Great Ocean Walk

[fixa]

Howdy all!

So i'm doing the Great Ocean Wlak this november, cannot wait. Is anyone else doing it around this time> I'm starting on the 16th Nov.

Quick Question: Is there bins along the way? No biggie, working out logistics...

Also happy to hear stories / tips etc. Planning on doing Blanket bay fort day, then Cape Otwya, johanna / Ryans / Devils.

Cheers!

[Lamont]

No bins. Check track notes reports Victoria. Some of my thoughts there.

[ChrisJHC]

Maybe at the Cape Otway lighthouse?

[djb21au]

From memory there were no bins available at Cape Otway either, at least on the park side of the shop. I imagine there are bins inside the lighthouse facility but you have to pay the entrance fee to get in there.

[Eremophila]

November....plenty of tiger snakes.....

https://www.standard.net.au/story/46619 ... ake-video/

This article is now subscription-only, but you can still play the video. It's NOT doctored

[Species 8472]

Hi Fixa I'm planning to do the walk in November as well. Was thinking of driving my car to Princetown leaving my car there and taking the 10.15 am bus to Apollo Bay to start the walk. Any takers ?

[fixa]

Hi Fixa I'm planning to do the walk in November as well. Was thinking of driving my car to Princetown leaving my car there and taking the 10.15 am bus to Apollo Bay to start the walk. Any takers ?

Yep, was planning on leaving mine at the 12 apostles carpark. What dates are you thinking?

[fixa]

No bins. Check track notes reports Victoria. Some of my thoughts there.

Thanks mate

[fixa]

November....plenty of tiger snakes.....

https://www.standard.net.au/story/46619 ... ake-video/

This article is now subscription-only, but you can still play the video. It's NOT doctored

[fixa]

No bins. Check track notes reports Victoria. Some of my thoughts there.

Maybe at the Cape Otway lighthouse?

Cheers!

[Ms_Mudd]

Rather than starting a new thread, thought I would add to this one.

Ugh. Thanks for the Tiger Snake Eremophila

Couldn't decide where I wanted to do a longer walk in my annual leave later in the year, so in true tight-wad style, I let the Jetstar sale prices guide me. Booked my airfare to walk GOW this Spring. I am planning on booking my campsites soon as I imagine it will be a popular time to walk it.

My preliminary plan goes like this: Will arrive Apollo Bay a little after lunch time, (if my connections all work out, if not will be later in the afternoon) eat and start walking

Night 1: Elliot Ridge
Night 2: Cape Otway
Night 3: Johnanna Beach
Night 4: Devils Kitchen
Day 5 arrive smelly and tired at the 12 Apostles for my husband and kids to collect me in a hire car and hopefully not do our hire car bond due to the residual tang that will be left in the vehicle from me.

Thoughts? Am I missing any of the 'best' campsites doing it this way? Any other suggestions as to how I could do it?
I wouldn't really want to take any longer to walk it, I usually am up at the crack of sparrows and move reasonably quickly. I find arriving in any camp too early in the day just leaves me mooching about, trying to stay awake until the sun goes down, no matter how picturesque my surrounds.

I didn't really want to commit to walking more than 10km on the first day as even if I make the earlier connection, I won't get walking until after 2pm and if I am later, well I will be night hiking as it is. I could, of course, stay in Apollo Bay that first night, was just trying to avoid paying for accommodation, but if the walk is best done differently, I can relax my frugal ways a little

[vagrom]

Hi Ms_Mudd. Just checking: the sites are all ~$30/night and require booking or are there free alternatives en route?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... 3221381134

[ Take 3 ]

[Eremophila]

Hi Ms_Mudd. Just checking: the sites are all ~$30/night and require booking or are there free alternatives en route?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... 3221381134

That's correct - the Parks Victoria page states bush camping is not permitted.

I haven't done the whole trail but I don't believe there are any free alternatives close by.

[vagrom]

Thanks Eremophila. That's only $120 over 5 days for quality camping, clean tank water and ablutions and scenery to die for.
I'm not sure re: our recently opened Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Must check. Thanks.

An interesting fact: the SA endemic Mallee Ash E.Remota of west KI is a stunted relative of the giant Otways/Tas. Mountain Ash. The west end of KI gets the most rain.

Edit: Checked KI cost (5 day) - $165 ( conc $130 )
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... 3231031226

[Ms_Mudd]

Hi Ms_Mudd. Just checking: the sites are all ~$30/night and require booking or are there free alternatives en route?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... 3221381134

[ Take 3 ]

Looks like Eremophila beat me to it. Yes, the sites are all fee paying and need to be booked, which is why I am trying to lock in my plan now so that I can go ahead and book them. Very reasonably priced indeed for water and views, not to mention a drop loo.

I would rather stay my first night on the trail than paying $$ for a hotel or a shared dorm room at the YHA where I won't sleep well anyway, but totally open to what others who have walked it or know the trail well suggest.

[fixa]

Ms Mudd: I ended up walking to Elliot ridge after a lunchtime start. Got there early, I’d suggest that even a 2pm start you could make it to blanket bay. Cape otway campground was very quiet but had no views. Sore river is nice but car campers nearby. Johanna beach views are sensational! Hope that helps!

[Eremophila]

Vagrom: KI Wilderness Trail is around $180 which includes a compulsory map and guidebook. The campsites look very well equipped.

