach. The area’s dramatic, surf-beaten shores are breathtaking, especially if you arrive close to sunset.
Good To Know:
• Johanna Beach is known for its strong surf, making it unsuitable for swimming.
• This campground can get windy, so make sure your tent is securely pitched
• Stay: Johanna Beach Campsite, bookable here.
Day 6. Johanna Beach - Ryans Den
Section Length
14 km
Section Grade
Grade 4
Approx. Time
5hr
The walk from Johanna Beach to Ryans Den alternates between rolling farmland, secluded beaches, and rugged sea cliffs. From Johanna Beach, the trail climbs inland before descending to the remote Milanesia Beach—a hidden gem where you might spot Eastern Grey Kangaroos in the nearby valleys. Look out for the quaint “beachcomber’s cottage” nestled on the beach.
The path then follows high sea cliffs, providing breathtaking views back to Cape Otway and onward to Cape Volney, ultimately reaching the stunning outlook at Ryans Den.
Good To Know:
• Ryans Den Campground has no car access and limited space. Book early.
• Stay: Ryans Den Campsite, bookable here.
Day 7. Ryans Den - Devils Kitchen
Section Length
13 km
Section Grade
Grade 4
Approx. Time
5hr 15mins
This is the wildest and most challenging section of the walk. From Ryans Den, the track weaves through coastal forests over Cape Volney to Moonlight Head, named by Matthew Flinders during a night in 1802.
After Moonlight Head, the trail descends to a newly cut path leading to The Gables Lookout, one of Australia’s highest sea cliffs. Between June and September, keep an eye out for Southern Right Whales along this stretch.
The trail then continues through casuarina trees to Wreck Beach. At low tide, you can see anchors from two historic shipwrecks. At high tide, take the alternate route from Wreck Beach Carpark to Devils Kitchen.
Good To Know:
• The wildest and most challenging section of the track.
• At high tide, take the alternate route from Wreck Beach Carpark to Devils Kitchen.
• Stay: Devils Kitchen Campsite, bookable here.
Day 8. Devils Kitchen - Twelve Apostles
Section Length
16 km
Section Grade
Grade 3
Approx. Time
5hr 15mins
From Devils Kitchen, the trail follows dramatic coastal cliffs toward Princetown and The Twelve Apostles. Around Princetown, the wetlands brim with birdlife, and the track crosses the Gellibrand River via a trestle bridge. Entering Port Campbell National Park, the famed Twelve Apostles come into view. Stop at the Great Ocean Walk platform for a photo. Finish at the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre to celebrate your journey.
Good To Know:
• Take a photo on the GOW platform.
• Stay: Princetown or Port Campbell Rec Reserve or Anchors, Port Campbell.
Discover the Great Ocean Walk for yourself
The Great Ocean Walk reveals its magic in every season. In spring, wildflowers bloom, while autumn brings colourful fungi along the trail. Winter is the perfect time to spot waterfalls in full flow and migrating whales off the coast.
For early risers, make the first footprints of the day on a secluded beach, or watch as the sun cascades over high sea cliffs. Keep an eye out for koalas in the gum trees near Cape Otway or whales along the coast. Sheltered estuaries and towering forests provide endless opportunities for wildlife encounters, from wallabies to wedge-tailed eagles soaring above.
Some of the most remote and serene places along the walk include Station Beach, Ryans Den, Devils Kitchen, and Milanesia Beach. For those seeking the highest coastal cliffs on mainland Australia, Moonlight Head offers breathtaking views that will leave a lasting impression.
Wreck Beach features shipwreck anchors embedded in rock, a stark reminder to visitors how dangerous and powerful the Southern Ocean waves can be. Tall forests leading up to Cape Otway pass through wet fern and rainforest gullies sheltered by the world’s tallest flowering plant; the Mountain Ash Coastal heathland and sheltered estuaries of the Aire and Gellibrand rivers are home to a host of wildlife.
Tours, Transport & Services
Local knowledge can make all the difference when planning for a spectacular walk experience, dedicated Great Ocean Walk tour operators offer a range of services for walkers, including connecting with guided tours, transport connecting you to the walk to and from your start and finish points, camping equipment hire, food provision and that all important information to enhance your walk experience from tales and insights on local history to exciting seasonal events both in and out of town!
Ready to embark on your Great Ocean Walk adventure? Whether you’re planning a day trip or the full 8-day trek, make sure to visit your nearest Visitor Information Centre for maps, advice, and trail tips. The beauty and wild nature of this iconic walk await you—so lace up your boots and step into an unforgettable journey.
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