Johanna Beach, on the Great Ocean Walk has some serious swell, and it used as an alternattive beach for the Ripcurl Pro when the swell at Bells Beach is not pumping.

Cape Otway lighthouse

The Great Ocean Walk predominantly sticks closely to the beach.

Koalas are almost in plague proportions here and prefer the manna gums around Cape Otway.

The Otway Ranges receive the highest rainfall in Victoria, producing lush temperate forests.

Rainbow falls is just a 1.5km stroll down Station Beach.

Sand dunes at Station Beach.

The Bay of Martyrs, about 15km down the road from the 12 Apostles, is just as spectacular, but much more quiet, as the tourist buses don’t go here.

The tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is an endangered species and park rangers haven’t had conclusive evidence of their presence in the Otways for eight years. This one is part of a captive breeding program run by the Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology.

The vegetation along the Great Ocean Walk changes constantly and ever interesting.

The start of the Great Ocean Walk.

Sea grass covers the rocks on the beach near Franklin Point.

Milanesia Beach, where some dinosaur tracks have been found.

Boardwalk along the Great Ocean Walk.

Looking back east, along the coast and where the track of the Great Ocean Walk has followed.

An old ship’s anchor has become part of the rock on the beach near Franklin’s Point. This area of Victoria’s rugged coast was notorious for shipwrecks as the passage between King and Flinders islands and the mainland has treacherous seas.

Tall mountain ash forests grow in this area. They are some of the tallest trees in Australia.

Bull kelp on the beach not far from Marengo, along the first section of the trail. The bull kelp is an important part of the marine ecosystem, providing nutrients when it decays.

This baby koala and its mother are recuperating at the Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology, where you can also stay and see the animals up close and personal.

The trail along the section after Cape Otway and looking towards Aire River.

Kangaroos are a common site in this area, especially on grassy plains.

Looking back along the coast of the Great Ocean Walk, from the Ryans Den campsite.

There are a few groves of grass trees along the Great Ocean Walk. Grass trees grow incredibly slowly and this one may be 20-30 years old.

The first of the 12 Apostles, and the only one you can see from the beach level.

Lake Elizabeth, near Forrest, is home to many platypus and one of the few places in Australia that you can get a reliable view of the wild monotremes.

The first view of the 12 Apostles from the track of the Great Ocean Walk.

Looking back along the Great Ocean Walk to the east, with two of the Apostles.

The walk is completed in an east-to-west-direction, which means you don’t often see other people, giving you a true sense of isolation. You may be the first person to walk on secluded beaches that day.

Looking at Loch Ard Gorge, just a few kilometres down the road from the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.