Venturing around exploration of the walking tracks of the 12 Apostles and the surrounding areas is a life changing encounter with untamed beauty, world renowned sites and nature itself. Moving along the Southern Ocean, one gets unbelievable views of limestone cliffs, coastal forests and untouched sandy beaches. Of every path, different features appeal – calm nature paths, to steep cliffs and waterfalls with wood ferns. Especially for those who like to spend time in nature and have active holidays, such walks guarantee gorgeous views and the possibility of seeing some well known landmarks of Australia.
12 Apostles and Scenic Trails
The likeness of the scenery in the trails around the 12 Apostle may perhaps be the finest in the world. Wherever you find yourself – perched on cliffs, in lush fern gullies, or strolling on calm golden beaches, everywhere remains that fine mix of wild coasts and the attractive iconic limestone ‘Great Ocean Road’ structures. With sections of trail that go through places like Port Campbell National Park, Cape Otway and Loch Ard Gorge, these hikes offer a wonderful balance of history, beauty and fun.
The Great Ocean Walk: the Journey for the Adventurous
What sets the award winning Great Ocean Walk apart is its distance of over 100km starting from near Apollo Bay and ending unit Glenample just beyond the 12 Apostles. Hikers looking for some adventure will find it hard to resist this multi-day trek since it traverses some of the most beautiful and isolated parts of the Great Ocean Road. As you move through the coastal heathland, you are treated to mesmerizing sights of the limestone cliffs, the swells of the ocean and the summit of the cliffs following paths shaded by eucalyptus and tree ferns.
Key Sections of the Great Ocean Walk
Of all areas, the section of the Great Ocean Walk from Princetown to Glenample is one of the most fruitful as the well-known 12 apostles start making their presence felt. As you get closer to the Apostles, the beautiful steep rocks will slowly come into view from a number of angles which will all provide great views. Moving on from there, the part of the coastline between its Castle Cove section and Johanna Beach offers breathtaking vistas facing west to the Southern ocean. The Central and Western high country offer a combination of wind swept ocean cliffs and bush sandwiched paths and bare sandy areas. Don’t forget to pack sufficient drinks and analyze dangling times because at certain places like Station Beach, caution during high tides may be necessary.
Castle Cove to Johanna Beach
One of the most popular routes in this Great Ocean Walk is this section, which has the breathtaking views of the coast as well the rugged walking options. The journey from Castle Cove to Johanna Beach cuts through some exciting eucalyptus forests punctuated with fern gullies and excellent views. Milanesia Beach is a very beautiful treat because of its isolation and sandy beach. The Milanesia Beach Access Gate Serves as entry into the very quiet and secluded stretch of the beach while making the Hilton Head vacation well worth it: the natural stone walls and grass trees along the path create an unforgettable hike.
Princetown to Glenample
The section Princetown to Glenample maybe the most traversed of all the sections of the Great Ocean Walk. It does not disappoint. It offers the best scenery of the 12 Apostles. The beauty of this place is astounding as ocean waves clash against huge rocky formations, creating stunning sights. Hikers who can, thanks to the location of the Apostle locale, unexpectedly gain a significant distance from the beach. Walking along this stretch of the trail, one can see the Apostles arise out of the horizon one after the other, which is an imprinting experience in itself, especially when the cauldron like waters are turbulent. There are clear trail markers. This makes this section good for anyone regardless of age. Also be sure to check out the Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre to collect some maps and other info concerning the place.
Gibson Steps Walk – A Coastal Gem
Easily the most popular of the hikes by the 12 Apostles is the Gibson Steps Walk. You start walking down the steps and as you reach the beach, you can appreciate the enormity of the limestone cliffs above you. The paradoxical rock wall that encircles this gem of the coastline ends with spectacular views of the Apostles and the Southern Ocean’s tempestuous waters wearily sprawling against the rocks. If you are just going to the beach for a while, or even want to see the ocean, but from a different viewpoint, this walk presents itself nicely.
The 12 Apostles Lookout – Accessible and Stunning
If you want to take a more leisurely stroll, then this will be towards the 12 Apostles Lookout. In short distance this path is perfect for use by those with families as it gives great views rather at little effort. If you do this walk, then you don’t have to rush your feet as there is no inclines in the pathway. It is most beautiful during the sunset when the glimmering rays of light illuminates the surroundings. Around this section, it has many public and day-visitor parking spaces. Also, the cute little town of Port Campbell has many places to eat, great for breakfast or lunch after your walk.
Loch Ard Gorge Walk – A Historic and Scenic Route
The Loch Ard Gorge Walk generally offers fantastic, captivating views and takes you along one of the most well-known portions of Australia’s coastline. This particular trail is named in honour of the wreck-clipped Arch-clipper ship Loch Ard. It offers insight into the past with the additional touch of the natural surroundings. While trekking along the trail, you’ll come across a ship wreck monument, as well as steep areas which go further down too sandy beaches. From the top, there are amazing sights of ocean swells and limestone formations shaped and eroded by the sea and the wind over the years. In this regard identifying a wreck and in the end slowly coming along to water filled compartments makes this sort of a track quite a hard one to forget.
