Twelve Apostles Walk

The group departs the Mercure Melbourne Southbank in Melbourne at 7:45am. Our guide will introduce you to the other walkers before departing for a direct three hour transfer to Twelve Apostles Walking Lodge at Johanna on the Great Ocean Road. On arrival at Twelve Apostles walking lodge, we'll enjoy morning tea. There will be a walk briefing from your guide, a gear fit out and check and an opportunity to change for those not already in their walking gear. You'll pack your scrumptious hiker lunch and then it’s a 10 minute transfer to Castle Cove to start your walk. Leaving the Great Ocean Road behind us, the afternoon begins amongst tea-tree with regular cliff top ocean vistas before entering an enchanting grass tree forest. Soon after, drop down onto Johanna Beach for two kilometres of soft sand walking with the ocean only metres from your feet. This is a great opportunity to take off your boots and walk barefoot, just don’t turn your back to the unpredictable waves! Cross Johanna River (may need to take your boots off) and make your way to the end of the beach. Walking time: approx 3 hours.

Meals:  L,D

Today is the most challenging day on the trail, but you will be rewarded with the most visually spectacular and isolated sections of the Great Ocean Walk. We take a winding path that leads from Melanesia Gate down through the forest to beautiful Melanesia Beach. After a gentle beach stroll, we turn upwards for a short, but steep climb that sets the tone for the trail ahead. The trail is dissected by gullies before a gradual climb, which delivers fabulous views back over Melanesia. Rough tree ferns and stands of remnant Eucalypts dot the path before an ascent of 138 steps. The trail continues in a westerly direction until a steady climb leads us out of the forest and into Ryans Den campsite. You'll be rewarded with superb views of the coast to both Cape Volney and Cape Otway; an ideal place to reflect on your journey so far. The walk from here rises and falls many times as it parallels the coastline before cutting along the ridge behind Cape Volney, providing breathtaking views, this time to the west. A final seated look out provides a magnificent vantage point, only 100 metres from today’s endpoint. Walking time: approx 6.5 hours.

Meals:  B,L,D

It’s a 30 minute transfer back to Moonlight Head this morning. The first four and half kilometres (one hour) of walking provides a contrast from the coast. We meander through the quiet forest on a beautifully graded track before opening onto The Gables lookout: one of the highest cliff top lookouts on Australia’s mainland. Tide dependent, you will drop onto Wreck Beach - wilder days will give an insight into the cauldron-like ocean at this part of the coast. A high tide option will follow a country lane to the same lunch vantage point. Stunning coastal views to the west this afternoon provide the incentive to keep moving forward. The topography and geology change to the pale limestone and scrubby flora more recognisable as coastal. This afternoon is flat, gentle walking that finishes on the banks of the Gellibrand River at the sleepy hamlet of Princetown. Transfer back to Twelve Apostles Walking Lodge for a well deserved dinner and a relaxing evening. Walking time: approx 6.5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Enjoy your final morning at Twelve Apostles walking lodge. After another scrumptious breakfast, there’s a final pack up, check out and lodge farewell as we again head west to Princetown. If self driving, we’ll help you relocate your car to the 12 Apostles car park before returning to Princetown to complete your last walk to these fabulous natural wonders. The Apostles emerge slowly as the trail rises and falls along the coastline. There is a viewing lookout exclusively for walkers before the final stretch of trail into the 12 Apostles Visitors Centre. You’ve made it! Now take to the skies with a stunning ten minute 12 Apostles Scenic Helicopter Flight for an unparalleled view of this amazing coast. We’ll then move on to the nearby town of Port Campbell for lunch before returning to Melbourne, where we can drop you off at the airport or in central Melbourne. Tullamarine drop off time: 5:30pm for flights from 6:30pm. Melbourne CBD (Mercure Melbourne Southbank) drop off is by 6pm. Walking time: approx 3 hours.

Meals:  B,L