You only need to carry a day backpack on the walking trails. This should contain your lunch/snacks, plenty of water (bottled or in a water bladder), sunscreen/sunhat, light waterproof jacket, and a hat/beanie is a good idea if the weather is likely to be changeable.

• Breakfast is a continental spread of cereals, stewed fruit, toast, spreads and yoghurt. Coffee and tea are always available at your base accommodation.

• Lunch can vary from day to day but includes cold meats, salad, bread and wraps; some days, you will have leftovers to mix things up a bit.

• Dinner is a casual two-course meal of main and dessert generally prepared by your guides. The menu is constantly changing but can include a classic roast lamb, curry, or similar. Dessert can include apple crumble, pears in red wine, fruit salad or mini pavlovas, to name just a few.

The food served is healthy, hearty, and home-style. It won't be five-star chef-prepared dining, but the food is fresh, and the guides ensure it is tasty and plentiful. The Operator is able to accommodate most dietary needs; please specify this at the time of booking. 

The Operator offers non-alcoholic beverages while on tour but does not include alcoholic beverages. However, they welcome guests to bring wine/beer along with them. If you are bringing bottled wine, please pack this well in your main bag to avoid breakages.

• Snacks and antipasto are provided during the trip, including fresh fruit for the trail and biscuits and/or fruit cake for tea breaks. In addition, each night, your guides will offer dips, cheese and crackers for pre-dinner nibbles and a self-serve trail mix selection at the beginning of each day.

With prior notification (usually on booking), The Operator can cater for most dietary requirements, such as lactose intolerance, coeliac, vegetarian, and gluten-free, to name a few. Even if it's a simple request such as: “I prefer soy milk”, they can cater for this.

If you have a favourite brand of food you particularly like or a food item with a particular flavour, for example, by all means, bring it along with you. However, there are some restrictions on bringing fresh food in some locations (for example, you can not take honey onto Kangaroo Island). If you are unsure, just check with The Operator and they can advise you of any restrictions that may apply to the destination of your tour.

Although not compulsory, comfortable hiking boots are strongly encouraged on the hikes. Often the ground underfoot is rocky and uneven, and hiking boots make walking a little easier. If you purchase new boots specifically for the hike, it's suggested you wear them in well before the walk begins.

Unless listed in the itinerary, such as a restaurant meal or coffee, all expenses are included in the tour price. There are no hidden extra costs, such as National Park fees or transfer charges.

On the first day of the tour, the guides collect guests from a central pickup point. This point is listed in the trip notes you receive upon booking your tour.

If you are joining a tour, there are a few things to note.

• Most healthy adults can participate in this walking holiday. If you can walk upwards of 15 kilometres or more in a day, carrying a lightweight day pack, you will find the tours totally achievable.

• While you'll typically walk on well-forged walking tracks, the quality and degree of difficulty can vary greatly. You may find some tracks rocky and lumpy underfoot, soft and sandy, or muddy and slippery.

• Sometimes there is the need to negotiate obstacles such as fallen trees, sections of scree or steep steps.

• Ensure you come along with not only the proper footwear, rain gear and clothing but also the right frame of mind!

These walking holidays are relaxed and friendly, accommodating guests of all ages. The small group tours attract like-minded people generally aged upwards of 40-45 years.

Guests range from people travelling on their own to couples, friends and groups. When you travel, all your tour needs are looked after. The Operator provides:

• All transport from initial pick-up to final day drop-off in comfortable mini-coaches

• Experienced and helpful guides for the duration of your tour

• Fully guided walking tours and interpretation along the trail

• Thoughtfully planned itineraries

• Excellent meals and snacks

• A warm, friendly and social atmosphere.

During this trip, you'll stay in one of two venues:

• Cape Otway Lightstation Cottages – These historic houses are located in one of the most spectacular settings found along the Great Ocean Road. Cape Otway Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia and is considered the most significant. Built in 1848, the lighthouse, known as the 'Beacon of Hope', sits 90 metres above the pristine ocean of Bass Strait.
  Fully self-contained, this renovated property with an open-plan lounge and large kitchen provides a great place for groups to enjoy this unique location. The Lighthouse Lodge houses four bedrooms and two shared bathrooms. You can choose a single supplement if you would prefer not to share a room; this means you would have one room to yourself in the Lodge and would be sharing the bathroom with one or two other guests. Hairdryers are unable to be used at the Light station as they require excessive electricity to operate. There is no WIFI and limited phone service at the Lightstation; a digital detox is promoted on the Great Ocean Walk.
• Bimbi Park – Bimbi Park is in Cape Otway, the centre of the Great Ocean Road and the Great Ocean Walk, an area of magnificent forests, beaches, secluded bays and a spectacular coastline. It is sheltered among tall manna gums, far away from the wearing noise of towns and traffic. The grounds of the park are full of wildlife, including koalas, echidnas, wallabies, kangaroos and up to 70 varieties of birds. We stay in comfortable deluxe cabin-style accommodation where all linen is supplied.