The 12 Apostles Great Ocean Walk is a spectacular 3-day self-guided hike along the most dramatic section of the trail.
Covering 62km, this itinerary explores the rugged Wild Side of the Great Ocean Walk — finishing at the iconic Twelve Apostles.
While our 3-Day Hike the Cape Tour explores the gentler eastern section, this walk is more remote and best suited to walkers wanting a true coastal wilderness experience in a shorter timeframe.
What’s included on this walk:
If you’d like to understand the difference between the Mild Side and Wild Side, read our guides to the
Mild Side of the Great Ocean Walk versus the Wild Side of the Great Ocean Walk.
If you have a little more time, you may also enjoy our 4-Day Great Ocean Walk – Wild Side Tour, or contact us to design a custom Great Ocean Walk itinerary tailored just 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, 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!
On arrival, we’ll meet you for a private walk briefing so you feel confident and well prepared.
We’ll provide your map, walk notes, tide information, and safety equipment including a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), along with a mobile phone or walking poles if required.
We’ll also explain key decision points along the track and how our support system works, ensuring you can walk at your own pace with minimal waiting for transfers.
As a locally based team, we’re always nearby — so you can relax and enjoy your walk knowing support is never far away.
Catered: From AUD $1,798 per person (based on double occupancy)
Twin share requests may require alternative accommodation options at a higher rate. Final pricing will be confirmed based on your travel dates.
Groups of 4 or more: Ask about discounted rates.
Why this walk is priced higher:
The Twelve Apostles section is more remote, with longer transfers and higher accommodation costs.
For a more affordable introduction, consider our 3 Day Hike the Cape Walk
Self-catered: Please enquire for pricing.
Groups: Let us know your preferred sleeping arrangements and we’ll tailor the best option for you.
Solo walkers:
Solo walking does involve higher costs, but we’re happy to discuss alternatives.
Peak periods: Pricing may vary during Christmas, Easter, public holidays and Victorian school holidays. Please enquire for availability. We do not operate on Christmas Day.
Upgrade your accommodation
Looking for something a little more special?
We offer a range of upgraded accommodation options, from private lodges to unique stays in beautiful locations along the walk.
Let us know what you’re looking for — more space, higher comfort, or something unique — and we’ll tailor an option to suit.
Dietary Notes
We can accommodate the following dietary preferences on our catered Great Ocean Walk tours:
⚠️ Important allergy information
Due to the way food is prepared and transported, trace amounts of gluten, dairy, nuts and shellfish may be present due to possible cross-contamination.
For safety reasons, we cannot cater for coeliac disease, anaphylaxis, or severe food allergies.
If you have other dietary requirements, please contact us before booking so we can honestly confirm whether your needs can be accommodated.
Alternatively, self-catered walking packages are available. These include:
For more information, please refer to our FAQs, read our blog
Food on the Great Ocean Walk – grown, cooked and carried with care,
or get in touch with us directly.
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
