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SELF-GUIDED
8 DAYS
Moderate
The Great South West track has got to be Victoria’s best-kept secret, a 250km continuous loop of untouched environment, from dramatic isolated coast with massive limestone cliffs and pristine beaches, to meandering rivers and remote bushland teeming with wildlife. Aboriginal heritage sites, the mighty Southern Ocean and freshwater lakes make this one of the most varied walks in Australia.
This highlights walk gives you all the best bits! The first stage is the picturesque Glenelg River, which stretches out as it nears the coast then carves its way through a spectacular limestone gorge. Then it is onto the pristine sandy beaches, rocky outcrops and freshwater lakes of Discovery Bay Coastal Park. The grand finale is the Three Capes and Bays section where the track hugs the clifftop all the way.
The walking trip starts in Portland any time after 2 pm. There is no scheduled walk today, but there’s plenty of walking options to take up, including exploring the old historic buildings on the foreshore. There’s also a beautiful beach walk or the informative Maritime Discovery Centre to explore.
Walking: Optional easy walking available
Accommodation: Beautiful B&B Portland
Hike the picturesque Glenelg River section of the Great South West Walk from Moleside Creek to Sapling Creek. The track follows the contours of the river almost all of the way with many opportunities to take a swim.
Walking: Moderate / 27.6km / 5.5–6.5 hrs / shorter 18km option available
Meals: Cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch and a 2-course dinner
Accommodation: Nelson
Today’s walk finds its way through the Glenelg River Gorge and continues to aside the river all the way into the settlement of Nelson. The character of the river changes dramatically through the gorge as it widens nearing the coast. Here you’ll see boat sheds that have been converted into waterfront houses. From here we walk into our accommodation.
Walking: Moderate / 24.4kms / 6–7 hrs / shorter option available
Meals: Cooked breakfast and Walkers Lunch
Accommodation: Nelson
We walk out of your Nelson accommodation out of town via Oxbow Lake and out of Lower Glenelg National park into Discovery Bay National park. From here on it’s a beautiful beach walk on hard sand in Discovery Bay. For the afternoon, head back onto the track inland, parallel to the coast, emerging at a huge freshwater lake. This can be a moderate to challenging walk at high tide.
Walking: Moderate / 21.7kms / 6–7 hrs
Meals: Cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch and a two-course dinner
Accommodation: Nelson
Today’s walk is one of the best. We begin the walk on the Three Capes Section of the track on a track that hugs the cliff the entire way with photo opportunities aplenty. As you walk we pass by blowholes and a “Petrified Forest”. The last section of the hike today is called “Enchanted Walk” where vines of bower spinach are decoratively draped over limestone boulders and twisted Moonah trees. Today we have the pleasure of walking into your accommodation at Bridgewater Bay.
Walking: Moderate / 17.7km / 5–6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Walkers Lunch and a two-course dinner
Accommodation: Bridgewater Bay
From your Bridgewater Bay accommodation, we continue on the beach for a short while and then back up on a clifftop track with superb views over the beach and the huge swells of the Southern Ocean. Keep an eye out for whales. We end at Cape Nelson Lighthouse where there’s a cafe, so why not reward yourself at the end of today’s hike with a nice cold beer or if it’s cooler, warm yourself up with a coffee.
Walking: Moderate / 19.9km / 4 hrs 55 mins – 5 hrs 55 mins
Meals: Breakfast, Walkers Lunch and a two-course dinner
Accommodation: Bridgewater Bay
The final section of the Great South West Walk continues from Cape Nelson all the way into Portland. The walk hugs the cliffs via Yellow Rock and Cape Sir William Grant, an endangered Australasian gannet colony and the Portland Battery. Then it’s back to the B&B in Portland where you can relax. Portland is quite big for a country town so you can enjoy many of the things that a large town might offer, like a massage or having a choice of a variety of eating establishments.
