Great Ocean Walk

Australia is best experienced on foot and with so much of the Great Ocean Walk set in really remote stretches of coastline, there's often no other option. Forget the Twelve Apostles and the bright lights of Melbourne, this is an opportunity to seek out the secret spots and appreciate the wild, untamed nature and Aboriginal history of Victoria from an on-the-ground Aussie angle.

A wide variety of walking trails unveil Victoria section by section from the Surf Coast in the east, to the Shipwreck Coast in the west. Landscapes morph from sandy beaches to rugged cliffs, fern-filled rainforests to open heath and bushland, positively bopping with wallabies.

The Great Ocean Walk is a 104km signposted trail that curves around the coast from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell National Park. It weaves through dense rainforest in Great Otway National Park, around bird-filled estuaries at Aire River inlet, towards ocean views at Moonlight Head and The Gables, and onwards to completion at the Twelve Apostles.

Walking with a guide allows you to ask questions and find out more about the true owners of the land and the rights and issues still facing them today. Guides also explain more about environmental challenges facing the region and what travellers can do to help. Of course, one sure fire way that you can help is by walking rather than joining the coachloads on the road.

Overnight accommodation might be in lighthouse keeper's cottages at Cape Otway or a locally owned small hotel in Port Campbell. All meals are included in the price of a small group holiday and solo travellers have the option of sharing a room with a group member of the same sex or opting for a single room for an additional supplement.

Self guided walking holidays are ideal for travellers looking to get away from it all but with the added confidence that comes from local recommendations. Detailed walking notes, trail maps and a designated driver and guide, on call, gives you the extra confidence to go the extra mile. Not only that; locally-owned accommodation and luggage transfers are included too.

It's also possible to walk with an experienced wildlife guide. What better way to understand the natural habitats of kangaroos, koalas and echidnas other than with an experienced Aussie animal expert? These local wildlife guides are highly trained and also encourage an environmental ethic and have great respect for the ecosystems and animals that you'll encounter. This type of three day walking tour can be tailor made to suit your interests and fitness levels. You'll get to observe animals safely and respectfully as well as learning more about the environment.

Tailor made tours encourage walkers to achieve average daily distances of 15km en route to some of the most welcoming inns in Australia. Local hosts will provide breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals as well as information about what you can expect from the trails ahead. You might even dine out in an Aussie pub in a tiny outback town like Little River.

Not only will you get closer to the natural environment on the Great Ocean Walk but you'll also give a financial boost to people living in remote regions of Victoria. Guest house hosts, especially, are genuinely welcoming and friendly folk. They love to greet and hear more about their guests from all over the world. You literally will not be able to leave until you've got a full belly and an earful of stories – some even true.

Below are a few of the walking route options that you might wish to experience. From easy going and circular routes to moderate walks and trails that are more of a challenge; this is your chance to choose your own adventure and experience authentic Australia.