In Australia, you’re never more than 1,000 kilometres from the coast – so it’s not rare to feel the sea calling you. Mother Nature might summon you for a swim in one of our nation’s beautiful beaches. But she could also convince you to spend some time in nature, adventuring along seaside cliffs, across squeaky sands and over slippery rock pools. With so many epic coastal walks covering all three terrains, choosing the absolute best is no easy feat. That’s why we passed the baton to one of Australia’s top hiking pros – here’s what they had to say.
The best coastal walk in Australia is the Great Ocean Walk, according to hiking enthusiast and author of Great Coastal Walks, Brent McKean – who’s completed more than 20 of the country’s biggest coastal treks. While everyone’s heard of the popular road trip that goes by the same name, this stunning 104-kilometre coastal walk is arguably more spectacular as you get to experience all the sights up close.
McKean says, “If you were in a car, you wouldn’t even know the walk was there. And from the track, you can’t see or hear the traffic above.”
Just like the famous drive, the Great Ocean Walk hugs the coastline from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, and can be tackled as a series of day walks or as a multi-day hike that typically takes five to six days to complete.
McKean advises, “You can walk it independently using the public campsites along the way (they all include a dining shelter), or do it self-guided (using a map and an app), catching a shuttle bus to the start of each day’s walk, then being dropped back at your accommodation. You can even do it fully guided, where you are dropped off at the start of each day’s walk, then afterwards returned to luxury accommodation, where chef-prepared meals – washed down with local wines – await. It’s up to you (and your budget!)”
The Great Ocean Walk combines beach and bush trails, but one thing stays constant: breathtaking views of the mighty Southern Ocean. Along the way, you’ll pass many of Victoria’s most iconic sights – from the lush rainforests of Great Otway National Park to the rugged cliffs of Port Campbell – before finishing up at the world-famous limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles.
McKean’s favourite section of the Great Ocean Walk is the 13-kilometre track between Ryan’s Den and Devil’s Kitchen, which is typically the penultimate day if you’re doing the whole route. This moderately challenging stretch winds through coastal scrub to Moonlight Head, then descends to The Gables Lookout – one of Australia’s highest clifftop viewpoints – where you can take in sweeping views of the coastline. In winter, you might even spot southern right whales migrating through the waters on their way to Warrnambool.
While you can walk the sea-swept stretch from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles year-round, McKean recommends spring (September to November). You won’t work up too much of a sweat thanks to the mild temperatures, and you’ll get the best chance to spot native wildlife, including kangaroos near Johanna Beach, koalas at Kennett River, and even penguins near the shore at the Twelve Apostles.
If you’re feeling inspired to hit the trails, you can find more of our favourite hikes and trails in Australia here. See you on the tracks!
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