Walking: Moderate / 23km / 5.5–6.5 hrs
Meals: Cooked breakfast and Walkers Lunch
Accommodation: Portland
Your walking holiday finishes after breakfast in Portland. If you loved this area you could consider walking the whole track, it’s only 250kms.
Meals: Cooked breakfast
This hike has you supported all the way. We have you walk in and out of remote towns and stay at small bed and breakfasts and lodges. Your hosts have been with us in some cases for decades. They love accommodating and feeding our walkers. All of the rooms have ensuites except at Nelson. Nelson Lodge was an old police station and has real character, and it is most likely that you will have the place to yourself. The views from your room at Bridgewater make you feel like you never left the track.
The Bridgewater cafe or a local restaurant prepares the food in Bridgwater Bay.
Each day whilst you’re walking, you’ll be provided with a substantial Walkers Lunch and get to eat it at a fabulous location on the track. A Walkers Lunch is varied and may include a high protein type salad, roll or a wrap, muesli bar, cake or muffin and a piece of fruit.
Alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).
You will stay at either Lorelei B&B or Victoria House when you get to Portland, both quaint properties that are close to popular destinations such as the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Bridgewater Beach and Cape Bridgewater. Traditionally decorated, the air conditioned rooms feature queen beds and ensuites. To help you unwind after long days on the trail, there is a flat screen TV, WiFi as well as tea/coffee making facilities. You are welcome to hang out at their communal lounges if you’d like some company.
You will stay at either Lorelei B&B or Victoria House when you get to Portland, both quaint properties that are close to popular destinations such as the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Bridgewater Beach and Cape Bridgewater. Traditionally decorated, the air conditioned rooms feature queen beds and ensuites. To help you unwind after long days on the trail, there is a flat screen TV, WiFi as well as tea/coffee making facilities. You are welcome to hang out at their communal lounges if you’d like some company.
You will stay at either Lorelei B&B or Victoria House when you get to Portland, both quaint properties that are close to popular destinations such as the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Bridgewater Beach and Cape Bridgewater. Traditionally decorated, the air conditioned rooms feature queen beds and ensuites. To help you unwind after long days on the trail, there is a flat screen TV, WiFi as well as tea/coffee making facilities. You are welcome to hang out at their communal lounges if you’d like some company.
You will stay at either Lorelei B&B or Victoria House when you get to Portland, both quaint properties that are close to popular destinations such as the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Bridgewater Beach and Cape Bridgewater. Traditionally decorated, the air conditioned rooms feature queen beds and ensuites. To help you unwind after long days on the trail, there is a flat screen TV, WiFi as well as tea/coffee making facilities. You are welcome to hang out at their communal lounges if you’d like some company.
You will stay at either Lorelei B&B or Victoria House when you get to Portland, both quaint properties that are close to popular destinations such as the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Bridgewater Beach and Cape Bridgewater. Traditionally decorated, the air conditioned rooms feature queen beds and ensuites. To help you unwind after long days on the trail, there is a flat screen TV, WiFi as well as tea/coffee making facilities. You are welcome to hang out at their communal lounges if you’d like some company.
Your luggage would already be waiting for you the Nelson Cottage Guest House and B&B when you reach this neck of the woods. It is close to Discovery Bay Coastal Park and tastefully designed interiors. The cottage has cosy suites with quality amenities including in-room refrigerators, an inviting lounge area and a dining space where your meals along with your walkers lunch will be prepared.
Your luggage would already be waiting for you the Nelson Cottage Guest House and B&B when you reach this neck of the woods. It is close to Discovery Bay Coastal Park and tastefully designed interiors. The cottage has cosy suites with quality amenities including in-room refrigerators, an inviting lounge area and a dining space where your meals along with your walkers lunch will be prepared.
Your luggage would already be waiting for you the Nelson Cottage Guest House and B&B when you reach this neck of the woods. It is close to Discovery Bay Coastal Park and tastefully designed interiors. The cottage has cosy suites with quality amenities including in-room refrigerators, an inviting lounge area and a dining space where your meals along with your walkers lunch will be prepared.
