Great South West Walk

The Great South West Walk (GSWW) is a 251–262 km circular long-distance hiking track in far south-west Victoria, Australia, established in 1981. It’s a moderate long walk that’s typically done as a 12–14-day circuit, starting and finishing at Portland and Nelson trailheads so you can also tackle shorter point-to-point or overnight section options.

The route strings together multiple environments: Cobboboonee National Park forest country, the Glenelg River corridor, Discovery Bay Coastal Park (coast, bays, and cliffs), and Cape Nelson State Park/Cape Nelson area before the track returns to Portland. The circuit passes through a short section in South Australia near Donovans along the Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park.

Walk it as one continuous loop or as a segmented itinerary—standard planning uses 15 sections of varying lengths. The full circuit is 251 km if you proceed direct along the beach from Swan Lake Camp, and 262 km (with an extra day) if you head inland from Swan Lake Camp to Tarragal Camp and then return to the coast near the Bridgewater Lakes.

Campsites are a core part of the GSWW layout: there are 14 hike-in camps along the track. Each campsite is set up with a tent area and bush toilets, and overnight stays at the camps require online booking and a fee.

For water and camping logistics, tank water is available during wetter months and must be treated before use. Camp facilities are basic and shared (each campground has a single shelter and table), and campfires are permitted in provided fireplaces except where fuel-stove-only rules apply; no fires are permitted on Total Fire Ban or high fire danger days.

Section access and trail marks are supported by the route’s long-distance signage and camp spacing along remote sections. Road access exists at Portland and Nelson (trailheads accessed from roads near both towns), and mid-route resupply is commonly done from the Nelson general store area at about the halfway point.

More information: Official website, Wikipedia, Australia's Great South West Walk - The Trek