Great South West Walk - Highlights for 4 or 5 days. Starts 21st May

Highlights of the 4 unique environments of this walk.

Walking for 4 days with a 'DAYPACK' Wednesday 22nd May to Saturday 25th May. Drop off and pick up by mini coach (Cost $100 per person). Option of staying an extra day and walking down the Glenelg into the campsite (16km) on the Sunday (Using own transport)

Day 1 Wednesday 22nd May. Forest; Fitroy to Moleside 20kms (7 hrs)

Day 2 Thursday 23rd May. Capes and Bays. Cape Bridgewater to Tarragul Caves 19km (6 hrs)

Day 3 Friday 24th May. Discovery Bay. Swan Lake to Monibeong 16.5km (5 hrs)

Day 4 Saturday 25th May. Glenelg Gorge. Battersbys to North Nelson Rd/River Rd Jctn. 18km (5hrs)

. Travel out on a Tuesday 21st May. Meet at 5pm in the camp kitchen at Kywong Caravan Park. $100 to be paid in cash for minibus at this meeting.

Return on Sunday 26th May or later if you want to stay longer.

Basecamp in Nelson. Camping, caravaning and cabins at the Kywong Caravan Park. Book by phone on 0887384174 Please state you are with South Gippsland Walking and Adventure Club when booking

Cabins from $95 per night

Ensuite Cabins from $115 per night

Powered Site from $40 per night

Unpowered Site from $30 per night

Bring some nibbles for a happy hour in the camp kitchen each afternoon. BYO drinks. One night during the week we will have dinner at the pub in Nelson

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Walk Overview: The Great South West Walk (GSWW) is located in South West Victoria (Australia) and has been developed as a bushwalking trail suitable for most ages and abilities comprising short 2-hour loop walks, full-day walks, or for the intrepid, the whole 250km loop that begins and ends in Portland, Victoria,  Australia.

The Great South West Walk begins at the historic city of Portland Victoria which is the Western gateway to the Great Ocean Road.

On leaving Portland, the track provides walkers with panoramic views of the scenic coastline and beautiful Portland Harbour, finally meeting up with wonderful native forests which offer solitude and peace from the noise and bustle of civilisation.

Nearing the end of the forest, the walk meets the majestic Glenelg River which meanders through the Lower Glenelg National Park. Spectacular views of gorges and limestone cliffs can be seen from the cliff tops as the track winds its way towards the coast.

Leaving the river at its mouth near Nelson close to the South Australian border, the walk continues on to the seemingly endless white beaches and rolling sand dunes of Discovery Bay. Remoteness…wild seas…huge breakers…gentle waves and rock pools…all in solitude broken only by birdlife or perhaps an occasional seal.

As a diversion from the white sands, detour to the freshwater lake, Lake Mombeong, or revisit the forest at Mount Richmond. Koalas are usually on hand to greet you in this area, while in Spring, the wattle, heaths and wildflowers will leave you spell-bound.

As the walk heads back to Discovery Bay, Cape Bridgewater and Cape Nelson, you can watch seal colonies at play and an occasional Southern Right whale viewed from the rugged cliffs, and obtain magnificent views of the gannet rookery on the mainland at Point Danger, as well as on Lawrence Rocks.

Along the way, you will marvel at the natural wonders of The Springs, The Blowholes, and the Petrified Forest.

Finally, the walk winds its way back to the city where walkers will pass through the Enchanted Forest, past the gannet colony observing popular surf breaks along the way.