Your luggage would already be waiting for you the Nelson Cottage Guest House and B&B when you reach this neck of the woods. It is close to Discovery Bay Coastal Park and tastefully designed interiors. The cottage has cosy suites with quality amenities including in-room refrigerators, an inviting lounge area and a dining space where your meals along with your walkers lunch will be prepared.
Your luggage would already be waiting for you the Nelson Cottage Guest House and B&B when you reach this neck of the woods. It is close to Discovery Bay Coastal Park and tastefully designed interiors. The cottage has cosy suites with quality amenities including in-room refrigerators, an inviting lounge area and a dining space where your meals along with your walkers lunch will be prepared.
When you get to Bridgewater Bay, Bridgy Escape or Capers will be your accommodation, both with stunning ocean views and maritime character.
The lodge has spacious rooms, a kitchenette and a separate sitting room. Their rooms are well-appointed and comfy, with balcony access, a TV and a DVD player. They also have self-contained units. And full breakfasts will be waiting for you each morning, as well as your walker’s lunch, and when you get back from the trail, you can have a hot shower, snuggle up and enjoy the comfort of your spacious accommodation, or enjoy the beach right at your doorstep.
Both accommodations are self-contained, modern yet cosy, and Capers has a guest suite with a private entrance just below the main house.
When you get to Bridgewater Bay, Bridgy Escape or Capers will be your accommodation, both with stunning ocean views and maritime character.
The lodge has spacious rooms, a kitchenette and a separate sitting room. Their rooms are well-appointed and comfy, with balcony access, a TV and a DVD player. They also have self-contained units. And full breakfasts will be waiting for you each morning, as well as your walker’s lunch, and when you get back from the trail, you can have a hot shower, snuggle up and enjoy the comfort of your spacious accommodation, or enjoy the beach right at your doorstep.
Both accommodations are self-contained, modern yet cosy, and Capers has a guest suite with a private entrance just below the main house.
When you get to Bridgewater Bay, Bridgy Escape or Capers will be your accommodation, both with stunning ocean views and maritime character.
The lodge has spacious rooms, a kitchenette and a separate sitting room. Their rooms are well-appointed and comfy, with balcony access, a TV and a DVD player. They also have self-contained units. And full breakfasts will be waiting for you each morning, as well as your walker’s lunch, and when you get back from the trail, you can have a hot shower, snuggle up and enjoy the comfort of your spacious accommodation, or enjoy the beach right at your doorstep.
Both accommodations are self-contained, modern yet cosy, and Capers has a guest suite with a private entrance just below the main house.
When you get to Bridgewater Bay, Bridgy Escape or Capers will be your accommodation, both with stunning ocean views and maritime character.
The lodge has spacious rooms, a kitchenette and a separate sitting room. Their rooms are well-appointed and comfy, with balcony access, a TV and a DVD player. They also have self-contained units. And full breakfasts will be waiting for you each morning, as well as your walker’s lunch, and when you get back from the trail, you can have a hot shower, snuggle up and enjoy the comfort of your spacious accommodation, or enjoy the beach right at your doorstep.
Both accommodations are self-contained, modern yet cosy, and Capers has a guest suite with a private entrance just below the main house.
When you get to Bridgewater Bay, Bridgy Escape or Capers will be your accommodation, both with stunning ocean views and maritime character.
The lodge has spacious rooms, a kitchenette and a separate sitting room. Their rooms are well-appointed and comfy, with balcony access, a TV and a DVD player. They also have self-contained units. And full breakfasts will be waiting for you each morning, as well as your walker’s lunch, and when you get back from the trail, you can have a hot shower, snuggle up and enjoy the comfort of your spacious accommodation, or enjoy the beach right at your doorstep.
Both accommodations are self-contained, modern yet cosy, and Capers has a guest suite with a private entrance just below the main house.
