How long is the Great Ocean Walk?

The Great Ocean Walk is 110 kilometres long, running from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles in southern Victoria. It typically takes 6–8 days for thru-hikers, with most walkers completing it in 8 days using the official campgrounds spaced along the trail. Day-section walkers can do it in shorter pieces from various access points.

How difficult is the Great Ocean Walk?

Moderate overall, with two challenging sections. Most days involve 10–16 km of walking with elevation changes between coastal cliff-tops and forest gullies. Days 5 (Aire River → Johanna) and 6 (Johanna → Ryans Den) include the steepest climbs and longest distances; total ascent across the 8 days is about 3,000 m. Reasonable fitness is essential — the walk isn't a first-time multi-day hike — but experienced day hikers manage it well.

Do you need to book the Great Ocean Walk?

Yes, for the campgrounds. The official walk-in hike-only campgrounds are managed by Parks Victoria and require booking through their website. Bookings open well in advance for peak season (October–April); 6+ months ahead for popular months. Day-walking sections don't require booking. The walk itself doesn't require a permit — your campsite booking acts as your permit.

What's the best time to do the Great Ocean Walk?

October to April. Peak season is November to April when the weather is most settled and the trail is at its driest. Spring (October–November) offers wildflowers; autumn (March–April) offers stable weather and reduced bush flies. Winter is wet and cold with possible trail closures and dangerous river crossings. Summer school holidays book out earliest.

Can you do the Great Ocean Walk without camping?

Yes — multiple supported options exist. Bothfeet Walking Lodge is the only luxury lodge directly on the trail, returning to the same eco-cabin each night with shuttle support. Auswalk, Walk 91 and several other operators run B&B-based versions with daily shuttle transfers between accommodation along the route. Cost: typically AU$1,500–4,500 per person depending on comfort level, versus AU$300–500 self-supported camping.

Do you need a shuttle for the Great Ocean Walk?

For thru-hikers, you'll need transport at start and end. From Apollo Bay (start), drive yourself or take V/Line. From the Twelve Apostles (end), shuttle services run back to Apollo Bay or Port Campbell — bookable in advance, AU$80–150 per person one-way. Day-walking sections need shuttle support to avoid retracing steps; multiple operators run shuttle networks across all access points.

What gear do you need for the Great Ocean Walk?

Standard multi-day hiking kit: lightweight tent, sleeping bag rated to 5°C, sleeping mat, lightweight stove and fuel, 3-litre water capacity (top up at campgrounds), sturdy hiking boots, layered clothing including waterproof outer, navigation (paper map + offline GPS), first aid kit, headlamp, food for the days. Total pack weight typically 12–16 kg. Use the gear checklist on this page to track your packing.

Can you do day sections of the Great Ocean Walk?

Yes — multiple access points let you walk day sections without committing to the full 8 days. Popular day sections: Apollo Bay to Marengo (5 km return), Aire River to Castle Cove (8 km return), Johanna Beach return, Wreck Beach detour from the Devils Kitchen section, and Princetown to Twelve Apostles (16 km one-way). Multiple shuttle operators support point-to-point day walking.

Is the Great Ocean Walk dog-friendly?

No. The Great Ocean Walk passes through Great Otway National Park and Port Campbell National Park, where dogs (other than registered assistance dogs) are not permitted. Take your dog on the public Great Ocean Road and dog-friendly beaches like Apollo Bay's leash-on foreshore beach, Johanna Beach (off-leash zone outside the national park section), or Lorne's North Beach instead.

Are there toilets and water on the Great Ocean Walk?

Yes — every Parks Vic campground has a basic pit toilet and a rainwater tank. Tank water is untreated; bring a filter, purification tablets, or boil before drinking. Toilet paper is sometimes supplied but bring your own as backup. There are no shops or formal water stops between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles other than at Aire River (cafe nearby) and Cape Otway Lightstation.

How long is the Great Ocean Walk?

The Great Ocean Walk is 110 kilometres long, running from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles in southern Victoria. It typically takes 6–8 days for thru-hikers, with most walkers completing it in 8 days using the official campgrounds spaced along the trail. Day-section walkers can do it in shorter pieces from various access points.

How difficult is the Great Ocean Walk?

Moderate overall, with two challenging sections. Most days involve 10–16 km of walking with elevation changes between coastal cliff-tops and forest gullies. Days 5 (Aire River → Johanna) and 6 (Johanna → Ryans Den) include the steepest climbs and longest distances; total ascent across the 8 days is about 3,000 m. Reasonable fitness is essential — the walk isn't a first-time multi-day hike — but experienced day hikers manage it well.

