Hiking Victoria's "Great Ocean Walk" with Diamonds

“What a week...what a walk! Up there with the best I've done!” Sue.

By Michele Michel and the GOW Diamonds

We waited over a year, through lockdowns and border restrictions, to finally board that plane to Melbourne - so ready to take on this iconic walk of Australia.

For most of the team, it was their DITRA first trip and some their first multi-day hike so there were nerves and fears, excitement and enthusiasm. Some were regular Diamond training members- Sarah S, Maureen, Samantha K, Liza A, Debbie C and some were our “remote” Diamonds -Sue G, Madonna, and Pei Ling. But all were up for the challenge and put in their due diligence to be as ready as possible.

We were warned about the ‘four seasons in one day’ nature of the area. Coming off the back of such a wet few months along NSW's east coast we were prepared for anything. But we were oh so lucky. Our week was nothing short of spectacular- the perfect hiking weather of most days being no more than 20 degrees.

The hike was supported by Wilson from Hike 2 Camp. He provides the wonderful service of setting and packing up each campsite, providing all the camping gear- a roomy tent, sleeping bag and mats, all the food- breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, bringing in freshwater each day. He met us at the start and end of every day - offering some advice as to what was ahead of us. We then just had to put in the hard yards and actually do the hike each day…ranging from 14 km to 22 km.

The hike is well signposted so no chance of getting lost (I won’t bring up the Parker Hill toilet incident). We were even fortunate to have had lots of the trail edges freshly whipper snipped to reveal the many snakes in the grass more readily…lucky us!!

Each day brought new wonders- spectacular sunrises, magnificent ocean views atop cliff tops, stunning eucalypt forests, lush rainforests, hardy exposed coastal shrubs, deserted beaches, exotic grass trees…the landscape changed frequently, so we never knew what was around the corner.

We swam at sunset in the ocean at Blanket Bay, did a fully clothed immersion at Ayre River, played Left Right Centre in the evening, explored the Cape Otway Lighthouse, and had plenty of time to chat and get to know each other.

And I can’t forget the wildlife- birds that kept us company chirping and trilling along trails each day, the koalas high up on the branches of the eucalypts, the wallabies and kangaroos sometimes a bit startled, but also willing to get a little closer at the campsite at Johanna Beach, the echidna hiding his head trying to pretend we weren’t there and the SNAKES, tigers, copperheads and white-lipped!!

Our stunning hike culminated at The Twelve Apostles- an amazing sight to celebrate an amazing week!

Some of the feedback….

I really am lost for words, what an adventure! I was apprehensive about my lack of fitness and endurance!!! From the first night I felt part of the most amazing bunch of women, at ease, feeling safe and buoyed by the enthusiasm of the 2022 GOW Diamonds trekking team. Laughter is the best medicine they say, sometimes I felt like I was walking on bubbles of laughter, which was a good thing as my knees may have buckled under me. The natural environments that we walked through, (or dragged myself through) splashed in and wondered at, have filled me with new vigour to move forward with purpose and joy. Thank you ladies for your encouragement, laughter, enthusiasm, determination, and sense of play. Special thanks to my sister, Maureen for your love, patience, and friendship, and for believing in me. Thank you Michele for your professional yet friendly guidance, sense of humour and playfulness. You are atrue warrior woman and leader.  See you next time – Madonna

What a week...what a walk! Up there with the best I've done! Amazing views, incredible wildlife, fantastic weather, and an awesome bunch of women to share it all. Michele put the icing on the cake with her seamless organisation and plenty of added "extras"!! Highly recommended for anyone contemplating this adventure.- Sue G

G is for Gorgeous scenery to see

O is for Oustanding organisation all the way

W is for Wicked people to walk with

- Sam

Wow.  The Great Ocean Walk. This was my first big walk, and I was a little nervous as to how I would cope with the distance and the "undulations".  However, with the encouragement of Michele, as well as the rest of this amazing group of women, I not only managed the full walk but ended it with a smile. I now have the confidence to tackle more difficult walks.  Everything from start to finish was so well organised, including the perfect weather, spectacular scenery, well-placed koalas and a snake or two to raise the pulse and keep us on our toes.  I'm still on a high and wishing I was back on the trail. – Debbie C

As my first ever multi-day hike, the pleasant weather, the breath-taking scenery and the wild and wonderful Diamonds made for a great adventure. The trip was made all the better by being able to do it with the supportive, fun and silly energy this team of Diamonds brought to the trip. I'm looking forward to more in the future! - Sarah S