The Great Ocean Road is a highlight for tourist in Australia as has beautiful picturesque coastal views, rugged cliffs and the famous Twelve Apostles. Enhance this breathtaking journey with the Great Ocean Walk which goes for about 104 kilometres from Apollo Bay to the 12 apostles. This perfect combination allows one to witness innumerable flora and fauna, besides the 12 Apostles shrines as well such as Cape Otway, Johanna Beach and Wreck Beach. You must be wondering about the best place and activities that these two experiences can be paired. This article is a step by step manual on how to combine these two experiences, with all the relevant information about the best trails, where to stay and other practical tips to make the journey wonderful.
Exploring the 12 Apostles
The 12 Apostles located in the Port Campbell National Park are limestone stacks which protrude into the Southern Ocean and have been built by waves for millions of years. They are visually stunning rock formations which are enhanced by the soft light only around dawn or dusk of the day.
The History of the 12 Apostles
These structures used to be part of land and over time, erosion caused them to stand on their own. The earliest Europeans in the region were also amazed by these stacks, and even though most of them can no longer be seen as they once were, tourists, continue to turn out to activity from every part of the globe.
Best Viewing Spots
12 Apostles are properly viewed from various vantage points whether you are driving any of the roads or on foot, there are a few very nice viewing points for the Twelve Apostles. Gibson Steps gives a view from the level of the beach, Castle Cove views, and Port Campbell views, which are amazing lookout points.
What is the Great Ocean Walk?
The beauty of the Great Ocean Walk is that it cuts across the region from Apollo Bay through to the 12 Apostles which happens to be to be one of the best coastal walks and forest views in Victoria. The trail traverses through Port Campbell and Cape Otway National Parks, taking in parts of beaches, coastal scrub, and parts of history such as the Cape Otway Light station and Elliot Ridge Campsite. The Great Ocean Walk has no competition for those after great sceneries.
Trail Highlights
The walk is punctuated with several locations of interest including the Aire River, Johanna Beach, Wreck Beach especially Crayfish Bay. Each showed off its own distinctive views, whether it be deserted shore lines or cliff faces. There is also an optional trip to Cape Otway Lighthouse.
Trail Difficulty
Skiing Jindabyne’s Great Ocean Walk offers no limits when it comes to the hiker’s experience. From day hikes to the full multi-day trek, the trail allows flexibility. Guide services are also available for those who want to hike more but aren’t experienced enough to venture out on their own; hike-in campsites such as Ryan’s Den offer excellent resting spots. Bring just about a liter of water for most of the hikes and try to avoid very hot sunny days, as snakes such as tiger snake may be present.
The Perfect Pairing: 12 Apostles and the Great Ocean Walk
It offers the finest blend of the 12 Apostles with the Great Ocean Walk for anyone who loves nature. The walk takes you through the rugged splendor of the Southern Ocean’s coastline, whereas the Twelve Apostles gives you one of the most breathtaking views in Australia.
Experience the Landscape Up Close
During the course of the route, you will meet and encounter all kinds of creatures from Koalas and Kangaroos, to different kinds of birds. You will want to carry essentials like water, insect cream and an insular packed lunch for those longer stretches. Make sure that you do not skip the beach sections at Johanna Beach, Station Beach and especially Shelly Beach in order to relax by the water.
Accommodation Options
Near the route there are various accommodation options including simply sleeping in rudimentary tents fan nights to self-contained units with certain levels of comfort. Most of the hikers prefer a pestering accommodation to an accommodation style of hiking, where in between the sites, all their stuff gets carried from one location to the next. For the ones who do not want to be away from the ‘road’, undesignated campsites are more usual. Early reservation is highly recommended and more so during the summer season.
Best Time to Visit the 12 Apostles and the Great Ocean Walk
The best time to go to the Twelve Apostles and travel the Great Ocean Walk can be within the hot season which is between October and May. Exploring in warmer weather is comfortable but fires can be a concern within the summer months. Even so winter does have its beauty, though a winter voyage can be quite chilling and windy ideal people who would like empty lanes and less crowded paths.
Seasonal Variations
There are quite hot summer months where its perfect for enjoying the beach however these months differ from the spring and the autumn periods when they are non peak months. There are all sorts of issues in winter including fire risk in the bush in winter. Alternatively even if one visits any time of the year, the mobile reception is likely to be patchy so prepare accordingly.
Wildlife and Natural Attractions Along the Great Ocean Walk
Great Ocean Walk is rich in wildlife and is thus the dream destination for any nature enthusiast. While on the popular hike, others should be able to see kangaroos and koalas, as well as whales during season. The Aire River Campground is excellent for birding, while the Elliot Ridge area has great forested scenery. At times it is however necessary to be over-prepared and so it is important to have a kit filled to the brim: plenty of band aids, insect repellant and more so as to prepare for the unexpected in nature.
Historical Sites
The trail also shares some bits of civilization including the centers that the ancient European settlers inhabited, and the Port Fairy that has hullabaloo of various cultural attributes. Rip Curl Pro which takes place at Bells Beach, is yet another integral romance of surfing that is held annually in celebration of the surfing culture of the region.
Eco-Friendly Tourism and Sustainability
Carefully planned eco-friendly passive rest is the aim of the Great Ocean Walk. As apostle lodge walk would be, assigned routes and campgrounds should exist elsewhere to reduce negative impacts on the enjoyment of the walk by posterity making sure some beauty about the walk still exists. It is recommended that travelers use some such green supportive gear and use the local community services which are based on green policies.
Conclusion
The combination of the 12 Apostles and the Great Ocean Walk ensures an ideal mix of coastal views, rough terrains and relaxing walks. If you happen to be driving the Great Ocean Road and exploring the national parks then this is something which every adventure seeker ought to do.
FAQs
How long does the Great Ocean Walk take?
The entire 104-kilometre walk takes at least 7-8 days to complete, but there are shorter parts that can be walked in a single day.
Will organized tours be available for the Great Ocean Walk?
Yes, there are lots of companies that provide all the necessary guidance ‘in-person’ or by offering you to take the tour on your own or combining both for your convenience.
What animals can be viewed along the Great Ocean Walk?
You can look forward to koalas, kangaroos and a number of birds. Depending on the time of the year, hibernate whales could also be spied.
Is it possible to find accommodation along the Great Ocean Walk?
Yes, there is a wide selection of basic camping, campgrounds with and without ensuites, campers and other amenities. It is a good idea to make bookings in advance as it is very likely that peak periods will get fully booked up quickly.
What should I take along on the walk?
Essentials include a water container, insect repellent, water cleanness prop for scrubbers. And recreational safety precautions a cut and bandage kit in case one is bitten by a snake.
