Twelve Apostles Lodge 7-day Walk
Available by request for groups | Price $3,995
Minimum: 8 guests | Maximum: 10 guests
Walk the entire 100 kilometres of the Great Ocean Walk! You can embrace the challenge, rhythm, spectacular beauty and satisfaction of seven days of bushwalking on one of Australia's great trails. And each evening, return to the comfort of our private eco-lodge to recover and be served gourmet meals complemented by local wines and beers.
The trail begins by winding its way out of Apollo Bay, home to a colony of Australian fur seals. The sandy foreshore transitions to countryside and farmland before the trail climbs into the higher forests and the awe-inspiring Mountain Ash trees of the Great Otway National Park.
It weaves it's way from wild rocky shores through coastal heathlands and towering forests to windswept cliffs of Port Campbell National Park. Seaside villages, remote beaches, cool rivers, forests and farms precede the Twelve Apostles. It’s here with sand under boots, that a sense of monumental achievement and wonder sets in.
On the Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk everything is taken care of. Your only job is to put one foot in front of the other. We’ll show you the way, carry all the extras on our back and point out natural features along the way. We’ll supply sumptuous lunches to sustain you, daypacks and walking sticks, cool lemonade and soothing footbaths at the end of each walk.
Direct bookings only. For all enquiries and bookings please contact Tasmanian Walking Company on (03) 6392 2211 or email bookings@taswalkingco.com.au
Day One: Apollo Bay to Elliot Ridge
Distance: Approximately 10 km
Bus travel time: Approximately 3 hours
The trail begins by winding its way out of Marengo and Apollo Bay, home to a colony of Australian fur seals. The sandy foreshore, rock platforms and boardwalks transition to countryside and farmland. Blowholes are left behind as the trail climbs into the higher forests and the awe-inspiring Mountain Ash trees of the Great Otway National Park. The trail visits Shelley Beach and the Elliot River mouth before again gaining altitude as it climbs to Elliot Ridge.
Tonight you stay in our 'glamping' tents beneath the stars making the most of the outdoors with the comfort of tents set up by our hosts and dinner and drinks prepared and served by our naturalist guides.
Day Two: Elliot Ridge to Parker Inlet Campground
Distance: Approximately 20 km
Clifftops and forests are the home of local fauna and spring wildflowers on the next section of trail. The descent to Blanket Bay is a journey to a more secluded coastline and offers the opportunity of a swim to finish day one.
Parker Inlet is reached by passing through manna gum forests and the home of the Otway's koala population.
Tonight you stay in our 'glamping' tents beneath the stars making the most of the outdoors with the comfort of tents set up by our hosts and dinner and drinks prepared and served by our naturalist guides.
Day Three: Parker Inlet to Aire River
Distance: Approximately 17km
Cape Otway's Lighthouse, our first destination, is perched high above hostile seas, was built in 1848 and has witnessed multiple shipwrecks along the windswept coast.
Sand dunes, cliffs and coastal heath frame the trail as it heads towards tranquil Aire River. Tides dictate whether the inland route or the wild and challenging Station Beach is preferred. Aire River's estuary provides excellent bird viewing, and a chance to pause and refuel.
Tonight, you stay at our private eco-lodge where you'll be served gourmet meals complemented by local wines and beers.
Bus Travel Time: Aire River to Twelve Apostles Lodge 20 minutes
Day Four: Aire River to Johanna Beach
Distance: Approximately 12 km
After crossing the bridge, the climb takes walkers up through spinifex forests to reveal sweeping views of the expansive coastline. Castle Cove is a spectacular destination, fringed by cliffs with surfers catching waves below and an important archeological site celebrated for dinosaur fossils.
From Castle Cove, we walk by tea-trees with tantalising vistas out to the Southern Ocean. We enter a flawlessly-groomed grass tree forest and enjoy spring wildflowers before hearing tales dating back 104 million years at Dinosaur Cove.
Next, we drop down onto Johanna Beach, one of Australia's most beautiful surf beaches. The wind-swept waves are just metres away. This two-kilometre stretch creates a pace of its own as you take your time across sands frequented by hooded plovers.
