The 12 Apostles self-guided Walk is a 3-day tour of the Great Ocean Walk, spanning a little over half of the entire trek. While our 3-day Hike the Cape Tour is on the milder side of the walk, this 12 Apostles stretch is the more isolated, rugged final three days of the Great Ocean Walk.
This remote 62km section of track is known as the ‘Wild Side’ and is perfect for the adventurer short on time looking for a concise 3-day Great Ocean Walk itinerary. Walking pack free, you’ll end your trip at the iconic Twelve Apostles.
If you have a little more time and would like a similar but slightly longer journey spread over 4 days, check out our 4-day Great Ocean Walk Wild Side Tour. Otherwise, keep reading below to find out all the features of this 3-day Great Ocean Walk tour. And please contact us if you have any questions. Take a little time to consider our Custom Great Ocean Walk Tour Packages if you’d like us to design a wholly unique, personalised trip for you.
Price Excludes
Day 1: Aire River to Milanesia Gate – 20.5km* or 14km
Day 2: Milanesia Gate to The Gables – 22km* or 15.5km
Day 3: The Gables to Twelve Apostles – 19.5km* or 13.5km
* If you are unsure if these walking distances are too long for you, no worries – we are here to help! We will happily chat to you about which distances will suit you best before you walk, or we can even change the meeting points once you start walking if you are finding the walk too challenging. We are here to help find the perfect walk for you!
Walk91 look forward to welcoming you on arrival with your own personal walk briefing. We will hand you a map, tide chart, walk notes, a personal locator beacon (PLB) & a phone or poles, if needed.
We will also explain in detail the Great Ocean Walk decision points as well as our daily ‘texting’ system. Our goal is to keep your waiting times for car transfers at a minimum, no matter how slow or fast you choose to walk.
As locals, with a team on the ground to support you, you will start your exciting journey with Walk91 feeling relaxed, confident & safe in the knowledge that we are never far away if you need us.
Catered: From AU$1,548 per person based on double occupancy.
Self catered: Please enquire for a price.
Relax in comfortable accommodation, in a peaceful and beautiful location close to the Great Ocean Walk. We are happy to chat with you personally to ensure this walk suits you perfectly, so please just get in touch.
Groups: Please let us know your preferred sleeping arrangements and we will advise you of the best accommodation options available.
Solo walkers: Solo walking does entail higher costs, but we’re eager to discuss alternatives with you, so please just get in touch. You may also like to consider our 3 Day Shuttle Tour as a great cost-saving option.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 3 pack lunches, 2 dinners
Accommodation: 2 nights. Queen cabin with private bathroom and kitchenette. Please contact us for twin share options.
Rating: Comparable to 3.5 to 4 star
Note: These prices do not include Christmas, Easter, Public holidays and Victorian School holidays. Please enquire for a price & availability for these times. Please note we do not operate on Christmas Day
Tell us what your perfect walk looks like!
Our standard option offers comfortable accommodation in great locations. But if you are looking for accommodation of a slightly higher standard, or just something a little bit different to what we have advertised we can custom make a walk especially for you. Please contact us for a chat, book a call or email us if you would prefer, and we will provide you with some options which we hope will suit you perfectly!
Example of an alternative option:
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 3 pack lunches, 2 dinners (or self-catered).
Accommodation: Private cabin/ lodge (queen or twin beds available). Two bedrooms or four bedrooms. Price differs depending on how many bedrooms/bathrooms you require. We will happily have a chat with you to discuss which option will suit you best.
Rating: Comparable to 4 star
Groups: Always welcome. We can fit 11 passengers in our vehicles, but we have several buses so please let us know how many walkers are interested in joining you and your preferred sleeping arrangements.
Special dietary requests:
We can offer Vegetarian and Vegan options, and meals using Gluten Free ingredients. However please be aware that traces of gluten, dairy, nuts, and shellfish may be present in all foods due to possible cross-contamination. Consequently, we are unable to cater for guests with severe allergies like anaphylaxis or those with celiac disease. If you have any other dietary requests, kindly contact us before booking so we may confirm if your needs can be catered for.
Alternatively, please enquire for details of our self-catered walking options.
We transfer you from beautiful Apollo Bay to the start of your Great Ocean Walk at Aire River. However, you may choose to start walking from Castle Cove instead (if you’d prefer a shorter walk) or if you have previously walked from Aire River to Castle Cove on our Hike-the-Cape Walk.
This heritage-listed river is home to a multitude of birds, including swans, ducks, egrets, swamphens and the endangered hooded plover. Remember to also look out for koalas sleeping in the gum trees as they love this peaceful location.
After exploring Aire River, it’s time to start walking! Crossing the bridge, the Great Ocean Walk winds past coastal scrub and heathland, lined with wildflowers and grass trees. Eventually, you will arrive at Castle Cove beach. This long and magnificent stretch of sand has its own lookout platform. Stop and marvel at the prowess of local surfers and watch the wild waves rolling in!
