Coastal interpretive walks

Primary and Secondary

There are many topics that can be covered on a coastal walk. Suitable for primary and secondary students, walks can be tailored for length of time and to maximise the benefit for the teacher and students regarding curriculum outcomes. Hikes typically correspond with Environmental Science, Biology, Outdoor Education and Geography Areas of Study, and can be partnered with our scientific monitoring or volunteering activities.

Forest Walk – Teddy’s Lookout to St Georges River Mouth (2.5hrs return, 1.5 one way)

At the western border of the GORCC management area is one of the most spectacular lookouts on the Great Ocean Road. Teddy’s Lookout offers incredible views from the top of Lorne towards Apollo Bay, with St Georges river-mouth seemingly very far below.

Coastal Walk – From The Gap to Fisherman’s Beach (1 – 1.5hrs one way)

This walk starts from near the Eastern border of the GORCC management area, and corresponds with the start of the Surf Coast Walk. Both the GORCC Conservation Team and the Coastal Guardians Education Program have done a large amount of work rehabilitating this damaged area. Weeds have been replaced by indigenous vegetation over the last 5 years, and the results have been excellent.

The walk definitely lends itself to many Science and Geography topics such as dune construction, erosion and ecology – the flora and fauna that inhabit the sand dunes, bush foods and indigenous history. There are many examples along the way regarding Outdoor Education topic areas such as impacts and access.

Clifftop Heathland Walk – Torquay Surf Club through Jan Juc to Bells Beach (2 – 2.5hrs one way)

The floral diversity is an overarching theme of this walk as we go through a ’biodiversity hotspot’ which is the beautiful heathland of Jan Juc.

We’ll cover the role of volunteers and how important they have been, their lasting legacy and contribution to the environmental health of the coastline. Our walk finishes at the magnificent Bells Beach surfing reserve which is constantly under pressure from increasing visitor numbers each year.