The End to End Guided Trip

Please note that this trip requires a minimum of 6 clients to depart.

TRANSFER FROM MELBOURNE; TREK APOLLO BAY TO SHELLY BEACH (9KM)

Your day starts with a 7:15-7:30am pick up from the Melbourne Arts Centre, St Kilda Road in Melbourne. We stop for a picnic-style lunch in the Great Otway National Park surrounded by a spectacular forest of California Redwood trees. After lunch we drive to Apollo Bay where you will stay for the next three nights. Apollo Bay is a divine little seaside village and the gateway to the Otway ranges and the start of the Great Ocean Walk.

After you have checked into your accommodation, we’ll head out that afternoon on the first section of the walk. The Great Ocean Walk starts from the Apollo Bay Visitor Centre and winds out through the town to the beach-side suburb of Marengo, named by French explorer Nicolas Baudin.

Marengo is home to a colony of fur seals who hang out on rocks at Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary in the bay. Leaving Marengo the walk follows the foreshore past Storm Point and over Bald Hill to Three Creeks Beach before entering the Otway forests, eventually emerging at Shelly Beach where we end for today and transfer back to Apollo Bay for the evening. Tonight we’ll enjoy a fabulous meal and prepare for a big walk the next day.

Meals: L D

TREK SHELLY BEACH TO POINT FRANKLIN (21KM)

Crossing the Elliot River the first section of our walk today takes us away from the coast and into the towering forests of Mountain Ash that characterise this part of the Great Otway National Park. At up to 65m high these are some of the biggest trees in Australia and walking through the heart of the giant forest is a wonderful experience, though there are some hills to be negotiated.

We rejoin the coast at Blanket Bay, an isolated stretch of coast where we stop for a wonderful beachside lunch. Before rail transport, Blanket Bay was one of the safer location that allowed supplies to be brought ashore and then carried to the Cape Otway Light Station. The track meanders along the cliff tops and through coastal forests to the quiet haven of Parker Inlet, the original landing for light station supplies.

We then continue on to our final spot of Point Franklin.

Meals; B L

POINT FRANKLIN TO AIRE RIVER (14KM), WALK WITH A SHIPWRECK HISTORIAN

After a hearty local breakfast we return to Parker inlet, we join our local guide Mark, who will regale us with stories of Shipwreck history from the Goldrush era and also inform us of the fascinating and vibrant ecology of this area as we walk. We usually take the coastal track to Cape Otway, passing shipwreck remains, Seal Point and Crayfish Bay we get our first glimpses of the Cape Otway Lighthouse on the way. Expect to see black wallaby, echidna, koala, black cockatoo, rosella and other wildlife along our route today.

We explore the Cape Otway Light Station to reveal some of the fascinating and often tragic histories of Cape Otway and its significance in Australia’s development,  with its museum, Telegraph Station and Indigenous cultural centre. Climbing to the top of the lighthouse is an experience not to be missed. In wonderful sunshine or a screaming wind storm, the hardships and stories of the first families living at the light station will create lasting impressions.

Our walk begins again from the light station  along a winding sandy track through low coastal heath, visiting the secluded pioneer cemetery and scaling some impressive sand dunes. If sea conditions allow we walk a few kilometres along a wild stretch of Station Beach before ascending back up to the escarpment to walk along a narrow coastal path overlooking Station Beach. The path winds along the cliff tops and wind-sculpted sand dunes before descending to the beautiful Aire River estuary and surrounding wetlands.

Meals: B L D

AIRE RIVER TO MILANESIA TRACK (19KM), WALK WITH LOCAL KOORI FAMILY MEMBER

We return to the tranquil Aire River estuary to begin a walk through low coastal scrub towards Castle Cove, on the last section we emerge on a roller coaster section of track by the sea with spectacularly eroded formations above us. From the lookout and beach at Castle Cove we encounter some of the most spectacular coastal views of the entire walk. The track winds its way along the cliff tops, through heathland and forests, occasionally emerging to give breathtaking and extensive views along the coast. The forest here is an interesting mixture of grass trees and manna gums. Eventually, we emerge onto the broad expanse of Johanna Beach which must rate as one of the best in Australia for its views and crashing surf. We are joined by an indigenous guide for an interpretive walk west along the old coach road which traces the route of the early explorers through the coastal valley. We finish the days walk at the start of the Milanesia Track (3 Ways). This evening we move to our next accommodation located at Moonlight Heads for the next 2 nights.

