Day 1: Melbourne to Apollo Bay (3½ hour drive)
The tour starts in Melbourne where we offer two meeting points, either at the Radisson Hotel on Flagstaff Gardens in the Central Business District at 12.00 pm or at Tullamarine Airport at 1.00 pm. Please ensure you let us know where you will meet the tour. It is also helpful if you supply us with a mobile phone number. We drive 3h 30mins to Apollo Bay, stopping en route for a light lunch. Our accommodation for 1 night is Chris’s Restaurant & Villas set in the hills at Beacon Point above the town of Apollo Bay. In the afternoon there is time to unwind and relax in your accommodation. Welcome drink and introductory chat before dinner in Chris’s Restaurant, the best restaurant in the region and awarded one Chef's Hat in 2012.
Day 2: Marengo to Blanket Bay (19.9km)
We check out of Chris’s after breakfast and a short drive takes us to Marengo Beach just west of Apollo Bay. This morning’s walk follows the coast on walking tracks and beaches, passing through farmland before arriving at Shelley Beach. After a picnic lunch we have a gradual climb through tall wet forests on wide open paths before we descend to Blanket bay where we are transported to our accommodation at Johanna Beach Cottages where we stay for 4 Nights. This evening we cook an in-house dinner at Johanna Cottages
Day 3: Blanket Bay to Cape Otway (10.7km)
After breakfast we return to Blanket Bay to start the walk. This morning we walk through dry coastal forest with stunning views over Parkers Inlet, we descend and cross the river before climbing up to our picnic spot. After lunch we travel on cliff top paths through manna gums to Cape Otway Lighthouse. Enjoy a guided visit of the historic lighthouse at Cape Otway then transfer to our accommodation. Dinner in a local restaurant this evening.
Day 4: Cape Otway to Castle Cove (17.7km)
After breakfast we transfer you to the start of the walk at Cape Otway. This morning we have a morning walk with open views then descending to Station beach. We walk along the beach before climbing back up into the forest before descending to Aire River for our picnic lunch. In the afternoon we hike along small paths keeping close to the coast to finish the walk at Castle Cove from where it is a short drive back to our cottages. Dinner in the cottage this evening.
Day 5: Castle Cove to Milanesia Beach (13.6km)
We drive to the start of the walk at Castle Cove. We enjoy a gentle walk which undulates through coastal heath land with stunning ocean views. We have our picnic at Johanna Beach and then in the afternoon the trail follows the old coach road which gradually climbs away from the coast to where we finish the walk at Milanesia Beach. Dinner at Johanna Seaside Cottages
Day 6: Milanesia Beach to The Gables (19.2km)
We depart Johanna Seaside Cottages after breakfast and drive to the start of the day’s walk at Milanesia beach. Today’s walk is the most remote of the walks, travelling up and down for most of the day through wood land and open countryside often close to the coast with stunning views. Lunch this day is a hike in picnic carried by your guides. In the afternoon we continue our hike passing remote Ryans Den and Moonlight Head to finish at The Gables lookout. We stay the next two nights in the heart of the pretty town of Port Campbell. Dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 7: Wreck Beach to Twelve Apostles (17.8 km)
We start the day with a hike along haunting Wreck Beach with vestiges of some of the tragic shipwrecks which have given this coastline its name. After the beach we follow a new section of track which hugs the coast affording fabulous ocean views before arriving at the Gellibrand River where we have our final picnic in Princetown. This afternoon we have a leisurely walk along the old coach road and coastal paths to the finish of our 91km walk overlooking the Twelve Apostles. Final night dinner in Port Campbell.
Day 8 :
Transfers to Melbourne. There is the opportunity for a short visit to Loch Ard Gorge before we return to Melbourne. We will arrive at Tullamarine for 1pm and then drop off in Melbourne at the Radisson at 1.30-2pm.
Walking
6 days of walking
Shortest day: 10.7km
Longest.day: 19.9km
Hilly terrain with frequent ups and downs. Significant (up to 300 m) ascents/descents. The trails are a combination of beach walks, purpose built paths, vehicle tracks and gravel roads. Sturdy boots with good ankle support are recommended. It is important to ensure your boots are worn in before the trip. Walking poles are an advantage, especially for the descents. There is always the opportunity to walk in half day sections if you don’t wish to walk the entire route. In order to maximize your enjoyment of your holiday we recommend you exercise regularly prior to the trip in order to build up your fitness level.
