Since its official historical launch in January 2006, the Great Ocean Walk has become one of Australia’s most iconic coastal hiking experiences. But long before the trail was famous, its origins were surprisingly humble — born in 1994 over bottles of port in a shed near Cape Otway, where a passionate group of Apollo Bay locals dreamed of linking together bush tracks, beach routes, and old logging trails into one extraordinary walking experience.
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.
What began as a wild idea eventually became the internationally recognised 104 km Great Ocean Walk stretching from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. And the rest is history!
And yes — this is exactly how Walk91 got its name.
How long was the Great Ocean Walk when it first opened?
When the walk originally opened, it was 91 km long, ending at Glenample Homestead, just short of the Twelve Apostles. This original distance gave Walk91 its name in the early 2000s, when Mark Kininmonth — then a Parks Victoria Ranger — helped build sections of the track.
Back then, walkers couldn’t reach the Twelve Apostles on foot. Instead, Walk91 would shuttle hikers from Glenample to the Apostles viewing platform — a system that worked well at the time but never felt quite as magical as finishing the walk on foot.
Years later, the trail was extended to the Twelve Apostles car park, allowing walkers to complete the entire journey on foot. The total distance is now 104 km, including short detours to lookouts, beaches, and Rainbow Falls.
Had Mark known the trail would continue to grow, he often jokes he might’ve picked a different company name!
The Great Ocean Walk Campsite Legs (Parks Victoria Official Segments)
The official “hike-in” campground legs over 8 days are:
- Apollo Bay → Elliot Ridge — 10 km (no vehicle access)
- Elliot Ridge → Blanket Bay — 12 km
- Blanket Bay → Cape Otway — 11 km
- Cape Otway → Aire River — 10 km
- Aire River → Johanna Beach — 14 km
- Johanna Beach → Ryan’s Den — 14 km (no vehicle access)
- Ryan’s Den → Devil’s Kitchen — 13 km (no vehicle access)
- Devil’s Kitchen → Twelve Apostles — 16 km
These sections total 100 km, but with lookouts and side trips you’ll walk 104 km+.
When staying in accommodation with Walk91, we custom-match your walking legs so you finish each day as close to the trail as possible — no unnecessary extra distance.
How the alignment of the Great Ocean Walk was designed
Designing the Great Ocean Walk took more than five years, with planning beginning around the year 2000. The final alignment was shaped by:
- Environmental and cultural heritage assessments
- Geotechnical and coastal erosion studies
- Risk and safety investigations
- Hundreds of hours of ground surveys
- Review of older walking routes and historic tracks
Before construction started, more than 1 km of informal tracks near Station Beach were closed and revegetated to protect significant dunes and cultural sites.
From 2002 to 2005, expert track crews built 22 km of brand-new walking track by hand — using mattocks, shovels and crowbars — and cleared over 25 km of existing track.
Crews camped in the Otways for more than 100 nights, building:
- 1200+ rock steps (some weighing 300 kg!)
- 45-step flights at Ryan’s Den
- 131-step flights at Cape Volney
- Timber bridges and boardwalks
- Repositioned fallen logs for environmental protection
Volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Australia, Greencorps, Deakin University and international programs also helped shape the track we know today.
Protecting the environment: Phytophthora cinnamomi
A major concern during construction — and still today — is the spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi, a soil-borne pathogen that infects the roots of native plants.
Because it can remain dormant for long periods and is almost impossible to eradicate, hygiene stations were installed along the trail.
Walkers must:
- Stay on marked tracks
- Clean boots at hygiene stations
- Avoid muddy off-track areas
This helps protect the Otways’ fragile ecosystems and the wildlife that depend on them.
From Glenample to the 12 Apostles: Completing the dream
Originally, the Great Ocean Walk ended at Glenample Homestead, a lovely spot — but not the spectacular finale walkers hoped for. Later, the realignment extended the trail to the Twelve Apostles car park, creating the unforgettable final stretch walkers enjoy today.
Thanks to this extension:
- Walkers no longer need a shuttle from Glenample
- The walk now finishes at the iconic Apostles
- A new viewing platform offers incredible coastal vistas
Walkers love resting their camera on the specially installed post to capture the perfect “We made it!” photo.
New Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre (Opening by 2026)
A major upgrade is currently underway:
$126 million redevelopment includes:
- A brand-new Visitor Experience Centre
- A new café
- Larger car park
- Road improvements
- Enhanced lookouts and walking access
Construction began in late 2024, with completion expected by the end of 2026. This will significantly improve the final moments of the Great Ocean Walk journey.
Can you walk to Port Campbell?
No — despite what some companies claim, there is currently no walking track from the Twelve Apostles to Port Campbell. Walking the roadside is unsafe due to narrow shoulders and high-speed traffic.
Walk91 can transfer you safely to Port Campbell in around 15 minutes by car, along with your luggage. There is great accommodation there if you’d like to stay overnight.
Parks Victoria has discussed a possible future trail extension — and we would love to see it happen one day!
Great Ocean Walk FAQs:
A: The Great Ocean Walk officially opened in January 2006 as a 91 km coastal trail between Apollo Bay and Glenample Homestead. It has since been extended to around 104 km, finishing at the 12 Apostles.
A: Walk91 is named after the original 91 km length of the Great Ocean Walk when it first opened. Although the trail was later extended to the 12 Apostles, the name remains as a nod to the walk’s beginnings.
A: Parks Victoria rangers — including Walk91 founder Mark Kininmonth — worked alongside expert track builders, volunteers and conservation groups. Together they created around 22 km of new trail and linked existing routes into one continuous walking experience.
A: The walk was designed to give visitors a slower, more immersive way to experience the Shipwreck Coast and the Otways. The trail connects historic routes, old logging tracks, beaches and coastal lookouts into one spectacular multi-day walk.
Thinking about walking the Great Ocean Walk? We’d love to help.
If the Great Ocean Walk is on your list — or has just jumped to the top — our local team in Apollo Bay is here to help you plan the perfect hike.
📍 Locally Based. Highly Experienced. Walk with Confidence.
👉 Get in touch:
📞 Phone: 03 5237 1189
📩 Email: info@walk91.com.au
🌐 Website: www.walk91.com.au
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.
