4 Days: Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th November 2011

2 Nights: Annesley House in Portland (twin share - single supplement also available)

1 Nights: Nelson Bed & Breakfast

There is a tremendous variety on Park Treks walking tour of the Great SouthWest Walk. We have put together a highlights package that includes the most scenically attractive sections of this great long walk. Whether it’s walking along the languid banks of the Glenelg River or experiencing the surging might of the Southern Ocean crashing into the clifflines along the numerous capes, this region offers a marvelous walking experience. And to cap it off we have delightful heritage accommodation in Portland town and warm friendly Bed & Breakfast in Nelson.

This trip is part of a Park Trek 2UP. It means that if you both this trip and book the Great Ocean Walk that runs from Saturday 29th October to Tuesday 1st November 2011 you will outlay $1860.00. This represents a cost saving of $100.00.

DAY 1

We’ll depart from the Victorian Arts Centre at around 8.30am and stop to serve you a hearty morning tea around 10.00am. Then we lunch and enjoy a short walk at the dramatically shaped Tower Hill. There are impressive views and a host of wildlife opportunities here and a chance to stretch your legs and get the walking component of your holiday underway. By mid afternoon we’ll be stopped in Portland for a visit to the local Marine Environment Centre where we can give you an overview of the next four days away with Park Trek. Then it's time to head out to Cape Nelson and a spectacular start to our journey along the Great South West Walk. By early evening we'll be settling into our superb place of stay for the next 2 nights the lovely Annesley House in Portland.

4 kilometres walking

About our accommodation...

We have chosen Annesley House because of it's superb restoration, it's authentic charm and the general genuine quality of the experience. We also can self - cater using their excellent kitchen and give our guests a great time away. The rooms are a mixture of those with ensuites and those with shared bathroom facilities. Please visit the website  www.annesleyhouse.com.au for more details of what the accommodation is like.

DAY 2

Today’s walk is simply one of the best coastal walks found anywhere in Australia. We start with a quick wander through the Tarragul Caves before picking up the Great SouthWest Walk for it’s most impressive section. After morning tea in a small quiet cove the mood soon changes as the path ascends along a cliffline that contends with the surging power of the Southern Ocean. Ancient petrified forests, blowholes and a thriving seal colony are all highlights of this day’s walk. The Bridgewater Café will be a welcome relief with its great selection of cakes and coffee and signals the end of a great days walking. Then it's back to Portland for another great evening of wining and dining.

15 kilometres walking

DAY 3

With your small daypack filled with lunch and water we depart for our first full days outing and today we have chosen a leisurely option with a wander along the gentle banks of the Glenelg River. The walking finishes late afternoon with a cuppa in the small town of Nelson before we settle into our place of stay at the Nelson Bed & Breakfast. Dinner tonight in the Fireside Restaurant is OE and offers guests the chance to dine a la carte. Beer and wine for this night is at your Own Expense.

15 kilometres walking

About our accommodation...

The Nelson Bed & Breakfast provides simple accommodation with either twin share arrangements or single rooms. We may choose to dine in their restaurant for both dinner and for breakfast on our last day. Or the Nelson Hotel a very short walk away also provides dinner.

Day 4

With some great sections of the GSWW track still to explore we head off for a delightful section following the Glenelg River for a morning walk of two to three hours. By lunchtime we'll be in the small town of Koroit where you can choose between a number of small street side cafes. Koroit features a number of heritage listed buildings and is pretty place for lunch. Then it's time to make tracks for our return to Melbourne. We expect to be back by 5.30pm.

8 kilometres walking

We'd advise that if you are booking a return flight home from Melbourne Airport on the last day of the trip that you do so after 7.30pm.

We can pick you up from Avalon Airport on the morning of Day 1 around 9.00am.

Price: $980.00 (ex - Melbourne) (incl. GST)