7 days Great South West Walk - PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY

7 Days

As one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets, the Great South West Walk offers a diverse experience of both coastal and bushland environments as it loops its way between Portland and Nelson in the far southwest corner of the state. We have selected the highlights of this magical 250km route to showcase the distinctly diverse landscape, which boasts a plethora of flora and fauna both on land and in the ocean. From the rugged wind-swept coastline, shaped by the mighty Southern Ocean and featuring the highest sea cliffs in Victoria, to the serenity of the Lower Glenelg National Park and the sweeping sands and freshwater lakes of the Discovery Bay Coastal Park, the Great South West Walk provides a memorable hiking experience. Your adventure begins in the quiet hamlet of Nelson, nestled close to the coast where the picturesque Glenelg River meanders its way into Oxbow Lake before flowing into the Southern Ocean. Based here, you will traverse the bushland of the Lower Glenelg National Park, accompanied by the river as it flows through an extensive limestone gorge before reaching its final destination. From here, the coastline beckons, with your walking experience taking in a section of expansive pristine beach before leading into a desert-like landscape of huge mobile sand dunes, reaching up to 70m in height. The cozy and welcoming Cape Bridgewater then becomes your base, from which you will descend the volcanic cone of Mt Richmond, offering a rich diversity of flora and fauna as you wind your way back towards the renowned limestone coast, showcasing the timeless work of mother nature. The open sandstone ledges of Cape Nelson herald a visit to the Lighthouse, beyond which you will marvel at the Enchanted Forest before visiting Australia’s only mainland colony of Australasian Gannets. Finish your adventure high above the ocean on sea cliffs overlooking the mainland breeding site of both Australian and Long-nosed fur seals, before an exhilarating Zodiac experience offering an up close and personal account of these fascinating creatures in their natural environment. If you are really lucky, you may see some of the migratory whale species that frequent this remote coastline throughout the year!!