Day 1 - Friday 11th April

Drive from MUMC Clubrooms to Bunjil’s Lookout (approx 90 mins)

• Friday night camping location: 1795 Steiglitz Rd, Maude VIC 3331
• Google maps link
• If you need to food shop, please do this no later than Friday night, as we’ll need to be very efficient on Saturday

Day 2 - Saturday 12th April

Drive from Bunjil’s Lookout to Apollo Bay Visitor Centre then do car shuffle (3 hrs)

• Leave Bunjil’s Lookout at 8am on Saturday
• Drive approx 2 hours to trailhead at Apollo Bay Visitor Centre. Drop non-drivers off.
• Car shuffle [approx 1.5 hrs]: All four drivers drive in separate cars to Cape Otway Lightstation (45 mins). Leave 3 cars there, then pile into one car to drive back to Apollo Bay and meet the rest of the group (another 45 mins). 

Hike from Apollo Bay Visitor Centre to Blanket Bay (22km; approx 7 hours)

• Aim to start hiking by 12pm
• Hike approx 22km from Apollo Bay to Blanket Bay
• Camp at Blanket Bay on Saturday night
• We will need to cross Elliot River after walking approx 9km (~2 hours). High tide is at 11:45am, low tide is at 5:38pm. 

Day 3 - Sunday 13th April

Hike from Blanket Bay to Cape Otway Lighthouse (10.1km; 297m elevation gain; approx 3 hours)

• There will be the opportunity to swim at Blanket Bay on Sunday morning. Please only do this if you’re able to swim confidently.
• If it’s open, we can check out the Cape Otway Lighthouse! :)
• We'll cross Parker Inlet approx 4.3km after leaving Blanket Bay. High tide is at 12:24pm, low tide is at 5:40am/6:21pm.
• AllTrails link to this section

Do the car shuffle to Apollo Bay (45 mins) then drive home (3h30m)

• Everyone loads into 3 cars back to Apollo Bay
• Pick up fourth car from Apollo Bay Visitor Centre
• Drive back to MUMC clubrooms

Suggested packing list

Food and Dining

• 2 Dinners, 2 Breakfasts, and 2 Lunches: Prepare meals that are lightweight and easy to cook. Consider dehydrated meals for dinner, instant oatmeal or muesli for breakfast, and non-cook items for lunch like wraps or sandwiches.
• Snacks: High-energy bars, dried fruit, nuts, jerky – good for on-the-go nourishment. Consider storing your snacks in zip-lock bags, as these become great little bin bags.
• Reusable Cutlery, Bowl/Plate, and Cup: For all your meals.
• Cooking Gear: Portable stove such as a trangia or jet boil (you can borrow a stove from the MUMC clubrooms on Tuesday after the trip meeting).

Clothing and Weather Gear

• Rain Gear: Waterproof jacket and pants; you can borrow these from MUMC. These are essential, regardless of the forecast.
  
• Gaiters: To protect you from snake bites, help waterproof your shoes during creek crossings, and prevents scratches when we walk through dense scrub.
• Comfortable Hiking Shoes: You don't need anything fancy, but make sure you have worn them before.
• Warm Clothing: Layers are key. Include a fleece or down jacket for cool nights. Please also bring a thermal top and bottom base layer.
• Sun Protection: Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, long-sleeved shirt, hat, and sunglasses.
• Bathers & lightweight microfibre towel: These are optional, but will be very useful if you want to swim at Blanket Bay! 

Camping Essentials

• Tent: You can borrow this from the MUMC, perhaps sharing with someone to lighten your load?
• Sleeping Bag: You can borrow this from the MUMC.
• Sleeping mat: You can borrow a foam mat from the clubrooms or invest in an inflatable one, which is a bit more comfy. Kmart sell them for a good price: here
• Head torch: For visibility at night. Please also bring spare batteries and/or a spare head torch.
• Multi-day Hiking Pack: You can borrow this from MUMC.
• Battery pack/portable charger for your phone. 

Hydration and Health

• Water bottle or bladder: There is rain water along the trail to refill, but it will need to be treated. (You can purchase water treatment tablets such as Aquatabs at chemist warehouse.)
  
• Personal Medications: Any necessary prescriptions.
• Period products: Menstral cup, pads, tampons, hand sanitiser, etc.
• Tape/band-aids: it's a long walk, so be prepared to preemptively deal with blisters before they go yucky. If you don't like tape, you could try hiker's wool or moleskin.

Click here to access the AllTrails map of the Great Ocean Walk