Moving on, be prepared for walking on sand as you drop down onto the wild and wonderful Johanna Beach. This beach has been used as an alternative in the past for professional surfing competitions when waves at the famous Bells Beach in Torquay were not big enough. Needless to say – don’t try and go for a swim here! Look out for majestic wedge-tailed eagles and white bellied sea eagles and remember to stop at the lookout platforms for unbelievable views.
After leaving Johanna Beach behind, you climb alongside picturesque farmland and winding valleys before heading towards Milanesia. As you climb upwards, look out for kangaroos grazing in the sun and you may even spot the Otway Panther! (There is an ongoing debate in Apollo Bay as to whether this panther truly exists, which we will happily chat to you about when you arrive if your interest is piqued!) After passing ‘3 ways’ , (you may stop walking here if you wish) head on down to Milanesia Gate where we will pick you up and whizz you off to your comfortable accommodation.
Distance: 20.5 or 14 kilometres
Parks Vics Grading: Medium
Approximate Duration: 20.5 kms – 8 hours | 14 kms – 6 hours
Catered option: A packed lunch and dinner is included.
Self-catered: We transfer your food with your luggage to your accommodation.
Alcohol: Not included for the duration of your walk. Please purchase in advance and leave it with your luggage. We will transfer it to the accommodation for you. There are no shops on the walking trail.
Standard Accommodation Option
This wonderful private ensuite accommodation is in a great location, close to the Great Otway National Park. After a long day’s walk, kick back and relax in the living room, or enjoy tea or coffee prepared in the well-equipped kitchen area.
Upgrade Accommodation Options
Depending on the number of walkers in your party you may stay in lodges or cabins most suited to your needs, and we are happy to discuss these options and prices with you in detail. These options offer a touch of luxury in accommodation close to the Great Ocean Walk.
The trail starts by descending onto the rugged shoreline of Milanesia Beach. Stop and marvel at the stunning rock formations and think of Charles Joseph La Trobe who was ordered by his superintendent in 1846 to find a route from here to Cape Otway through this rugged landscape!
As the track rises back to the cliff tops you are presented with outstanding views from the coastal forests, high on the sea cliffs. Take the time to look back how far you have walked already walked, and rest at Ryans Den campground. But, before you leave, be sure to check out some of the campsite locations for some amazing views.
Walking on you will pass the ‘Lost Apostle’ – a rather phallic rock formation standing surprisingly all alone. From Moonlight Head the track winds along boardwalks and tracks lined with fern trees. As this is quite a sheltered area, you will likely see more wildlife here than before with wallabies, kangaroos and echidnas rustling in the bushes. Walk on through the blue gums, ending amongst the heath at the breathtaking Gables Lookout.
Distance: 22 or 15.5 kilometres
Parks Vics Grading: Medium / Hard
Approximate Duration: 22 kms – 7 hours | 15.5 kms – 4 hours
Catered option: Self-serve continental breakfast, pack lunch and dinner.
Standard Accommodation Option
Accommodation is the same as night one.
Upgrade Accommodation Option
Accommodation is the same as night one.
You will now be transported back in time to discover the shipwreck history of this unforgiving and rugged section of coast. Your last day will start with a walk through the Sheoak trees, dropping down onto Wreck Beach. Marvel at the old anchors rising out of the sand from the lost shipwrecks of the ‘Fiji’ and the ‘Marie Gabrielle’ and stop and think of the many lives lost at sea. Hike on towards the Gellibrand estuary and as the track climbs up to the last section of the walk you will see the iconic 12 Apostles in the distance. This is an exciting and memorable part of your walk as you slowly watch the 12 Apostles grow larger and more impressive as the end of your walk approaches.
The vegetation starts to change into scrub, wedged deeply in the rocky limestone, and if the tide permits you can walk down ‘Gibsons Steps’ to enjoy amazing sea-level views of the 12 Apostles. At the end of your walk you will enjoy celebrating your great achievement, taking photos from the official 12 Apostles viewing platform. This is a truly memorable walk and an experience you will never forget!
Catered option: Please note that a self-serve breakfast and pack lunch is included on your last day. (No evening meal is included).
Accommodation: No further accommodation is included. However, please let us know if you would like us to book accommodation for you in Apollo Bay (for an additional cost) the evening before your walk commences, or for the evening your walk concludes.
This walk commences at approx 8.30AM on Day 1, and you can expect to be back in Apollo Bay on your last day (Day 3) at approx 4.30PM. Alternatively, we can arrange additional transport to transfer you to Port Campbell. Please refer to our FAQ for more details.
Distance: 19.5 or 13.5 kilometres
Parks Vics Grading: Medium
Approximate duration: 19.5 kms – 7.5 hours | 13.5kms – 5 hours
