Length of the Great Ocean Walk - Approximately 104km depending on routes taken and sections walked. How long does the whole walk take - Depending on fitness level and weather conditions from 5 - 10 days, this also depends on whether you are camping or carrying a Day Pack.
GOW Track Notes and souvenir, including altitude profiles These are available for purchase from Great Ocean Walk Pty Ltd for AUD$15.95 Tel Dom (03) 5237 5265 Int'l +61 3 5237 5265 or purchase on-line at our on-line shop - click here
Access points to the Walk suitable for vehicles - Apollo Bay, Marengo, Shelly Beach Carpark, Blanket Bay, Cape Otway, Aire River, Castle Cove, Johanna Beach, Hiders Access (Old Coach Road, Milanesia Track, Milanesia Gate), Parkers Access off Moonlight Head Road - Moonlight Head, Gable Lookout Carpark, Wreck Beach Carpark, Old Coach Road - Princetown, Glenample - Information Bay.
Water Supply - Water MAY be available in the Great Ocean Walk Camp Sites but is not guaranteed nor is its potability. Recommendation - carry more than you think you will need as some sections of the Walk are difficult (particularly Milanesia Beach-Moonlight Head). Bottled water and other supplies can be purchased at:
Cape Otway Lightstation - Cape Otway; Princetown General Store and Talk of the Town Cafe - Princetown
Off Park Accommodation
There are a number of Bed & Breakfast and Cottage style properties available along the route of the Great Ocean Walk. Most are located some distance from the actual walking track:
Apollo Bay Cape Otway Hordern Vale (Aire River) Castle Cove Johanna Moonlight Head - Moonlight Retreat B&B, Cottages and Transfers (Tel: 03 5237 5277) www.MoonlightRetreat.com Princetown
Camp Sites - The Great Ocean Walk Camp Sites cannot be accessed by vehicles. There are 7 sites and camping is controlled by permits issued by Parks Victoria -
Section
Camp Site
Time HH:MM Estimate
Distance Km (Miles)
Apollo Bay VIC to Elliot Ridge
Elliot Ridge
3:45
9.9 (6.1)
Elliot Ridge to Blanket Bay
Blanket Bay
4:00
11.6 (7.2)
Blanket Bay to Cape Otway
Cape Otway
3:45
10.5 (6.5)
Cape Otway
Aire River
3:45
9.5 (5.9)
Aire River to Johanna Beach
Johanna Beach
5:00
13.8 (8.6)
Johanna Beach to Ryans Den
Ryans Den
5:30
13.4 (8.3)
Ryans Den to Devils Kitchen
Devils Kitchen
5:30
15.5 (9.6)
Ryans Den to Glenample
NO CAMPING
5:10
13.5 (8.4)
Facilities in the camp sites are - Composting Toilet, a Shelter with table and bench seating (suitable for meals in inclement weather), Water Tanks (water quality/presence not guaranteed).
What to take on the Walk: Off Park Accommodation - Day Pack
Water Bottle(s) or hydration pack 2 litre minimum per person per day
Mobile Phone (Telstra) NB. Will not work i all sections
Wet Weather Jacket
Toilet Paper
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
GPS and/or Compass
EPIRB or SPOT
Trekking Poles
Microfibre Small Towel
Torch
Hat
Whistle
Camping
Tent Food Water
What Wildlife am I likely to encounter?
Wallabies
Kangaroos more likely on the western section Johanna - Moonlight Head
Echidnas
Koalas especially on Cape Otway, Blanket Bay - Aire River
Snakes (Tiger, Brown, Copperhead) do not approach or attempt to kill, that's how most people are bitten.
Birdlife including Sea Eagles, Kookaburras, Yellow Tail Black Cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas, Superb Blue Wren, Wedge Tail Eagle, Hooded Plover, Eastern Spine Bill (Honeyeater) and others.
Insects including spiders, ants including bull and jumping, flies (particularly during summer)