4 Days: Thursday 27th to Sinday 30th September 2012

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

1 Nights: Nelson Bed and Breakfast

There is a tremendous variety of walking on Park Treks four day walking holiday down along 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 friendly bed and breakfast in Nelson.

This trip can be booked as a Park Trek 2UP. It is combined with our Great Ocean Walk running from Saturday 22nd September to Tuesday 25th September 2012. The combined outlay is $2190.00. This represents a saving of $110.00!

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 confronts 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. This is the mild side of the Great SouthWest Walk. The trail here is usually very well maintained and only undulates very gently. The walking finishes late afternoon with a cuppa in the small town of Nelson before we settle into our place of stay the Nelson Bed and Breakfast. John and Trish are well known for their hospitality and the stay here is so relaxing and peaceful. Dinner tonight in the Fireside Restaurant of the Nelson Hotel is OE and offers guests the chance to dine a la carte.

15 kilometres walking

About our accommodation...

The Nelson Bed and Breakfast provides simple accommodation with either twin share arrangements or single rooms. We dine in the Nelson Hotel restaurant for 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. Lunch here is at your Own Expense. 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

Return flights need to be booked from 7.30pm onwards if you are intending on flying out on the final day of the trip.

Please note as well that we can pick you up from Avalon Airport around 9.00am on the day of the trips departure.

Price: $ 1150 (ex - Melbourne) (incl. GST)