Devils Kitchen Campground to 12 Apostles (GOW Trip)

 25 February 2024 (Day 8) 11-21 degrees

 https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/great-otway-national-park/things-to-do/great-ocean-walk

https://www.greatoceanwalk.info/

https://www.thegreatoceanwalk.com/official-sections/

This morning had a very pretty moon set. This was the first night on this trip that we saw the sunset and the sunrise. The weather made a cool start to the day. 

https://www.greatoceanwalk.info/devils-kitchen-to-the-12-apostles/

It was a nice walk through coastal vegetation with intermittent views of the coastline, including the 12 Apostles. Bit overgrown at 3.5km and 6km from camp.  We had a break overlooking the Gellibrand River estuary at Princetown. Despite all the signs we finally saw our first snake for this hike, it was small at about 40cm long and 1-1.5cm in diameter.

https://www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/Places-and-Events/Parks-sport-recreation/Gellibrand-River-Estuary 

The path was again mildly overgrown at around 10km. The path was also increasingly up and down as the 12 Apostles drew nearer. When in the dunes the temperature can be very hot as the sand is reflecting the sun up and the breeze is blocked by vegetation. Gibsons Steps were very busy but well worth it - amazing to be down on the beach looking up at the Apostles and cliff faces.

https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/great-ocean-road/see-and-do/nature-and-wildlife/beaches-and-coastlines/vv-gibson-steps

Then on to the 12 Apostles which felt even busier but probably because the people were in a smaller area. Definitely a very busy tourist attraction, but appears to be mainly internationals.

 https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/port-campbell-national-park/things-to-do/twelve-apostles

https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/great-ocean-road/see-and-do/nature-and-wildlife/beaches-and-coastlines/12-apostles

https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/explore/nature-wildlife/the-12-apostles/

We than had a 3km walk gently up hill to the motel - basic and old but clean. Showers- yeah! There were a lot of flies on the walk to the motel as it is sheep country.  Whenever we were in direct sun, it was still very hot, despite the cooler temperatures.

 

Statistics

Distance    17.57km

Time         5 hours 16 minutes

Ascent      312m

Descent     350m

Temperature 11.3 – 21.5 degrees Celsius    

 

Twelve Apostles Walk

Distance    0.95km

Time         22 minutes

Ascent       28m

Descent     76m

 

Walk to Accommodation

Distance    3.12km

Time         43 minutes

Ascent      75m

Descent     5m