Tonight, you stay at our private eco-lodge where you'll be served gourmet meals complemented by local wines and beers.
Bus Travel Time: Twelve Apostles Lodge to Aire River 20 minutes
Bus Travel Time: Johanna Beach to Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk 10 minutes
Day Five: Johanna Beach to Moonlight Head
Distance: Approximately 21 km
We switch between isolated farmlands and beaches, rising and falling with the rolling hills. It's the terrain of Eastern Grey Kangaroos. Milanesia Beach and its wild, weathered headlands give the sense you’re at the world’s edge. Here, the most challenging sections of the trail come with spectacular seascapes and personal triumph. After a fleeting beach visit, it’s a short but bracing climb that whispers of inclines to come.
The trail carves its way through deep gullies with tree ferns and towering remnant Eucalypts. There are 132 steps to ascend before trailing west out of the forest to Ryans Den. The Den gifts with unsurpassed views across to Cape Volney and Cape Otway. Heaving seas disappear into watery caves. Views west travel to the horizon’s edge. And the entire spectacle is framed by the forest.
Tonight, you stay at our private eco-lodge where you'll be served gourmet meals complemented by local wines and beers.
Bus Travel Time(Departure): Twelve Apostles Lodge to Johanna Beach 10 minutes
Bus Travel Time(Return): Moonlight Head to Twelve Apostles Lodge 30 minutes
Day Six: Moonlight Head to Princetown
Distance: Approximately 17 km
The track continues through the forest tumbling and rising with the coastline until it reaches Moonlight Head.
Today is about shipwrecks, sandy pathways, exposed heathland and the Apostles. From Moonlight Head the trail flows down the valley and meanders through forest to The Gables Lookout, one of Australia’s highest cliff-top vistas.
More than 300 ships have come to grief on this stretch of coastline. If conditions allow, you’ll drop down to Wreck Beach. Depending on the tide, an alternate route leads through to Devils Kitchen. The geology begins to change from sandstone to limestone. Thick Eucalypt forest gives way to sections of moonscape, indicators of what’s in store. Keep an eye out for native rosemary, cushion plants and wildflowers in season.
Tonight you stay in our Pebble Point Camp beneath the stars making the most of the outdoors with the comfort of tents set up by our hosts and dinner and drinks prepared and served by our naturalist guides.
Bus Travel Time(Depart): Twelve Apostles Lodge to Moonlight Heads 30 minutes
Day Seven: Princetown to Twelve Apostles
Distance: Approximately 8 km
The first glimpse of the Gellibrand River marks the entrance to Port Campbell National Park. This freshwater river near the sleepy hamlet of Princetown offers a cooling river dip. Depart from the quiet shores to reveal your first full view of the Apostles.
The Apostles reveal gradually along this stretch, reappearing as the trail rises. There’s a viewing platform exclusive to the trail on the final stretch before your arrival at the Visitor Centre. It’s the official end of the trail.
If conditions permit, don’t miss the opportunity to descend 80-plus steps to the beach below. This final perspective gives a sense of the Apostles brooding heights, one 73-metres tall, nudging the equivalent of a 20-storey building. It’s here with sand under your boots, a sense of monumental achievement and wonder sets in.
If conditions permit, don’t miss the opportunity to descend 80-plus steps to the beach below. This final perspective gives a sense of the Apostles brooding heights, one 73-metres tall, nudging the equivalent of a 20-storey building. It’s here with sand under your boots, a sense of monumental achievement and wonder sets in.
Bus Travel Time(Transfer): Twelve Apostles to Port Campbell 10 minutes
Bus Travel Time(Return): Port Campbell to Melbourne 3hours
Exclusive Accommodation
True shelter, something that gives protection and refuge, simple and sustainable, clean and comfortable.
Our groups have exclusive use of our Twelve Apostles Lodge your forest hugged home just three hours from Melbourne.
