Group Walks
Each month the Monday Group Walk is 15-20km, the Thursday Group Walk is 8-15km and the Saturday Group Walk is 5-10km.
The Friends organise one Supported Walk during Autumn each year, which takes in the whole 262km trail, with overnight camping over 14 days. This is offered to members first and books out quickly.
Other walks are planned for special events including a 3 day/2 night full pack hike in April 2025.
Check the 'News' page for regular updates on all walks.
NOVEMBER WALK:
Saturday 9th November walk is from North Portland Cemetery to Bolwarra, via Portland Loretto Reserve, and lead by Julie 55232131. Please phone Julie to register.
DECEMBER WALK:
Monday 2nd December walk will be short walks on Mt Richmond (SWB No 6-9) and lead by Andy 0417 704303. Please phone Andy to register.
Click below for the 2025 Walks Program.
Self-Guided Walks - Plan and Prepare
When planning your walk, we recommend purchasing the Great South West Walk and Lower Glenelg Map. For detailed information on the trails, we recommend either The Great South West Walk Guidebook to Victoria’s Best Long- Distance Hike or Short Walks On and Around the Great South West Walk. You can purchase these publications, and more, online through our shop.
Campsite Information and Bookings
There are 14 walker overnight campsites located every 10-20km along the Walk. Fees and bookings are required for designated GSWW campsites. 12 of the campsites can be booked through Parks Victoria. Cubbys and Tarragal campsites are reserved through GSWW . Contact info: ph. 0428 234248 email: gpage@greatsouthwestwalk.com
All 14 campsites have a shelter with seating and a table, a fireplace with a grate and a picnic table, a pit toilet and fresh water tank. There is a maximum of 20 walkers per campsite with space for hiking tents.
Additional campsites are provided by Parks Victoria, located along the Glenelg River in the Lower Glenelg National Park, at Nelson and also Lake Mombeong. These are for the general public and may be used by walkers, however can be busy during holiday periods and would need advance booking. Camping fees apply.
Campsite Logbooks
All walkers are asked to fill out the logbooks located in each campsite shelter. This is an important safety measure and assists us to locate walkers in an emergency.
Safety
It is recommended those walking and camping overnight register their walk at the Portland Information Centre. This includes number of days, campsites booked and emergency details.
It is also recommended to upload the Vic Emergency app onto your phone and to check fire restrictions and current warnings.
Tides
Walking along Discovery Bay requires planning and preparation. Ensure you have plenty of time, that it is a low outgoing tide for easier walking, that you are carrying water, the weather conditions are reasonable, you are appropriately dressed and equipped. You may experience extremely hot weather on parts of the Walk where there is no shade or extremely cold wind where there is no shelter. Tides Information is here
Transport
For transport options contact: ‘All About Us Bus’ – Gary Coulter ph 0498 140115 ‘Southwest Adventures’ – Ramon Francis ph 0428 358139
First Aid
It is important to carry a well-equipped first aid kit, including two snake bandages and insect repellent. Link: FAQ
Water
WARNING – Water is stored at the campsites in tanks, however, the stored water cannot be guaranteed safe to drink. Drinking untreated water such as creek water, bore water or sometimes even rainwater, can lead to illnesses such as gastroenteritis and diarrhoea.
Signs have been placed at each site stating ‘Untreated Water. Do not drink’. These signs have been required by the land managers and are in common usage throughout the state of Victoria. Walkers should always carry sufficient drinking water and have the knowledge or means to treat the stored water. See Water-Make it Safe to Drink.
Firewood
Firewood is very scarce so a gas or fuel stove should be carried. Always be a aware of fire restrictions during Summer months.
Phone Coverage
Phone coverage can be intermittent on the walk, using signal provided by Telstra towers, particularly in the Lower Glenelg National Park section.