Crayfish Bay
Crayfish Bay is one of the less touristed spots along the entire Great Ocean Walk. To get to the start of the walk you need to turn down the road towards Cape Otway Lightstation and then turn left onto the Blanket Bay road. After a while turn right to Point Franklin, Crayfish Bay and Parker Hill. Go over the cattle grid and turn right down the hill (straight ahead takes you to Parker River). There is a small car park down the bottom. The sign posts indicate Crayfish Bay to the right or Point Franklin to the left.If it’s a beautiful, sunny day and low tide don’t forget the snorkelling gear or at least your bathers. This is a top spot for both snorkelling and swimming. The return loop can be done in 40 minutes but give yourself more time.
Johanna Beach & Cliff Walk
Johanna is without a doubt one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. It’s exceptionally long with very wide, soft sand beaches. There are 4 sections to Johanna Beach. The most easterly section can be accessed by the eastern car park. From here you can walk east along the beach, cross over the shallow Johanna River and walk all the way to the end at Rotten Point. This is a good hour’s walk and sand can be hard going. The main beach is accessed by the main car park. This is a popular beach. Watch for surfers, seals & the odd passing whale. The two beaches to the west are a bit tricky to get to. On a low tide you can get around the corner of the main beach – it’s then pretty easy going all the way to the very end at Cannonballs. If you get there you’ll soon realise why it’s called Cannonballs. Give yourself at least 1.5 hours for this walk. DO NOT attempt this on anything but a low tide. It’s very dangerous. From the main car park you can choose to head west along the cliff line. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to get to the top and the views are outrageous. Plenty of kangaroos in this vicinity. 20 minutes return.
The Gables
The Gables is one of the most scenic lookouts along the entire Great Ocean Walk. It is one of the highest cliff top lookouts in the country and really is a must do while you are in this region. Turn off the Great Ocean Road at Moonlight Head. Follow the gravel road until you you come to a fork in the road. The Gables is to the left and Wreck Beach is to the right. From the car park it is a very easy stroll to the lookout. You’ll pass through some tea tree and a lovely grove of Casuarina trees. This walk only takes about 20 minutes return.
Wreck Beach
Wreck Beach is poorly signposted and hence off the beaten track. If you visit during the off peak season you will probably have the whole beach to yourself. Turn off at Moonlight Head and follow the road until you come to a fork – The Gables is to the left and Wreck Beach is to the right. From the car park it’s an easy trail to the steps which lead to the beach. There are a lot of steps which can be slippery if it’s wet so be careful. Once you get to the beach turn right to get to the two anchors. The first is the anchor of the Marie-Gabrielle and the next is from the Fiji. If it’s high tide with a big swell be very careful. It’s always a safe option to do beach walks at low tide where possible. To thoroughly enjoy this walk you need to give yourself at least 1.5 hours.
Princetown Boardwalk & Rivermouth
Turn off the Great Ocean Road at the Princetown turnoff and park just before the bridge. You will see the boardwalk just across the track. It’s a lovely walk through grassy wetlands and along the river all the way to the local shop where you can have a cuppa. This will take about 20 minutes return and is a very easy walk. You can then continue on for a few minutes by car until you come to the next car park. Here you can walk along the river to the Princetown rivermouth. It’s exceptionally beautiful here and just beyond the sand dunes is a beach you will most probably have to yourself. Again this is an easy walk and will take about 30 to 40 minutes return.
Gibson Steps
Many people believe that the steps to Gibson Beach were originally built by the local indigenous population and that may very well be true but they were then maintained by High Gibson from Nearby Glenample Homestead. I don’t think you could say this is an easy walk as the steps to the beach are quite steep and there’s lots of them. It’s a wild and spectacular beach with good surf and well worth the effort in order to see the Apostles from down below. You need to give yourself about an hour for this or more if you intend hanging out on the beach.
Loch Ard Gorge
Many visitors to the Great Ocean Road believe that Loch Ard Gorge is far more beautiful than the 12 Apostles. Three easy walks have been developed to allow you the chance to discover the areas’ natural treasures. Interpretive signs along these walks reveal the fascinating stories about the area’s history, geology and natural features. There is a map of the whole precinct in the main car park. You should allow at least 2 hours to fully appreciate this spectacular area. It’s all easy walking but the steps to the beach are quite steep. Loch Ard Gorge is located just to the west of the 12 Apostles.
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Latest Whale sightings
Southern Right Whales migrate along this coast every winter. They are often clearly visible from the Walk. Keep up to date with their progress here. Check Now
