When most travellers picture the Great Ocean Road, they imagine winding coastal drives and dramatic scenery. But there’s an even more immersive way to experience this world-famous coastline: the Great Ocean Walk, a spectacular 104km trail from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles.
Local Insight from Walk91
This guide is written by the Walk91 team, locals based in Apollo Bay who live and work on the Great Ocean Walk. We support walkers on this trail each walking season and share practical, first-hand knowledge to help you plan safely and confidently.
For those short on time — or those wanting a taste of both the drive and the hike — a 3-day Great Ocean Road Walk itinerary is the perfect adventure. It lets you explore rainforest, rugged cliffs, beaches, wildlife, and shipwreck history while still enjoying the iconic road trip stops along the Great Ocean Road.
This guide outlines Walk91’s recommended 3-day Great Ocean Road Walk itineraries, with options for self-guided hikers, road trippers, and travellers using public transport. If you’d like a customised version, just ask — Walk91 designs tailored Great Ocean Walk itineraries for all fitness levels and timeframes.
Great Ocean Road vs Great Ocean Walk — What’s the Difference?
Before diving into the itineraries, here’s a quick distinction:
The Great Ocean Road
- A 243 km coastal highway
- Famous lookouts, beaches & surf towns
- Easily accessible by car
- One of Australia’s most scenic drives
The Great Ocean Walk
- A 104 km walking trail
- Runs from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles
- Mostly inside Great Otway National Park
- Includes shipwreck history, forests, cliffs, remote beaches
- Accessible only by foot (with vehicle access points at key sections)
💡 In short:
The Great Ocean Road shows you the coastline…
The Great Ocean Walk lets you feel it.
Where the Great Ocean Walk Starts & Ends
- Start: Apollo Bay (next to the Visitor Information Centre)
- End: The 12 Apostles (via the new trail section through Gog & Magog)
There are multiple access points, so a 3-day itinerary can cover beautiful sections without completing the full 104 km.
3-Day Great Ocean Road Walk Itinerary Options
Below are the two best 3-day itineraries depending on whether you’re travelling by car, on public transport, or joining one of Walk91’s self-guided tours.
⭐ Option 1: 3-Day Great Ocean Road Walk (With a Car)
Day 1 — Apollo Bay, Lorne & Shelly Beach Walk (6–8km)
Recommended start from Melbourne: 8am
Suggested stops along the drive:
- Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie
- Memorial Arch for iconic photo
- Lorne cafés & surf beach
- Teddy’s Lookout
- Cape Patton Lookout
Then begin your walk:
Shelly Beach → Marengo (6 km)
or
Shelly Beach → Apollo Bay (8 km)
Highlights:
- Cape Otway rainforest
- Wild coastline
- Seal-spotting at Marengo Marine Sanctuary
- Easy, scenic first day
Evening: Dinner in Apollo Bay (try Casalingo) + overnight stay.
Day 2 — Blanket Bay to Cape Otway Lighthouse (10.5km)
Drive to Blanket Bay — a beautiful, secluded cove surrounded by manna gums (often full of koalas).
Walk:
Blanket Bay → Cape Otway Lighthouse
Highlights:
- Koalas in the gums
- Wild Parker Inlet
- Eric the Red shipwreck site
- Visit to Cape Otway Lighthouse precinct (use Walk91’s included ticket)
Evening: Dinner + overnight in Apollo Bay or Lighthouse accommodation.
Day 3 — Aire River to the 12 Apostles (7–11km hiking)
Choose one of two walks:
Option A (Moderate): Princetown → 12 Apostles (7km)
Amazing clifftops away from crowds.
Option B (Scenic & Longer): Gibson Steps & 12 Apostles
See the giant limestone stacks from beach level (if tides allow).
Highlights:
- Glenample viewing platform
- Koalas near Aire River
- 12 Apostles at sunset
- Optional scenic helicopter flight
Evening: Stay in Port Campbell or drive back to Melbourne via Colac.
⭐ Option 2: 3-Day Great Ocean Road Walk (Public Transport + Walk91 Transfers)
If you don’t have a car, this option is perfect.
