The friends of the Great South West Walk is a not for profit community group who maintain, administer and promote this walking trail in collaboration with and under Parks Victoria

The Great South West Walk, which begins at the Portland Visitor Information Centre, embraces all of the stunning natural features that the South West of Victoria has to offer.

The 250 km loop walk will take you on an unforgettable adventure via the forests of the Cobboboonee  national Park, the majestic river gorges of the Lower Glenelg National Park and the picturesque coastal town of Nelson. The return leg meanders along sublime bays, high rugged cliffs and capes, a Fur Seal colony at Cape Bridgewater, the Point Danger Gannet Rookery and back to the historic city of Portland.

Almost everyone can share and enjoy the diversity of scenery and wildlife that is on offer, as the Great South West Walk is suitable for bush-walkers of most ages and abilities. Your choices include short one to two hour loop walks, full day walks with optional overnight camping at one of the 14 designated camp sites, or for the more adventurous, the complete 250 km loop walk.

Not into camping? Stay at one of the many accommodation places available.

All of the Great South Walks campsites have a shelter, a pit toilet, water tank and most have a fireplace. Drinking water must be carried at all times.

Approximate distances between campsites in an anti-clockwise direction;

Portland – Cubby’s                                   18.6 km

Located 18.6 km from the start of the walk at Portland and 10.6 km from Cut Out Camp, this overnight walkers camp is located in Cobboboonee Forest Park amongst eucalypts. The campsite offers shared table, seasonal tank water (treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fireplace is provided but fuel stoves are preferred.

 

Cubby’s – Cut-Out                                    14.5 km

Located 14.5 km from Cubby’s Camp and 10.6 km from Cobboboonee Camp in the Cobboboonee National Park, this overnight walkers camp is set amongst tall eucalypts in a sheltered location. The camp is close to the Surry River  and walking track to the Surry River picnic area. The campsite offers shared table, seasonal tank water ( treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fireplace is provided but fuel stoves are preferred.

Cut-Out – Cobboboonee                           10.6 km

Located 10.6 km from Cut Out Camp and 11.8 km from Fitzroy Camp, this overnight walkers camp in Cobboboonee National Park is set among tall eucalypts in a sheltered location. The campsite offers shared table, seasonal tank water ( treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fireplace is provided but fuel stoves are preferred.

Cobboboonee – Fitzroy                             11.8 km

Located 11.8 km from Cobboboonee Camp and 23.3 km from Moleside Camp, this overnight walkers camp in Cobboboonee National Park is set amoungst tall eucalypts in a sheltered location. This camp is close to the Fitzroy River and has a walking track to Jackass Fern Gully picnic area. The campsite offers shared table, seasonal water tank ( treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fireplace is available but fuel stoves are preferred.

Fitzroy – Moleside                                      23.3 km

Located 23.3 km from Fitzroy Camp and 17 km from Battersbys Camp, this overnight walkers camp in the Lower Glenelg National Park is set on the banks of the Glenelg River amongst tall eucalypts and blackwoods.

The campsite offers shared table, seasonal tank water ( treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fireplace is provided but fuel stoves are preferred.

 

 

 

Moleside – Batterbys                                  17 km

Located 17 km from Moleside and 13 km from Pattersons camp this overnight walkers camp in the Lower Glenelg National Park is set on the banks of the Glenelg River among tall eucalypts  and blackwoods. The campsite offers shared table, seasonal water tank ( treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fireplace is provided by fuel stoves are preferred.

Batterbys – Pattersons                               13 km

Located 13 km from Batterbys Camp and 17.8 km from Simpsons Camp, this overnight walkers camp in the Lower Glenelg National Park is set on the banks of the Glenelg River amongst tall eucalypts. The campsite offers shared table, seasonal tank water ( treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fireplace is provided but fuel stoves are preferred.

Pattersons – Simsons                                17 km

Located 17.8 km from Pattersons Camp and 26.3 km from Lake Monibeong Camp, this overnight walkers camp in the Lower Glenelg National Park is set amongst eucalypts and blackwoods. The campsite offers shared table, seasonal tank water ( treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fireplace is provided but fuel stoves are preferred.

Simsons – Nelson Kiosk          3 km

One of the easiest walks along the whole trail. Nelson is a chance for walkers to have a comfortable bed hot meal and a shower. There is a wide range of accommodation options in Nelson from unpowered sites at a caravan park to deluxe  B&B’s. These can be pre booked or the Visitor Information Centre will be able to help you find accommodation. It is also a good chance to re stock you basic provisions for the rest of the walk.

Nelson Kiosk

Simsons – Lake Monibeong ( via beach)    25 km

Simsons – Lake Monibeong ( inland)          26.3 km

Located 26.3 km from Simpsons Camp, 23.3 km from Nelson and 16.5 km from Swan Lake Camp, this overnight walkers Camp in Discovery Bay Coastal Park is set amongst coastal scrub and heathland. The campsite offers shared table, seasonal tank water (treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fireplace is provided but fuel stoves are preferred.

Lake Monibeong – Swan Lake                    16.5 km

Located 16.5 km from Lake Monibeong Camp and 20 km from Tarragal Camp this overnight walkers camp in Discovery Bay Coastal Park is set amongst coastal scrub and heathland. The campsite offers shared table, seasonal tank water (treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fireplace is provided but fuel stoves are preferred.

Swan Lake – The Springs (via Beach )        21 km Located 16.5 km from Lake Monibeong Camp and 20 km from Tarragal Camp this overnight walkers camp in

Discovery Bay Coastal Park is set amongst coastal scrub and heathland. The campsite offers shared table, seasonal tank water ( treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fireplace is provided but fuel stoves are preferred,

Swan Lake -Tarragal – via Mt Richmond      20 km

Located 20km from the Swan Lake Camp and 12.3 from The Springs Camp, this overnight walkers camp near Mt Richmond National Park is set amongst small eucalypts and grass trees. The campsite offers shared table, seasonal water tank ( treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fire place is provided but fuel stoves are preferred.

Tarragal – The Springs – via Mt Richmond    12 km

The Springs – Trewalla                                  14.4 km

Located 14.4 km from The Springs Camp and 15.3 km from Mallee Camp, this overnight walkers camp in Discovery Bay Coastal Park is set amongst coastal scrub. A lookout provides excellent views of Bridgewater Bay . The campsite offers shared table, Seasonal tank water ( treat before drinking), shelter and toilet. A shared fire place is provided but fuel stoves are preferred.

Trewalla – Mallee                                           15.3 km

 

Mallee – Portland                                            21.7 km

Located 15.3 km from the Trewalla Camp and 21.7 km from Portland this overnight walkers camp in Cape Nelson State Park is set amongst Moonah and heathland. The site is a FUEL STOVE ONLY area and has raised camping pads for tents. The campsite offers shared shelter, seasonal tank water ( treat before drinking), and toilet.