Hike the Great Ocean Walk

Intrepid Travel · 7 days
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Hike the Great Ocean Walk
7 Days
From AUD $3995
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Demanding

Rating


 (4 reviews)

Hike the Great Ocean Walk

Hike the Great Ocean Walk

Intrepid Travel · 7 days
4.5
4 Reviews
View Map
Duration

7 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Demanding

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

This seven-day hiking trip takes you from Melbourne to Cape Otway National Park and on to the famous 12 Apostles, passing fur seal colonies, beaches, forests, sea cliffs, light stations and lookouts along the way.

Highlights

  • Explore diverse and beautiful landscapes on foot – from rugged beaches and rocky terrain to stunning coastlines.
  • Traverse this classic Victorian track with not one, but two expert local leaders to share their knowledge about the region and take care of all the details along the way.
  • Walk the entire 104 km Great Ocean Walk with nothing but a day pack, staying in accommodation along the track with your main luggage being transferred for you.
  • Marvel at the incredible 12 Apostles – the finishing point and final reward for your incredible efforts.
  • With almost every meal included, you’ll enjoy wonderful fresh picnics in incredible locations, delicious breakfasts and hearty home-cooked dinners.

Trip Details

Duration

7 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle,Walking

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Melbourne / Great Ocean Walk / Apollo Bay, Australia

Finishes

Great Ocean Walk / Melbourne, Australia

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Walking & Trekking

Physical Rating

Demanding

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Melbourne / Great Ocean Walk / Apollo Bay
Welcome to Melbourne! Or Narrm in the language of the Wurundjeri people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Melbourne is now located. Today, meet your group at 8 am to depart the Melbourne CBD as you head for the spectacular Great Ocean Road and Apollo Bay – the start of the Great Ocean Walk. Enjoy the first of many fresh picnic lunches for the week, get to know your walking companions and see if you can spot some Australian fur seals on the rocks. Today's walk is relatively easy with some short sections of beach walking and a few hills. Meet your driver at the car park for the drive to the night’s accommodation in Apollo Bay, where you’ll enjoy an included sunset dinner and dusk tour at a local wildlife sanctuary. As the sun goes down, the Otways’ most elusive residents start waking up: potoroos, bandicoots and pademelons. Your guide for the evening is a conservationist who’ll teach you all about the lives of these local marsupials.

Included Activities:

  • Great Ocean Road - Apollo Bay to Shelly Beach walk

Accommodation:

  • Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Great Ocean Walk / Johanna
Fuel up on breakfast before embarking on the first big walk of the trip, from Shelly Beach to Parker Inlet. Walk through the towering forest of Mountain Ash in the Great Otway National Park. This national park stretches from Torquay to the Otway hinterland, along the incredible Great Ocean Road. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife like black wallabies, echidnas and black cockatoos. You’ll traverse a few inland hills before hitting the coast again at Blanket Bay – one of the few safe swimming spots along the walk. Enjoy lunch at the bay then continue along cliff tops and through coastal forests to Parker Inlet. Spend some time here to relax after your walk and take in the views of the small cove and sandy beach that’s met by beautiful Australian bush.

Included Activities:

  • Great Ocean Road - Shelly Beach to Parker Inlet walk

Accommodation:

  • House with Shared Facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Great Ocean Walk / Johanna
This morning, you’ll walk the inland trail, passing towering manna gums as you head toward Cape Otway. As the path sweeps toward the coast once again, you’ll see the turquoise water of Crayfish Bay and catch glimpses of Cape Otway lighthouse in the distance. Prior to the lighthouse being built, thousands of lives were lost along this stretch of coast. Built in 1848, this lighthouse known as ‘the beacon of hope’ is the oldest on mainland Australia. Walk along wind sculpted landscapes of sand dunes, coastal scrubland and magnificent calcified cliffs. Continue through Aire River Valley before ending the day at Castle Cove lookout surrounded by towering cliffs, where you’ll watch as waves crash into shore and perhaps catch a glimpse of whales jumping in the distance.

