Mini Great Ocean Trek

Departing Melbourne at 7.30am from outside the National Gallery of Victoria, St Kilda Road, we head off from Melbourne and down the iconic Great Ocean Road stopping en-route in Anglesea for morning tea and a briefing at a lovely local cafe. Arriving in Apollo Bay we prepare for our afternoon walk.

 

Today we begin at Marengo Beach – home to a colony of Australian Fur seals which hang out on the rocks in the bay. Your Park Trek guide will lead off and along the way explain some of the local history.

 

Following the Great Ocean Walking trail, we enjoy excellent views along the coast looking south-west towards Cape Otway and north-east over the ranges surrounding Apollo Bay.

 

We descend down to a beach for a rest before heading into a small section of Otway rainforest. The trail enters forest then starts to climb into higher forest of the Great Otway National Park just above Shelly Beach.

 

From here we will head off to our accommodation where guides will get dinner underway and put out the pre-dinner nibbles.

 

Meals: Lunch and dinner

Distance: 7km, 3 hours of walking approx. Grade 2 (easy)

The 10km walk from the lighthouse to Aire River winds its way through wind sculpted landscapes of sand dunes, coastal scrub-land and magnificent calcified cliffs. At the Aire River Lookout, there are great views down to the estuary where the Aire River meets the Southern Ocean and Glenaire Beach. The wetlands look quite spectacular from this vantage point and it is a nice steady downhill walk from to the Aire River Bridge which crosses the river to the picnic area and toilets. At this point the 2nd Park Trek guide meets the group, you are welcome to join this guide in the van if you wish to wind up your days’ walking.

 

Following on from Aire River we have a six kilometer walk through to Castle Cove. From Aire River, the track heads inland for a while, climbing up and around the next headland through tea-tree forests, and then continues along the coastal path with sweeping views of the rugged coastline. Expect some ups and downs with a little climbing before you get to 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.

 

A highlight of the day is a visit to Mait’s Rest rainforest walk on our return to Cape Otway (if time permits). Maits Rest is a comfortable 800m stroll through cool temperate rainforest, and a welcome temperature change if the weather is warm.

 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Distance: 12kms, 7hrs walking approx. Grade 3 (moderate)

The walk from Johanna Beach to Ryan’s Den is the wildest and most challenging section of the entire track. From Milanesia Gate we descend to a beautiful and remote beach. Isolated, rugged and hidden, Milanesia Beach receives few visitors and is all the more special for it. Look for the “beachcomber’s cottage” when you reach the beach.

 

From here the trail continues along the high sea cliffs to Ryan’s Den with breathtaking views all the way back to Cape Otway, and west to Cape Volney. This is our lunch spot and it is arguably the most scenic location along the walk.

 

From Ryan’s Den, the track continues through coastal forests that lead over Cape Volney to Moonlight Head (named by Matthew Flinders during a break in showery weather at night in April 1802). For a lot of walkers this is as far as they want to walk for the day, making a total of 12 kms. We might stop into Lavers Hill for a cup of tea/coffee on the way back home.

 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Distance: 12kms, 7hrs walking approx. Grade 3 (Moderate)

Our walk starts above the wetlands around Princetown which support a wide variety of bird life. We’ll walk down through the Gellibrand River Estuary and reconnect with the Great Ocean Walk on a new track section. We are now on the home stretch into Port Campbell National Park and the world famous Twelve Apostles soon come into sight.

 

At Gibson’s Beach Car Park, we recommend, tides allowing, you descend Gibson’s Steps to view Gog and Magog (not strictly counted as two of The Twelve Apostles) up close from sea level. The last kilometer of the Great Ocean Walk takes you through to the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre where you can view The Apostles up close. We’ll have our lunch here and then drive onto Winchelsea where we stop at a local café for a coffee/tea before driving back to Melbourne at an estimated arrival time of 5.00 pm.

 

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Distance: 8.5km, 3hrs walking approx. Grade 2 (Easy to Moderate)

*Walking times and distances may be adapted to the weather and groups needs based on guides discretion.