This trip starts and finishes in Portland, which is a 5-hour drive from Melbourne, or a 6-hour drive from Adelaide. If you prefer, there are regional airports located at Warrnambool, VIC and Mt. Gambier, SA that service’s Portland by onwards coach travel from far afield of either Melbourne or Adelaide. Alternatively, the public transport offers a combination of trains and coaches from Melbourne or Adelaide also. Contact us for more details.
We have rated this walk as moderate as some days are quite long. Full-day walks average about 22km, 5 to 7.5 hours walking each day. The walking is mostly flat over reasonably well-walked paths, bush tracks and some sandy sections.
For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice on our FAQ section.
This walk can be done any time of the year except for the winter months of June, July and August. September to April is the ultimate time of the year for walking. Sea breezes usually keep the temperatures comfortable in summer, although there can be a period of quite hot weather, especially during February.
Warning about tide times – we may have to be a little flexible with your start date to make sure that walking on the beach at high tide is avoided.
This walking holiday includes some sections of beach walking, so you need to take into account the tide times when choosing a starting date. To check tide charts, go to the Bureau of Meteorology and select your location as Portland. We can assist you if you need help understanding the charts.
We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.
We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office. See the FAQ section for more information.
For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form.
from $ 1555
8 day itinerary
The Great South West track has got to be Victoria’s best-kept secret, a 250km continuous loop of untouched environment, from dramatic isolated coast with massive limestone cliffs and pristine beaches, to meandering rivers and remote bushland teeming with wildlife. Aboriginal heritage sites, the mighty Southern Ocean and freshwater lakes make this one of the most varied walks in Australia.
This highlights walk gives you all the best bits! The first stage is the picturesque Glenelg River, which stretches out as it nears the coast then carves its way through a spectacular limestone gorge. Then it is onto the pristine sandy beaches, rocky outcrops and freshwater lakes of Discovery Bay Coastal Park. The grand finale is the Three Capes and Bays section where the track hugs the clifftop all the way.
The walking trip starts in Portland any time after 2 pm. There is no scheduled walk today, but there’s plenty of walking options to take up, including exploring the old historic buildings on the foreshore. There’s also a beautiful beach walk or the informative Maritime Discovery Centre to explore.
Walking: Optional easy walking available
Accommodation: Beautiful B&B Portland
Hike the picturesque Glenelg River section of the Great South West Walk from Moleside Creek to Sapling Creek. The track follows the contours of the river almost all of the way with many opportunities to take a swim.
Walking: Moderate / 27.6km / 5.5–6.5 hrs / shorter 18km option available
Meals: Cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch and a 2-course dinner
Accommodation: Nelson
Today’s walk finds its way through the Glenelg River Gorge and continues to aside the river all the way into the settlement of Nelson. The character of the river changes dramatically through the gorge as it widens nearing the coast. Here you’ll see boat sheds that have been converted into waterfront houses. From here we walk into our accommodation.
Walking: Moderate / 24.4kms / 6–7 hrs / shorter option available
Meals: Cooked breakfast and Walkers Lunch
Accommodation: Nelson
We walk out of your Nelson accommodation out of town via Oxbow Lake and out of Lower Glenelg National park into Discovery Bay National park. From here on it’s a beautiful beach walk on hard sand in Discovery Bay. For the afternoon, head back onto the track inland, parallel to the coast, emerging at a huge freshwater lake. This can be a moderate to challenging walk at high tide.
Walking: Moderate / 21.7kms / 6–7 hrs
Meals: Cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch and a two-course dinner
Accommodation: Nelson
Today’s walk is one of the best. We begin the walk on the Three Capes Section of the track on a track that hugs the cliff the entire way with photo opportunities aplenty. As you walk we pass by blowholes and a “Petrified Forest”. The last section of the hike today is called “Enchanted Walk” where vines of bower spinach are decoratively draped over limestone boulders and twisted Moonah trees. Today we have the pleasure of walking into your accommodation at Bridgewater Bay.
