GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR GREAT OCEAN WALK
|
Click below topics to go to the relevant Great Ocean Walk planning information which can be found on this page or scroll down to browse.
Accommodation
Campsite Bookings Day Hikes Emergency Plan Extend Your Stay Great Ocean Walk Tips Facebook Group Official Map and Planning Guide Parking Parks Victoria Information & Track Conditions Public Transport Shared Transportation / Shuttle Service Tide Times Trail Sections and Distances Transfer Pick Up and Drop Off Locations |
|
PARKS VICTORIA TRACK CONDITIONS & NEED TO KNOW INFOPlease refer to the Parks Victoria Great Ocean Walk official website for track condition updates and to plan your walk.
The Parks Victoria Great Ocean Walk official website includes need to know information about the Great Ocean Walk, FAQs and importantly, the most up to date track condition information. |
|
GREAT OCEAN WALK SECTIONS & DISTANCES
The Great Ocean Walk can generally be divided into eight walking sections, although many people choose to combine sections or alter the start and finish locations of each day's hike to match their ideal overall hiking time frame.
Sections of Walk |
Approx. Distance |
Approx. Time* |
Grade |
Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge |
10km |
3.5 hours |
Medium |
Elliot Ridge to Blanket Bay |
12km |
4.5 hours |
Easy |
Blanket Bay to Cape Otway |
11km |
3.5 hours |
Easy to Medium |
Cape Otway to Aire River |
10km |
3 hours |
Medium |
Aire River to Johanna |
14km |
5 hours |
Medium |
Johanna to Ryan's Den |
14km |
5 hours |
Medium to Hard |
Ryan's Den to Devil's Kitchen |
13km |
5 hours |
Medium to Hard |
Devil's Kitchen to 12 Apostles |
16km |
5 hours |
Easy to Medium |
*Time is dependent on your level of fitness, pace and number of breaks you take.
|
DAY HIKESPlanning one or more day hikes along the Great Ocean Walk? Not all sections of the trail have vehicle access. If completing a day hike, you will need to ensure vehicle access to, or near the trail. Below are nine popular day hikes with car access.
To enquire about transfers to and from the Great Ocean Walk trail please text or call 0438 407 777 after 6.30pm. |
GREAT OCEAN WALK TRANSFERS PICK UP & DROP OFF LOCATIONSNot all sections of the Great Ocean Walk trail are accessible by vehicle. If you are relying on access to a car or plan on using a transfer service, you will need to take vehicle access into account when planning your walk. We can pick up from and drop off at the following locations:
|
Please note, when planning your car shuffle itinerary for the Great Ocean Walk, please drive your car to where you are ending your walk and we will pick you up and take you back to the starting point of your walk. This will save you needing to finish your walk by a set time, it will also save you waiting around for your lift back to your car if you finish your walk earlier than you anticipated. This is the most efficient and cost effective way to book car shuffle transport for your walk.
For parking locations please scroll further down the page. To enquire please text 0438 407 777 or call after 6.30pm. |
|
GREAT OCEAN WALK CAMPSITE BOOKINGSGreat Ocean Walk campsites can be booked via the Parks Victoria website in the following locations:
When booking your campsites on the Parks Victoria website: If you are using Ride With Us transport to access the Great Ocean Walk hike, please select 'tour operator' for mode of transport and under Licensed Tour Operator select yes and enter the following details. PV LTO number: CA-2263 LTO business name: Ride With Us |
|
TIDE TIMESEnsure you check the tides for your walk, as you will not be able to cross the beach in high tide in some sections.
East of Moonlight Head Refer to the Apollo Bay tide times: tides.willyweather.com.au/vic/barwon/apollo-bay 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 |
OFFICIAL GREAT OCEAN WALK MAP The official Parks Victoria walker's map booklet contains extensive maps and walk planning information that you won't find online.
Purchase your official Great Ocean Walker's map booklet in advance and we will post your booklet to you prior to arrival. Please note: We recommend choosing the EXPRESS + TRACKING option. For maps that don't have tracking we take no responsibility for lost or stolen goods. |
|
PARKING
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 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 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)
SHARED TRANSPORTATION / SHUTTLE SERVICE
Due to the nature of this service and distances being travelled along the Great Ocean Road, it is likely you will have the vehicle to yourselves however you may need to share the trip with another hiker or hiking group. Please refer to the shared transportation/ multiple hirers transport policy which applies to this service.
Multiple hiring is when two or more hirers use the same taxi or commercial passenger vehicle at the same time. Because the hirers are giving up their exclusive use of the taxi-cab or commercial passenger vehicle, the fare is discounted for each hirer. Regulation requires each hirer to agree to allow the driver to accept other hirings. The hirer has the right to refuse to allow the driver to multiple hire if they would prefer not to share. Multiple hirings must start at the same time and all hirers must be travelling to destinations in the same general direction. The maximum fare that can be charged to each hirer is 75% of the standard authorised fare for the hirer's section of the journey.
Benefits include:
Multiple hiring is when two or more hirers use the same taxi or commercial passenger vehicle at the same time. Because the hirers are giving up their exclusive use of the taxi-cab or commercial passenger vehicle, the fare is discounted for each hirer. Regulation requires each hirer to agree to allow the driver to accept other hirings. The hirer has the right to refuse to allow the driver to multiple hire if they would prefer not to share. Multiple hirings must start at the same time and all hirers must be travelling to destinations in the same general direction. The maximum fare that can be charged to each hirer is 75% of the standard authorised fare for the hirer's section of the journey.
Benefits include:
- Reduced waiting times for customers in peak periods
- More efficient utilisation of available taxis / commercial passenger vehicles
- Every hirer gets a discounted fare - the customer saves money
- The driver earns more for the trip
- For a cleaner, greener environment, share the kilometres
|
EMERGENCY PLANNINGInform someone reliable about your hiking plans and estimated return times. Carry a charged phone and a portable charger as well as a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for emergencies. Note that there is limited or no mobile service in some areas of the trail. Allow room in your pack for first aid and survival kits.
While the trail is well-marked, having a map or GPS device can be helpful for staying on track, especially in case of any detours or alternate routes. If you are new to hiking we recommend researching what to pack and how to prepare for your hike, including how to take suitable safety precautions and prepare for an emergency. You can also register your trip intentions on the Trail Hiking Australia website. |
PUBLIC TRANSPORTWe often get asked about travelling to and from the Great Ocean Walk by public transport. You will find public transport options below.
ARRIVING BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT |
|
From Melbourne to Apollo Bay
Getting to Southern Cross Station
- 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/
DEPARTING BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
There is no public transport from the end of the Great Ocean Walk at the 12 Apostles or from Port Campbell however there is a bus which leaves from Timboon and this is the closest public transport to end of the Great Ocean Walk (12 Apostles). Call Ride With Us to book your taxi from the 12 Apostles to Timboon, then catch the public transport bus which can take you to the Camperdown train station. From the train station, catch the Vline train to Melbourne. Or book a taxi straight from the 12 Apostles to the Camperdown train station to catch the train to Melbourne. Please call ahead and book in advance to avoid disappointment as we only have one taxi and cannot guarantee the taxi will be available if you call on the day.
From 12 Apostles to Melbourne
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
|
|
|
|
