Frequently Asked Questions
CAN I GET DROPPED OFF or picked up AT ryan's den?
Yes you can get dropped off and picked up from Ryan's Den however there is no road access at Ryan's Den. The track / campsite is 1.5km walk to the nearest road.
Can I GET dropped off or picked up at devil's kitchen?
There is no road access at Devil's kitchen. Wreck Beach is the closest road access for drop off and pick up.
WHERE CAN I BUY A GREAT OCEAN WALK MAP?
You can buy an official Parks Victoria Great Ocean Walking Trail map from Ride With Us. Cost per map is $21. Please request a map when you book your transport and we will supply to you when we pick you up.
Where can I park my car for the great ocean walk?
No designated long-term parking exists for the Great Ocean Walk however there are a few unsecured parking options. There are public car parks on the foreshore between Apollo Bay and Marengo. We suggest parking on Pascoe Street near the backpackers in Apollo Bay.
Unsecured public parking exists in the Great Otway National Park at day-visitor car parks and camping areas including The Gables Lookout, Wreck Beach, Moonlight Head, Melanesia Gate, Johanna Beach, Aire River West, Cape Otway Lighthouse, Blanket Bay and Shelley Beach. We cannot access Ryan's Den or Devil's Kitchen by car, so pick ups are not available from these locations.
Relatively secure long term parking is available at Princetown Recreation Reserve for hikers (subject to availability). There is a small nightly fee (approx. $5 per night) and parking is required to be booked in advance. For contact details and to find out more: princetownrecreationreserve.com/
Great Otway and Port Campbell National Park car parks are open to the public at all times. Please note:
Unsecured public parking exists in the Great Otway National Park at day-visitor car parks and camping areas including The Gables Lookout, Wreck Beach, Moonlight Head, Melanesia Gate, Johanna Beach, Aire River West, Cape Otway Lighthouse, Blanket Bay and Shelley Beach. We cannot access Ryan's Den or Devil's Kitchen by car, so pick ups are not available from these locations.
Relatively secure long term parking is available at Princetown Recreation Reserve for hikers (subject to availability). There is a small nightly fee (approx. $5 per night) and parking is required to be booked in advance. For contact details and to find out more: princetownrecreationreserve.com/
Great Otway and Port Campbell National Park car parks are open to the public at all times. Please note:
- The Twelve Apostles car park is not patrolled after hours.
- Hikers leave their vehicles in these areas at their own risk.
- Please remember to remove valuables and lock your vehicle.
- It is NOT recommended that visitors use Gibson Steps car park for overnight parking. (very small, no facilities)
can I catch public transport to and from the great ocean walk?
Yes, you will find options below.
From Melbourne to Apollo Bay
Travel time to Apollo Bay from Melbourne CBD (Southern Cross Station) by train and bus is approximately 4 hours. Train services operated by V/Line are available from Melbourne to Geelong or Warrnambool.
Catch the Vline train from Southern Cross Station to Geelong Station and then change services to the Vline bus to Apollo Bay.
To reach Apollo Bay, the current Vline timetable can be found here: Warrnambool-Melbourne-(via-Great-Ocean-Road)
To see Vline timetables, ticket information and plan your journey visit: https://www.vline.com.au/
Getting to Southern Cross Station
From Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) - Catch the Skybus to Southern Cross station. https://www.skybus.com.au/
Once you arrive at Southern Cross Station, catch the Vline train to Geelong Station and then change services to the Vline bus to Apollo Bay.
If staying in Melbourne CBD, Southern Cross Station is within the free tram zone. Please check if where you are staying also falls within the free tram zone prior to travel.
To plan your journey and check timetables and fares for catching a train, tram or bus in metropolitan Melbourne (e.g. CBD and suburbs) to Southern Cross station check the PTV website: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/
Metro transport buses and trains require a Myki pass to travel on public transport outside of the free tram zone in the CBD. Find out more here: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/
From 12 Apostles to Melbourne
The closest train station to the 12 Apostles to return back to Melbourne is Camperdown train station which is on the Warrnambool train line. The train is a Vline train and you must book your paper tickets in advance.
