length
7 Days
difficulty
Moderate
trip cost
From $2940 pp
Nature Immersion
Cultural Interest
Overview
End to End Self-Guided
Be supported by your dedicated driver who lives in the area and has been supporting walkers since the trail opened. Challenge yourself by walking the full length of the Great Ocean Walk.
Want to walk the Great Ocean Walk on your own terms? Our self-guide itinerary allows you to travel on your preferred dates (subject to availability), with private transfers and advice from our locally-based staff. You’ll be picked up each day with a private transfer at times arranged to suit your walking pace and abilities.
We’ll provide you with a briefing to get you started, the resources you’ll need to stay safe, two transfers each day and book great accommodation for you where you’ll have meals provided each day.
This trip only runs from 1 Oct – 15 December and 1 March – 1 June due to closures with our local suppliers over winter and block outs during summer high season.
Highlights
Get Ready For
- Walk the full length of the Great Ocean Walk
- Personalised locally based service
- Different accommodations booked along the route
- Briefing from our knowledgeable local driver
- Entry to the Cape Otway Lightstation
- Emergency satellite messenger beacon
On The trail
The experience
A winding track follows the contours around the coastal headlands. You will walk down to isolated beaches and across soft sand and then walk up the other side over steps. A well-marked track that has been constructed and managed with your safety in mind. Walk through forested areas where the track is firm under foot, while others can be muddy depending on weather conditions. The track progresses from ‘mild to wild’ as you draw further to cliffs of the western section and more climbing on the latter sections of headlands. Expect to walk between 4 and 8 hours a day with regular stops to take in the natural beauty, and for snacks and lunch.
Itinerary
Daily details
Our self-guided itinerary allows you to travel on your preferred dates (subject to availability), with private transfers and advice from our locally based staff. You’ll be picked up each day with a private transfer at times arranged to suit your walking pace and abilities. We’ll provide you with a briefing to get you started, the resources you’ll need to stay safe, two transfers each day and book great accommodation for you where you’ll have meals provided each day.
You will be met by our driver today in Apollo Bay who will go over your itinerary for the next 7 days. The afternoon begins with a short walk that starts from the Apollo Bay Visitor Centre and winds out through the town to the beach-side suburb of Marengo, named by a passing French explorer. Marengo is home to a colony of Australian fur seals who hang out on the rocks in the bay. The walk follows the foreshore as you leave Marengo and enters the Otway Forest, eventually coming out at Shelly Beach where you finish your walk and head back to settle in to your accommodation for the night.
Your walk today takes you away from the coast and through 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. The trail eventually wind its way to Blanket Bay, an isolated stretch of coast that was one of the original ports for unloading supplies for the Cape Otway Lightstation.
Meals: B, L, D
Today you rejoin the coast at Blanket Bay. The track meanders along the cliff tops and through coastal forests to the quiet haven of Parker Inlet. Expect to see black wallaby, echidna, black cockatoo, rosella and other wildlife along the route. The track leads you past beautiful Crayfish Bay where you may wish to wander along its beach before continuing on to Cape Otway Lightstation which was Australia’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse. You may wish to spend some time exploring the historic grounds of the light station. Built in 1848, the lighthouse is the oldest surviving on mainland Australia an offers amazing views across the bay.
Meals: B, L, D
This morning you will set off from the Cape Otway Lightstation, passing the Cape Otway Cemetery, and travel along a coastal path overlooking Station Beach. The path winds along cliff tops and wind sculptured sand dunes before descending to the beautiful Aire River estuary and surrounding wetlands. The lookout at Castle Cove offers spectacular views, often of surfers navigating the crashing surf. You leave the track here and walk into your accommodation for the night.
Meals: B, L, D
Today’s walk traverses several vegetation zones, cliff tops, heathlands, forests and beaches. A feature of this section is the extensive xanthorrhoea (grass tree) forests on Rotten Point, between Castle Cove and Johanna Beach. Johanna Beach is one of the walk’s highlights and rates amongst Australia’s best. After leaving the beach you make your way up four wheel drive tracks through peaceful forest to Milanesia Gate.
Meals: B, L, D
Isolated, rugged and hidden, Milanesia Beach receives few visitors and is all the more special for it. From here the trail continues along the high sea cliffs to Ryan’s Den hiker’s campsite, which is an idyllic lunch stop, then over Cape Volney and on to Moonlight Head. The Twelve Apostles tempt you as you come ever closer to this iconic landmark and the route finishes at the lookout at The Gables, reputed to be the highest sea cliffs on mainland Australia.
Meals: B, L, D
Your final day on the Great Ocean Walk! From The Gables, you begin your walk towards Wreck Beach, where if the tide conditions allow, you can descend to the beach to view the anchors of the Fiji and Marie Gabrielle, two of the many shipwrecks that lie submerged along this coast. The trail gently undulates through sandy sections and coastline, until you finally reach the Twelve Apostles. You have time to savour the amazing views before your homeward journey.
Meals: B, L
Looking for more or less on your walk? We can customise and provide flexibility around your travel plans. Speak with us today to design your trip.
Map
Explore
Apollo Bay
Tucked away in the foothills of the incredible Otways, this popular and picturesque coastal town is the gateway to Victoria’s stunning Great Ocean Walk. With bohemian vibes, lively pubs, great beaches and arts & crafts stores it is a lovely place to explore.
CLICK ON A PIN TO REVEAL INFORMATION ABOUT THAT LOCATION
Parker Inlet
The secluded and postcard-worthy Parker Inlet on the Great Ocean Walk offers amazing geology and wildlife. Two lookouts along the way provide wonderful views into the estuary and over the ocean.
