1. Home
  2. Oceania
  3. Australia
  4. Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Map of Hike the Great Ocean Walk including Australia

Explore coastal Victoria’s diverse and awe inspiring landscape.

This seven-day hiking tour takes you from Melbourne to Cape Otway National Park and on to the famous 12 Apostles passing fur seal colonies, beaches, forests, sea cliffs, light stations and lookouts along the way. This trip explores the landscapes of the Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung people and showcases why the Great Ocean Walk is regarded as one of the world’s best coastal treks. With two knowledgeable leaders to guide the way, you’ll experience a landscape that has been shaped by the elements over thousands of years, immerse yourself in local maritime history, and enjoy delicious picnic lunches surrounded by dramatic coastal scenery. If you love immersing yourself in nature, the Great Ocean Walk is calling your name.

Start
Melbourne, Australia
Finish
Melbourne, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Original
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
PJXO
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore diverse and beautiful landscapes on foot – from pristine beaches and rocky terrain to stunning coastline.

  • Traverse this classic Victoria track with not one but two expert local leaders to share their knowledge about the region and take care of all the details along the way.

  • Walk the entire 104km Great Ocean Walk with nothing but a day pack as you unpack once and return to the same comfortable accommodation each night.

  • Marvel at the incredible 12 Apostles – the finishing point and final reward for your incredible efforts.

  • With almost every meal included, you’ll enjoy wonderful fresh picnics in incredible locations, delicious breakfasts and hearty homecooked dinners.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a 104km walking trip so you will need to have good physical fitness to fully enjoy it. On Days 2 and 3 we will walk over 19km each day so you will need to be confident that you can walk this distance two days in a row. Walking along the Great Ocean Road means different terrain from sandy beaches to rocky paths. You must bring appropriate footwear and clothing to be able to tackle these famous paths. Please note that the itinerary may change depending on local conditions and the weather.

  • This trip is operated and run by Inspiration Outdoors, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Inspiration Outdoors customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Inspiration Outdoors to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their time away.

  • There is some driving included in each day as you will mostly be based in Johanna, rather than in a new place each night. Therefore, we need to drive to the start and then from the end of each day’s walking.

Walking toward Cape Otway Lighthouse at sunset on the Great Ocean Walk, Victoria, Australia
Group of travellers in front of the Twelve Apostles on Great Ocean Road
Hiking through the Aire River Inlet along the Great Ocean Walk, Victoria, Australia
Group posing at Station Beach along the Great Ocean Walk, Victoria, Australia
View of the Twelve Apostles rock formations, Great Ocean Road
Port Campbell National Park, Great Ocean Road
Hiking through the wet Sclerophyll forest, Victoria, Australia
Hikers posing infant of Ryan's Den lookout, Victoria, Australia

Itinerary
Expand All Collapse All

Your adventure begins in Melbourne - Narrm in the language of the Wurundjeri people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Melbourne is now located. Today, meet your group at 8am at a central CBD pick-up location and drive the scenic route to Apollo Bay. Travel through scenic farmland before making your way along the coastline to Apollo Bay through stunning stunted messmate and heath forests. This is Eastern Maar country, and was recently returned to the Traditional Owners in Victoria's first native title in a decade. On arrival, pick up lunch from a local bakery and enjoy it picnic-style at Marengo Beach. Grab any supplies before our first walk of the trip from Apollo Bay to Shelly Beach. We’ll head into the mighty forests of Great Otway National Park where you’ll inhale the scent of eucalyptus as you walk to Shelly Beach. Then, you’ll drive back to Apollo Bay where your accommodation, a warm shower and dinner await – the dream of every hiker!
Accommodation
  • Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Great Ocean Road - Apollo Bay to Shelly Beach walk
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
It's an early morning pick-up at 8am in the Melbourne CBD and we'll be travelling from here straight to the start of our first walk. Please arrive dressed to hike and with your day pack ready to go. Today’s total walking distance is 9kms.

Fuel up on a hearty breakfast today before embarking on the first big walk of the trip from Shelly Beach to Parker Inlet. Walk through the towering forest of Mountain Ash – a recognisable feature of this section of the Great Otway National Park. The Great Otway National Park stretches from Torquay to the Otway hinterland, along the incredible Great Ocean Road. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife like black wallabies, echidnas and black cockatoos here. You’ll traverse a few inland hills before hitting the coast again at Blanket Bay – one of the few safe swimming spots along the walk. Enjoy lunch at the bay then continue on – meandering along stunning cliff tops and through incredible coastal forests to Parker Inlet. Spend some time here to relax after your walk and take in the views of the small cove and sandy beach that’s met by beautiful Australian bush.
Accommodation
  • Cottage (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Great Ocean Road - Shelly Beach to Parker Inlet walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total walking distance is 19km.

