Walk the Great Ocean Road
4 Days Starting and ending in Melbourne
Visiting: Melbourne - Apollo Bay, Cape Otway to Aire River & Castle Cove to Johanna Beach, Milanesia Beach & The Gables to Port Campbell, Twelve Apostles to Melbourne
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PRXG
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 10
Physical rating:
Medium
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
Experience one of Victoria’s most famous areas, the Great Ocean Road, on this 4-day walking tour. Starting and finishing in Melbourne, you’ll get to drive part of this iconic stretch of road before arriving at the heart of the region. Enjoy spectacular daily walks with views of the towering clifftops, tumultuous Bass Strait and the beaches in between. Spend time walking through the nearby ancient rainforests, whose greenery provide a stark contrast from the dramatic coastline nearby. See iconic sites such as the Twelve Apostles, and the Cape Otway Lightstation, all the while being led by your local leader and a range of other expert guides, who’ll teach you about the natural landscape and history of the area.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Melbourne - Apollo Bay
Location: Melbourne - Apollo Bay
Meals Included: lunch, dinner
Welcome to Melbourne! Today will begin bright and early. Once on the bus, you’ll have a chance to meet your fellow travellers and local leader at the travelling ‘Welcome Meeting’ as you make your way to Lorne, your first stop along the spectacular Great Ocean Road, to stretch your legs. From here you’ll continue to Maits Rest, a perfect lunch spot surrounded by an ancient rainforest with giant Myrtle Beech trees. After lunch, you’ll begin your first 11-kilometre walk starting from Blanket Bay. The track meanders along the cliff tops and through coastal forests – expect to see black wallabies, echidnas, black cockatoos, and rosellas. Continue along the beach (tide permitting) to see some of the shipwreck relics in this area until you reach the Cape Otway Lightstation. Built in 1848, it is Australia’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse and marks the entrance to Bass Strait. You’ll be joined by a local shipwreck historian who will share fascinating stories about the Lightstation’s history. You’ll be staying in Apollo Bay, so after checking in to your accommodation you’ll join the group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Cape Otway To Aire River & Castle Cove To Johanna Beach
Location: Cape Otway to Aire River & Castle Cove to Johanna Beach
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
After breakfast at a local cafe you’ll begin your 17-kilometre walking day from Cape Otway to Johanna Beach. Walk past the pioneer cemetery and large sand dunes before reaching a narrow coastal path overlooking Station Beach, before descending to the beautiful Aire River estuary and surrounding wetlands. After stopping for a picnic lunch you’ll board the bus for a short drive to the start of your afternoon walk at Castle Cove. Castle Cove is a beautiful beach surrounded by towering cliffs where dinosaur fossils have been found! From here, the track winds its way along the cliff tops, through heathland and forests, occasionally emerging to give breath-taking and extensive views along the coast, before you emerge onto Johanna Beach. Tonight you will have a free night to explore the restaurants of Apollo Bay at your own leisure.
Day 3: Milanesia Beach & The Gables To Port Campbell
Location: Milanesia Beach & The Gables to Port Campbell
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast at a local cafe you’ll be joined by a local First Nations guide for the start of another 17-kilometre walking day, beginning with an interpretive walk at Milanesia Beach. Isolated, rugged, and hidden, Milanesia Beach receives few visitors and is all the more special for it. From here the trail continues along the high sea cliffs to Ryans Den with breath-taking views all the way back to Cape Otway. After a picnic lunch, you’ll continue through coastal forests that lead to the evocatively named Moonlight Head. From Moonlight Head the track dips down into a valley and ends at The Gables Lookout, perched on one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. If you’re visiting around September, you may be lucky enough to see one of the departing Southern Right Whales which frequent this coast in the winter months. Tonight, you’ll be staying in Port Campbell and will have dinner at either a local pub or brewery.
Included Activities:
-
Day 4: Twelve Apostles To Melbourne
Location: Twelve Apostles to Melbourne
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning after breakfast at a local cafe you’ll set off for your final day of walking – a seven-and-a-half-kilometre walk starting above the bird-filled wetlands around Princetown. From here you’ll walk through to the Gellibrand River Estuary before embarking on the final leg of this journey into Port Campbell National Park, where the world-famous Twelve Apostles come into view. Tides permitting, you’ll descend Gibsons Steps to view two of the Apostles from sea level. Next, you’ll transfer to the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre before heading to the spectacular Loch Ard Gorge and then back into Port Campbell where you can choose a lunch option that suits you. After lunch, you’ll head back to Melbourne (via a little chocolate treat stop!), arriving at approximately 5 pm when your trip comes to an end.
What's Included
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First Nations Guided Walk - Milenasia Beach
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Great Ocean Road - Walk with Local Shipwreck Historian
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Meals
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
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Accommodation
Hotel (3 nights)
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Milenasia Beach - First Nations Guided Walk
Transport
- Private Vehicle , Walking
Accommodation
- Hotel (3 nights)
Check out our Q&As
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this Operator
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details.
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