Do you need to book the Great Ocean Walk?

Yes, for the campgrounds. The official walk-in hike-only campgrounds are managed by Parks Victoria and require booking through their website. Bookings open well in advance for peak season (October–April); 6+ months ahead for popular months. Day-walking sections don't require booking. The walk itself doesn't require a permit — your campsite booking acts as your permit.

What's the best time to do the Great Ocean Walk?

October to April. Peak season is November to April when the weather is most settled and the trail is at its driest. Spring (October–November) offers wildflowers; autumn (March–April) offers stable weather and reduced bush flies. Winter is wet and cold with possible trail closures and dangerous river crossings. Summer school holidays book out earliest.

Can you do the Great Ocean Walk without camping?

Yes — multiple supported options exist. Bothfeet Walking Lodge is the only luxury lodge directly on the trail, returning to the same eco-cabin each night with shuttle support. Auswalk, Walk 91 and several other operators run B&B-based versions with daily shuttle transfers between accommodation along the route. Cost: typically AU$1,500–4,500 per person depending on comfort level, versus AU$300–500 self-supported camping.

Do you need a shuttle for the Great Ocean Walk?

For thru-hikers, you'll need transport at start and end. From Apollo Bay (start), drive yourself or take V/Line. From the Twelve Apostles (end), shuttle services run back to Apollo Bay or Port Campbell — bookable in advance, AU$80–150 per person one-way. Day-walking sections need shuttle support to avoid retracing steps; multiple operators run shuttle networks across all access points.

What gear do you need for the Great Ocean Walk?

Standard multi-day hiking kit: lightweight tent, sleeping bag rated to 5°C, sleeping mat, lightweight stove and fuel, 3-litre water capacity (top up at campgrounds), sturdy hiking boots, layered clothing including waterproof outer, navigation (paper map + offline GPS), first aid kit, headlamp, food for the days. Total pack weight typically 12–16 kg. Use the gear checklist on this page to track your packing.

Can you do day sections of the Great Ocean Walk?

Yes — multiple access points let you walk day sections without committing to the full 8 days. Popular day sections: Apollo Bay to Marengo (5 km return), Aire River to Castle Cove (8 km return), Johanna Beach return, Wreck Beach detour from the Devils Kitchen section, and Princetown to Twelve Apostles (16 km one-way). Multiple shuttle operators support point-to-point day walking.

Is the Great Ocean Walk dog-friendly?

No. The Great Ocean Walk passes through Great Otway National Park and Port Campbell National Park, where dogs (other than registered assistance dogs) are not permitted. Take your dog on the public Great Ocean Road and dog-friendly beaches like Apollo Bay's leash-on foreshore beach, Johanna Beach (off-leash zone outside the national park section), or Lorne's North Beach instead.

Are there toilets and water on the Great Ocean Walk?

Yes — every Parks Vic campground has a basic pit toilet and a rainwater tank. Tank water is untreated; bring a filter, purification tablets, or boil before drinking. Toilet paper is sometimes supplied but bring your own as backup. There are no shops or formal water stops between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles other than at Aire River (cafe nearby) and Cape Otway Lightstation.

🥾 Great Ocean Walk: Interactive 110 km Trail Guide 🌲✨

The walk story

A coast walked for tens of thousands of years, formalised in 2005

The Great Ocean Walk opened officially in 2005 as a 110-kilometre long-distance hiking trail running along the coast from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. The route stitches together coastal cliff-top heath, Otway rainforest interior, hidden beaches accessible only on foot, and a string of remote walk-in campgrounds. For multi-day hikers, it's one of the strongest experiences in southern Australia.

The trail isn't new to walking. Indigenous communities — primarily Gadubanud / Katubanut and Eastern Maar — walked these coastal and forest tracks for tens of thousands of years before European arrival. The modern Great Ocean Walk follows traditional routes where possible, with interpretive signs along the trail explaining cultural and ecological significance.

Most thru-hikers take 8 days using the official walk-in campgrounds spaced 10–16 km apart. Some experienced hikers compress the route to 6 days; ultra-fast hikers have completed it in 4. For most travellers wanting depth rather than speed, 8 days is the right pacing.

Coast 60% Forest 5% Beach 35%

Highlights

Princetown wetlands and Gellibrand River
Gibson Steps beach detour beneath the Apostles
Triumphant arrival at the Twelve Apostles

Camp / overnight

End of trail — accommodation in Port Campbell or Princetown

Pacing comparison

All 8 days side-by-side

Distances, ascent and difficulty at a glance. Total trail: 99 km of marked walking plus the Apollo Bay and Twelve Apostles approach.

