Iconic Great Ocean Guided Walk – 4 Days

Our Walks Are All Inclusive

All Our Walks Include

• Small Group of 10 or less
• You only carry your daypack, we’ll take care of the rest
• Guided walks designed to immerse you in the region’s beauty, history and wildlife
• Two experienced and accredited guides – safety gear equipped and full of knowledge about the region
• Return transport and tour transfers included

Plus, This Walk Includes

• 3 nights fantastic accommodation
• Breakfasts, lunch & two-course dinners, plus heaps of snacks, fruit & non-alcoholic beverages on & off the trail
• All National Park Entry Fees
• Carbon Offset Program in line with our commitment to sustainability

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Marengo to Shelly Beach

Distance: 7kms, 3hrs of walking approx.
Grade: 2, Easy

Departing Melbourne at 7.30am from outside the National Gallery of Victoria, St Kilda Road, we head off from Melbourne and down the iconic Great Ocean Road stopping en-route in Anglesea for morning tea and a briefing at a lovely local cafe. Arriving in Apollo Bay we prepare for our afternoon walk.

Today we begin at Marengo Beach – home to a colony of Australian Fur seals which hang out on the rocks in the bay. Your Park Trek guide will lead off and along the way explain some of the local history.

Following the Great Ocean Walking trail, we enjoy excellent views along the coast looking south-west towards Cape Otway and north-east over the ranges surrounding Apollo Bay.

We descend down to a beach for a rest before heading into a small section of Otway rainforest. The trail enters forest then starts to climb into higher forest of the Great Otway National Park just above Shelly Beach.

From here we will head off to our accommodation where guides will get dinner underway and put out the pre-dinner nibbles.

Meals: Lunch and dinner.​

Our first day on the trail.

DAY 2 – Cape Otway to Aire River and Castle Cove

Distance: 16kms, 5-6hrs walking approx.
Grade: 3, Moderate

The 10km walk from the lighthouse to Aire River winds its way through wind sculpted landscapes of sand dunes, coastal scrub-land and magnificent calcified cliffs. At the Aire River Lookout, there are great views down to the estuary where the Aire River meets the Southern Ocean and Glenaire Beach. The wetlands look quite spectacular from this vantage point and it is a nice steady downhill walk from to the Aire River Bridge which crosses the river to the picnic area and toilets. At this point the 2nd Park Trek guide meets the group, you are welcome to join this guide in the van if you wish to wind up your days’ walking.

Following on from Aire River we have a six kilometer walk through to Castle Cove. From Aire River, the track heads inland for a while, climbing up and around the next headland through tea-tree forests, and then continues along the coastal path with sweeping views of the rugged coastline. Expect some ups and downs with a little climbing before you get to Castle Cove. Located on a spectacular bend of the Great Ocean Road at Glenaire, Castle Cove is a beautiful beach surrounded by towering cliffs which have high archaeological significance, as dinosaur fossils have been found here.

A highlight of the day is a visit to Mait’s Rest rainforest walk on our return to Cape Otway (if time permits). Maits Rest is a comfortable 800m stroll through cool temperate rainforest, and a welcome temperature change if the weather is warm.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

DAY 3 – Milanesia Gate to Moonlight Head

Distance: 12kms, 7hrs walking approx.
Grade: 3, Moderate

The walk from Johanna Beach to Ryan’s Den is the wildest and most challenging section of the entire track. From Milanesia Gate we descend to a beautiful and remote beach. Isolated, rugged and hidden, Milanesia Beach receives few visitors and is all the more special for it. Look for the “beachcomber’s cottage” when you reach the beach.

From here the trail continues along the high sea cliffs to Ryan’s Den with breathtaking views all the way back to Cape Otway, and west to Cape Volney. This is our lunch spot and it is arguably the most scenic location along the walk.

From Ryan’s Den, the track continues through coastal forests that lead over Cape Volney to Moonlight Head (named by Matthew Flinders during a break in showery weather at night in April 1802). For a lot of walkers this is as far as they want to walk for the day, making a total of 12 kms. We might stop into Lavers Hill for a cup of tea/coffee on the way back home.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Coastal heathland.

