World renowned walk

SINCE it’s establishment in 1981, the Great South West Walk has come to be recognised as one of the
world’s great outdoor experiences and takes walkers through areas of amazingly beautiful scenery.
Beginning and ending at the Portland Visitor Information Centre, the walk is a 250 kilometre loop, taking in
diverse landscapes, from rugged coastal cliff-tops, to tranquil riverside trails, across stretches of beach and sand
dune and through lush native forests and heath-lands. The walk also connects two of Victoria’s South West
National Parks, and encompasses some truly notable features such as the Blowholes and Petrified Forest,
amazing views of Lawrence Rocks and the rugged Southern Ocean along Discovery Bay.
Designed in sections, the walk can be tackled as a whole or walkers can explore one of the many short trips the
walk has to offer.
Periodic maintenance of the track by the volunteer group “Friends of the Great South West Walk” ensures the
track is kept in good condition. One recent improvement saw the replacement of the footbridge at the rear of the
Centenary Caravan Park in Portland, as well as installation of a safety fence along the length of this section of the
cliff-top.
Flora and fauna to be found along the walk are as diverse as the walk itself. Mammals to be found on the walk
include Echidna, Platypus, Red-necked Wallaby, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Short-nosed Bandicoot, Brush-tailed
Possum, Ringtail Possum, Koala, Common Wombat, Brown Antechinus, Australian Fur Seal and several species
of native rat.
There are more than 270 species of bird found in the area covered by the GSWW as well as countless species of
gum, wattle, heath, protea, boronias, orchids, peas, and a range of native grasses and other beautiful wildflowers.
There are 16 designated GSWW campsites, which are located every 10 to 20 kilometres along the walk. No
bookings or fees are required for these sites, each of which has a fireplace with a grate, a table, pit toilet and a
permanent fresh water supply. These sites can easily be identified by referring to the map.
Parks Victoria campsites that are located along the Glenelg River in the Lower Glenelg National Park and at
Nelson as well as Lake Monibeong are for the general public, but may be used by walkers. However these sites
are busy during the holiday periods and would need advance booking. Camping fees apply.
Permits can be obtained from the Nelson and Portland Visitor Information Centres, seven days a week 9am to
5pm.
Firewood is very scarce along the coast and a gas or fuel stove should be carried. For further information or to
down load a map visit www.greatsouthwestwalk.com and remember to always “let someone know before you
go”.
Approximate distances between campsites:
Portland to Cubby’s 20km;
Cubby’s to Cut Out 15km;
Cut Out to Cobboboonee 9.4km;
Cobboboonee to Fitzroy River 12.5km;
Fitzroy River to Moleside 22km;
Moleside to Post and Rail 12km;
Post and Rail to Murrells 9.5km;
Murrells to Patterson’s 8.5km;
Patterson’s to Simpson’s 17km;
Simpson’s to Nelson kiosk 3km;
Nelson Kiosk to White Sands 10km;
White Sands to Lake Monibeong (via beach) 12km;
White Sands to Lake Monibeong (inland route) 13.3km;
Lake Monibeong to Swan Lake 16.5km;
Swan Lake to The Springs 21km;
(Swan Lake to Tarragal 20km);
(Tarragal to The Springs 12km);
The Springs to Trewalla 15km;
Trewalla to Mallee 17km; and
Mallee to Portland 16.5km.
THE Great South West Walk offers a huge variety of walking conditions through different
landscapes.
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VOLUNTEERS upgrade and maintain the walking tracks of the Great South West Walk.
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