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GOW Epilogue

Overall I thought I'd give it a 9/10 mark on my trip.

Reasons were:

the variety of natural beauty from coastal views of cliffs, large rocks in the ocean,

the tall timbered forests

bird life- the blue wren malke and female, and the red tailed finches at Cape Otway.

and tree ferns 

koalas hooting away calling out to each other, kangaroos, wallabies, lak of snakes for me but a blue tongue lizard instead,

the Echidna taking a drink at the Otways

the trail, trailmarkers were clear which direction mos tof the time

and trail conditions, the weather during the day and night,

The people on trail

The shelters, water tanks and campsites

I found it easy to book the campsites but I know people struggled to get online campsites as they were booked out even though there were clearly room for more campers.

The plane, bus, overnight accommodation, gas buying, shops, train, bus, last nights accomm, bus, train, bus, plane home all went to plan.

The map and guide book was easy to buy at the tourist info centre

Buying tickets for the train and bus using V line and delivered was great.

The Youtubers video on the trail was good to get a picture of the trail.

Downside was when booking the campsites I didnt really know the distances in between campsites except the last day's distance and return to Princetown and could have done a double campsite such as Cape Otway to Johanna Beach 24km in a day as I was at Aire River at 10.13 and could have bene at 10.00am if I didnt slow down for Matt with Brad.

 

Maps

Buy the book with maps but not the map. Its easier to read the booklet, smaller and the map is at each shelter anyway.

 

Getting to and from

V line helped out here with their planning guide just type in start and end and date and tickets for $10 can be bought each way which is an absolute bargain for 4-5 hour travel. 

flight ok but late, airport bus is easy at 26.50 one way or so buying at the little kiosk right outside the arrivals area. Bright red double deckers cant be missed. Once at Southern Cross finding the exit was a bit hard but follow everyone else.

Train from Southern Cross to Geelong easy but could catch an earlier train if possible and wait longer at Geelong Train station for the bus even though the bus waited for the train to arrive.

Arrival at Apollo Bay dead in front of the Tourist Office and start of the walk.

Remember buses from Princetown only on Mon, Wed and Fri so time your walk. Thursday I think there was a bus from Port Cambell to Warnambool in th emorning and then you could catch a train to Geelong/Melbourne from there, not sure but website research sought of told me that.

Some people from the bus got a lift at Apollo Bay with another walker to Melbourne/Geelong, so that's an option instead of waiting for a bus and train.

 

 

Phone coverage

I have Telstra and there is coverage on most days at some point on trail usually at the top of the hills, some 3 G at campgrounds public like Aire River but fickle.

 

Water and Food

I took all my food for the trip with me 11.2kg bag plus bought 2 drinks of 1 litres and travel days food breaky, lunch, snacks but ate my lunch for dinner, hence left over dinners.

Water at every campsite so only required 1-2 litres each walk. At Elliot Ridge water colour at bit of Tannins but ok to filter and drink all others clear and I filtered each time.

Food at Apollo Bay of course and shop at Cape Otway Lighthouse if you pay $10, no lighthouse tour as its closed duue to a Mercury leak from a earhtquake recently. Gluten free options but sells scones. outside shop has crisps, soft drinks, ice creams and some chocolate bars- quite limited so I went inside. 12 Apostles tourist cafe despite busy as has gluten free foos suchas banana bread, Carmens bars, crisps and some ice creams.

 

Campsites

1st in first basis. no need for a groundsheet, all firm but if wet and rainy could be muddy if no one has camped overnight on that spot.

Shelters great to hangout and get water.

Campsites spread out so not in everyones face.

Some have a group area and individually numbered spots while some don't have group and are individually numbered 1-8.

Not once was it full.

Not one person checked the campsite or bookings.

 

Phone Charge

I took 2 x 20,000mh batteries of which I had 60% on one at the end. At Cape Otway I was able to charge up my phone and some battery before the USB plug didnt work. It also had USBC plugs attached to the shelter.

 

Rubbish

There are no bins on trail. Carry in Carry out. At Ryans Den one of the hikers had a resupply box stashed and we filled this up with rubbish and she would pop back in on way out to collect.

At Princetown or the Reserve I got rid of my rubbish on the way to the Apostles- 2 days worth.