The Guided Highlights Trip

Melbourne – Apollo Bay; Blanket Bay – Cape Otway

An early morning 7.15 am pick up from the Melbourne Arts Centre on St Kilda Road today. We will drive to Lorne and follow the spectacular Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay before our lunch spot at Maits Rest, a perfect lunch spot surrounded by an ancient rainforest with giant Myrtle Beech trees at your feet.

Our first walking section then starts from Blanket Bay. The track meanders along the cliff tops and through coastal forests to the quiet haven of Parker Inlet. Expect to see black wallabies, echidnas, black cockatoos, and rosellas along our route. Leaving Parker Inlet we walk around the foreshore and along the beach (tide permitting) to see some of the shipwreck relics in this area. 

We continue walking in open terrain along the coast to the Cape Otway Lightstation. Built in 1848, it is Australia’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse and marks the entrance to Bass Strait. We will get a chance to explore the grounds, including the lighthouse and gain an insight into the Lightstation’s history, and hear some fascinating stories that make the Cape and Otway Ranges unique.

Walking distance: 11km (4-5hrs)
Meals included: Lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Apollo Bay

Cape Otway to Aire River & Castle Cove to Johanna Beach

After a hearty breakfast, we will have an early start as we have a good day’s walk ahead of us along the magnificent stretch of coast from Cape Otway to Johanna Beach. From the Cape Otway Lightstation we walk along a sandy track past the pioneer cemetery and large sand dunes before ascending back up to the escarpment and walk along a narrow coastal path overlooking Station Beach. If sea conditions allow we walk a section of Station Beach. The path winds along the cliff tops and then wind-sculpted sand dunes before descending to the beautiful Aire River estuary and surrounding wetlands. 

After stopping for lunch at Aire River we board the bus for a short drive to the start of our afternoon walk at 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.  

Continuing on from 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. We finish the day by walking along this beautiful beach which must rate as one of the best in  Australia for its views and crashing surf. 

Walking distance: 17km (5-6hrs)
Meals included: Breakfast lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Apollo Bay

Milanesia – The Gables

Today we are joined by an indigenous guide for an interpretive walk at Milanesia Beach. 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 Ryans Den with breathtaking views all the way back to Cape Otway. 

After lunch, we continue through coastal forests that lead us to the evocatively named Moonlight Head and Cape Volney with more breathtaking views to Cape Otway. From Moonlight Head the track dips down into a valley and follows a newly cut section of track which will take us to The Gables Lookout, perched on 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.

Walking distance: 17 km (6-7hrs)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Port Campbell

Princetown – Gibson’s Steps The Twelve Apostles; return to Melbourne

 Our final day on the Great Ocean Walk!  We start our walk above the wetlands around Princetown which supports a wide variety of birdlife. We’ll walk through to the Gellibrand River Estuary before embarking on our final leg of this journey into Port Campbell National Park where the world-famous Twelve Apostles come into view. Tides permitting, we will descend Gibsons Steps to view two of the Apostles from sea level. From here we will transfer to the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre before heading to the spectacular Loch Ard Gorge and then into the quaint seaside town of Port Campbell for lunch (own expense). We’ll drive back to Melbourne after lunch (via a little chocolate treat stop), arrival time approximately 5pm.

Walking distance: 7.5 km (2-3hrs)
Meals included: Breakfast 

• 3 nights accommodation on a twin share basis in ensuite accommodation
• 3 Breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
• Experienced Hiking guide
• Driver & support vehicle for the duration of the trip
• All transfers while on tour and return transport from Melbourne CBD
• Visit Maits Rest 
• Interpretive walk by local Indigenous guide and Cape Otway Lighthstation entrance
• 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