This morning, we’ll walk the inland trail, passing towering manna gums as we head toward Cape Otway. As the path sweeps toward the coast once again, you’ll marvel at the turquoise water of Crayfish Bay and catch glimpses of Cape Otway lighthouse in the distance. Prior to the lighthouse being built, thousands of lives were lost along this stretch of coast. Built in 1848, this lighthouse known as ‘the beacon of hope’ is the oldest on mainland Australia. Walk along wind sculpted landscapes of sand dunes, coastal scrubland and magnificent calcified cliffs. Continue through Aire River Valley before ending the day at Castle Cove lookout surrounded by towering cliffs, where you’ll watch as waves crash into shore and perhaps catch a glimpse of whales jumping in the distance.
Accommodation
  • Cottage (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Great Ocean Road - Parker Inlet to Castle Cove walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total walking distance is 23 kms.

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy today’s walk through a variety of different landscapes – from cliff tops, through heathlands and forests, occasionally emerging to breathtaking views along the extensive coast. Keep your eyes peeled for Peregrine Falcons today, they’ve been spotted along this section of the trail. And, in spring, you can expect wonderful wildflower displays. Once you reach Johanna Beach, you’ll take in vistas over the sweeping sand dunes and enormous crashing surf – certainly a reward for all of today’s work. Finally, continue on towards Milanesia Track, through rolling hills with wildlife like Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
Accommodation
  • Cottage (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Great Ocean Road - Castle Cove to Milanesia Track walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total walking distance is 17km.

Today’s hike showcases more spectacular highlights like Milanesia Beach, which is so isolated that it feels like this wildly rugged section of coastline is yours alone, and towering sea cliffs with views back to Cape Otway. From here, we’ll walk through coastal forests and farmland before reaching Ryan’s Den where you’ll soak up breathtaking views all the way back to Cape Otway and west to Cape Volney. Next up, it’s a steep climb to Moonlight Head, a hidden gem on the coastal walk, before you continue to The Gables Lookout which is perched on one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot seabirds and whales from June-September. Enjoy unspoiled views of the Southern Ocean and Great Ocean Road cliffs before making your way back to Apollo Bay for a home-cooked dinner and a little time to put your feet up and relax.
Accommodation
  • Cottage (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Great Ocean Road - Milanesia Track to The Gables Lookout walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s walking distance is 16km.

After breakfast today, continue the walk from Gables through to Gibson Steps. After a walking through large stands of casuarina trees, we’ll come out at the aptly named Wreck Beach where the anchors from shipwrecks can still be seen at low tide. We’ll continue along the high tide route to the Devils Kitchen then follow a trail that hugs and meanders along the wild coastal cliffs, nicely protected by beautiful coastal heath, all the way to Princetown. From here, cross the Gellibrand River on a trestle bridge and start to see glimpses of the famous 12 Apostles along the walk through coastal scrub. Originally known as the Sow and Piglets, these iconic limestone formations were renamed The Twelve Apostles as part of a 1920s tourism campaign, despite the fact there were only nine pinnacles. Now there are eight. Today's walk ends just before Gibsons Steps with stunning views from the Shipwreck Coast's Great Ocean Walk Lookout. Head to the unique coastal town of Port Campbell, with a final dinner together at the local hotel with your walking crew and leaders. Put your feet up and relax as you toast to the incredible effort you’ve all made over the last six days on the Great Ocean Walk.
Accommodation
  • Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Great Ocean Road - The Gables to Gibson Steps walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today's walking distance is 18km.

After one final delicious breakfast together, we embark on our final walk from Gibson Steps to the Twelve Apostles visitor Centre – officially marking the end of our Great Ocean Walk. Wander along the windswept boardwalks and viewing platforms and take in the breathtaking views of these natural beauties before the rush of the crowds. Afterwards, head to Loch Ard Gorge – just down the road – for morning tea. The perfect spot for a bite to eat before our route back to Melbourne, the gorge is picturesque with two yellow-washed cliff faces framing the smooth blue water below. Expect to arrive back in the city by late afternoon, where our epic journey together will come to an end.
Included Activities
  • Great Ocean Road - Gibson Steps to The Twelve Apostles walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's walk is 2km.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, walking

Accommodation

Motel (2 nights), Cottages (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Great Ocean Road - Apollo Bay to Shelly Beach walk
  • Great Ocean Road - Shelly Beach to Parker Inlet walk
  • Great Ocean Road - Parker Inlet to Castle Cove walk
  • Great Ocean Road - Castle Cove to Milanesia Track walk
  • Great Ocean Road - Milanesia Track to The Gables Lookout walk
  • Great Ocean Road - The Gables to Gibson Steps walk
  • Great Ocean Road - Gibson Steps to The Twelve Apostles walk

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hike the Great Ocean Walk trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Important notes

START & END TIMES
This trip begins with a pick-up in Melbourne's CBD on day 1 at 8am and finishes in the late afternoon on the last day upon arrival back into Melbourne. Please keep this in mind when booking your arrival and departure arrangements.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking.

OPERATOR
This trip is operated and run by Inspiration Outdoors, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Inspiration Outdoors customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Inspiration Outdoors to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their time away.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews

Go to dates