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Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles
Aus + NZ / Australia / Victoria

Great Ocean Walk (day 5): Devil’s Kitchen to Twelve Apostles

July 7, 2020

After 4 long days on the trail, today’s undemanding 16km stage will deliver me right to the grand finale and one of Victoria’s premier coastal vistas, the Twelve Apostles. It’s a spectacular way to wrap up what’s been a real whirlwind adventure on the wild Great Ocean Walk, already my new favourite multi-day hike in Victoria.

Trail stats: Devil’s Kitchen to Twelve Apostles

Distance: 16km

Trail hours: 4hrs

Highlights: Glimpses of the Twelve Apostles down the coastline; beautiful scenery at the Gibson Steps; the incomparable Twelve Apostles & the end to the Great Ocean Walk!

Read more: APOLLO BAY TO TWELVE APOSTLES: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SOLO HIKING THE GREAT OCEAN WALK

Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles
Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles

In contrast to the rush of my previous day on the trail, today is positively leisurely. I enjoy a slow pack up (and the tedious removal of several enormous leeches that have all but embedded themselves onto my tent) before finally rolling out of my last campsite and onto the final stretch of trail. A rainbow hanging over the ocean seems to promise a bit of magic.

Although I do technically have a deadline (since I’m being picked up at 3pm), there’s no conceivable way it will take me that long to reach the Twelve Apostles, so I move with absolutely no sense of urgency along the cliffs towards Princeton, soaking in the salty air and the sharp whip of the wind with every step. I’m eager to be out of the house after so many months of isolation (what I don’t know yet is that Melbourne will be back in quarantine just 3 days later, so this walk couldn’t have been better timed).

Eventually descending off the cliffs to cross the Gellibrand River and then slowly winding back up through coastal scrub, the morning passes incredibly quickly.

Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles

Twelve Apostles in the distance

I feel I’ve hardly even left camp when I catch my first glimpse of the Twelve Apostles in the distance. By that trick of the eye, they seem about 100km away and I spend a split second wondering if I’ve made some terrible miscalculation— but they loom closer and closer with every step, once again providing a fixed point and a tangible goal to hike towards.

Less than 4hrs after leaving camp, I’m standing at the official Twelve Apostles viewing platform, soaking in the epic prize for all those wet kilometres. A handful of tourists cast furtive glances in my direction, possibly wondering why I’ve brought a full pack for the 1km walk from the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre or why I’m smiling with so much intensity at a bit of eroded cliff, but I’m too busy patting myself on the back to really care.

Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles
Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles
Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles
Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles

It’s my 3rd time at the Twelve Apostles, and while the rocks themselves haven’t made a lot of movements (and the weather is certainly not doing the view any favours), it is without a doubt the best of my visits. I’ve been on a real journey to get here, and something about the sharp sting in my boots from deep blisters, the storm-frizzed hair, and the crippling knee pain makes this a lot more than just a pretty view for me.

Walking along every inch of boardwalk and making googly eyes at the sea stacks in the distance, I wear my limp like a badge of honour.

As if on cue, thick fog rolls in about 30min after my arrival, completely obscuring all views, but somehow this only makes me smile more. Like Mother Nature lifted the veil just for me before returning to her scheduled programming. What a week.

Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles

Twelve Apostles, the end of the Great Ocean Walk


Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles

Twelve Apostles

Great Ocean Walk hike Twelve Apostles

Read more about the Great Ocean Walk

GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 1): APOLLO BAY TO ELLIOT RIDGE

GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 2): ELLIOT RIDGE TO CAPE OTWAY VIA BLANKET BAY

GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 3): CAPE OTWAY TO JOHANNA BEACH VIA AIRE RIVER

GREAT OCEAN WALK (DAY 4): JOHANNA BEACH TO DEVIL’S KITCHEN VIA RYAN’S DEN

TAGS:great ocean walkmelbourne hikes
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brooke brisbine

I've spent the last decade exploring the world— everything from solo trekking in the Andes to overlanding in Zambia, all while completing a PhD in Biomechanics, teaching at a university & securing permanent residency in Australia. In 2020, I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming a full-time nomad! Whether it’s vanlife in Mexico, scuba diving in the Galápagos, ticking off incredible US National Parks, or climbing in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

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The Comments

  • Kim Schramm
    July 9, 2020

    Love the 12 Apostles … you brought back some wonderful memories Brooke!
    You take some awesome photos … keep up the good work you do.

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      Kim Schramm
      July 9, 2020

      Thanks so much, Kim! Glad I could bring back some good memories 🙂

      Hope your blog is going well & that you’re keeping safe!
      -Brooke

      Reply
  • Rohan
    July 12, 2020

    That walk of honour at the end of a multi day walk, which also happens to be a day visit spot for all others is special ! I remember that feeling at the end of the Overland track from recent memory. Well done and stay safe Brooke. Look forward to your next adventure!

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      Rohan
      July 12, 2020

      Hi Rohan,

      That’s totally right, arriving to Lake St Clair at the end of the Overland Track is a pretty fabulous feeling, as well 🙂

      Thanks for following along, Rohan!
      -Brooke

      Reply
  • Peter Harley
    July 12, 2020

    This is a great walk and wilder than anticipated. Disappointed not to be able to purchase a coffee at the Cape Otway Lighthouse without paying a 25$ fee.
    Also at the end there was no memorabilia about the Walk at the Twelve Apostles in complete contrast to the Cape to Cape in WA and the Larapinta in NT. Vid NPWS has to lift its game on the maintenance front with many trees across the Track
    Peter Harley OAM

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      Peter Harley
      July 12, 2020

      Hi Peter, absolutely agree with you there— such beautiful, wild scenery! Unfortunately I didn’t have the chance to overpay for a coffee given the covid shutdowns, but that is ridiculous! I hope it was extremely good..
      Happy trails!
      -Brooke

      Reply
  • Hassan
    April 3, 2022

    Great experience to share with us!

    Reply
    • brooke
      Hassan
      May 18, 2022

      Thanks for reading!

      xx bb

      Reply

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