Walking: Moderate / 17.7km / 5–6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Walkers Lunch and a two-course dinner
Accommodation: Bridgewater Bay
From your Bridgewater Bay accommodation, we continue on the beach for a short while and then back up on a clifftop track with superb views over the beach and the huge swells of the Southern Ocean. Keep an eye out for whales. We end at Cape Nelson Lighthouse where there’s a cafe, so why not reward yourself at the end of today’s hike with a nice cold beer or if it’s cooler, warm yourself up with a coffee.
Walking: Moderate / 19.9km / 4 hrs 55 mins – 5 hrs 55 mins
Meals: Breakfast, Walkers Lunch and a two-course dinner
Accommodation: Bridgewater Bay
The final section of the Great South West Walk continues from Cape Nelson all the way into Portland. The walk hugs the cliffs via Yellow Rock and Cape Sir William Grant, an endangered Australasian gannet colony and the Portland Battery. Then it’s back to the B&B in Portland where you can relax. Portland is quite big for a country town so you can enjoy many of the things that a large town might offer, like a massage or having a choice of a variety of eating establishments.
Walking: Moderate / 23km / 5.5–6.5 hrs
Meals: Cooked breakfast and Walkers Lunch
Accommodation: Portland
Your walking holiday finishes after breakfast in Portland. If you loved this area you could consider walking the whole track, it’s only 250kms.
Meals: Cooked breakfast
This hike has you supported all the way. We have you walk in and out of remote towns and stay at small bed and breakfasts and lodges. Your hosts have been with us in some cases for decades. They love accommodating and feeding our walkers. All of the rooms have ensuites except at Nelson. Nelson Lodge was an old police station and has real character, and it is most likely that you will have the place to yourself. The views from your room at Bridgewater make you feel like you never left the track.
The Bridgewater cafe or a local restaurant prepares the food in Bridgwater Bay.
Each day whilst you’re walking, you’ll be provided with a substantial Walkers Lunch and get to eat it at a fabulous location on the track. A Walkers Lunch is varied and may include a high protein type salad, roll or a wrap, muesli bar, cake or muffin and a piece of fruit.
Alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).
You will stay at either Lorelei B&B or Victoria House when you get to Portland, both quaint properties that are close to popular destinations such as the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Bridgewater Beach and Cape Bridgewater. Traditionally decorated, the air conditioned rooms feature queen beds and ensuites. To help you unwind after long days on the trail, there is a flat screen TV, WiFi as well as tea/coffee making facilities. You are welcome to hang out at their communal lounges if you’d like some company.
You will stay at either Lorelei B&B or Victoria House when you get to Portland, both quaint properties that are close to popular destinations such as the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Bridgewater Beach and Cape Bridgewater. Traditionally decorated, the air conditioned rooms feature queen beds and ensuites. To help you unwind after long days on the trail, there is a flat screen TV, WiFi as well as tea/coffee making facilities. You are welcome to hang out at their communal lounges if you’d like some company.
You will stay at either Lorelei B&B or Victoria House when you get to Portland, both quaint properties that are close to popular destinations such as the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Bridgewater Beach and Cape Bridgewater. Traditionally decorated, the air conditioned rooms feature queen beds and ensuites. To help you unwind after long days on the trail, there is a flat screen TV, WiFi as well as tea/coffee making facilities. You are welcome to hang out at their communal lounges if you’d like some company.
You will stay at either Lorelei B&B or Victoria House when you get to Portland, both quaint properties that are close to popular destinations such as the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Bridgewater Beach and Cape Bridgewater. Traditionally decorated, the air conditioned rooms feature queen beds and ensuites. To help you unwind after long days on the trail, there is a flat screen TV, WiFi as well as tea/coffee making facilities. You are welcome to hang out at their communal lounges if you’d like some company.
You will stay at either Lorelei B&B or Victoria House when you get to Portland, both quaint properties that are close to popular destinations such as the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Bridgewater Beach and Cape Bridgewater. Traditionally decorated, the air conditioned rooms feature queen beds and ensuites. To help you unwind after long days on the trail, there is a flat screen TV, WiFi as well as tea/coffee making facilities. You are welcome to hang out at their communal lounges if you’d like some company.