DAY 4 – Princetown to Gibson’s Steps & Twelve Apostles

Distance: 8.5km, 3hrs walking approx.
Grade: 2 – 3, Easy to Moderate

Our walk starts above the wetlands around Princetown which support a wide variety of bird life. We’ll walk down through the Gellibrand River Estuary and reconnect with the Great Ocean Walk on a new track section. We are now on the home stretch into Port Campbell National Park and the world famous Twelve Apostles soon come into sight.

At Gibson’s Beach Car Park, we recommend, tides allowing, you descend Gibson’s Steps to view Gog and Magog (not strictly counted as two of The Twelve Apostles) up close from sea level. The last kilometer of the Great Ocean Walk takes you through to the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre where you can view The Apostles up close. We’ll have our lunch here and then drive onto Winchelsea where we stop at a local café for a coffee/tea before driving back to Melbourne at an estimated arrival time of 5.00 pm

Meals: Breakfast and lunch.

*Walking times and distances may be adapted to the weather and groups needs based on guides discretion.

Each day we also provide fruit, snacks, tea and coffee and a nibbles platter.

Each evening after our days walking, we return back to our accommodation for some time to refresh and enjoy the spectacular scenery around our accommodation. Your guides will curate a beautiful nibbles platter for you, providing the perfect setting for a relaxing evening. During this time, they will also conduct a briefing, offering insights into the days experiences and outlining your upcoming adventures. Using a map of the area, your guides will illustrate the various regions and walks we are set to explore in the days ahead.

Accommodation

During this trip we stay at either of our preferred accommodation providers; Cape Otway Lightstation or at Bimbi Park 

Cape Otway Lightstation Cottages
These historic houses are located in one of the most spectacular settings found along the Great Ocean Road. Cape Otway Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia and considered the most significant. Built in 1848, the lighthouse known as the ‘Beacon of Hope’ sits 90 metres above the pristine ocean of Bass Strait.

Accommodation style: We stay in two beautifully renovated cottages. Each one is fully self-contained and have two or four bedrooms, garden views and a kitchen or kitchenette. Our four-bedroom lodge has an open plan kitchen, wood heater and dining room where your guides will cater, and you will enjoy communal dining with the group each evening. Our two-bedroom Cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, wood heater and shared bathroom.

Rooming: Each cottage has four bedrooms and two shared bathrooms. Each option has a mix of king and single beds. If you book a Single Supplement, you will have a room to yourself.

Bathrooms: Each cottage has at least one bathroom. You will be sharing the bathroom with other guests in your cottage.

Single Supplement: If you book single supplement this means you will have one private bedroom in either cottage, and would be sharing the cottage with other guests.

Other: All towels and linen are provided. The cottages are comfortable and furnished ideally to suit the period of their build with modern extras including TV, DVD and heating. Hairdryers are unable to be used at the Light station as they require excessive electricity to operate. There is no TV reception or WiFi at Cape Otway, but we supply a limited selection of DVDs, together with jigsaw puzzles, games and books. Telstra mobile reception is available at various points around the site.

There is an emergency landline onsite, and Park Trek always carry a Satellite phone in case of emergencies. A digital detox is something we promote on our Great Ocean Walk.

Bimbi Park
Bimbi Park is in Cape Otway, the centre of the Great Ocean Road and the Great Ocean Walk, an area of magnificent forests, beaches, secluded bays and spectacular coastline. It is sheltered among tall manna gums far away from the wearing noise of towns and traffic. The grounds of the park are full of wildlife including koalas, echidnas, wallabies, kangaroos and up to 70 variety of birds. We stay in comfortable deluxe cabin style accommodation where all linen is supplied.

Guest Notes

Getting there – Tours depart and return from Melbourne. Direct flights are available through most airline operators.

Pick up location & time – We depart from National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, meeting at 7:15am for a 7:30am departure.

During the walk – Each day we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner (where applicable) as well as fruit, snacks and beverages to keep us full of energy throughout the walk. At the end of each day, we return to the evening’s accommodation to freshen up, relax, enjoy pre-dinner nibbles, and enjoy the local scenery. Each evening, our guides offer insights into the day’s walk, and talk through our upcoming adventures, using maps to give you greater insights into the journey.

Single stays (solos) – Single stay availability is limited on this tour, and while we can offer you your own room if available, facilities such as bathrooms and living areas may be shared with other guests. Contact our team for availability to upgrade to private facilities.

Drop-off location & time – We return to Melbourne at around 5:00 pm on the final day of tour. If you plan to fly out on the last day of the walk, please book your return flight for after 7pm.