Australian Hiker

230-Great Ocean Walk: Reality vs Expectations

Show notes

In this podcast episode we discuss our pre-trip expectations for the Great Ocean Walk and compare them to the reality of the trip itself. In many cases the trip panned out as expected but as with any outdoor adventure there are always things that end up going differently than expected. In this episode we discuss how the trip panned out and make some recommendations that will help you get the best out of this experience.

Podcast Overview

Podcast and Episode introduction (time index 0:01:33)
Pre and post trip accomodation (time index 0:02:03)
- Transport
  - To Victoria
  - To the trail head
- Why we chose the accomodation we did?
The Trailhead (time index 0:06:52)
- One more sign please
Campsites (time index 0:08:20)
- Kitchen shelter
  - Somewhere dry for dinner
  - Mainly natural floors
- Campsites $17.40 per non group site
- Toilets
  - The views
- Tables
Trail (time index 0:15:12)
- Trail tread consists of a combination of natural trail, beach and rock walking, and occasional timber and constructed trail
  - Constructed
  - Natural
    - The mud
- Decision Points
  - Are they really?
  - Parks Victoria says to use the inland options where they exist
Water on trail (time index 0:21:09)
- Rainwater tanks at each campsites
  - Tanks are filled by rainfall
Mobile reception (time index 0:22:16)
- Intermittent, if there’s signal its mainly voice and text (Telstra your best option)
- Internet access in a few areas but its weak
The scenery/ animals (time index 0:23:31)
- Spectacular coastal views and vegetation
- Eucalypt woodland
- Beach
- Coastal heathland
- Every day is different
- Animal and bird life
Inlet crossings (time index 0:28:02)
- Something many hikers may have never done before
- Carry a tide chart
When to walk (time index 0:34:14)
- When?
The Guidebook (time index 0:37:22)
Things to make the trip better (time index 0:38:31)
Gill and Tim’s wrap up (time index 0:43:08)
Close (time index 0:44:44)

Resources

Australian Hiker
- Australian Hiker Podcast Episode 227 Expectations
- Australian Hiker Podcast Episode 228 Part 1 On trail episodes
  - Travel day to the Twelve Apostles and three days on trail
- Australian Hiker Podcast Episode 229 Part 2 On trail episodes
  - The last three days on trail and the travel day to Canberra
- Australian Hiker Podcast Episode 230 Expectations versus Reality (this episode)
  - How reality stacked up against our expectations
  - Our recommendations
- Great Ocean Walk trail write up including video and images
Parks Victoria
- General trail information for the Great Ocean Walk
- Campsite Bookings
Accomodation stay at the Twelve Apostles
- Twelve Apostles Motor Inn
  - Please note that we picked this motel purely because it was the closest to the visitor centre and they were happy for us to leave our vehicle while we walked
  - There are a number of other accomodation options that are relatively close

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