Great Ocean Walk
About this walking route
The Great Ocean Walk is a 104 km one-way coastal journey from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, hugging the Victoria's dramatic Shipwreck Coast. Over eight days, you traverse temperate rainforest, towering cliff-edge sections, and isolated beaches sculpted by Southern Ocean swells. The walk culminates at the iconic limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles, with prevailing westerlies at your back making the east-to-west direction the sensible choice.
Highlights
- Temperate rainforest walking through ancient fern gullies
- High sea cliffs with unfiltered ocean views
- Remote beaches backed by vertical rockfaces
- Twelve Apostles limestone formations at journey's end
- Coastal Aboriginal heritage and maritime history
- Rocky coves, seal colonies, seabird nesting sites
What to expect
Steep forested ascents and descents, boardwalk sections through sensitive vegetation, open cliff-top traverses exposed to wind, and beach-walking across soft and hard sand. Gradient is moderate but accumulated over eight days; footing can be slippery after rain. Expect cool, changeable weather—wind, occasional heavy rain, and morning mist are normal. The experience is remote and self-reliant; you'll cross few towns and carry water between reliable sources.
Good to know
Walk April–May or September–October for reliable weather; winter is wet and windy, summer brings heat and crowds. This is a one-way walk requiring shuttle transport from Apollo Bay to Twelve Apostles; book ahead with local operators. Campsites and huts are available but manage numbers—confirm availability and any permits with Parks Victoria. Carry a water filter; reliable sources exist but spacing varies. Leave no trace; the Shipwreck Coast is ecologically fragile.