If there’s one trek that stole my heart in Australia, it’s the Great Ocean Walk. This trail is pure wilderness, stretching along 104 km of raw, untouched coastline, where towering cliffs meet the endless ocean, and pristine beaches seem to go on forever.
In a way, it reminded me of the Rota Vicentina in my beloved Portugal, where I often guide and organize trips for fellow travelers. The landscapes share a similar soul—the vast, deserted beaches, the rolling dunes, the salty wind that whispers stories of the sea. But here, in Australia, everything is HUGE—the cliffs are taller, the forests are denser, and the feeling of isolation is even stronger. It’s the kind of place where you can walk for hours, surrounded only by the sound of the waves and the calls of wild birds. And I absolutely loved it.
What You Need to Know About the Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk is a long coastal trail that stretches from Apollo Bay to near the Twelve Apostles, passing through the Great Otway and Port Campbell National Parks. The entire trek covers approximately 100 km and takes around eight days to complete, but there are also shorter routes available for visitors who wish to explore Victoria’s coastline through day hikes.
- Total length: 104 km
- Recommended duration: 6-8 days for the full trek, but you can also do shorter sections or daily hikes
- Start point: Apollo Bay
- End point: The famous Twelve Apostles
- Difficulty level: Moderate—there are some challenging sections, but it’s very doable for anyone who enjoys long-distance hiking
- Best time to go: Between September and April, avoiding the cold and rainy winter months. Expect to encounter snakes along the trail!
My Experience on the Great Ocean Walk
You know me—I’m not a fan of touristy places. That’s why I fell in love with the first part of the trek, the wildest and most remote.
Walking along cliffside trails, forests filled with towering trees, and endless empty beaches, I felt completely free. No crowds, no noise, just the raw beauty of Australia’s southern coast. But then, after days of solitude and nature, reaching the Twelve Apostles was… a letdown.
Picture this: a huge parking lot, dozens of tour buses, and groups of tourists taking selfies before jumping back on the bus. Not my vibe at all! If you’re like me and love solitude in nature, the real magic of the Great Ocean Walk is far from the famous landmarks. But, anyway, the view of the Twelve Apostles is stunning, as you can see from these pictures belowe!
Cape Otway: My Favorite Part of the Trek
If there’s one place that completely stole my heart, it’s Cape Otway.
This section of the Great Ocean Walk is a perfect blend of history, breathtaking views, and raw coastal beauty. The cliffs here drop dramatically into the roaring Southern Ocean, and the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks is mesmerizing. But what makes this place truly special is its rich history and its unique landscapes.
At the heart of it all stands the Cape Otway Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Australia, a guiding beacon for sailors navigating this treacherous coastline since 1848. But it wasn’t just a lighthouse—it was also a telegraph station, a crucial communication point during the 19th century. Stepping inside this historic site is like traveling back in time, and I highly recommend visiting to fully understand the history of this remote yet vital part of Australia’s coastline.
If you’re not up for the full 104 km trek, Cape Otway is also a fantastic base for shorter hikes. Several trails start right from the lighthouse area, offering day hikes of varying lengths, all with stunning coastal views. One of my favorites leads to Shelly Beach, a picturesque beach completely untouched by the modern world and full of wonderful colored shells.
And to make things even better, over there is Bimbi Park Camping, where I spent one of the most unforgettable nights of my life, surrounded by koalas and kangaroos.
That night, as I lay in my tent, I suddenly heard a noise. I woke up, unzipped my tent, and stepped outside. Just a few steps away, in the silence of the night, a kangaroo was quietly eating, completely unaware of my presence. It was just me, him, and the soft glow of the moonlight and the Milky Way stretching above us—pure magic.
Even getting here was an adventure. Driving through the Otway National Park felt like something out of a dream—a sea of deep green, towering trees, and the occasional flash of movement as birds and kangaroos appeared between the trunks. The winding road, enveloped by nature, gives you this incredible feeling of being somewhere truly wild and untouched.
If you want to sleep among koalas and kangaroos and experience the real Australia, this is the place. I’ve written a full article about Bimbi Park Camping, where I share all the details about this incredible night.
You can check it out here 👉 Sleeping Among Koalas and Kangaroos at Bimbi Park.
Why You Should Hike the Great Ocean Walk
Because it’s not a road trip—it’s an experience.
Unlike the Great Ocean Road, which is packed with cars and tourist stops, the Great Ocean Walk is about pure connection with nature. Here, it’s just you, the ocean, and the wild landscapes. You can walk for miles without seeing a single soul, stand on a deserted beach with the waves crashing at your feet, and feel the freedom that only a place like this can give you.
If you love hiking and dream of getting lost (in the best way possible) in one of the most spectacular coastal treks on Earth, then trust me—this is your trail.
