Great Ocean Walk and Hike-in Campsites

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Choose your own adventure 

The Great Ocean Walk is one of Australia’s most iconic coastal hikes, but it is not one fixed itinerary. It is a trail you can shape around your own pace, time and sense of adventure. 

Stretching more than 100 kilometres from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, the walk links tall Otway forests, coastal heathlands, wild beaches, river crossings, rocky shore platforms and windswept clifftops. Some walkers take on the full end-to-end journey over eight days, while others choose a shorter overnight hike, a single day walk, or a few favourite sections. 

The full walk is usually completed over eight days, with dedicated hike-in campsites located along the trail spaced to keep daily distances manageable, but there is no single way to experience the walk. You can camp along the trail, stay off-walk in nearby accommodation, walk independently, book with a licensed tour operator, or mix and match sections to suit your trip. 

The full Great Ocean Walk is generally walked east to west, from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, with dedicated hike-in campsites along the way. Campsites are small and must be booked before you walk. 

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Start, walk, stay

Make your Great Ocean Walk experience easier from start to finish with places to stay at both ends of the trail.

Start your journey with a stay at Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve, close to town, the beach and the official start of the walk. For a quieter coastal base, Marengo Family Caravan Park offers a relaxed place to stay before joining the trail just west of Apollo Bay.

After days on the track, extend your stay at Port Campbell Recreation Reserve, close to Port Campbell township, the Twelve Apostles and the end of your Great Ocean Walk adventure.

Suggested full walk stages 

These campsite-to-campsite stages form the classic eight-day itinerary, but many walkers combine sections or shorten the journey to suit their trip. 
Day Section Distance Overnight campground
1 Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge Approx. 10 km Elliot Ridge
2 Elliot Ridge to Blanket Bay Approx. 12 km Blanket Bay
3 Blanket Bay to Cape Otway Approx. 11 km Cape Otway
4 Cape Otway to Aire River Approx. 10 km Aire River
5 Aire River to Johanna Beach Approx. 14 km Johanna Beach
6 Johanna Beach to Ryans Den Approx. 14 km Ryans Den
7 Ryans Den to Devils Kitchen Approx. 13 km Devils Kitchen
8 Devils Kitchen to Twelve Apostles Approx. 16 km Finish at Twelve Apostles

Planning your walk

The Great Ocean Walk is a long distance trail through changing coastal and forest environments. Before booking, consider:

  • How many days you want to walk
  • Which hike in campgrounds you need
  • Your transport to Apollo Bay and from the Twelve Apostles
  • Tide, weather and track conditions
  • Your walking experience and fitness
  • Food, water, first aid and overnight gear
  • Whether you want accommodation before or after the walk

The Great Ocean Walk is designed to be walked from east to west. Travelling in this direction offers the best views, provides more manageable gradients and helps reduce congestion and impacts on the track and campground facilities.

Good preparation is essential, particularly if you are new to long distance walking or have not completed a multi day hike recently. Depending on your itinerary, you may be walking for most of the day across steep, uneven and changing terrain. The track includes stairs, sustained climbs and descents, and sections that may become wet, muddy or slippery.

Build your fitness before you go, plan each day carefully and make sure your equipment is suitable for the conditions.

Long distance walkers, groups and tour operators are encouraged to register their itinerary using the form below at least 14 days before setting out, particularly where campground bookings are not required.

Click here to view form.

Booking your campsites

How to book Great Ocean Walk hike in campgrounds

  1. Click the booking link.
  2. Select the date for your first night.
  3. Choose the campground you need for that night.
  4. Add it to your cart.
  5. Return to the booking page.
  6. Select the date for your next night.
  7. Choose your next campground and add it to your cart.
  8. Repeat for each night of your walk, then check out.

Each night and campground must be added to your cart separately.

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Camping in national parks and reserves is subject to permit conditions. A valid booking is required before arrival and acts as your permit to camp.

Visitors must camp only in designated areas and comply with all relevant park regulations, booking conditions and directions from authorised officers. Failure to hold a valid booking or permit may result in enforcement action, including infringement notices or fines.

What you’ll experience along the way

  • Tall eucalypt forest and cool fern gullies 
  • Remote beaches and rocky shore platforms 
  • Big ocean views from windswept cliff tops 
  • Wildlife including koalas, seabirds and migrating whales 
  • Cape Otway Lightstation and stories of the Shipwreck Coast 
  • Historic shipwreck anchors at Wreck Beach 
  • Some of the most isolated stretches of coastline in Victoria 

Whether you have a few hours or a full week, there are plenty of ways to experience the Great Ocean Walk.  

Some sections of the walk involve beach access and river crossings that may become unsafe at high tide or during rough surf conditions. Inland alternatives are available in many areas, but not all. 

Always check tide times and local conditions before setting out. 

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