About the Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk (GOW) was launched in January 2006 and has become Victoria’s iconic long distance coastal walk attracting many national and international walkers. The GOW is located between the Great Ocean Road and the sea. It is three hours and 200km west of Melbourne, Australia, via Geelong along the coast (B100) or Colac (A1) over the Otway ranges.

The GOW is approximately 104 km in length (including all detours) and stretches from Apollo Bay in the east to end shortly before the 12 Apostles to the west. Works are currently in progress to extend the walk through to the 12 Apostles and passes through the Great Otway and Port Campbell National Parks. The establishment cost for the GOW was $2.3 million which created an integrated, linked trail system from Marengo to Glenample Homestead (no longer open to the public).

Near The Gables lookout walkers can experience some of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. The GOW has two 'sides' or personalities: the 'mild side' to the east of Cape Otway is more protected from the full force of the Southern Ocean and prevailing winds, while west of Cape Otway awaits the 'wild side', characterised by exposed beaches, higher more rugged cliffs and wilder surf.

Walkers will experience spectacular coast and forest scenery including rocky platforms, sheltered and exposed beaches, rivers, forests and coastal heathland. Wildlife includes Eastern Grey kangaroos, Black Wallabies, evidence of echidnas on the ground and koalas in the trees around Parker Hill and Cape Otway. At vantage points along the trail walkers have the opportunity to see dolphins and - from June to September - migrating whales.  A variety of birds may be observed, including King Parrots, Rufus Bristlebirds, Crimson Rosellas, Singing Honeyeaters, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos and Gang-gang Cockatoos. Wedge-tailed Eagles and occasionally White-bellied Sea-eagles may also be seen. Along the beaches flocks of Crested Terns, larger Pied or Sooty Oystercatchers, Hooded Plovers and occasionally Little Penguins can also be seen.

At night the forest comes to life ringing with the sounds of the Boobook or Powerful Owls, or the unusual screaming sound of the Yellow-bellied Glider or the puppy-like yaps of Sugar Gliders.

Cape Otway is renowned for its shipwreck history and evidence of this can be seen along the beaches of Point Franklin and Wreck Beach - where walkers can visit the anchor remains of the wrecks Marie Gabrielle and Fiji, embedded in the reef.

The Gadabanud people's traditional Country transcends what is known today as the Otway coastline. This area, rich and diverse in plant and animal life, has been a gathering, ceremonial and feasting-place for thousands of years. Many sites and spiritual links remain today. Local Gadabanud & Aboriginal people are closely involved with Parks Victoria in the protection, restoration and management of significant sites.