Great Ocean Walk

[Ant71]

Hi all my wife and I are looking to do the Great Ocean Walk in July. Just wondering if anyone has done this walk and more specifically how hard it is? We did the Overland track last year (our only multi night walk) so if anyone has done both of these walks and could give us a ruff comparison that would be great TIA

[ianslater]

Hello Ant71, I did the OT a couple of years ago and the GOW just prior to last xmas. For mine the weather is the key factor . Whilst some people get a good run on the OT, we had a bit of everything in early autumn. On the GOW i put up with some rainy sections and some wind and some snakes. You won't have snow or ice or mud on the GOW so i rate it much easier but none the less a very enjoyable coastal walk. i guess your chances of meeting any snakes in july is minimal but i wear gators always. Just be well kitted out for the walk and enjoy. Cheers from Ian.

[SueO1988]

Hi Ant71, my husband and I and friends did this couple of years ago and absolutely loved it. We found it easier than the Overland Track maybe because we were a bit more experienced and had also done more training. We are now in the process of planning doing the Larapinta in June. I have also added my link to my blog from GOW. The camping grounds are fantastic, as well as the 3 sided shelters. We had no trouble with organising a shuttle at the end back to Apollo Bay. We did think as well that maybe on day 2 I think it was when we got to the lighthouse we could of not carried lunch that day and had it at the lighthouse. The meals looked fantastic and smelt beautiful. We sat in front of the fire for quite a while as we had been walking in rain. Had hot chocolate and hot scones!! Feel free to ask any questions, cheers Sue

https://trekintaleswordpresscom.wordpre ... 11/post-1/

[blisters]

i guess your chances of meeting any snakes in july is minimal but i wear gators always.

Gaiters are also great for keeping the mud/dirt/thistles etc off your pants legs so no need to launder them after a hike -
using some supposedly snake-proof ones from Aussie Disposals currently.

[MickyB]

i guess your chances of meeting any snakes in july is minimal

Minimal but possible. I have seen them in June in the Otways.

[Ant71]

Thanks for the help people much appreciated. Sue thanks for the link

[Barrie]

Hi,
I was planning on hiking Apollo Bay to Blanket Bay in one day...
Is this too far in one day ?

[Eremophila]

Only 21.8km according to the map.

[MickyB]

Welcome to the forum Barrie.

According to the following website you would need to walk 23.6kms http://www.greatoceanwalk.info/distances-difficulty/
It is certainly doable but would depend on your fitness levels.

[ChrisJHC]

It's very easy to combine the first few sections if you want to save some time (i.e. do Sections 1 and 2 on Day 1, Sections 3 and 4 on Day 2).

Then take it easier on the rest of the walk if you have the time.

Note that the suggested times are based on 3 km/h which is very gentle.


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[Barrie]

Thanks heaps for all the replys.. very helpful

[SueO1988]

We did Apollo Bay to Blanket Bay in one day. It was fine, fairly flat as well. Got into Blanket Bay early arvo. I have added the link above to my blog if you would like more information.

[Suz]

Totes agree with ChrisJHC re: section combos.

...just want to add that if you're driving to the walk...then it's worth parking the car near the end of the walk at Princetown Reservation ...cheap camping with hot showers and some power points to recharge devices. I paid $15pn for camping (1p) and $20 for the week for Mick the manager to watch over my car.

Also, the Vline bus delivers you cheaply to the start of the walk (start either at Apollo Bay or Marengo) $10pp (I did it in May and the buses were running Mon, Wed, Fri - just check what their schedule will be for mid winter).

Both companies are easy to google.

I also combined my fifth day ... Ryan's Den to Princetown. From Princetown it's only 6km to Gibson Steps which is the last site on the trail - tbh I drove that bit tho

Also if you want a nice and also affordable night in Apollo Bay - the YHA there is really very good.

[Barrie]

Thanks heaps again everyone

[Eremophila]

One thing worth noting (well, for me anyway) is that the GOW map, and possibly the website, shows public toilets at Princetown Reserve. These are locked and only available for use by campers.

[Biggles]

One thing worth noting (well, for me anyway) is that the GOW map, and possibly the website, shows public toilets at Princetown Reserve. These are locked and only available for use by campers.

They're good facilities, too. Ask Mick or Julia at Reception for entry code, showing your permit for the GOW.
I must say however it is not a pleasant place to camp in winter, with cold, blustery southerlies and driving rain. There are also public toilets opposite the (now closed) Princetown General Store and next door to the pub.

[djb21au]

Hello Ant71, I did the OT a couple of years ago and the GOW just prior to last xmas. For mine the weather is the key factor . Whilst some people get a good run on the OT, we had a bit of everything in early autumn. On the GOW i put up with some rainy sections and some wind and some snakes. You won't have snow or ice or mud on the GOW so i rate it much easier but none the less a very enjoyable coastal walk. i guess your chances of meeting any snakes in july is minimal but i wear gators always. Just be well kitted out for the walk and enjoy. Cheers from Ian.

Ian – how did you find the supply of water at the camps during your walk? I'm guessing it was okay if you had rain. We are planning to do the GOW also just before Christmas this year and I'm wondering how much water we'll need to carry.

David

[ChrisJHC]

I've done the GOW a couple of times and never had an issue with water in the tanks. I've also never treated the water and had no problems.


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