Hiking the Great Ocean Walk?
How long will it take?
What are the highlights and best bits to walk?
What annoyed our guest poster Ivor?
Have been chatting by email with Ivor who has recently completed the Great Ocean Walk in southern Victoria, Australia. He has made some excellent comments that we thought were relevant to anyone who is planning on undertaking this spectacular coastal walk.
- We took 6 days and 5 nights, could have done it in 5 and 4 and we're not that fit!
I thought the walk was very good. I didn't mind the walking on 4 wheel drive tracks too much.
- I thought the worst bit was from Moonlight Head where you cut inland and then out again, which was more dirt road than 4 wheel drive track. I guess it's because heaps of tracks in the Lake District and Scotland are the width of 4wd tracks. Actually means you can walk side by side and chat. Rather than looking at the person in front's bum or vice versa!
- Facilities were excellent. We were the only ones on the campsites apart from the first night. We put the tent up in the shelter at Cape Otway as it was chucking it down.
- I HATED the fact that we couldn't have a cup of coffee at the lighthouse apart from paying $13 to go in. My mate and I had both been before so didn't want to pay but having walked the last 5k in pouring rain could have killed a coffee! I asked if it was possible for a coffee to be brought down and was told "What did your last slave die of?" Unaustralian or what?!
(ed...Mmmm, reckon the Lighthouse people could improve their PR a LOT!! What's wrong with setting up a system where anyone with a walking permit gets cheaper entry and therefore access to the cafe. It is situated well in the grounds and a lot of people hiking the GOW would love the chance to have a break and patronise the cafe and souvenir shop. We are often down there and it is a very busy tourist destination. There are HORDES of people driving in to see the lighthouse and its wonderful environment,a small concession for those hiking in does not seem too much to ask. - btw - I will send an email to the lighthouse people with a link to this post)
8/10/07 - received a very positive response from Paul at the lightstation re this issue. Click on comments to read Paul's email.
- The ending was a let down. Glenample was closed and there was no marker to say 'THE END'. We walked up the road to the Twelve Apostles as I guess most do, but it was still an anti-climax.
- Timboon Taxis were magic, I can certainly recommend them. Ph 0438 407 777
- We scored a shower at the caravan park in Port Campbell for $2 with soap and shampoo thrown in.
- Signage was tops, reading some diaries on the web I can't believe people got lost. Having said that one was inaccurate I think it was from a the last beach (began with an M) up to Ryan's Den. It said 3.4km NO WAY was nearer 5 and uphill!
- Tide tables were hit and miss. We spoke to a ranger in Port Campbell and he said that tides on that section of coast are a nightmare to predict tide times.
- Generally we found the beach bits overly cautious, but I realise that tides would vary through the year. Usually there was heaps of space above HWM, I realise that Parks Victoria were probably being overly cautious, in fact the track notes seemed overly paranoid eg care about branches etc. Having said that we were dead casual approaching Wreck Beach and then had to run at times to avoid the waves.
- Apparently the toilet at Cape Otway burnt down a couple of days after we passed through. It wasn't us! Do you know anything? (ed. no have not heard this ...has anyone else?
Many thanks to Ivor for this report. It is great to be able to post another perspective on the GOW. If any of our other readers have walk reports you would like posted , please contact us and we will blog them for you.
Related Posts on the Great Ocean Walk
Our Hiking Blog goes "lightweight" at Blanket Bay
Drinking water on the Great Ocean Walk
Great Ocean Walk - the start
Marengo to Blanket Bay
Blanket Bay to Cape Otway Lightstation
Lightstation to Aire River
Aire River to Joanna
Joanna to Ryans Den
Ryans Den to Devils Kitchen
Devils Kitchen to The Gables
Great Ocean Walk Report
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3 comments:
Thank you for the feedback on this Frank.
I as the manager am very dissapointed by the response the walkers got by my staff. We pride ourselves on our PR and customer service and our visitor’s book is testament to that.
The blog has come up with suggestions we have been planning for some time now, ie discounted tickets for registered walkers and tea and coffee facilities for those not wanting to visit the unique heritage grounds of the Lightstation.
Unfortunately although these seem quite easy items to implement they are not. We used to have a coffee machine at the front entrance area but due to lack of water, lack of electricity and various food hygiene laws when it finally packed it in we have not been able to replace it. We are however hoping to put in a water tank soon and apply for the relevant food licences, at present we can only sell pre-packaged food. Once we solve the water problem we then need to work on the electrical problem, which will not be that straightforward…
Therefore we move on to the suggestion of cheaper tickets for those registered walkers. We do feel we offer good value for money for the experience people gain from visiting the Cape Otway Lightstation and once again our visitor books and feedback verify this, and is something we are proud of. Our fee structure is such that Parks Victoria has some control over it and we need to be able to show that no one or no user group is advantaged or disadvantaged over another, thus if we provide discounted tickets for walkers, in fairness we might need to provide discounted tickets to cyclists or 4 wheel drive enthusiasts or caravan club members etc, etc.
To conclude your blog brings up some great suggestions and ideas we are working on, some of which we hope to implement ASAP. As far as the response you got from our staff member I am very ashamed by it and would appreciate the time and date of your visit so I can discuss this with the relevant person and implement any further customer service training that may be required immediately.
Kind regards, and thank-you for forwarding your comments to me. If you have any further suggestions as to how we can best service other bushwalkers I would be grateful as we are here to help and offer any assistance we can to make other walkers experience memorable for all the right reasons of visiting Australia’s most significant Lightstation and not disappointment.
Paul Thompson
Cape Otway Lightstation
I do so love the coastal routes!
Another reason now to adventure in your terrific area...
DSD
Hi DSD,
Thanks for the comment. Yes it is a great area....fair way from home for you! Ever thinking of heading over this way, give us a yell by email.
Am working my way through your blog, enjoying it and may post about your "activities" in the future....nice stuff
Frank
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