Summary

Begin this terrific return walk on a pastoral pathway to find yourself on an exceptional beach via steps down a sheer cliff face. It has an attractive start and finish with a stunning middle.

Description

There are two walks beginning at the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre. This walk is the less well known, but no less remarkable. It takes you further afield than the Twelve Apostles. The other significant difference is it takes you actually down the cliff face via the Gibson Steps and onto the beguiling beach below. With its very own limestone rock stack on show, it is captivating.

The track begins as a pastoral pathway betwixt charming fields and attractive coastal scrub. The surface of well maintained compacted gravel is easy to negotiate. It emerges at the cliff top above Gibson Beach via a Great Ocean Road underpass.

The steps down the cliff to the beach are relatively easy to manage with handrails and low tread rises. A gate near the top is locked when conditions are unsuitable for visitors. Be mindful of the warnings at the top f the steps.

Amenities at the Visitor Centre are well serviced including car parking, public toilets, cafe, helicopter flights, National and Marine Park information.

Other great walks in the area include:
Loch Ard Gorge, Shipwreck and Geology walk
Loch Ard Gorge, Living on the Edge walk
Port Campbell Discovery Walk
Twelve Apostles walk
Clifftop walk, Peterborough

No pets are allowed in the National Park.

2888 Views

Points of Interest

1. The Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre

Gibson Steps walk comprises part of the Great Ocean Road Walk. Visitor Centre amenities include car parking, public toilets, a cafe and information about the surrounding National and Marine Parks.

2. Trailhead sign

The track is clearly signposted and starts behind the Visitor Centre to the left of the Twelves Apostles pathway entrance.

3. The track

The track is made of well maintained compacted gravel. With pastoral fields to your left and appealing coastal scrub to you right the walk is charming from the outset.

4. Wooly jumpers and wind turbines

Beyond the closer fields the ridge-lines are dotted with sheep and a group of wind turbines. This rugged coast can serve up extreme weather. Be prepared for self reliant walking..

5. Things get a bit exciting

As you emerge above the scrub for the first time, the coastal views stimulate a sense of awe and anticipation.

6. Great Ocean Road underpass

Not having to cross the Great Ocean Road is a pleasant surprise. The walls of the underpass are strewn with beachside shells and sandy gravel.

7. Gibson Steps and Beach car park

There is another car park at the top of the steps. However, why drive when you can enjoy such a nice walk instead?

8. Gibson Steps Beach warnings

This is a glorious beach. It is also potentially dangerous. Please pay attention to the warnings.

9. View from the top

This is one inviting beach. The steps down are not particularly long and the gradient is moderated using zig zags. They are quite manageable for most people.

10. Putting yourself in the picture

Photos of the scenery are impossible to resist (even if you put yourself, your family and friends in too).

11. What do you get (Part I)?

You get a great sense of camaraderie from the sharing and, well, a limestone rock stack background of course.

12. Gibson steps

The only safe way to get to the beach is by these bannister edged steps. A gate at the top is closed when conditions are unsafe.

13. What do you get (Parrt II)?

Waterside rock stack and ocean views from an extensive pristine beach. It is very beautiful.

14. The view west

A view without the human clutter.

15. The view east

Vast sweeps of sandy beach, a massive bluff and a solitary couple having a cup of tea. Lovely!

16. On your return

After soaking up the ambience, the heady ozone and the geological marvels turn for one last look from the clifftop. It's a big ocean out there!

Features

Drinking water available

Public toilets

Nature trail

Lake, creek, river