The Twelve Apostles Lodge
At the end of a day out on track, the Twelve Apostles Lodge is a forest-hugged refuge three hours from Melbourne. This is where the foot spa awaits, rainforest showers, kitchen garden, dining room stocked with local wines, and your king bedroom with spacious en-suite.
The architecturally-designed lodge has been crafted with environmental sensitivity in mind. This translates to passive solar design, hydronic heating, low consumption electric and water fittings, on-site wastewater treatment and composting, plus a self-sufficient water supply. And there’s a reason this eco-development is award-winning, delivering modern comforts with equal rigour. Expect Myrtle & Moss toiletries, hair dryers, library, mobile coverage (Telstra only).
What’s more, the lodge is exclusively yours. The only way to stay is to join one of our walks. That means the moment you arrive, consider it home. Unpack your bags and get comfy. Five generous bedrooms can be converted to twin share or two single rooms depending on group requirements - all enjoying access to private en-suite bathrooms.
The dining room has a lounge area well-suited for canapes when the fire pit isn’t crackling with friend-huddling flames. After a glass of regional red, move to the long table for your nightly two-course regional menu.
Onsite you’ll also find 24-hour tea and coffee facilities, gear drying room, daily newspapers and a lodge library well stocked with magazines, reference and fictional books or ask about the lodge property walks. You’re not alone if you don’t stray far from the foot spa and dining table though!
*Alcoholic beverages are available in the lounge. These are included in your package. We stock a small selection of house and premium wines and locally brewed beers by the bottle. As an eco-accredited operator, we support local wine and beer
*One complimentary clothes wash (including soap) is included in your walk package, the Lodge Manager will explain how this is organised at your briefing on day one. Additional loads are charged to your tab to discourage excessive usage/environmental impact.
Itinerary Details
Twelve Apostles 7-Day Walk
Price per person for departures (inc. GST) (Non-commissionable)
| Available by request | Price $3,995 |
- 7-day 6-night guided trail run
- Twin Share
- Minimum guests: 8
- Maximum guests: 10
When does it leave and return?
- Departure: Meet for breakfast at 6:45am at the Travelodge Southbank Restaurant, 9 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3000 (central Melbourne location for all departures).
- Return Transfer: 5:30 - 6pm. Arrive Melbourne (Travelodge Southbank). We can drop you at Tullamarine Airport between 5 and 5:30 (for domestic flights from 6.30pm/international flights after 7:30pm).
Bookings only:
- For all enquiries and bookings please contact Tasmanian Walking Company on (03) 6392 2211 or email bookings@taswalkingco.com.au
We do not charge for a single supplement as all rooms can be divided into two with dual access to the bathroom.
Special Terms and Conditions:
- All prices are quoted per person in $AUD including GST
- A deposit of $500 per person and the Guest Information Form are due within five days of booking
- Minimum numbers are required 90 days prior to departure.
- The final payment is due 90 days before departure.
- For reservations made 90 days or less from departure date, full payment is due at time of booking.
- From 90 days before departure cancellations are not possible, however, bookings are transferable
- Prices are subject to change without notice
- Travel and pre and post-trip accommodation expenses are not included.
- This run cannot be booked in conjunction with any other offers or discounts.
Please see our traditional booking terms and conditions
Peace of Mind Booking Assurance
After the minimum number of bookings has been achieved, the trip is guaranteed to depart. If for any reason, the trip cannot go ahead due to restrictions placed upon travel due to Covid-19, guests will be permitted to reschedule to the new date provided with no additional fee. Cancellations for other reasons will incur our standard cancellation fees.
Inclusions
- Return transfers between Melbourne and the walk base
- Optional airport drop off day 4
- 3-night lodge stay, all linen and towels
- 3 breakfast, 4 lunch, 3 dinners
- Daily morning and afternoon tea
- Non-alcoholic drinks and a selection of house wines
- Use of daypack, waterproof jacket, poles, ankle gaiters and water bottles
- Daily guided walks, with professional eco-guide
- Vehicle support daily
- All entrance & national park fees
Additional information
- Have a burning question? Check out our FAQ page, and if you need further help please don't hesitate to contact our friendly reservations team
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