Looking for the perfect Easter escape on the Great Ocean Road? Apollo Bay is an ideal base for an active autumn getaway, sitting right at the official start of the Great Ocean Walk and surrounded by beaches, rainforest and dramatic coastline.
Easter in the Otways brings cooler walking temperatures, fewer crowds and stunning Southern Ocean views — making it one of the best times of year to enjoy short sections of the Great Ocean Walk, explore coastal trails and reconnect with family and nature over the long weekend.
Whether you’re visiting for a few days or planning a longer stay, Apollo Bay offers some of the best Easter activities on the Great Ocean Road.
Autumn Adventures on the Great Ocean Road
Autumn is a beautiful season along the coast. The weather is often mild and settled, and the Southern Ocean comes alive. Just down the Great Ocean Road in Torquay, the Rip Curl Pro is held annually over Easter — the world’s longest-running professional surfing competition.
Apollo Bay: Adventure Hub of the Great Ocean Walk
Apollo Bay sits at the eastern trailhead of the Great Ocean Walk and attracts a wide range of visitors over Easter. Alongside surfers and beachgoers, you’ll find cyclists, anglers, sailors, sea kayakers heading out to the seal colony, (book through Apollo Bay Surf & Kayak), hang gliders riding coastal lift — and of course, bushwalkers.
The Great Ocean Walk is a raw, wild and beautiful 104-kilometre journey through one of the most diverse coastal landscapes in Australia. While some people walk the entire trail, Easter is also the perfect time to enjoy a one- or two-day section of the walk.
Many walkers choose to explore
👉 Short Great Ocean Walk sections from Apollo Bay
which fit easily into an Easter long weekend.
Why Walk the Great Ocean Walk at Easter?
One of the most rewarding aspects of walking the Great Ocean Walk is the sense of isolation and immersion in nature. Although the Great Ocean Road winds nearby, many sections of the trail are not accessible by car, keeping the walk quiet and peaceful.
Parks Victoria encourages walkers to travel east to west, meaning everyone walks in the same direction. As a result, you may only pass one or two other walkers during a day’s hike. More often, you’ll share the trail with birds overhead, wallabies in the scrub, koalas in the trees and the occasional echidna.
If you’re wondering about timing, this guide explains it well:
👉 Best time of year to walk the Great Ocean Walk
Do You Need to Be Fit?
You don’t need to be super fit to enjoy the Great Ocean Walk. A moderate level of fitness is suitable for most day walks, with distances of around 12–15 kilometres being very achievable. Walks can also be shortened or extended depending on your comfort level.
Easter is ideal for first-time multi-day walkers, couples, solo travellers and anyone wanting a taste of the walk without committing to the full length.
Easter FAQs – Great Ocean Walk & Apollo Bay
Yes. Easter falls in autumn, one of the best seasons for walking. Conditions are generally mild, the landscape is lush, and the track is quieter than peak summer.
Absolutely. Many visitors choose a one- or two-day section, which fits perfectly into the Easter long weekend.
Apollo Bay is popular over Easter, but once on the trail, many sections remain surprisingly quiet due to limited access points.
Autumn is excellent for wildlife spotting, with koalas, wallabies, echidnas and birdlife commonly seen along the trail.
Yes. Accommodation and transfers can book out well in advance, so early planning is strongly recommended.
Plan Your Easter Walk with Walk91
Easter is one of the most popular times to visit Apollo Bay — and one of the easiest times to enjoy a well-planned Great Ocean Walk experience.
Walk91 specialises in self-guided Great Ocean Walk packages, including short one- and two-day walks that are ideal for the Easter long weekend. We take care of accommodation, transfers and local logistics, so you can focus on walking, wildlife and soaking up the coastal scenery.
You can explore options here:
👉 Self-guided Great Ocean Walk packages
Whether you’re travelling as a couple, with friends, or on your own, we can tailor an Easter walking experience to suit your time, fitness level and budget.
Get in touch with Walk91 to plan your Easter Great Ocean Walk — before accommodation books out.
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.
CONTACT US to start planning your Great Ocean Walk Adventure!
T: +61 3 5237 1189 Or BOOK A CALL Email: info@walk91.com.au