Your luggage would already be waiting for you the Nelson Cottage Guest House and B&B when you reach this neck of the woods. It is close to Discovery Bay Coastal Park and tastefully designed interiors. The cottage has cosy suites with quality amenities including in-room refrigerators, an inviting lounge area and a dining space where your meals along with your walkers lunch will be prepared.
Your luggage would already be waiting for you the Nelson Cottage Guest House and B&B when you reach this neck of the woods. It is close to Discovery Bay Coastal Park and tastefully designed interiors. The cottage has cosy suites with quality amenities including in-room refrigerators, an inviting lounge area and a dining space where your meals along with your walkers lunch will be prepared.
Your luggage would already be waiting for you the Nelson Cottage Guest House and B&B when you reach this neck of the woods. It is close to Discovery Bay Coastal Park and tastefully designed interiors. The cottage has cosy suites with quality amenities including in-room refrigerators, an inviting lounge area and a dining space where your meals along with your walkers lunch will be prepared.
Your luggage would already be waiting for you the Nelson Cottage Guest House and B&B when you reach this neck of the woods. It is close to Discovery Bay Coastal Park and tastefully designed interiors. The cottage has cosy suites with quality amenities including in-room refrigerators, an inviting lounge area and a dining space where your meals along with your walkers lunch will be prepared.
Your luggage would already be waiting for you the Nelson Cottage Guest House and B&B when you reach this neck of the woods. It is close to Discovery Bay Coastal Park and tastefully designed interiors. The cottage has cosy suites with quality amenities including in-room refrigerators, an inviting lounge area and a dining space where your meals along with your walkers lunch will be prepared.
When you get to Bridgewater Bay, Bridgy Escape or Capers will be your accommodation, both with stunning ocean views and maritime character.
The lodge has spacious rooms, a kitchenette and a separate sitting room. Their rooms are well-appointed and comfy, with balcony access, a TV and a DVD player. They also have self-contained units. And full breakfasts will be waiting for you each morning, as well as your walker’s lunch, and when you get back from the trail, you can have a hot shower, snuggle up and enjoy the comfort of your spacious accommodation, or enjoy the beach right at your doorstep.
Both accommodations are self-contained, modern yet cosy, and Capers has a guest suite with a private entrance just below the main house.
When you get to Bridgewater Bay, Bridgy Escape or Capers will be your accommodation, both with stunning ocean views and maritime character.
The lodge has spacious rooms, a kitchenette and a separate sitting room. Their rooms are well-appointed and comfy, with balcony access, a TV and a DVD player. They also have self-contained units. And full breakfasts will be waiting for you each morning, as well as your walker’s lunch, and when you get back from the trail, you can have a hot shower, snuggle up and enjoy the comfort of your spacious accommodation, or enjoy the beach right at your doorstep.
Both accommodations are self-contained, modern yet cosy, and Capers has a guest suite with a private entrance just below the main house.
When you get to Bridgewater Bay, Bridgy Escape or Capers will be your accommodation, both with stunning ocean views and maritime character.
The lodge has spacious rooms, a kitchenette and a separate sitting room. Their rooms are well-appointed and comfy, with balcony access, a TV and a DVD player. They also have self-contained units. And full breakfasts will be waiting for you each morning, as well as your walker’s lunch, and when you get back from the trail, you can have a hot shower, snuggle up and enjoy the comfort of your spacious accommodation, or enjoy the beach right at your doorstep.
Both accommodations are self-contained, modern yet cosy, and Capers has a guest suite with a private entrance just below the main house.
When you get to Bridgewater Bay, Bridgy Escape or Capers will be your accommodation, both with stunning ocean views and maritime character.
The lodge has spacious rooms, a kitchenette and a separate sitting room. Their rooms are well-appointed and comfy, with balcony access, a TV and a DVD player. They also have self-contained units. And full breakfasts will be waiting for you each morning, as well as your walker’s lunch, and when you get back from the trail, you can have a hot shower, snuggle up and enjoy the comfort of your spacious accommodation, or enjoy the beach right at your doorstep.