Day	From → to	Distance	Ascent	Hours	Difficulty
01	Apollo Bay → Elliott Ridge	10 km	↑ 280 m	3–4 h	Easy
02	Elliott Ridge → Blanket Bay	12 km	↑ 360 m	4–5 h	Moderate
03	Blanket Bay → Cape Otway	10 km	↑ 320 m	4–5 h	Moderate
04	Cape Otway → Aire River	10 km	↑ 200 m	4 h	Moderate
05	Aire River → Johanna	14 km	↑ 540 m	5–6 h	Challenging
06	Johanna → Ryans Den	14 km	↑ 680 m	6–7 h	Challenging
07	Ryans Den → Devils Kitchen	13 km	↑ 380 m	5 h	Moderate
08	Devils Kitchen → Twelve Apostles	16 km	↑ 220 m	5–6 h	Moderate
∑	8 days · Apollo Bay → 12 Apostles	99 km	↑ 2980 m	~38–42 h walking	Moderate avg.

Choose your version

Three ways to walk the Great Ocean Walk

Self-supported camping for the freedom; luxury lodge for the comfort; day-section sampler if a week off is impossible. The trail accommodates all three.

Walk-in coastal camp on the Great Ocean Walk

🥾

Most flexible

Self-supported camping

Experienced hikers with their own gear

AU$300–500 · 8 days

The classic thru-hike. Carry everything; book Parks Victoria walk-in campgrounds; refuel from rainwater tanks; total freedom on pace.

What's included

Parks Vic camp bookings
Self-catered meals from packed food
Apollo Bay & Twelve Apostles end-shuttle

Trade-offs

Pack 12–16 kg including food
Tank water needs filtering or boiling
Wet/cold weather risk Apr–Sep

Luxury hiking lodge interior near the Great Ocean Walk

🛏️

Premium

Bothfeet luxury hike

First-time multi-day hikers seeking comfort

AU$3,500–4,500 · 6 nights

The only luxury walking lodge directly on the trail. Eco-cabin returns each night, three-course dinners, sommelier wine list, daily shuttle drop-offs and pickups.

What's included

Bothfeet Lodge accommodation × 6 nights
All meals + wine pairings
Daily shuttles + pack-light day walks
Local guide on multi-day option

Trade-offs

Most expensive option
Books out 9–12 months ahead
Walking same days as group

Day hikers on a coastal section of the Great Ocean Walk

🎒

Time-efficient

Day-section sampler

Travellers without a week to spare

AU$80–250 · 1–3 days

Pick the strongest 1–3 day sections (Castle Cove, Johanna Beach, Princetown→Apostles). Shuttles drop you at one trailhead and collect at the next.

What's included

Pre-booked shuttle drop & pickup
Day-pack only — no camp gear
Choose any number of sections

Trade-offs

Misses the cumulative arc
Shuttle scheduling adds complexity
Not the same achievement as full thru-hike

🎟️

Booking

The seven walk-in campgrounds (Elliott Ridge, Blanket Bay, Cape Otway, Aire River, Johanna, Ryans Den, Devils Kitchen) book through Parks Victoria. The booking window opens 6+ months ahead of peak season; spring and autumn weekends fill quickly.

One booking per night per campsite covers your "permit." No additional walking permit required.

🚐

Shuttles

Walk Apollo Bay, Apollo Bay Eco Lodge, Walk 91 and Otway Discovery run scheduled and on-demand shuttles between Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, Aire River, Johanna, and the Twelve Apostles. AU$80–150 one-way per person.

Book end-shuttle (Twelve Apostles back to Apollo Bay) at the same time as your campgrounds — last departures are early afternoon.

⚠️

Practical realities

Water: rainwater tanks at every camp — filter, treat or boil.
Fires: banned most warm months; stove only.
Phone: patchy. Telstra is best on cliff-tops.
Tides: some beach sections tide-dependent.
Snakes: active Oct–Apr; gaiters recommended.
Trail closures: check Parks Vic before starting.

Pack-list builder

Tick off your gear as you pack

Six categories, around 35 items, with the essentials starred. Your progress saves automatically in your browser so you can come back to it.

If 8 days is too much

Day-section alternatives

Not every traveller has 8 days. The good news: most of the trail's strongest moments are accessible as day walks from various trailheads. Multiple shuttle operators support point-to-point day walking.

