Great Ocean Walk Gear List
The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority tells Great Ocean Walk hikers to plan for food, water, first aid and overnight gear, and to bring equipment suitable for steep, uneven and sometimes wet or slippery track. Its seven hike-in campsites are small, unpowered and take a maximum of 3 guests each.
What the authority says to plan for
Food, water, first aid and overnight gear
The authority lists these in its checklist of things to consider before you book.
From Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority: Great Ocean Walk and Hike-in Campsites
Equipment suitable for the conditions
The authority says to make sure your equipment is suitable for the conditions, and to plan each day carefully.
From Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority: Great Ocean Walk and Hike-in Campsites
Tide, weather and track conditions
The authority lists all three as things to think about before booking.
From Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority: Great Ocean Walk and Hike-in Campsites
The track underfoot
Stairs, climbs and descents
The authority says the track includes stairs, sustained climbs and descents, and uneven, changing terrain.
From Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority: Great Ocean Walk and Hike-in Campsites
Wet, muddy or slippery sections
The authority says some sections may become wet, muddy or slippery.
From Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority: Great Ocean Walk and Hike-in Campsites
River crossings and rocky shore platforms
The authority describes both along the walk.
From Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority: Great Ocean Walk and Hike-in Campsites
At the hike-in camps
Unpowered sites, 3 guests each
Each of the seven hike-in campsites is an unpowered hike-in site with a maximum of 3 guests per site.
From Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority: Great Ocean Walk and Hike-in Campsites
Small sites, booked in advance
The authority says the campsites are small and must be booked before you walk. A valid booking acts as your permit to camp.
From Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority: Great Ocean Walk and Hike-in Campsites
Gear questions for the Great Ocean Walk
What should you carry on the Great Ocean Walk?
The authority lists food, water, first aid and overnight gear, and says your equipment must suit the conditions. The track has stairs, long climbs and descents, and wet or slippery sections.
How many people fit on a Great Ocean Walk campsite?
A maximum of 3 guests per site. The sites are unpowered and small.
Do you need a booking to camp on the Great Ocean Walk?
Yes. A valid booking is required before arrival and acts as your permit to camp.
Sources
Checked against the agency page above on 30 October 2026. This page names no products, and it lists what the agency says, in our words. Check the agency page for rules that changed since.
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