MEDIA RELEASE
The Great Ocean Road might head inland at Apollo Bay, but now you don’t have to - the region’s latest attraction, the
Great Ocean Walk, hugs the rugged coastline, taking hikers to places never experienced before.
These include sandy beach where your footprints will often be the first of the day, thick forests and some of Australia’s
highest sea-cliffs.
Remarkably, the approximately 104 kilometre walk blends the raw elements with the chance to really pamper yourself.
Climb to the top of one of those giant cliffs for a breath-taking coastline, then at the end of the day, relax in your off-walk
accommodation with a warm spa, a soothing massage, great food and superb wine.
Hikers can also camp at the purpose-built Great Ocean Walk “hike-in” sites along the way. These sites are located at
some of the walks most beautiful and remote locations. Fees apply.
Parks Victoria has designed the trek in such a way that hikers can "step on and step off" the trail in short walk, day walk
and overnight walk options. They can then choose from the wide range of accommodation and service options in the
region.
For the ambitious long-haul bushwalkers there is the opportunity of the complete eight day and seven night experience.
The walk starts at Apollo Bay and finishes at Gibson Steps, adjacent to the extraordinary limestone stacks of the Twelve
Apostles.
Port Campbell Ranger-in-Charge, Will Cox says of the new attraction: “There is so much about the Great Ocean Walk that
you don’t expect to find. Because most of the walk is within National Parks, it is such beautiful environment. The air is so
fresh and clear. There are many layers of contrast and amazing vistas.
"There are places on the walk where you feel incredibly remote from civilisation … so many places that many people don’t
even know exist,” says Will.
“Station Beach, which is rarely visited by anyone, gets lots of driftwood on the western currents coming in from the Great
Australian Bight. Milanesia Beach is quite stunning, with a wide sandy beach. The water is crystal clear and in different
lights, takes on extraordinary colours.
"At Moonlight Head there are some of the highest coastal cliffs of mainland Australia. Forested right to the coastal ridge,
the cliffs drop steeply into the sea. At Wreck Beach, you can find anchors from historic shipwrecks embedded in the rock
shelf.
"You go into wet fern and rainforest gullies, which have huge specimens of the world’s tallest flowering tree, the Mountain
Ash. You cross coastal heathlands. You also go in and out of the sheltered coastal estuaries of the Aire and Gellibrand
Rivers, where there are reed beds and amazing bird life,” says Will.
"You might see Sea and Wedge-tailed Eagles, koalas and wallabies. If you’re lucky, in the right seasons, you might also
see whales and dolphins in the water.”
Other services available for hikers include guided tours with Licensed Tour Operators, transport to and from your selected
starting and finishing locations, camping equipment hire and food provision.
Whatever way you tackle the Great Ocean Walk – a few hours or a few days – it is an experience to remember.
For more information please contact:
Alysia Brandenburg
Strategic Tourism Adviser
Parks Victoria
Telephone: 13 1963
Email: abranden@parks.vic.gov.au
Updated June 2012
CD CONTENT:
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IMAGES
In a folder called “Image Gallery”
INFORMATION
Fact Sheets, including Great Ocean Walk “Facts” and “History”
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Media Release
All supplied in Microsoft Word (.doc) format