3-Day Great Ocean Walk: Shelly Beach to Milanesia Gate (57.5km)

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Great Ocean Walk while basing yourself in the beautiful foothills of Apollo Bay. This curated three-day itinerary offers the perfect balance of physical challenge and coastal serenity. 🌊

Why Choose This Walking Experience?

• Walk with the Locals: Gain insights into the hidden gems and secrets of the Great Ocean Road from our seasoned local experts. With nearly two decades of helping walkers safely explore the Great Ocean Walk, you can trust us to provide a safe and authentic experience.
• Local Support and Safety: Walk with confidence, knowing that local assistance is always nearby. Stay seamlessly connected through designated communication points and receive daily updates on trail conditions and tides.
• Comprehensive Walk Resources: Dive deep into the journey with access to detailed walking and historical notes, enriched by videos and insights from our founder, Mark Kininmonth, an ex-Parks Victoria ranger who helped build the track. 🗺️
• Choose Your Walking Experience: Tailor your adventure to your preferences, selecting your start date. Revel in the freedom to meet like-minded hikers or savour solitude; the choice is yours!
• Lighten Your Load: Walk backpack-free and carry only a small day pack with essentials. Enjoy the freedom of exploring without the burden of heavy luggage.
• Connect and Reconnect: Base yourself in Apollo Bay for a seamless experience. Leave the hustle and bustle behind to reconnect with nature, and cool off in Apollo Bay’s safe swimming beach in the afternoons. 🏖️
• Accommodation Freedom: Choose accommodations that match your budget and preferences. Optimise savings by booking multiple-night stays or bringing your caravan to local parks.
• Culinary Delights: Savour the town’s culinary delights for breakfast and dinner, or pack a delicious lunch from Apollo Bay’s locally owned bakery.
• Cape Otway Lighthouse Bonus: Enjoy a delightful bonus with complimentary entry tickets to Cape Otway Lighthouse. Climb the tower and explore the oldest surviving mainland Australian Lightstation on your journey.
• Your Support, Our Commitment: Your participation contributes to our local community and the environment, supporting local sports clubs, Wildlife Wonders, and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

What is Included

• Experience for 2 to 10 Guests.
• Spacious Van or Minibus for Your Comfort.
• 6 Transfers/Shuttles Picking You Up from The Apollo Bay Information Centre.
• A Walk Briefing Including Updates on Decision Points, Text Points and Tide and Swell Conditions.
• Walking and Historical Notes as a convenient PDF upon booking, ready for printing or downloading.
• A Digital Notebook for a Smartphone, Including Videos and Audio, Highlighting Points of Interest on The Track.
• The Official Great Ocean Walk Map.
• Complimentary Use of a PLB – Personal Locator Beacon in case of an emergency (one per booking).
• Complimentary Use of Walking Poles.
• Complimentary Cape Otway Lighthouse Tickets on Day 2.

Your Daily Itinerary

DAY 1: Shelly Beach to Parker Hill Campground (19km)
8:00 AM Bus transfer from Apollo Bay (Shelly Beach ETA 8:15 AM). 3:30 PM Bus transfer from Parker Hill (Apollo Bay ETA 4:00 PM).
Meander into the cool rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, passing lush tree ferns and tall eucalyptus. Spot black wallabies and kangaroos before winding down onto beautiful Blanket Bay. Enjoy wonderful views as you wind up to Point Lewis Lookout and descend to Parker River, where you might spot the remains of the ‘Eric the Red’ shipwreck.

DAY 2: Parker Hill Campground to Aire River Bridge (16km) 🐨
8:00 AM Bus transfer from Apollo Bay (Parker Hill ETA 8:40 AM). 4:00 PM Bus transfer from Aire River (Apollo Bay ETA 4:45 PM).
Spot local koalas resting in the manna gums and enjoy fabulous views of Bass Strait. Use your complimentary tickets to visit the historic Cape Otway Lighthouse. Walk past the old lightstation cemetery, explore the driftwood-littered Station Beach, and wind along the heritage-listed Aire River.

DAY 3: Aire River to Milanesia Gate (22.5km)
7:30 AM Bus transfer from Apollo Bay (Aire River ETA 8:00 AM). 4:00 PM Bus transfer from Milanesia Gate (Apollo Bay ETA 5:00 PM).
Walk over the Aire River bridge towards Castle Cove beach to watch the wild waves. Drop down onto the famous Johanna Beach, look out for majestic wedge-tailed eagles, and climb alongside picturesque farmland towards Milanesia Gate.

Important Information Before You Book

Please read our full terms and conditions. For single walkers, this service requires 2 or more people to run; we will contact you to confirm once other walkers book. Please ensure your travel arrangements are flexible before booking. Our bus departs promptly from the Apollo Bay Information Centre. You book and pay for your own accommodation and food. This tour is suitable for those who can walk approximately 3km per hour carrying a small day pack. If you are a very fast or very slow-paced walker, alternative itineraries may be more suitable. Appropriate clothing, sturdy walking shoes, and a 2-3 litre refillable water bottle are essential. A Telstra phone is highly recommended for the best reception on the trail.