Trail Running in Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road corridor offers trail running that matches its scenery, with the Great Ocean Walk providing 104 km of coastal trail from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. Runners can tackle sections of any length, dropping into remote beaches inaccessible by road and running cliff-top tracks above pounding Southern Ocean surf. The Otway Ranges immediately behind the coast add a contrasting rainforest running experience with waterfalls and towering eucalyptus. Lorne and Apollo Bay are the main hubs, each with active trail running communities and regular events on the Surf Coast Step and Great Ocean Walk circuits.
Region
Surf Coast, VIC
Difficulty
Moderate to Challenging
Best Seasons
Autumn, Spring
Trails
4 featured
Terrain
Exposed cliff-top coastal track, beach connectors, dense Otway rainforest, and steep gorge descents.
Best Trails
Great Ocean Walk (Cape Otway section)
Moderate to ChallengingA spectacular section of the 104 km Great Ocean Walk along isolated cliff tops to Cape Otway lighthouse, with Southern Ocean views throughout.
Coastal single-track, beach, and some sandy clifftop path
Surf Coast Walk (Torquay to Fairhaven)
ModerateThe northern end of the Surf Coast Walk following cliffs above famous surf breaks including Bells Beach, with views over Bass Strait.
Cliff-top path, beach, and some sealed foreshore track
Erskine Falls and Lorne Circuit
ChallengingA challenging loop from Lorne township deep into the Erskine River gorge with the 30m Erskine Falls as the centrepiece.
Steep gorge track, rainforest single-track, and river crossings
Bells Beach Headland Loop
Easy to ModerateA short scenic loop around the headland above Bells Beach, world-famous home of the Rip Curl Pro, with sweeping ocean views.
Grass clifftop track and sandy path
Gear Recommendations
Full waterproof shell is essential as weather on the Surf Coast changes rapidly with little warning
Trail shoes with deep lugs for muddy Otway forest sections and slippery clifftop grass paths
Wind layer for cliff-top sections even on warm days as Southern Ocean winds are persistent
Carry more food and water than you think you need on Great Ocean Walk sections due to minimal facilities
Safety Tips
Cliff edges along the Great Ocean Walk are crumbling limestone and sandstone, never approach the edge
The Southern Ocean surf is among the most powerful in the world, do not enter the water at non-patrolled beaches
Mobile coverage is absent on most Great Ocean Walk sections beyond Apollo Bay, a GPS device is strongly recommended
Check tide tables for beach connector sections on the Great Ocean Walk, some are impassable at high tide
Getting There
Torquay (Surf Coast Walk northern end), Lorne, and Apollo Bay are the main access towns. All are 1.5-3 hours from Melbourne via the Princes Freeway and Great Ocean Road. V/Line coaches run daily from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station to Geelong and Lorne. The Great Ocean Walk requires point-to-point logistics or shuttle arrangements.
Post-Run Refuel
Arab Cafe in Lorne on Mountjoy Parade is an iconic post-run stop with coffee, breakfast, and tables overlooking the Lorne surf beach.
Local Trail Events
Surf Coast Century
100K relay / soloA 100 km ultra trail run along the Surf Coast Walk and Great Ocean Walk, runnable as a solo ultra or 4-person relay through some of Victoria's most spectacular coastal scenery.
SeptemberLorne Mountain to Surf
23 kmAn iconic summer run descending from the Otway Ranges down to Lorne beach, one of Victoria's oldest trail running events with a festive beach finish atmosphere.
JanuaryTurn Your Trail Runs Into Territory
Done with the trails? Take the competition back to the streets. Motera turns every run into a territory capture game. Claim parks, streets, and entire suburbs by running loops. Compete on leaderboards, earn XP, and explore through Fog of War. Perfect for runners who want more purpose in every run.
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MoteraFrequently Asked Questions
How long is the Great Ocean Walk and can it be run?
The Great Ocean Walk is 104 km from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. It is absolutely runnable in sections or as a multi-day run, typically taking 2-3 days for fit trail runners. Camping is available at designated huts along the route.
What is the Surf Coast Century?
The Surf Coast Century is a 100 km trail ultra run held in September along the Surf Coast Walk and Great Ocean Walk near Torquay. It is runnable solo or as a 4-person relay, making it one of Victoria's most accessible and spectacular ultra events.
Are the Great Ocean Road trails suitable for beginners?
The Bells Beach Headland Loop (5 km) and gentler sections of the Surf Coast Walk are suitable for recreational runners. The Great Ocean Walk sections and Erskine Falls circuit are more challenging and better suited to experienced trail runners.
When is the best time to run the Great Ocean Walk?
Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) offer the most stable conditions with manageable temperatures. Summer can be pleasant but heatwaves occur. Winter is often rainy and windy but the coastline is dramatic and crowds are minimal.
Can I combine the Great Ocean Walk with camping?
Yes, the Great Ocean Walk has designated camping huts and sites available through Parks Victoria booking. Running the trail over 2-3 days with camping is one of the best multi-day trail running adventures in Victoria.
