The Great Ocean Walk

Trip needs cars! People with cars will be prioritised as this is a point to point walk. If we manage to get 10 people and 4 cars there's a possibility to expand the numbers limit and will do before the trip meeting. 

The Great Ocean Walk is usually completed in 8 days, covering roughly 105kms, taking you through the Otway's rainforests and incredible beaches, however we will be smashing this out in half the time. Days will be very long, and most likely will require walking/setting up in the dark, so please bring a headtorch! If we're lucky we hopefully will spot some koalas.

Previous overnight walking experience with packs is required, however track is decently flat, well maintained and not difficult. Participants will need to be fit and want good hiking shoes, as the days are very long and require a decent walking pace. This walk is a coastal walk and is likely to be wet and cold, so be wet weather gear, along with warm clothes are required. The track has multiple river/creek crossings too, which probably require wading. Very early starts will be required with the short daylight hours, along with lots of walking late in the dark, so participants must be comfortable walking in the dark and have a head torch. Tents and cooking will be shared and can be hired from the club if needed.

The drive is roughly 4h total down to 12 Apostles, and then Apollo Bay, which would cost ~$42pp, along with booking campsites which is ~$32 total. 

Itinerary:

Monday 6th, Apollo Bay to Blanket Bay (23.3km, ~700m)

- Leave clubrooms at 6am, drive 4h down to Twelve apostles, drop off car and drive to start of walk in Apollo Bay.

- Begin walking around 10:30, the track follows the coast until Elliot river crossing before the track heads inland and uphill into the rainforest. Set up camp at Blanket Bay by around 6:30pm. 

Tuesday 7th, Blanket Bay to Aire River (21.2km, 450m)

- Early wake up. Begin walking by 8, pass by the Otway's lighthouse and continue around the coast with small hills.

- Possible alternate route to take on the beach if tides and time allow. Cross the Aire River Bridge and set up camp before sunset by 5pm. 

Wednesday 8th, Aire River to Ryan's Den (31.1km, 950m)

- Our longest day, begin walking by 6:30am, track staying fairly coastal, with pockets of uphill inland walking.

- Multiple river/creek crossings required, may need to be timed with the tides. Most likely walking into the dark, camping at Ryan's Den arriving around 6pm.

Thursday 9th, Ryan's Den to Twelve Apostles (29.4km, 850m)

- Begin walking by 7am, inland forest walking in the morning, with coastal views up on the cliffs, showing the 12 Apostles in the afternoon/evening. Finish at the 12 Apostles a bit after sunset, drive back to Apollo bay to pick up the other car and return to clubrooms late Thursday night.

If you're Victorian please check your ambulance insurance, it is $55 dollars and is a good investment. If hiring club gear please bring $50 cash deposit!

Link to map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/victoria/great-ocean-walk (length is slightly off as sections have been rerouted)