Travel time from the 12 Apostles back to Melbourne CBD (Southern Cross Station) by train is approximately 3 hours plus a 50-minute drive from the 12 Apostles to Camperdown Station to catch your train. Ride With Us can pick you up at the end of your walk from the 12 Apostles and drop you off at the Camperdown train station to return to Melbourne.
If you plan on travelling by train check out the timetable and book paper tickets here: www.vline.com.au (select the Warrnambool line) or call 1800 800 007
From Melbourne to Apollo Bay
Travel time to Apollo Bay from Melbourne CBD (Southern Cross Station) by train and bus is approximately 4 hours. Train services operated by V/Line are available from Melbourne to Geelong or Warrnambool.
Catch the Vline train from Southern Cross Station to Geelong Station and then change services to the Vline bus to Apollo Bay.
To reach Apollo Bay, the current Vline timetable can be found here: Warrnambool-Melbourne-(via-Great-Ocean-Road)
To see Vline timetables, ticket information and plan your journey visit: https://www.vline.com.au/
Getting to Southern Cross Station
From Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) - Catch the Skybus to Southern Cross station. https://www.skybus.com.au/
Once you arrive at Southern Cross Station, catch the Vline train to Geelong Station and then change services to the Vline bus to Apollo Bay.
If staying in Melbourne CBD, Southern Cross Station is within the free tram zone. Please check if where you are staying also falls within the free tram zone prior to travel.
To plan your journey and check timetables and fares for catching a train, tram or bus in metropolitan Melbourne (e.g. CBD and suburbs) to Southern Cross station check the PTV website: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/
Metro transport buses and trains require a Myki pass to travel on public transport outside of the free tram zone in the CBD. Find out more here: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/
From 12 Apostles to Melbourne
The closest train station to the 12 Apostles to return back to Melbourne is Camperdown train station which is on the Warrnambool train line. The train is a Vline train and you must book your paper tickets in advance.
Travel time from the 12 Apostles back to Melbourne CBD (Southern Cross Station) by train is approximately 3 hours plus a 50-minute drive from the 12 Apostles to Camperdown Station to catch your train. Ride With Us can pick you up at the end of your walk from the 12 Apostles and drop you off at the Camperdown train station to return to Melbourne.
If you plan on travelling by train check out the timetable and book paper tickets here: www.vline.com.au (select the Warrnambool line) or call 1800 800 007
How do I check tide times?
For tide times East of Moonlight Head
Refer to the Apollo Bay tide times: tides.willyweather.com.au/vic/barwon/apollo-bay
For tide times West of Moonlight Head
Refer to the Portland tide times and subtract 4 minutes from Portland tide times for the approximate local times: tides.willyweather.com.au/vic/western-district/portland.html
Refer to the Apollo Bay tide times: tides.willyweather.com.au/vic/barwon/apollo-bay
For tide times West of Moonlight Head
Refer to the Portland tide times and subtract 4 minutes from Portland tide times for the approximate local times: tides.willyweather.com.au/vic/western-district/portland.html
What happens if i need to cancel my booking?
To confirm your booking a $100 deposit is required. Transport is not confirmed until the deposit has been paid.
Bookings cancelled outside of 48 hours - $100 deposit refundable.
Bookings cancelled within 48 hours - $100 deposit non-refundable.
We take pride in taking the time and effort to attend to your walk transport queries, as well as ensuring we have drivers available to get you to and from your preferred destinations. When we confirm your booking we are unable to take other bookings due to the distance we need to travel along the Great Ocean Road for the Great Ocean Walk. Some of our services are provided by third parties and subcontractors and therefore they have also scheduled and organised their day around your booking.
Bookings cancelled outside of 48 hours - $100 deposit refundable.
Bookings cancelled within 48 hours - $100 deposit non-refundable.