Cape Otway
This is the southern tip of Victoria’s western coast, where the Southern Ocean collides with Bass Strait. To get here you’ll need to walk through the magical towering forests of mountain ash that characterise the Great Otway National Park. Perched on towering sea cliffs, the Cape Otway Lightstation is Australia’s oldest and most important lighthouse.
Aire River
Aire River is a beautiful estuary, surrounded by wetlands with an array of birdlife making its home here. At the Aire River Lookout there are great views down to the estuary where the Aire River meets the Southern Ocean and Glenaire Beach.
Johanna Beach
After walking along the cliff tops through heathland and forests you’ll emerge onto the broad expanse of beautiful Johanna Beach – one of Australia’s best beaches for views and surf. The walk from here to Ryan’s Den is one of the wildest and most challenging sections of the Great Ocean Walk.
Milanesia Beach
Secluded, rugged and hidden, Milanesia Beach is a 2km stretch of beautiful white sand that receives very few visitors. It makes an excellent spot for a picnic lunch.
Moonlight Head
From Ryans Den the track continues through coastal forests that lead over Cape Volney to the evocatively named Moonlight Head, a treasure of the Great Ocean Walk. Moonlight Head is believed to be the headland seen by Matthew Flinders on his circumnavigation of Australia on 20 April 1802. A shell midden in a rock shelter in the area indicates First Nations Peoples had been using the shelter a thousand years ago.
Wreck Beach
The challenging descent (more than 350 steps) to Wreck Beach brings you to the anchors of the shipwrecks Marie Gabrielle and Fiji, embedded in the reef and visible at low tide. These are a highlight of the Great Ocean Walk and a haunting reminder of the treacherous nature of the sea. Watch out for large waves!
Twelve Apostles
This world-famous collection of limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park rise up majestically from the Southern Ocean. They mark the end of the wild and wonderful Great Ocean Walk. Descend the stone staircase of the Gibson Steps for unique views of Gog and Magog.
REVIEWS
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Customer Testimonials
Brilliant! This walk was one of the best things I have ever done. At 67 years old I found it very challenging at times, but I did it. Had a few sore muscles, but thankfully no injuries or issues. The self-guided option was perfect as it gave us the opportunity to take our time. We identified 58 different birds and saw so many wildflowers, including three unusual orchids that I am yet to identify. Our drivers, Lee and Jenny were brilliant. They were full of helpful information and really added a lot to our trip.
Linda Bowden, Yarram (VIC) – October 2024
Customer Testimonials
Excellent! We were looked after extremely well, our overnight accommodations were very comfortable, and the meals were extravagant. The Chi Medicinal Farm & Guesthouse fed us so well that we (regretfully) asked for no more desserts. Aside from the amazing beauty of the walk itself I appreciated the level of care we received from the RAW team, especially the loan of a pair of replacement boots when the sole on one of mine came completely off.
Laura O’Keefe & Joseph Pierce, New York (USA) – October 2023
Customer Testimonials
It was absolutely wonderful – so much to experience! Diverse vegetation, views, flora and fauna in abundance, the remoteness of the coastline and very few other walkers – what’s not to love about that! We particularly loved the cottage, especially the rural view and the pot-belly stove. Our hosts on the walk, Jenny and Lee, were wonderful – local knowledge on a walk is always essential.
Penny Thomson, Ferny Grove (Qld) - September 2023
Customer Testimonials
Thank you for all the organisation. Everything went so smoothly. We had a great time, finding some sections a bit challenging especially the weather on the final day. Our drivers Lee and Drew were fabulous, so helpful and knowledgeable about each section of the walk. Our accommodation was great, the food at Chi Medicinal Farm to die for. We would certainly recommend your company to anyone wishing to complete a walk. We’ll be looking at some of your other opinions for future adventures.
Jenny & Pat McAloon, Ararat (VIC) – October 2021
Inclusions
What's included?
- 6 nights accommodation on twin share basis: Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park, Castle Cove, Moonlight Head or Port Campbell.
- All meals from breakfast on day 2 to lunch on day 7
- Private, return transfers each day to the trailhead
- Driver & support vehicle throughout
- Briefing with experienced local RAW Travel Guide
- Full Great Ocean Walk map at 1:25:000 scale
- Raw App with detailed route and track notes
- Entry ticket to the Cape Otway Lightstation
- Emergency satellite messenger beacon
- Complimentary parking
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- Single supplement – ask for a quote if you would like a single room
- Solo traveller surcharge
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed above as included
Exclusive Guide
get inspired
Discover Australia’s best coastal walk! Our comprehensive destination guide is bursting with inspiration, travel essentials, practical advice and more to help you prepare for a memorable journey along this breathtaking trail.
Australia – Self Guided Walks
The Self-Guided Highlights Trip – Great Ocean Walk
- Walk more than half of the iconic Great Ocean Walk
- Enjoy a personalised locally based service
- Stay in different accommodation along the route
- Be fully prepared with a briefing from our knowledgeable local driver
$1,695.00
Australia – Self Guided Walks
The Self Guided Trip – Cape to Cape Track
- Dramatic granite outcrops and pristine ocean sea-scapes
- Astounding variety of flora including seasonal spider-orchids
- Towering Karri trees
- Stunning scenery and coastal walking
$2,195.00
Australia – Self Guided Walks
Mornington Peninsula Full Circuit – Self-Guided
- Experience the 100km Mornington Peninsula Walk
- Climb over the famous vantage point of Arthur’s Seat
- Take in the beautiful bay villages of Portsea and Sorrento
- Arthur’s Seat, Mornington National Park, Cape Schanck Coast, Point Nepean National Park
$2,250.00
TRIP date selection
when would you like to travel?
Please select your preferred dates for on-demand trips or select a scheduled date for group departures. If you have booked a self-guided trip please understand that because your trip date is on demand and we must check availability of all properties on your chosen dates before it can be fully confirmed