Details of the Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk is structured so hikers can easily step off and step back on the trail the next day.
If you only have a few days we can advise on sections of the walk suitable for a short stay.
Day 1 - Distance: 7.9kms. Time: 3 hours, 15 minutes.
1. Apollo Bay to Marengo - Distance: 2.9kms. Time: 1 hours 15 minutes. Rating: Easy.
The walk runs along a footpath next to the Great Ocean Road. The best way is to walk on the beach. Marengo is a beautiful beach and you may meet the odd fisherman or surfer. An easy start to the Great Ocean Walk.
2. Marengo to Shelly Beach - Distance: 5kms. Time: 2 hours. Rating: Medium/Hard.
The Great Ocean Walk here follows the coast and has a mix of beach, coastal forests and farmland. There are 2 decision points along this stretch where depending on the tide, a decision needs to be taken as to whether the inland or the coastal walk should be taken.
Day 2 - Distance: 20.6kms. Time: 6 hours, 30 minutes.
3. Shelly Beach to Blanket Bay - Distance 16.1kms, Time 5 hours, Rating: Medium/Hard.
Tall forests dominate this section. Black wallabies will often be sighted along this section.
4. Blanket Bay to Parker River Inlet - Distance: 4.5kms, Time: 1 hour 30 minutes, Rating: Easy.
Dry coastal forests along this section with echidnas and King Parrots. Great views over Parket Inlet
Day 3 - Distance: 17.5kms - 7 hours, 45 minutes.
5. Parker River to Cape Otway - Distane: 6.0kms Time: 1 hour, 30 mins , Rating: Medium.
The Great Ocean Walk at this section is along cliff tops, Manna Gums where koalas can be spotted and then along farmland as you near the Cape Otway Lightstation.
. 6. Cape Otway Lightstation - Distance: 0kms, Time: 1 hour, 30 mins
Take a walk around the Light station, and see the history of the Cape Otway Coast. There are several outbuildings to explore and also a cafe is onsite. A voucher for lunch and coffee at Cape Otway Light Station is provided for by Aire Valley Guest House.
7. Cape Otway to Aire River (side trip - Rainbow Falls) - Distance: 11.6kms, Time: 4 hours, Rating: Medium.
There is a wind swept track along cliff tops above Station Beach. Rainbow Falls is spring fed and falls down to rocky platforms below.
Day 4 – 21.5kms – 9 hours, 15 minutes
8. Aire River to Castle Cove - Distance: 6.5kms, Time: 2.5 hours, Rating: Medium.
Aire River is one of the oldest rivers in Australia. Start at the bridge and a path climbs up to the cliff tops giving stunning coastal views. Watch amazing waves pound onto the rocks below.
9.Castle Cove to Johanna Beach - Distance: 8kms, Time: 2 hours, 45 mins , Rating: Medium.
This is one of the most diverse sections of the Great Ocean Walk. Heathland, an amazing section of grass trees just like a fairly garden before a magnificent descent onto Johanna Beach. The hardest part is the last beach on the sand of the deserted Johanna Beach. If Bells Beach near Torquay is flat, the Rip Curl surf competition comes here. From the Great Ocean Walk you have the best vantage point to see the fantastic waves.
10. Johanna Beach to Milanesia Gate - Distance: 8kms, Time: 3.5 hours, Rating: Medium.
Valley views over farmland in this section of the Great Ocean Walk before arriving at Milanesia Gate.
Day 5. Distance: 17.1kms. Time: 7 hours
11. Milanesia Gate to Moonlight Head - Distance: 12.4kms, Time: 5 hours, Rating: Hard.
One of the most difficult sections of the walk but unforgettable views from the cliff-tops. The view takes in the coast all the way back to Cape Otway Light Station. This section of the walk is rated difficult due to the undulated terrain.
12. Moonlight Head to the Gables Lookout - Distance: 6.7kms, Time: 2 hours , Rating: Easy.
The Great Ocean Walk heads inland along country roads through blue-gums and farmland but finishes with the breathtaking Gables look out.
Day 6 – Distance: 17.8kms. Time: 6 hours, 15 minutes
13. Gables Lookout to Devil's Kitchen- Distance: 4kms, Time: 1.5 hours, Rating: Medium.
The Great Ocean Walk passes through heath to the fantastic Wreck Beach where the anchors from the wreck of the Marie Gabrielle (1869) and Fiji (1891) lie. The Wreck Beach section can only be walked at during low tide. Beware of big sea swells.
14. Devil's Kitchen to Princetown - Distance: 7.8 kms, Time: 2.5 hours , Rating: Easy.
The Great ocean Walk follows the Old Coach Road 4WD track through heathland, coastal scrub and farmland..
15. Princetown to Glenample Homestead - Distance: 6.0km, Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes, Rating: Easy.
The Great ocean Walk continues along the 4WD track along cliff tops with a grand finale of views of the 12 Apostles. Glenample Homestead is now closed so walk along the track to the 12 Apostles board walk.