We take pride in taking the time and effort to attend to your walk transport queries, as well as ensuring we have drivers available to get you to and from your preferred destinations. When we confirm your booking we are unable to take other bookings due to the distance we need to travel along the Great Ocean Road for the Great Ocean Walk. Some of our services are provided by third parties and subcontractors and therefore they have also scheduled and organised their day around your booking.
I'M TRAVELLING FROM INTERSTATE. WHERE CAN I BUy CAMPING GAS CARTRIDGES?
If you are travelling from interstate and need butane gas cartridges for camping along your walk you can order your gas cartridges from us in advance and we will bring them with us when we pick you up on arrival. $10 per cartridge. Pick up and pay in the car on arrival.
Gasmate Butane Gas Cartridges makes enjoying the outdoors simple and easy. Suitable for portable gas stoves, butane lanterns and lights, camping stoves and other approved butane canister devices. Features Screw type connection for safety and easy operation Fully disposable and a very handy form of fuel Conveniently can be moved from one appliance to another.
Gasmate Butane Gas Cartridges makes enjoying the outdoors simple and easy. Suitable for portable gas stoves, butane lanterns and lights, camping stoves and other approved butane canister devices. Features Screw type connection for safety and easy operation Fully disposable and a very handy form of fuel Conveniently can be moved from one appliance to another.
where can i find more information about the great ocean walk?
Three places to find more information about the Great Ocean Walk:
1. Join our Tips for the Great Ocean Walk Facebook Group
2. Purchase an official Great Ocean Walk map and guidebook. This booklet has extensive information to plan and assist with your walk. Find out more and purchase here.
3. Visit the Parks Victoria Great Ocean Walk webpage.
1. Join our Tips for the Great Ocean Walk Facebook Group
2. Purchase an official Great Ocean Walk map and guidebook. This booklet has extensive information to plan and assist with your walk. Find out more and purchase here.
3. Visit the Parks Victoria Great Ocean Walk webpage.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO DO THE GREAT OCEAN WALK?
Summer, Autumn and Spring are generally the best times of year to do the Great Ocean Walk due to the least about of rainfall. Having said that, Summer is usually when you will experience the hottest weather and it can get really hot! 35 degrees and above is not uncommon but this extreme weather usually doesn’t last long. The Great Ocean Walk is in the Southern region of Australia which means much lower humidity than in other more Northern parts of Australia. The Great Ocean Walk is in Southwest Victoria which has four distinct seasons. Within each of these seasons, the weather can vary quite considerably. You can experience four seasons in one day. Victorian weather is notoriously fickle. High and low pressure systems and fronts move across the state from West to East and bring with them very changeable weather patterns. Summer is generally peak season for tourists and walkers on the Great Ocean Walk trail. If you want less people on the track you might like to do the Great Ocean Walk in Spring or Autumn and even Winter. Crisp, sunny Winter days are simply magic and you’ll have the track mostly to yourself.
Summer (Dec – Feb):
Avg temp: 22°C
Avg monthly rainfall: 37mm
Avg rainy days per month: 9
Autumn (Mar – May):
Avg temp: 21°C
Avg monthly rainfall: 62mm
Avg rainy days per month: 13
Winter (Jun – Aug):
Avg temp: 14°C
Avg monthly rainfall: 84mm
Avg rainy days per month: 19
Spring (Sep – Nov):
Avg temp: 19°C
Avg monthly rainfall: 64mm
Avg rainy days per month: 15
Summer (Dec – Feb):
Avg temp: 22°C
Avg monthly rainfall: 37mm
Avg rainy days per month: 9
Autumn (Mar – May):
Avg temp: 21°C
Avg monthly rainfall: 62mm
Avg rainy days per month: 13
Winter (Jun – Aug):
Avg temp: 14°C
Avg monthly rainfall: 84mm
Avg rainy days per month: 19
Spring (Sep – Nov):
Avg temp: 19°C
Avg monthly rainfall: 64mm
Avg rainy days per month: 15
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