Take V-Line Melbourne → Apollo Bay.
Walk91 handles all trail transfers, luggage transport, and safety support.
Day 1 — Apollo Bay → Blanket Bay (13.5 or 22km)
Choose based on fitness:
- Shelly Beach → Blanket Bay (13.5km)
- Apollo Bay → Blanket Bay (22km)
Both include:
Wild Blanket Bay cove, Tree ferns, Old forestry tracks, Elliott River rainforest
Day 2 — Blanket Bay → Cape Otway Lighthouse (10.5km)
Includes:
Parker Inlet crossing, Koalas, Crayfish Bay cliffs, Lighthouse visit
Day 3 — Cape Otway → Castle Cove (11 or 17km)
Your final day includes:
- Lightstation cemetery
- Station Beach
- Rainbow Falls (tide dependent)
- Aire River heritage valley
- Castle Cove lookout
Walk91 returns you to Apollo Bay by late afternoon.
Want to Camp?
Walk91 offers:
- Camping Assistance (gear shuttle + drinking water + rubbish removal)
- Hybrid 3-Night Camping + 2-Night Accommodation Packages
- Full 6-day itineraries completing the entire Great Ocean Walk
Perfect if you want a deeper wilderness experience.
When Is the Best Time to Walk?
Spring (Sept–Nov)
Flowers, wildlife, mild weather
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Warm, beautiful sunsets, but consider heat & flies
Autumn (Mar–Apr)
Most stable weather — ideal for multi-day walks
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Cool, atmospheric, fewer people
or stay near Cape Otway if you’re on a Walk91 package.
What to Bring
You don’t need special gear, but essentials include:
- Broken-in hiking boots
- Layers + waterproof jacket
- Sunhat
- 2–3 litres of water
- Snacks
- Trekking poles (available from Walk91)
Read on for more top tips from Walk91!
Walk91 also provides:
Walk notes & tide charts
EPIRB safety beacon
Local phone (Telstra)
Great Ocean Walk map
Why Choose Walk91 for Your 3-Day Great Ocean Road Walk?
Because we offer:
- Real-time text tracking
- Minimum wait times for pick-ups
- 20+ years on the trail
- Locally owned family business
- Accommodation + meals + luggage transfers
- Flexible walking legs
- Custom itineraries
Walk91 founders Mark & Nancy live in Apollo Bay and helped shape parts of the trail — so you get true local expertise.
Great Ocean Walk FAQs:
A1: The Great Ocean Road is a famous coastal driving route from Torquay to Allansford.
The Great Ocean Walk is a 104 km hiking trail from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles, following wild coastline, forests and national parks.
A2: Yes. With smart planning, you can drive key highlights of the Great Ocean Road and hike the best sections of the Great Ocean Walk over three days, using Apollo Bay, Cape Otway and Port Campbell as convenient bases.
A3: A car offers the most flexibility, but it’s not essential. You can reach Apollo Bay by V-Line public transport, and Walk91 can provide shuttles, luggage transfers and pick-ups from several Great Ocean Walk access points.
A4: Popular options include:
Shelly Beach → Apollo Bay or Marengo
Blanket Bay → Cape Otway Lighthouse
Princetown → 12 Apostles
These sections offer rainforest, remote beaches, shipwreck history and stunning cliff-top scenery.
A5: Autumn and spring are ideal with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
Summer offers long daylight but can be hotter and busy.
Winter brings dramatic seas and quieter trails — but be prepared for mud and wet-weather gear!
Tell us what would make your Great Ocean Walk holiday perfect, and we’ll tailor an itinerary just for you.
👉 Explore our Self-Guided Great Ocean Walk Tours
👉 Or contact us directly — we love talking through ideas.
About the Author
Walk91 is a locally owned Great Ocean Walk operator based in Apollo Bay, Victoria. Our team lives and works on the Great Ocean Road and provides self-guided Great Ocean Walk support throughout the walking season, drawing on first-hand knowledge of trail conditions, logistics, and safety planning.
📞 Phone: 03 5237 1189
📩 Email: info@walk91.com.au
💬 Or BOOK A CALL via our website