Included Activities:

  • Great Ocean Road - Parker Inlet to Castle Cove walk

Accommodation:

  • House with Shared Facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Great Ocean Walk / Johanna
After breakfast, head out for today’s walk through a variety of different landscapes – from cliff tops, through heathlands and forests, occasionally emerging for views along the extensive coast. Keep your eyes peeled for peregrine falcons today, as they’ve been spotted along this section of the trail. In spring, you can expect wonderful wildflower displays. Once you reach Johanna Beach, take in the sweeping sand dunes and crashing surf. Finally, continue towards Milanesia Track, through rolling hills with wildlife like eastern grey kangaroos.

Included Activities:

  • Great Ocean Road - Castle Cove to Milanesia Track walk

Accommodation:

  • House with Shared Facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Great Ocean Walk / Johanna
Today’s hike showcases more spectacular highlights like Milanesia Beach, which is so isolated it feels like this section of coastline is all yours. From here, walk through coastal forests and farmland before reaching Ryan’s Den where you’ll soak up breathtaking views all the way back to Cape Otway and west to Cape Volney. Next up, it’s a steep climb to Moonlight Head – a hidden gem on the coastal walk – before you continue to The Gables Lookout on one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. If you’re lucky, you’ll see seabirds and whales from June to September. Enjoy unspoiled views of the Southern Ocean and Great Ocean Road cliffs before making your way back to Apollo Bay for a home-cooked dinner and a little time to put your feet up and relax.

Included Activities:

  • Great Ocean Road - Milanesia Track to The Gables Lookout walk

Accommodation:

  • House with Shared Facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Great Ocean Walk / Port Campbell
After breakfast, continue the walk from Gables through to Gibson Steps. After a walking through large stands of casuarina trees, you’ll come out at the aptly named Wreck Beach where the anchors from shipwrecks can still be seen at low tide. Continue along the high tide route to the Devils Kitchen, then follow a trail that hugs the wild coastal cliffs, protected by coastal heath, all the way to Princetown. From here, cross the Gellibrand River on a trestle bridge and start to see glimpses of the famous 12 Apostles. Originally known as the Sow and Piglets, these iconic limestone formations were renamed The Twelve Apostles as part of a 1920s tourism campaign, despite the fact there were only nine pinnacles (now there are only eight). Today's walk ends just before Gibsons Steps with stunning views from the Shipwreck Coast's Great Ocean Walk Lookout. Head to the town of Port Campbell for a final dinner at the local hotel with your walking crew and leaders. Put your feet up and relax as you toast to the incredible effort you’ve all made over the last six days on the Great Ocean Walk!

Included Activities:

  • Great Ocean Road - The Gables to Gibson Steps walk

Accommodation:

  • Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Great Ocean Walk / Melbourne
Embark on your final walk from Gibson Steps to the Twelve Apostles visitor Centre today – officially marking the end of your Great Ocean Walk. Wander along the windswept boardwalks and viewing platforms and take in the views of these natural beauties before the rush of the crowds. After, head to Loch Ard Gorge for morning tea. This is the perfect spot for a bite to eat before your route back to Melbourne. The gorge is picturesque with two yellow-washed cliff faces framing the smooth blue water below. Expect to arrive back in the city by late afternoon, where your adventure comes to an end.

Included Activities:

  • Great Ocean Road - Gibson Steps to The Twelve Apostles walk
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $3,995
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 7 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Demanding

This seven-day hiking trip takes you from Melbourne to Cape Otway National Park and on to the famous 12 Apostles, passing fur seal colonies, beaches, forests, sea cliffs, light stations and lookouts along the way.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 09 May 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
5.0
Rachel
Traveled, February 2024

03/31/2024

This trip was nothing short of phenomenal! Stunning scenery in a wild coastal wilderness environment, awesome team and leaders. Exceeded all my expectations!

4.5
Harry
Traveled, November 2023

12/01/2023

Tough but incredibly rewarding. The scenery and company I shared on this trip made it an experience I won't forget, and don't want too! Food and accommodation are amazing as well!

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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