Apollo Bay → Marengo — 5 km return, easy. The trail's eastern start, accessible from Apollo Bay accommodation.
Castle Cove + Rainbow Falls — 8 km return from Aire River, moderate. Coastal cliffs and a hidden waterfall.
Johanna Beach end-to-end — 10 km return. The best single-beach experience in the Otways.
Wreck Beach detour — short but steep (350 steps) descent to a wild beach with shipwreck anchors.
Princetown → Twelve Apostles — 16 km one-way, the trail's celebrated finish.

Frequently asked

Great Ocean Walk FAQs

How long is the Great Ocean Walk?: The Great Ocean Walk is 110 kilometres long, running from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles in southern Victoria. It typically takes 6–8 days for thru-hikers, with most walkers completing it in 8 days using the official campgrounds spaced along the trail. Day-section walkers can do it in shorter pieces from various access points.
How difficult is the Great Ocean Walk?: Moderate overall, with two challenging sections. Most days involve 10–16 km of walking with elevation changes between coastal cliff-tops and forest gullies. Days 5 (Aire River → Johanna) and 6 (Johanna → Ryans Den) include the steepest climbs and longest distances; total ascent across the 8 days is about 3,000 m. Reasonable fitness is essential — the walk isn't a first-time multi-day hike — but experienced day hikers manage it well.
Do you need to book the Great Ocean Walk?: Yes, for the campgrounds. The official walk-in hike-only campgrounds are managed by Parks Victoria and require booking through their website. Bookings open well in advance for peak season (October–April); 6+ months ahead for popular months. Day-walking sections don't require booking. The walk itself doesn't require a permit — your campsite booking acts as your permit.
What's the best time to do the Great Ocean Walk?: October to April. Peak season is November to April when the weather is most settled and the trail is at its driest. Spring (October–November) offers wildflowers; autumn (March–April) offers stable weather and reduced bush flies. Winter is wet and cold with possible trail closures and dangerous river crossings. Summer school holidays book out earliest.
Can you do the Great Ocean Walk without camping?: Yes — multiple supported options exist. Bothfeet Walking Lodge is the only luxury lodge directly on the trail, returning to the same eco-cabin each night with shuttle support. Auswalk, Walk 91 and several other operators run B&B-based versions with daily shuttle transfers between accommodation along the route. Cost: typically AU$1,500–4,500 per person depending on comfort level, versus AU$300–500 self-supported camping.
Do you need a shuttle for the Great Ocean Walk?: For thru-hikers, you'll need transport at start and end. From Apollo Bay (start), drive yourself or take V/Line. From the Twelve Apostles (end), shuttle services run back to Apollo Bay or Port Campbell — bookable in advance, AU$80–150 per person one-way. Day-walking sections need shuttle support to avoid retracing steps; multiple operators run shuttle networks across all access points.
What gear do you need for the Great Ocean Walk?: Standard multi-day hiking kit: lightweight tent, sleeping bag rated to 5°C, sleeping mat, lightweight stove and fuel, 3-litre water capacity (top up at campgrounds), sturdy hiking boots, layered clothing including waterproof outer, navigation (paper map + offline GPS), first aid kit, headlamp, food for the days. Total pack weight typically 12–16 kg. Use the gear checklist on this page to track your packing.
Can you do day sections of the Great Ocean Walk?: Yes — multiple access points let you walk day sections without committing to the full 8 days. Popular day sections: Apollo Bay to Marengo (5 km return), Aire River to Castle Cove (8 km return), Johanna Beach return, Wreck Beach detour from the Devils Kitchen section, and Princetown to Twelve Apostles (16 km one-way). Multiple shuttle operators support point-to-point day walking.
Is the Great Ocean Walk dog-friendly?: No. The Great Ocean Walk passes through Great Otway National Park and Port Campbell National Park, where dogs (other than registered assistance dogs) are not permitted. Take your dog on the public Great Ocean Road and dog-friendly beaches like Apollo Bay's leash-on foreshore beach, Johanna Beach (off-leash zone outside the national park section), or Lorne's North Beach instead.
Are there toilets and water on the Great Ocean Walk?: Yes — every Parks Vic campground has a basic pit toilet and a rainwater tank. Tank water is untreated; bring a filter, purification tablets, or boil before drinking. Toilet paper is sometimes supplied but bring your own as backup. There are no shops or formal water stops between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles other than at Aire River (cafe nearby) and Cape Otway Lightstation.

Ready to book?

Use Apollo Bay as your eastern base for the start, and look at the 7-day road trip if you want to drive the full coast in either direction afterwards.

Apollo Bay base → 7-day road trip Wildlife on the trail

The Great Ocean Walk

A coast walked for tens of thousands of years, formalised in 2005

The full 110 km mapped — click any day for the section guide

Eight days of the Southern Ocean — what you'll actually see

The 8 official day sections