Victoria is a great place to live if you love long walks on the beach. Along the coastline, you’ll find plenty of trails that will take you through diverse landscapes, from bright and sandy beaches to rugged clifftops. From shorter hikes to multi-day treks, you’ll find plenty of coastal walks in Victoria to suit every mood. The longer seaside trails can be broken down into shorter trips, so you can take your time, soak in your surroundings and come back for more. As you’re journeying through the great outdoors, remember to plan ahead, wear sun protection and take your rubbish with you.
Here are the best coastal walks to try in Victoria
Great Ocean Walk
The epic Great Ocean Walk will take you from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, and stretches just over 110 kilometres. Journey from east to west over eight days, and marvel at the changing landscape. Admire dramatic cliffs, towering forests, interesting rockpools and plenty of beaches. Look out for wildlife, including koalas, wallabies, kangaroos and whales. This experience can be broken down into shorter coastal walks, such as the Shelley Beach Circuit Walk, which is just 2km long. Book ahead and rest at campsites along the trail, or at B&Bs in nearby towns. More info here.
Surf Coast Walk
Take in the view of beaches and charming seaside towns on the Surf Coast Walk. This 44km trail in Victoria can be split into 12 coastal walks, beginning near Torquay and ending at the Split Point lighthouse in Fairhaven. Each section lasts about two to three kilometres, so you can take your time and break up the journey across multiple days. Amble along the trail and get a glimpse of surfing culture around Torquay and the iconic Bells Beach. Explore traditional Wadawurrung country, find secluded coves and take in the view from the top of cliffs. Take a break and grab a coffee from villages like Anglesea and Aireys Inlet along the way. This trail is dog-friendly, so furry friends are welcome on a leash. Start planning your journey here.
Solar System Trail
There’s plenty of picturesque coastal walks around Victoria, but for something that’s truly out of this world, why don’t you try the Solar System Trail in Melbourne? Beginning at the Sun by the south end of St Kilda Beach, you’ll amble along the foreshore to Pluto in Port Melbourne. The trail is 5.9km long, and takes up to 90 minutes to complete. As you make your way along the trail, you’ll encounter the planets in our Solar System. These sculptures have been accurately scaled to size and distance. Each millimetre you walk is a whopping 1000 kilometres, and each metre you walk is 1,000,000. Learn more here.
The Coastal Walk
You’ll find The Coastal Walk in the Mornington Peninsula. At 30km long, this section is a hearty chunk out of the ambitious, 100km Mornington Peninsula Walk. Start from Cape Schanck for the best views, and journey along sandy beaches and clifftops. The track takes about eight hours to complete, and can be easily split into shorter sections. Car parks and toilets are available at popular spots, like Gunnamatta Ocean Beach and London Bridge. The walk ends at Point Nepean National Park. Find out more.
Bushrangers Bay Walk
Gaze at the marvellous Bushrangers Bay by embarking on the Bushrangers Bay Walk. Starting from the carpark at Cape Schanck Lighthouse, this trail will take you through scrub and down to the bay. Admire the towering basalt cliffs and walk along the sandy beach. If it’s low tide, take a moment to check out the rockpools. This particular beach is beautiful but dangerous, as there are rips, currents, large waves and reefs. Swimming is not recommended. After spending time in the bay, climb up the steep stairs and head back to the lighthouse. This coastal walk is 5.4km return, and takes about two hours to complete. Learn more here.
Cape Woolamai Circuit Walk
This area in Phillip Island has three different trails to choose from, but why don’t you combine them all and go on the Cape Woolamai Circuit Walk? The loop is 8.1km long, and takes about 4.5 hours to complete. Starting from the car park, you’ll walk along the beach, then climb up some wooden stairs to the Pinnacles. Continue on to the Beacon Lookout, then walk through coastal scrub back to your car. Along the way, you’ll enjoy plenty of panoramic coastal views, and there’s plenty of chances to spot wildlife like koalas, possums, wallabies, seals and migratory bats. Just be mindful of snakes if the weather is warm. Do plan ahead for this walk, because some parts of the beach are inaccessible during high tide. See more here.
George Bass Coastal Walk
This clifftop walk was named after the explorer George Bass, and follows his journey of discovery over 200 years ago. The George Bass Coastal Walk starts just outside of San Remo, and continues on to Kilcunda. It’s 7km long one way, and takes about two hours to complete. Drink in the diverse landscapes, and admire rugged coastlines, green hills, woodland gullies and more. Grab a bite to eat at Kilcunda, and if you’re up for it, make the two hour journey back. This route is dog-friendly, as long as they are on a leash. See more here.
Three Bays Walk
Wilsons Promontory is packed with trails, so you can hike your way around the area and admire plenty of beaches, rainforests and lookouts. For a nice tasting platter of what The Prom has to offer, why don’t you take a stroll along the Three Bays Walk? This route is takes two hours to complete and is 6.2km one way. The track connects the beautiful Squeaky Beach with Picnic Bay and Whisky Bay. Take in the stunning sights of the beach, and be careful of the waves, as the beaches aren’t patrolled. You can arrange for a car shuttle so you don’t have to retrace your steps. See more here.
The Entrance Walk
This loop in Lakes Entrance will take you through coastal bush to the ‘entrance’, where the inland waterways meet the ocean. Leave the town by crossing the footbridge, then make your way along The Entrance Walk. You’ll meander along the track through the bush, and eventually, you’ll some cottages, where you can learn a little bit of maritime history. Continue on to the Entrance itself, and look out for seals and dolphins. From there, make a loop of it and walk on the sand at Ninety Mile Beach. This circuit walk is 4.6km total, and takes about 90 minutes to complete. Learn more here.
Wilderness Coast Walk
Looking for a truly remote adventure? Escape to far-east Gippsland and trek along the Wilderness Coast Walk. This massive journey stretches across 100km, and takes you through secluded beaches, river estuaries and thick vegetation. The journey begins at Bemm River in Croajingolong National Park, and on to Mallacoota and beyond the border of New South Wales. This challenging walk is for experienced hikers only, and you’ll need plenty of experience and confidence in navigating with topographic maps. You’ll need to be prepared with plenty of water and food, and book campsites in advance. There are few toilets along this walk. Learn more about this experience here.