Great Ocean Walk landscape

Photo: Photo by Alberto Antoniazzi on Unsplash

Great Ocean Walk

~5 days · 59.8 mi · hard · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance59.8 mi
Days out5
Elevation gain8,054 ft
Gain / mile135 ft
High point912 ft
Difficulty index28/100

What the Great Ocean Walk is known for

Victoria's premier coastal walk from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, alternating between Otways rainforest, shipwreck beaches, and clifftops above the Southern Ocean.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Great Ocean Walk on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 7 ft to 902 ft over 59.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 11.9 mi · 20%
  • Downhill 12.7 mi · 21%
  • Flat 35.1 mi · 59%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the Great Ocean Walk?

28 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Great Ocean Walk scores 28/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Great Ocean Walk take?

Most backpackers hike the Great Ocean Walk in about 5 days (4 nights out) over its 59.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Great Ocean Walk?

The Great Ocean Walk climbs roughly 8,054 ft total — about 135 ft per mile, topping out near 912 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

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