length
4 Days
difficulty
Moderate
trip cost
from $1695 pp
Nature Immersion
Cultural Interest
Overview
The Self-Guided Highlights Trip
Be supported by our dedicated driver who lives in the area and has been supporting walkers since the trail first opened. Challenge yourself by walking more than half the Great Ocean Walk on four highlight treks
Want to walk the Great Ocean Walk on your own terms? 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. This is a self-guided walk but with full support from your own driver.
We’ll provide you with a briefing to get you started, the resources you’ll need to stay safe, two transfers each day to/from the trailhead and book great accommodation for you where you’ll have meals provided each day.
This trip only runs from 1 October – 15 December & 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 over half of the Great Ocean Walk
- Personalised locally based service and support
- Different quality accommodation booked along the route
- Briefing and daily advice from our knowledgeable local driver
- EPIRB device and exclusive RAW navigation app
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.
We advise that you arrive by 11am today to be able to complete the full walk. However it is possible to shorten it should you prefer less walking and more time to get comfortable in your accommodations. You will be met by our local representative and driver who will go over your itinerary for the next 4 days.
Your first walk takes you to along to beautiful Crayfish Bay and on to the Cape Otway Lightstation which was Australia’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse. You may wish to spend some time exploring this historical site with stunning views from the top of the lighthouse. Continuing on, you then ascend back up to the escarpment, passing the Cape Otway Cemetery, and along a coastal path overlooking Station Beach. The path winds along the cliff tops and then wind sculptured sand dunes before descending to the beautiful Aire River estuary and surrounding wetlands.
Meals: D
Today’s walk is the longest and 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. Eventually, you emerge onto the broad expanse of Johanna Beach, which rates amongst the best in Australia.
Meals: B, L, D
Milanesia Beach is one of the walk’s highlights and today’s walk is one of the wildest and most challenging sections of the entire track. Isolated, rugged and hidden, Milanesia 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.
Meals: B, L, D
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.
Inclusions
What's included?
- 3 nights accommodation on a twin share basis in ensuite accommodation
- All meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 4
- Private, return transfers each day to the trailhead
- Driver and support vehicle throughout
- Briefing with experienced local RAW Travel staff
- Entry ticket to the Cape Otway Lightstation
- Full Great Ocean Walk map at 1:25,000 scale and comprehensive track notes and destination information
- Raw App with detailed route and track notes
- Complimentary parking
- Emergency Satellite Messenger Beacon
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- Single supplement – ask for a quote if you would like a single room
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed above
Customer Testimonials
This was a great walk with beautiful views along the whole track. The support from RAW Travel was excellent. The food was amazing, it was great to come back after a walk to a homely place with home cooked food. The host was very welcoming.
Marina Boogaerts, Hawker (ACT) – April 2024
Customer Testimonials
Thanks so much for an awesome experience! We had an amazing time from start to finish! We stayed at Chi Medicinal Farm with Jodie and Shane – the food was absolutely amazing, so much more than fuel to keep us going. Quiet and relaxing after a long day on the track. Special mention to Lee and Jenny who were great – excellent pre-hike advice each morning and they gave us pick-ups that accommodated both my buggered knees and my friend’s never-ending energy for extra km. The RAW App is great and so much easier to use than dragging out paperwork as I’ve had to do on other organised walks. Definitely keen to use RAW Travel again. Hoping to celebrate a friend’s 70th in a couple of years, although I think we’ll need to feature food and drink more heavily.
Karen Walker, Whangārei (New Zealand) – March 2024
Customer Testimonials
Amazing scenery with fantastic people supporting us. The calibre of food was exceptional and Shane was a very friendly and gracious host. The walk was much easier than expected.
Shannon Reeves, Whangārei (NZ) – March 2024
Customer Testimonials
The self-guided option worked really well. Loved being able to travel with friends and have the support of RAW Travel on transfers, accommodation selection and booking. The RAW app was great!
Christine Johnston, Green Gully (VIC) - April 2023
Customer Testimonials
Marvellous experience! Loved walking by the ocean and being delivered each day to the start and picked up at the end.
Linda Young, Clifton Hill (VIC) - April 2023
Customer Testimonials
Overall a terrific hike – well organised and with great local support. We did the 4-day highlight version as this gave us an opportunity to do most of the track and suited our preference for longer hiking days. Local staff were flexible and we were able to finish Day 3 at Wreck Bay – our favourite day!
Rhonda Stilling, Gilmore (ACT) - March 2023
Customer Testimonials
It was nice to get away and just walk and have the other stuff sorted. The support staff were excellent and the food choices were plentiful. The walk is outstanding – around each cove was different terrain, a different landscape, and the vegetation was just amazing. Thank you
Kevin Margach, Canberra (ACT) - March 2023
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 – Guided walks
The Guided Highlights Trip – Great Ocean Walk
- Embark on some of the best trails of the Great Ocean Walk
- Conveniently located accommodation in Apollo Bay and Port Campbell
- Discover the maritime history of the area with a resident shipwreck historian
$2,195.00
Australia – Self Guided Walks
The End to End Self-Guided Trip – Great Ocean Walk
- Walk the full length of the Great Ocean Walk
- Entry to the Cape Otway Lightstation
- Emergency satellite messenger beacon
- A moderate challenge from Apollo Bay to Twelve Apostles
$2,895.00
Australia – Guided walks
Great South West Walk – Self Guided Highlights
- 13-day circular walk through Victoria’s Shipwreck coast
- 262km of fabulously varied coastal and inland trails
- Four national parks, abundant fauna and flora
- Accommodation in Portland and Nelson; daily transfers
$3,690.00
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
$1,995.00
Australia – Guided walks
Mornington Peninsula Highlights
- Stay in charming villages
- Taste the Peninsula’s many food offerings each day
- Explore the very best of the Mornington Peninsula’s varied trails
- Walk sections of the clifftop between Flinders and Cape Schanck
$2,395.00
Australia – Self Guided Walks
Self-Guided Trip – 4 day – Mornington Peninsula Highlights
- Experience the Mornington Peninsula Walk and Two Bays Trail
- Be supported by our local office and local driver
- Take in the beautiful bay villages of Flinders and Sorrento
- Walk Arthur’s Seat, Mornington National Park, Cape Schanck Coast and Point Nepean National Park
$1,695.00
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