By Pascoe Dunphy
Reflecting on the magic of three days walking along the Great Ocean Walk. The unpredictable Victorian weather and the breathtaking coastline gave us the perfect conditions for an unforgettable bushwalk.
We all gathered at Out Doors HQ, buzzing with excitement as we set off towards Cape Otway. A quick stop in Winchelsea for a tasty salad roll kept our spirits high, before we continued, winding our way to Apollo Bay. There, we stretched our legs with a brisk beach walk, taking in the rugged beauty of the coast. With the salty breeze in our hair, we finally arrived at Bimbi Park in Cape Otway National Park.
Dave, our PC, gave us a thorough rundown on setting up camp for the night, his words sinking in as we each took our turn pitching our tents. It was a sight to see a well-organised tent city spring to life, as everyone chipped in, helping one another with the tasks at hand. It felt like a real team effort, and watching people lend a hand to those who struggled was a reminder of the kindness we find out here in the wild.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, we gathered around the fire, sharing stories and laughs. The sounds of the night crept in around, with distant koalas grunting softly in the trees, one of them right above us, adding its voice to the chorus. It was a sound like no other, a reminder that the bush is alive, awake with a world of its own that stirs once the sun sets.
The next day, we awoke to the promise of new adventures, ready for what lay ahead. With camp packed up and lunch prepped, we set off on our 10km journey along the Great Ocean Walk, our goal set for the Aire River Campground. The birds welcomed us with a symphony of song, interrupted only by the occasional “kraaaawk”. Along the way, we spotted gang-gang cockatoos, little corellas, red wattle birds, and even an Australian Hobby soaring high in the wind.
The weather couldn’t decide whether to be sunny or rainy, constantly switching between the two, but it only added to the unpredictability and charm of the journey. By the time we reached the beach, we stopped for lunch, sitting with the sand between our toes and watching the waves roll in with a constant, soothing rhythm. The sea air carried the scent of salt, mingling with the taste of our salad rolls and snacks. Eventually, we arrived at Aire River Campground, sandy shoes and all, with huge smiles on our faces. We set up camp, gathered around the fire, and spent the afternoon in good company – some played boules, others went on a koala hunt, while a few of us prepared dinner. As the sun began to set, golden light poured through the clouds, casting a magical glow over the campsite and the river.
The next day, with sore feet from the day before, we set off for the final stretch just 6km from Aire River to Castle Cove. The ocean cliffs were breathtaking, and the rock pools along the way were a sight to behold. By the time we reached Castle Cove, the view was worth every step, and we shared a delicious lunch, reflecting on the journey before we headed back to Melbourne. A perfect end to a perfect adventure. As I was lucky enough to go along on this fantastic program, I brought my camera and made a video for you all to watch, please enjoy the video below!
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