Both accommodations are self-contained, modern yet cosy, and Capers has a guest suite with a private entrance just below the main house.
When you get to Bridgewater Bay, Bridgy Escape or Capers will be your accommodation, both with stunning ocean views and maritime character.
The lodge has spacious rooms, a kitchenette and a separate sitting room. Their rooms are well-appointed and comfy, with balcony access, a TV and a DVD player. They also have self-contained units. And full breakfasts will be waiting for you each morning, as well as your walker’s lunch, and when you get back from the trail, you can have a hot shower, snuggle up and enjoy the comfort of your spacious accommodation, or enjoy the beach right at your doorstep.
Both accommodations are self-contained, modern yet cosy, and Capers has a guest suite with a private entrance just below the main house.
This trip starts and finishes in Portland, which is a 5-hour drive from Melbourne, or a 6-hour drive from Adelaide. If you prefer, there are regional airports located at Warrnambool, VIC and Mt. Gambier, SA that service’s Portland by onwards coach travel from far afield of either Melbourne or Adelaide. Alternatively, the public transport offers a combination of trains and coaches from Melbourne or Adelaide also. Contact us for more details.
We have rated this walk as moderate as some days are quite long. Full-day walks average about 22km, 5 to 7.5 hours walking each day. The walking is mostly flat over reasonably well-walked paths, bush tracks and some sandy sections.
For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice on our FAQ section.
This walk can be done any time of the year except for the winter months of June, July and August. September to April is the ultimate time of the year for walking. Sea breezes usually keep the temperatures comfortable in summer, although there can be a period of quite hot weather, especially during February.
Warning about tide times – we may have to be a little flexible with your start date to make sure that walking on the beach at high tide is avoided.
This walking holiday includes some sections of beach walking, so you need to take into account the tide times when choosing a starting date. To check tide charts, go to the Bureau of Meteorology and select your location as Portland. We can assist you if you need help understanding the charts.
We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.
We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office. See the FAQ section for more information.
For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form.
8 day itinerary
I can highly recommend doing a self-guided GSSW with Stroll. Excellent communication before the walk, the standard of accommodations is high and everything worked seamlessly. The walk itself is very enjoyable with diverse forest, river, ocean and lake sections. For the most part the track is flat with very few hills, well maintained by volunteers and very well signposted.
Really well organized and absolutely delightful accommodation and hosts. A real treat!
As usual all aspects of the walk were seamlessly organised. We like the new app, but love the notes for the extra info on the things we see on the walk. Accommodations were well up to the standards we have come to expect.
With all the information you provide, the walk notes are excellent. Recommend Stroll to organise your next walking holiday. They provide all the information, accommodation and safety issues that you will possibly require if you follow their recommendations.
Well done Stroll
Spectacular walk for those who enjoy a challenge. Be as fit as you can be so that the challenges created by wind, rain and heat are easier to handle.
Peter Y
I can highly recommend doing a self-guided GSSW with Stroll. Excellent communication before the walk, the standard of accommodations is high and everything worked seamlessly. The walk itself is very enjoyable with diverse forest, river, ocean and lake sections. For the most part the track is flat with very few hills, well maintained by volunteers and very well signposted.
Leigh G
Really well organized and absolutely delightful accommodation and hosts. A real treat!
Jacqui W
As usual all aspects of the walk were seamlessly organised. We like the new app, but love the notes for the extra info on the things we see on the walk. Accommodations were well up to the standards we have come to expect.
Wendy H
With all the information you provide, the walk notes are excellent. Recommend Stroll to organise your next walking holiday. They provide all the information, accommodation and safety issues that you will possibly require if you follow their recommendations.
Well done Stroll
Genevieve G
Spectacular walk for those who enjoy a challenge. Be as fit as you can be so that the challenges created by wind, rain and heat are easier to handle.