I think they're both good value for money, don't have a problem with the fees.

Ms Mudd: grab yourself the offical GOW map which is very handy. This FAQ's sheet is also extremely helpful:
https://www.greatoceanwalk.com.au/asset ... l-2018.pdf

[vagrom]

Thanks Eremophila. I took the prices from my link which starts at the level: Going it Alone ( or it may be out of date ). The $180 fee may include transport to/from beginning and end.
At this stage Tas. has only two paid walks I can think of and Parks' 30 day fee remains $30 tho' this is due for a change. Plus Tassie has so much choice if less year round options. The freedom of not having to book is very welcome too.
Excuse my state jumping. Some years ago I drew a triangle between Hobart, Sydney and Adelaide and worked out a lifetime's walking therein, affordable and using pub. transport.

[ChrisJHC]

I found the Cape Otway campground very ordinary.
It's surrounded by dense scrub with no views.
The views getting there and onwards are, however, fantastic!

On a vaguely related note, I once asked the manager of the Cape Otway kiosk how often they saw the Rangers.
Once he stopped laughing he said they were lucky to be seen once a month.

[north-north-west]

At this stage Tas. has only two paid walks I can think of and Parks' 30 day fee remains $30 tho' this is due for a change. Plus Tassie has so much choice if less year round options. The freedom of not having to book is very welcome too.
Excuse my state jumping. Some years ago I drew a triangle between Hobart, Sydney and Adelaide and worked out a lifetime's walking therein, affordable and using pub. transport.

If you exclude the cost of the Parks Pass, there isn't anything down here that absolutely has to be paid for. (Yet.) The Overland can be done off-season, and the (Two Out of) Three Capes can be done free if you camp - even the section to Surveyors as there is an old track through Stinking Bay into Denmans.

[vagrom]

Ganz Genau ! I haven't a clue about any Parks price rises either.
The OLT is closed over 8 months tho' still very porous.

The Grampians walk will also be a pay job I guess. Vic has the numbers and demand. Labor did dispense with o/night fees when they got in.

Edit: Grampians $33/night. Very nice website.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead ... QBg&adurl=
I'll have to check if OLT and 3Capes have websites like this. [ Ed: 3Capes yes & v.good. OLT doesn't need one ]

[peregrinator]

. . . Labor did dispense with o/night fees when they got in.

Not quite right. They removed some fees and reduced some fees.

[Ms_Mudd]

Thanks for the replies, glad you had a good walk, Fixa.
Appreciate your thoughts on the campsites too Fixa and ChrisJHC.

Eremophila, have the map on its way in the post. Thanks for prompting me to think about that. Will make my proposed 5 day 4 night trip planning easier I am sure.

[enlightened0ne]

Has anyone tried doing this as a fastpack? I was planning on doing it in the next couple of weeks by walking to Elliot ridge on Friday evening then to Johanna Beach for Saturday night and leave from the 12 Apostles on Sunday evening.

Can anyone comment on whether that’s feasible? I can usually hike about 6km/hr but obviously a bit slower if the terrain is really tough.

[peregrinator]

. . .

Can anyone comment on whether that’s feasible? I can usually hike about 6km/hr but obviously a bit slower if the terrain is really tough.

There's no "really tough" terrain. So 6 km/hr is certainly consistently achievable, other than perhaps a few stretches of soft sand (e.g., approaching Johanna) and some short climbs. But you'll want to stop sometimes to absorb views! Maybe you'll average 5.5 km/hr?

[fixa]

Has anyone tried doing this as a fastpack? I was planning on doing it in the next couple of weeks by walking to Elliot ridge on Friday evening then to Johanna Beach for Saturday night and leave from the 12 Apostles on Sunday evening.

Can anyone comment on whether that’s feasible? I can usually hike about 6km/hr but obviously a bit slower if the terrain is really tough.

It would be quite a bug day, over 40kms by memory. There's a couple of steepish climbs. Certainly doable if your fit and not carrying much, but a bit day.

[Eremophila]

These folks apparently did it in 2 days:
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=29292

Myself, I don’t understand the rush. Smell the roses. All of them. But each to their own.

[Ms_Mudd]

These folks apparently did it in 2 days:
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=29292

Myself, I don’t understand the rush. Smell the roses. All of them. But each to their own.

Eeep. That is hardcore. Good on them though, whatever floats your boat.
I was a bit worried I was rushing it doing it over 4 nights, 5 days, but hopefully it pans out well for me. I am excited for the coastal views, very different to my normal walking areas.

[enlightened0ne]

@Eremophilia I would like to take more time to do it but I can only take the weekend off work, so I don’t really have much choice.

[Ms_Mudd]

@Eremophilia I would like to take more time to do it but I can only take the weekend off work, so I don’t really have much choice.

Hope you have a great walk. You can scope it out for me
Please come back here and let me know how you liked the walk.

My handbook/map book arrived on Friday, after a browse of it and a think about what Fixa said, I have revised my plans to make it to Blanket Bay on the first night. My biggest day will be day 3, 28km then it is just cruisy distances from there on. My camps that I will go ahead and book are

Day 1: Blanket Bay (22km)
Day 2: Aire River (21km)
Day 3: Ryans Den (28km)
Day 4: Devils Kitchen (13km)
Day 5: Finish at the 12 Apostles (16km)

Busy planning a nice family holiday at the conclusion of the walk too, really excited about this trip.