The Great South West Walk begins at the historic city of Portland, Victoria, which is the western gateway to the Great Ocean Road. It crosses four unique environment sections.
On leaving Portland, walkers pass stunning scenic coastline before entering native forest, walking in peace and solitude through the Cobboboonee and Lower Glenelg National Parks.
The walk then meets the majestic Glenelg River, which meanders through the Lower Glenelg National Park, with spectacular views of gorges and limestone cliffs as the trail winds its way towards the coast.
Leaving the river mouth near Nelson, close to the South Australian border, the walk enters the seemingly endless white beaches and rolling sand dunes of Discovery Bay. Remoteness, wild seas, solitude – broken only by nature’s birdlife.
The walk returns around cliffs and capes. There are lookout views over the Blowholes, Petrified Forest and Seal Colonies at Cape Bridgewater. You can visit the Cape Nelson Lighthouse with rugged viewing points for whale watching. Pass through the Enchanted Forest, then view the Gannet Colony at Cape Grant. Bill’s Walk, and some popular surf breaks complete this section.
Long Walks
| Day | Route | Distance (km) | Time (hour) | Difficulty | Page * |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland to Cubbys Camp | 20.2 | 6-8 | Medium | 63 |
| 2 | Cubbys Camp to Cut Out Camp | 15.0 | 51/2-61/2 | Easy | 72 |
| 3 | Cut Out Camp to Fitzroy Camp via Cobboboonee Camp (11.0km from Cut Out) | 22.9 | 7-8 | Easy-Medium | 77 |
| 4 | Fitzroy Camp to Moleside Camp | 21.6 | 8-9 | Medium | 82 |
| 5 | Moleside Camp to Battersbys Camp | 19.4 | 61/2-81/2 | Easy-Medium | 90 |
| 6 | Battersbys Camp to Pattersons Camp | 13.4 | 4-51/2 | Easy | 96 |
| 7 | Pattersons Camp to Nelson via Simsons Camp (Simsons Camp 2.7km from Nelson) | 20.9 | 7-8 | Easy | 102 |
| 8 | Nelson to Monibeong Camp | 22.6 | 71/2-81/2 | Easy-Medium | 113 |
| 9 | Monibeong Camp to Swan Lake Camp | 17.0 | 51/2-61/2 | Easy-Medium | 123 |
| 10 | Swan Lake Camp via Mt Richmond to Tarragal Camp | 22.1 | 8-9 | Medium | 1287 |
| 10 | OR Direct from Swan Lake Camp to Springs Camp via beach(skipping Day 11) | 23.3 | 8-9 | Medium | 132 |
| 11 | Battersbys Camp to Pattersons Camp | 12.6 | 41/2-51/2 | Easy | 138 |
| 12 | Springs Camp to Trewalla Camp | 17.1 | 6-7 | Easy | 146 |
| 13 | Trewalla Camp to Mallee Camp | 15.3 | 5-6 | Easy | 155 |
| 14 | Mallee Camp to Portland | 22.2 | 7-9 | Medium | 163 |
| * Page refer the page number in the book "Great South West Walk" | |||||
Sample Routes
Short Walks
| WALK | DISTANCE (km) | TIME | DIFFICULTY | LOOP/RETURN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOREST | |||||
| 1 | Hodgetts Grove Loop | 1 | 25min | Easy | Loop |
| 2 | Heathland Nature Walk | 1 | 25min | Easy | Loop |
| 3 | Jackass Fern Gully | 0.5 | 10-20min | Easy | Return |
| 4 | Fitzroy River Loop | 4.9 | 1.25-1.75hrs | Easy | Loop |
| 5 | Inkpot Circuit | 5.9 | 1.5-2hrs | Easy | Loop |
| 6 | West Walk | 3.7 | 1.5-2hrs | Easy | Loop |
| 7 | Benwerrin Nature Walk | 1.7 | 30-40min | Easy | Loop |
| 8 | Ocean View Walk | 2.2 | 30-40min | Easy | Loop |
| 9 | Noels Walk | 3.3 | 1.5hrs | Medium | Loop |
| RIVER | |||||
| 10 | Moleside - Wild Dog Bend Circuit | 6.9 | 2.5-3hrs | Easy-Medium | Loop or Return |
| 11a | Battersbys Upriver Loop | 2.9 | 50-60min | Easy | Loop |
| 11b | Battersbys Downriver Loop | 5.8 | 1.75-2.25hrs | Easy-Medium | Loop |
| 11c | Battersbys Full Circuit | 8.2 | 2.5-3hrs | Easy-Medium | Loop |
| 12 | Sapling Creek Loop | 3.4 | 1.5hrs | Easy | Loop |
| 13 | Pattersons Loop | 4 | 1.5-2hrs | Easy | Loop |
| 14 | The Gorge Circuit | 9.2 | 3-4hrs | Medium | Loop or Return |
| 15 | Hirths Landing Boat Trip & Walk | 8.3 | 3hrs | Easy-Medium | One Way |
| 16 | Livingstone Island Nature Walk | 2.8 | 0.75-1hr | Easy | Loop |
| BEACH | |||||
| 17 | Lake Mombeong Circuit | 13.5 | 3.5-4.5hrs | Medium | Loop |
| 18 | Bridgewater Lakes & Blacks Beach | 4.2 | 1.5hrs | Easy | Loop |
| 19 | Trewalla Camp Loop | 4.8 | 2hrs | Easy | Loop |
| CLIFFS AND CAPES | |||||
| 20 | Cape Bridgewater Circuit | 21.6 | 6-8hrs | Medium | Loop |
| 21 | Blowholes - Bridgewater Lakes | 9.4 | 2-2.5hrs | Easy-Medium | One Way |
| 22 | Blowholes - Cape Bridgewater | 9 | 2-2.5hrs | Easy-Medium | One Way |
| 23 | Seal Colony Walk | 6 | 2-2.5hrs | Medium | Return |
| 24 | Bridgewater Bay - Cape Nelson | 19.7 | 6-7hrs | Medium | One Way |
| 25 | The Full Nelson | 8 | 2.5-3hrs | Easy-Medium | Loop |
| 26 | The Half Nelson | 5.1 | 2hrs | Easy | Loop |
| 27 | Sea Cliff Nature Walk | 3.4 | 1-1.5hrs | Easy | Loop |
| 28 | Enchanted Forest | 2.2 | 1-1.5hrs | Easy | Return |
| 29 | Sams Loop | 6.2 | 1.5-2hrs | Easy | Loop |
| 30 | Bills Walk | 8 | 3hrs | Easy | Return |
| 31 | Cliffs - Cemetery Walk | 9.3 | 3-4hrs | Easy-Medium | Return |