The Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk is an up-and-coming iconic coastal route covering the beaches of Victoria, Southwestern Australia. This can be walked in a group or independently. Either way, you will leave a trail of footsteps across the scenic beaches of Apollo Bay and beyond.

The Great Ocean Walk is a relatively new walking track connecting various towns along Victoria‘s south coast. The name is slightly deceptive however, since as well as the pristine beaches you will go inland too, walking through eucalyptus and rain forests with a chance of seeing some of their natural residents (including koalas and kangaroos which have only recently made this area their home.)

Much of the walk takes you through Great Otway National Park, staying at a variety of lodges and hotels as you go with your luggage transported for you. Two of the most amazing attractions are covered in this tour, including the views from Cape Otway and the Twelve Apostles, an odd geological formation comprising of giant limestone pillars which have been carved from the cliff face by the ocean.

The fantastic thing about this walking trip is that the features you encounter along the way seem like they’ve been dropped in randomly from the heavens - shipwrecks are left scattered amongst the beaches and waterfalls surprise you around many corners.

There is not just beachcombing fun to be had during your week but visits to the national parks also where you’ll get to wander through the lush forests and check out Australia‘s marsupials. The weatherworn landscape provides further awe-inspiring scenery, and when you climb to the top of the stunning vistas (especially from the heights of Cape Otway Lighthouse) you’ll be rewarded with views that will stay with you for years to come.

One for nature lovers more so than party animals, this walk is suitable for the young and old alike with durations from two and a half hours up to eight hours. You will need to be relatively fit if you intend to walk the whole day however - the walking is not difficult by can get strenuous over the course of a full day.

If you are a nature lover then this walk is definitely for you with some of the most awesome scenery to be found in Australia. If you like your privacy then there are a number of secluded beaches and coves with the only other people you are likely to see being your fellow travellers and friendly guides (who are there to help you and are full of general information about the area.)