Meals: B L D

MILANESIA TRACK TO MOONLIGHT HEAD (15KM)

Today is one of the wildest and most challenging sections of the entire track. Depending on the weather and tides we may vary the itinerary to suit. We start by descending into one of the coastline’s hidden treasures walking into one of the trip highlights; Milanesia Beach is an isolated and hidden beach that receives few visitors and is all the more special for it. From here the walk continues along the spectacular high sea cliffs to Ryan’s Den with breathtaking views all the way back to Cape Otway. The scenery along this stretch of the Great Ocean Walk is stunning, the rocky cliffs, bays and caves provide plenty of points of interest to stop and take in. The morning walk continues to the evocatively named Moonlight Head with more breathtaking views to Cape Otway. After Moonlight Head the track dips down into a valley and follows a newly cut section which will take us to the Gables, one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. Groups in September may be lucky enough to see one of the departing Southern Right Whales which frequent this coast in the winter months. The last section of todays walk involves some effort as the track climbs and descends several times towards the finish point at Moonlight head, but the dramatic views of this high coastline make the effort worthwhile.

Meals: B L D

WRECK BEACH TO GIBSONS STEPS (17KM)

We continue our walk from Wreck Beach, where at low tide we can descend and see the anchors of two of the many shipwrecks that lie submerged along this coast. Your guides will explain the stories of the shipwrecked Fiji and Marie Gabrielle.

Passing across the Devils Kitchen we follow a new section of track that hugs the wild coastal cliffs towards Princetown and The Twelve Apostles Marine Park, with views of The Twelve Apostles coming ever-closer.

The wetlands of the Gellibrand River, near our lunch stop, support a wide variety of bird life and is a significant wetland habitat.

After lunch, we embark on the last section of the Great Ocean Walk, which although quite short, presents us with tantalising glimpses of the Twelve Apostles as we approach the walk end viewing platform near Gibson Steps. Tide permitting we can descend the stone staircase down the cliff face. You will be at the water’s edge the crashing surf at your feet and towering cliffs behind you as you walk along the beach. This is a unique view of the amazing rock platforms of Gog and Magog from the beach at Gibson Steps.

Meals: B L D

EARLY MORNING AT 12 APOSTLES, LOCH ARD GORGE. DRIVE TO MELBOURNE

We will return to the 12 Apostles and enjoy a quiet morning here and at the wonderful Loch Ard gorge without the crowds. For those who are keen there is also the option for a helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles coastline to finish your trip ( optional extra)

There are also some wonderful headland walks to explore around the cove at Port Campbell so you will have a wonderfully relaxed finish to your Great Ocean Walk experience. We commence our journey back to Melbourne after lunch and arriving in Melbourne around 4pm.

Meals: B

IMPORTANT NOTE: All daily distances are approximate and itinerary is subject to change. RAW Travel reserves the right to make necessary itinerary changes based on local conditions, group safety, extreme weather or unforeseen difficulties with local suppliers due to COVID-19 effects.

• 3 nights in twin share accommodation in Apollo Bay
• 2 nights in twin share accommodation in Moonlight Head/ Glenaire
• 1 night twin share accommodation in Port Campbell with private ensuite
• Most meals (excluding dinner on Day 2 and lunch and dinner on Day 7)
• All transfers while on tour and return transport from Melbourne
• Refreshment stops during walks
• Experienced hiking guide
• ‘Walk and talks’ by local ship wreck historian and Indigenous guide
• Driver & support vehicle for duration of tour
• National Park fees
• RAW Travel carbon offset for your trip and an Australian tree planted on your behalf

• Travel insurance
• Meals not listed above
• Single supplement (extra $745) – please enquire, limited single rooms available