Great Ocean Walk 20-25 Sep 2019

[ChrisJHC]

I've just booked the following sites for a quick end-to-end of the Great Ocean Walk in September:
20 Sep - Elliot Ridge
21 Sep - Cape Otway
22 Sep - Johanna Beach
23 Sep - Ryans Den
24 Sep - Devils Kitchen

If anyone wants to share a site for one or more nights (and save themselves the booking fee), please PM me.

Notes:
I'm expecting to be just ahead of the school holidays crowd.
I like to walk by myself during the day but happy to share a site at nights.

[Ms_Mudd]

How was it ChrisJHC?

[ChrisJHC]

Great!

I ended up skipping Ryan’s Den and finished a day early. I’m not good at sitting around camp for hours!

My itinerary was:
Day 1 - drive to 12 Apostles and park in car park. Catch bus to Apollo Bay. Lunch in Apollo Bay. Walk to Elliott Ridge (10km).
Day 2 - Blanket Bay for lunch (12km). Overnight at Cape Otway (11km).
Day 3 - Aire River for lunch (10km). Overnight at Johanna Beach (14km).
Day 4 - Ryan’s Den for lunch (14km). Overnight at Devils Kitchen (13km).
Day 5 - Back to the 12 Apostles (16km). Back in Melbourne by mid-afternoon..

Notes:
1. You buy tickets for the bus on the bus. Try to have close to the right money.
2. I made sure that I left nothing in my car and that you could see it was empty from the outside. I had no problems.
3. I left around 8 each day, had an hour for lunch and made it to my night loc around 4 each day. I am a faster walker than most.
4. Day 4 is the toughest but achievable.
5. Saw a few feral cats on the track but no other significant wildlife.
6. Cape Otway is my least favourite campground as there are very few places to hang your hammock!
7. Johanna Beach was my favourite (see below). Devil’s Kitchen was also good as I had the whole place to myself.

Summary: A nice multi-day trip that’s not too hard if you’re in reasonable shape.

[rumblepants]

That sounds lovely @ChrisJHC. I'm thinking of doing this in Jan. Whats the drinking water situation like?

I just read the booklet and it says there is rain tanks at every campsite.

[ChrisJHC]

There are water tanks at each campsite - so every 15 km or so. There are signs that the water tanks are only filled with rain water so it would be worth checking the situation closer to the day.

There are a number of creeks that you cross that are also options but not all of these are readily accessible. They may also be dry in summer.

I’m sure a post on this forum will give you current details or a call to Parks Vic.

Obviously it will be hotter but, given it’s Victoria, you could be lucky.

Also, given the relatively short distance between campsites, you could rest between 11 and 3 and still make the distances easily. The track is very easy to follow so walking in the dark is definitely an option, although you will miss out on the ocean views.

[Ms_Mudd]

Lovely!
I finished on Saturday, really enjoyed it. I like that the track and surrounds varied so much. The weather varied almost just as much too.
I left 2pm on the Tues and stayed at:
Blanket Bay (were so many people there!)
Aire River - had it to myself
Ryans Den. - just one couple there.
Could have finished after RD, had booked DK, but got there at 9am. No sense in finishing the day earlier though as hubby and the kids not getting me until the Saturday so just walked to Princetown and mooched around eating and reading.

I had an early lunch at Johanna on my way through, you are right ChrisJHC- stunning, stunning spot.