Port Campbell National Park Trails – A Natural Wonderland
Furthermore, the Port Campbell National Park is also known for several walking trails that are filled with varied landscape and presence of natural beauty. For instance, Thunder Cave Walk and Sherbrook River Walk has variety of different coastal characteristics with cliffs and sandy beaches. However, along with coastal climate and gusty winds enhancing the park’s natural ruggedness, these hikes also help in soaking the magnificence of nature. Whether it is getting treated to the coastal sights and terrain from an elevated point or getting down into the park’s gullies where tree ferns can be found, this is indeed a magnificent natural wonder that has something in store for everyone.
Best Times to Hike for Optimal Views
Sunrise and Sunset
Yeah, so for photographers but especially for the hikers, sunrise and sunset are the best times in terms of perfect images when traversing the Great Ocean Walk. At these times of the day, golden light illuminates the landscape and the sights of the 12 Apostles are stupendous. It is quite amazing to see the sun, at a gentle angle, lighting up the very white solidified limestone cliffs and the compressor clashing of the ocean swells with the various rock formations. In case you are going for a hike to study the rising or the setting sun, make sure that you reach the place in time otherwise you will have to fight for a place with other visitors, because this is the time when people are most active.
Seasonal Changes
The sights of the Great Ocean Walk are seasonal, capturing the natural sceneries and breath taking views at different times of the year. If it is spring, the wild flowers on the hiking trails sprout making the views from the perspective of the valley very enchanting. Summer brings about hot weather and a lot of daylight hours which makes the chances of going for long walks and the exploration of untouched cheeky beaches quite plausible. Only some cooler temps with far less tourists and in the fall. For the winter months still expect vapour like clouds and gale force swelling ocean waves. No matter the period, the gorgeousness of this area does not change at any time of the year, making it one of those regions which are meant for hiking all year round.
Hiking Tips for Visiting the 12 Apostles
What to Pack
Those walking the trails around the 12 Apostles would want to ensure that they have everything they need. Make sure to bring along loads of water, snacks, and a camera to make the most out of the breathtaking scenery. Also, there is a possibility that some of the trails can be tough and may require the use of walking poles. Good shoes are also very important to avoid accidents along uneven paths. For the longer distance treks such as the great ocean walk, packing enough clothing to protect against the weather is necessary because the weather becomes hazardous due to the coastline level.
Safety Precautions
One must always remember to check the tide times before setting off on any coastal hike since certain areas of the trail may be unreachable at high tide. Staying within the nailed pathways of the park is also another way of preserving your life since the cliffs in this area can be quite treacherous. Some areas of the park have poor mobile reception, hence it is advisable to inform someone about your hiking itinerary. It is good to note that Parks Victoria provides updates regarding trail conditions and safety information at the Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre so make sure you stop there before heading out for the most recent information.
Below is a table summarizing key trails and their highlights:
| Trail Name | Difficulty | Distance | Estimated Time | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Ocean Walk | Hard | 100 km | 7-8 days | Remote sections, ocean swells, stunning cliff tops |
| Gibson Steps Walk | Easy | 1.1 km | 30 mins | Beach access, towering cliffs, close-up views of Apostles |
| Loch Ard Gorge Walk | Moderate | 3.2 km | 1 hour | Historic shipwreck, stunning limestone cliffs |
| Thunder Cave Walk | Moderate | 2 km | 45 mins | Watery caves, coastal cliffs, dramatic views |
| Port Campbell National Park Trails | Varies | Varies | Varies | Amazing views of limestone formations, coastal scrub |
Conclusion
Hiking the trails in the vicinity of the 12 Apostles is an exceptional venture that brings one up close with the unique coastline of Australia. There are main camp’s Great Ocean Walk multi-day backpacks to short and memorable Gibson Steps Walk, thus, all can be catered for. You can also book a 12 Apostles Tour with an experienced guide who will take you on a comfortable bus tour of our beauty if you are pressed for time.
FAQ
What’s the best season for hiking at the 12 Apostles?
The best times are also in spring and autumn as the weather is in-out the ideal range and the trails are thinner. For most stunning views, one should do this in sunrise and sunset.
Are there families with children trails to the 12 apostles?
There are children with caregivers, 12 apostles lookout and the gibson steps walk are relatively children’s friendly and many accessible.
Is it possible to sleep under the stars during the great ocean walk?
Yes, you can. There are different Camps Acts along Great Ocean Walk including 2 called Aire River and Ryans Den which are popular stops on multi day treks.
Winter has activities like hiking; should we just stick to summer?
It’s best to avoid hiking in winter months although it is possible. One should be warm cloaked as storms come with cold winds and even torrential rain at intervals. Proper dressing is important, as is checking the weather.
Can one ask for organized excursions to hike the 12 Apostles?
There are such options, which offer an organized hike, like the Australian Walking Company, which has meals made by chefs – therefore it is more pleasant to hike in this case.
