A local guide to the official Parks Victoria maps — plus our free planning map
If you’re planning to walk the Great Ocean Walk, one of the first questions we’re often asked is:
“Which map should I use?”
There isn’t just one answer — because different maps suit different stages of planning and walking. As locals who live and work on the Great Ocean Walk, we’ve put together this guide to help you choose the right map for your needs.
Below, we’ll walk you through:
- Our free illustrated planning map
- The two official Parks Victoria Great Ocean Walk maps
- Which map works best for planning, walking, or both
Option 1: Our Free Great Ocean Walk Planning Map (PDF)
Best for: early planning, understanding the route, visualising the walk
Our free planning map is a hand-drawn, illustrated overview of the entire Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles.
It’s designed to help you:
- Understand how the walk fits together
- See the major landmarks at a glance
- Get a feel for distances between sections
- Visualise where each part of the walk sits along the coast
This map is not a topographical navigation map — and it’s not meant to be. Instead, it’s ideal for:
- First-time planners
- People comparing sections
- Families and groups discussing options
- Anyone wanting a clear, friendly overview before diving into detail
👉 [Download our free Great Ocean Walk planning map here]
(Free PDF download)
Option 2: Official Parks Victoria Fold-Out Map (6th Edition)
Best for: on-track navigation, full overview in one glance.
This is the classic Great Ocean Walk map produced by Parks Victoria and the Victorian State Government. It’s currently the 6th edition, reprinted in May 2021.
Key features:
- Scale: 1:25,000
- Format: Large, fold-out, double-sided paper map
- Coverage:
- One side: Apollo Bay → Johanna
- Flip over: Johanna → Twelve Apostles
- Topographic detail: clear elevation contours and terrain
- Decision points clearly marked in red, including:
- High-tide vs low-tide route choices
- Safety notes
- Beach access conditions (tide and swell dependent)
- Emergency numbers and safety information
- Campgrounds, walk segments, river crossings
- A clear elevation profile along the top of the map
Why walkers like it:
- You can see half the walk at once, which is excellent for daily planning
- It gives a strong sense of elevation changes at a glance
- Simple, easy-to-read layout
- One of the more affordable official options
Things to consider:
- It’s quite large (approximately 690 mm × 980 mm)
- Not ideal to pull in and out of a pack in bad weather
- Can become worn or torn on a multi-day walk unless kept in a plastic sleeve
This map is excellent if you like spreading a map out at camp or accommodation to see the big picture.
👉 [Buy the official Parks Victoria fold-out map here]
(Posted directly to you)
Option 3: Official Great Ocean Walk Map Booklet
Best for: walking day-to-day, durability, ease of use on track
The second official option is the Great Ocean Walk map booklet, also produced by Parks Victoria and the Victorian State Government.
Key features:
- Scale: 1:25,000 (same as the fold-out map)
- Size: approx 22 cm × 15.5 cm
- Format: bound booklet with a matte laminated cover
- Map pages: pages 4–20
- Same essential information as the fold-out map:
- Emergency details
- Tides and beach access
- River crossings
- Campgrounds and walk segments
- Additional photographs and background information
- Extra detail on the Marine National Park and local history
Why walkers like it:
- Much easier to carry in a backpack
- More durable in wet conditions
- You can flip directly to the section you’re walking that day
- Feels a bit like a souvenir of the walk
Things to consider:
- The walk is split across multiple pages, so you don’t get a full overview at once
- Slightly more expensive than the fold-out map
- Requires page-turning rather than one big view
Many walkers keep this in a clear map case and find it very practical on track.
👉 [Buy the official Parks Victoria fold-out map here]
(Posted directly to you)
So… which Great Ocean Walk map should you choose?
Our local recommendation
Most walkers end up using two maps:
- A simple overview map for planning
- An official Parks Victoria map for navigating on track
From our experience, most of our hikers tend to prefer the official map booklet once they’re walking day to day, as it’s compact, more durable in wet conditions, and easy to flip to the section they’re walking each day. It also serves as a nice souvenir when your walk concludes.
If you book one of our self-guided Great Ocean Walk tours, you’ll receive an official Parks Victoria map on arrival. We’ll go through it with you in detail during your private pre-walk briefing, including daily sections, decision points, tides and key safety considerations — so you can walk with confidence from day one.
FAQ: Great Ocean Walk Maps
Yes. While sections of the walk are well signposted, a map is essential for understanding daily distances, elevation, beach access points, tide-dependent sections and safety information. We always recommend carrying an official Parks Victoria map when walking.
Our free planning map is an illustrated overview designed to help you visualise the walk and plan your trip. It’s not a navigation or topographical map.
The official Parks Victoria maps are topographical (1:25,000 scale) and are designed for on-track navigation, with elevation, decision points, safety notes and emergency information.
Both official maps use the same scale and contain the same core information. From our experience, most walkers prefer the map booklet for day-to-day walking because it’s compact, more durable in wet weather and easy to use on track. The fold-out map is excellent for planning and getting a full overview at once.
If you book one of our self-guided Great Ocean Walk tours, an official Parks Victoria map is included and provided on arrival. We’ll go through it with you in detail during your private pre-walk briefing, including daily sections, tides, decision points and safety considerations.
Mobile phones are useful for reference, but reception can be limited along the Great Ocean Walk and batteries can drain quickly. A paper map doesn’t rely on power or signal and is still the most reliable option for navigation and planning.
The map booklet has a laminated cover and is more resistant to light rain. The fold-out map is paper and can tear if wet, so we recommend carrying either map in a waterproof sleeve or clear map case.
Yes. The free planning map can be printed for personal use, but it’s best suited to planning rather than on-track navigation. For walking, always carry an official Parks Victoria map.
You can view and purchase the official Parks Victoria maps through our Great Ocean Walk maps page, with delivery available. If you’re walking with Walk91, your map is included.
CONTACT US to start planning your Great Ocean Walk Adventure!
T: +61 3 5237 1189 Or BOOK A CALL Email: info@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.
