Best times to walk

When's the best time to walk? How long is a piece of string? Here is an annual summary and some tips about the different things you will experience at different times of the year. Think about what sort of weather you enjoy when you walk, and that will probably be the best time for you.

The Great Otway National Park is home to the Great Ocean Walk.  Cape Otway is the most southerly point of the walk, so we take our weather cues from the Cape.

Australian Spring:  September, October, November: 
Fast becoming one of our peak times, hikers know that milder temperatures and spring wildflowers make for very pleasant walking.  There are higher chances of rain, but this makes the landscape lush and green.  Cooler weather means that reptiles are less active.  The evening temperatures are cooler, but the lodge is centrally heated.  Layers of clothing is essential.   There are good wildlife spotting opportunities.  August and September, bring possible whale sightings in the Southern Ocean and Bass Strait.  Nesting birds are frequently seen in the early part of spring also.  Our gear drying room, modelled on a ski lodge is perfect to have gear serviceable again for the next day. 

Australian Summer:  December, January, February:
With holiday times comes warmer days, and longer daylight hours.  Twilight can last until after 9pm.  Rare days can be very hot, but we adjust walking times to be out in the cooler parts of the day, and there are swimming opportunities on some days.    The coastal breeze can make our region significantly cooler than Melbourne's published top temperatures.   Contrary to media hype, the number of high fire risk days are very few, and our safety plans are thorough and well communicated to our staff.  Reptiles are more active, but walking in a group means encounters are usually the end of a tail slipping into the bush!

Australian Autumn:  March, April, May
The true Victorian bushwalking peak season.  Autumn brings warm, drier days, more stable weather and cooler evenings, perfect for deep sleep.  Lower day time temperatures make for ideal walking conditions for those who aren't keen on heat.  The days are similar to spring, with a lower chance of rain, although nothing is guaranteed in the Otways!  Daylight savings in Victoria runs until the end of March or early April and Easter is usually in April as well.  Australian Anzac day (25th April) is often the turning point of the weather, when cooler days set in.

Australian Winter:  June, July, August
Our season is slowly extending to include walks in June and August.  Personally, August is Gavin and Dana's favourite time - we often get clear, thin sunny days and very few walkers on the trail.  Hearty meals and red wine make for a great winter walk.  Remember we have a drying room at the lodge.  July can still be cold, but groups and private walks are still welcome. 

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