Our Itinerary
Day 1
Meet at Melbourne airport public pick-up at mid-day. Once gathered we’ll take the 3 hour drive to Castle Cove in a private vehicle, stopping for lunch (own expense) along the way and a supermarket shop to collect supplies. We’ll arrive late afternoon at
Day 2
After breakfast we’ll drive to Blanket Bay to start our walk. We’ll follow a boardwalk to Point Lewis Lookout, for your first glimpse of the spectacularly rugged coastline. Then we’ll wander through majestic coastal forests until we reach Parker Inlet. Here you will get your feet wet on an unbridged river crossing. You’ll need to have your camera ready as the next few kilometres offer stunning cliff edge views. We will arrive at the Otway Lighthouse at lunch time, where you can either finish your walk for the day and spend some time learning about the fascinating local history or walk to the next pickup up point at Aire River Camp Site. (B,L,D) Hike: Blanket Bay to Cape Otway (10kms), Cape Otway to Aire River Camping Ground (9.5kms) – Total 19.5kms
Day 3
Today we are almost guaranteed to meet some Koalas lazing in the low hanging branches of the eucalyptus trees when we start our walk back at Aire River. From here we will head inland, climbing up and around the headland through spinifex forests. There will be some hills today so you have the choice of a short or longer walk. At lunchtime we’ll take a break at our accommodation and you can decide to take the next section off or push on with us to Johanna Beach. Through heath lands and forests we’ll make our way to one of the best beaches on the walk. Prepare to get your feet wet again before leaving the beach to return to our accommodation for the evening. (B, L, D) Hike: Aire River to Castle Cove (6km) or Johanna Beach
(7km) – Total 13km
Day 4
If the tides allow us, today we’ll head to the most exciting part of the walk – Wreck Beach. Starting at Gables Lookout, we’ll experience one of the highest cliffs in mainland Australia with views right out to to sea. Then it’s just a short walk to the top of the steps down to Wreck Beach. It’s important we get the timing right as there are 366 steps down to the beach, that’s too many steps to come back up if the tide is in! This beach is seriously impressive with its towering cliffs, intriguing rock formations and half buried anchors from long ago seafaring tragedies. There will be some rock scrambling, so we’ll need to work as a team and help each other. We’ll return to the support vehicle via a cliff top forest walk. We then drive to the Princetown Recreation Reserve for our picnic lunch and you can choose to either walk on to the 12 Apostles (a further 7.6 kms away) or travel by vehicle.
The 12 Apostles (although now only 7) will come into view as we approach the end of our walk at the visitor centre. To finish of the trek, we will take a spectacular scenic helicopter flight over the 12 Apostles. After admiring the view and our sense of achievement we will be met and transferred back to our accommodation where a celebratory dinner is in order. (B, L, D) If you really want to treat yourself after all of your hard work we can arrange for a masseuse to come to the accommodation for an optional private massage. Hike: Gables Lookout circular walk via Wreck Beach and Devil’s kitchen (8.5kms), Princetown Reserve to the 12 Apostles (7.5kms) – Total 16kms
Day 5
Time to pack our bags and drive back to Melbourne Airport to be there by midday. Not ready to leave yet? Take the option to stay for a few days in Melbourne.
Inclusions
• Private group transfer to/from Melbourne Airport (mid-day only)
• Guide plus support vehicle and driver
• Daily transfers to/from GOW each day
• Fully guided walk each day with support vehicle available for pick up at access points
• Sat phone for emergency use
• Modern eco friendly accommodation
• All linen and towels
• Maps/trip notes/packing suggestions
• Training program
• Travel Insurance • Shirt and cap
• Emergency communications & group first aid kit
