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| WALK - SOUTHERN OCEAN (Great Ocean Road) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Self Guide Walk from accommodation to accommodation in
Victoria: |
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FULL ITINERARY: 8 day / 7 night Southern Ocean Walk (Self Guide) |
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Day 4: On to Station Beach and pretty Rainbow Falls where a spring cascades down to the rocky coastal platforms below. The track continues through the wind sculpted sand dunes and along the cliff tops to the Aire River estuary and wetlands. Stunning coastal scenery awaits you on the route to Castle Cove. Accommodation: Castle Cove |
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Day 5: Today’s section has some of the most spectacular coastal
views of the entire track. It’s also a great day for wildflowers with
colourful heathlands and numerous grass trees. In the winter months
there are native orchids and masses of pink heath – Victoria’s floral
emblem. Another highlight is the long, white, sandy expanse of Johanna
Beach. Accommodation: Castle Cove  |
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Day 6: Milanesia Beach is one of those secret beaches not many
people get to and what a special place it is! From here the track
continues along the cliff tops and you can see all the way back to Cape
Otway lighthouse. High sea cliffs, breathtaking views and coastal
forests lead you to Moonlight Head. Accommodation: Princetown area |
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Day 7: The first highlight today is The Gables Lookout,
perched on one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. This is
a superb spot for whale watching between June and September. Continue
through a grove of casuarinas to Wreck Beach where the remains of two
shipwrecks can be inspected. Today’s walk finishes at the impressive 12
Apostles, a group of limestone sea stacks that are constantly changing.
Accommodation: Port CampbellDay 8: After breakfast you will be transported back to Apollo Bay (if you arrived by car) or to Camperdown for public transport connections. |
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FIVE DAY ITINERARY: FIRST SECTION |
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| Truly Ref. 441 Prices... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Includes 4 nights accommodation, 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, entry to Cape Otway light station, luggage transfers, all transport ex Apollo Bay, information pack, insulated lunch bag, map case, National Park fees, walking notes, maps. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Day 1: Starts in Apollo Bay any time after 2pm. Optional afternoon walk to Marriners Lookout for panoramic views over the ocean and Apollo Bay village. Accommodation: Apollo Bay | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Day 2: Leave the tourists behind as you walk along the coast away from Apollo Bay. The track hugs the coast at first before heading inland through tall eucalypt forest and patches of rainforest. This is an excellent day in which to spot black wallabies along the trail. The walking finishes at delightful Blanket Bay – an ideal place for a swim. Accommodation: Cape Otway | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Day 3:
From Blanket Bay the track contours through coastal forests and along the
cliff tops to Parker Inlet – a picture-postcard setting. An
optional side-trip to Crayfish Bay is also a highlight. The track
continues through Manna gum forests that are home to large numbers of
koalas, eventually emerging at Cape Otway Light station. The
afternoon is free to explore the lighthouse, museum and displays.
Accommodation: Cape Otway
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| Day 4: On to Station Beach and pretty Rainbow Falls where a spring cascades down to the rocky coastal platforms below. The track continues through the wind sculpted sand dunes and along the cliff tops to the Aire River estuary and wetlands. Stunning coastal scenery awaits you on the route to Castle Cove. Accommodation: Castle Cove | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Day 5: After breakfast you will be transported back to Apollo Bay | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FIVE DAY ITINERARY: SECOND SECTION |
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| Truly Ref. 442 Prices... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Includes 4 nights accommodation, 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, luggage transfers, all transport ex Apollo Bay, information pack, insulated lunch bag, map case, National Park fees, walking notes, maps. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Day 1: Starts in Apollo Bay at 2pm (if arriving by public transport – you will be transferred to Castle Cove). Or starts any time after 2pm at Castle Cove if arriving by private car. Accommodation: Castle Cove | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Day 2: Today’s section has some of the most spectacular coastal views of the entire track. It’s also a great day for wildflowers with colourful heathlands and numerous grass trees. In the winter months there are native orchids and masses of pink heath – Victoria’s floral emblem. Another highlight is the long, white, sandy expanse of Johanna Beach. Accommodation: Castle Cove | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Day
3: Milanesia Beach is one of those secret beaches not many people get
to and what a special place it is! From here the track continues along the
cliff tops and you can see all the way back to Cape Otway lighthouse
(pictured). High sea cliffs, breathtaking views and coastal forests lead
you to Moonlight Head. Accommodation: Princetown area.Day 4: The first highlight today is The Gables Lookout, perched on one of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia. This is a superb spot for whale watching between June and September. Continue through a grove of casuarinas to Wreck Beach where the remains of two shipwrecks can be inspected. Today’s walk finishes at the impressive 12 Apostles, a group of limestone sea stacks that are constantly changing. Accommodation: Port Campbell Day 5: After breakfast you will be transported back to your car at Castle Cove or Apollo Bay for public transport back to Melbourne. |
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Southern Ocean Self Guide Walk - GENERAL NOTES |
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DEPARTURE DATES: Any day of the year for a minimum of 2
persons. LOCATION: Commences in Apollo Bay, a seaside resort town about 3 hours SW of Melbourne. Daily train/coach service from Melbourne. GRADING: Sandy beaches, cliff top and forest walking tracks. Mostly gentle terrain with a few short climbs. Walking is 45% easy, 35% moderate, 20% more strenuous. An average day has 15-21km walking, taking around 5-6.5 hours). ACCOMMODATION: Typical accommodation includes comfortable B&Bs, a home-stay, a motel and an Eco Lodge that has achieved Advanced Eco Tourism Certification - all private rooms with en suite bathrooms. MEALS: Included meals are noted below under 'What is Included' WHAT IS INCLUDED: All transport ex Apollo Bay, luggage transfers, information pack, insulated lunch bag, map case, National Park fees, walking notes, maps. 8 day itinerary: 7 nights accommodation, 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, entry to Cape Otway light station 5 day itinerary - First Section: 4 nights accommodation, 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, entry to Cape Otway light station 5 day itinerary - Second Section: 4 nights accommodation, 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, NOT INCLUDED: Alcohol (additional to that provided), meals not listed in itinerary, getting to and from the area 
THE BEST TIME TO GO: December-February is usually warm to hot with
excellent swimming weather. Book well in advance for January due to the
summer school holidays. March-May is usually cooler, with long sunny
days, perfect for walking. The winter months (June-August) are cool and
sometimes stormy, providing exhilarating walking along the beaches. In
winter the hills are covered with pink heath, Victoria's floral emblem.
September-November is usually cool to warm and this is when most of the
colourful wildflowers appear.NOTE: The itineraries may be modified without notice Click here for more general information about self guide walking holidays |
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Much more than the famous road!
A new walking track traverses dramatic coastline for 91km from
Apollo Bay to Glenample historic homestead. The
breathtaking coastal scenery, remote terrain, magnificent
forests, abundant wildlife and colourful heathlands will ensure
that this new walk will quickly become an iconic walk both
within Australia and internationally. Walk along sheer cliff tops with dramatic
ocean vistas. Stroll along the clean, white, sandy beaches of
the Southern Ocean. Head inland through majestic forests, past
cascading waterfalls, fern gullies and the brilliant wildflower
displays of winter and springtime. In stormy weather, experience
the exhilaration of the wind in your hair as the huge rollers
relentlessly pound the coast. On hot, summery days, enjoy a
refreshing dip along the way. Wildlife lovers will not be
disappointed - there are plenty of native animals to see
including kangaroos, koalas, colourful birds and many nocturnal
animals. With its enormous variety, this holiday is a delight at
any time of the year. For a guided version of this walk click
