The famous Great Ocean Walk has fully reopened following two months of storm repair work.
Following a wet and stormy winter and spring, a 14km section of the walk from Johanna Beach to Ryans Den was closed after a section of rock cliff face east of Ryans Den subsided, with large boulders impacting the track. Due to the risk of further rockfalls identified by geotechnical contractors, the section of track was closed, with through-walkers asked to make a detour and skip the damaged area.
Parks Victoria engaged contractors to build a retaining wall at the rock fall site, and also remove slippery stone step rock planking down to Melanesia Beach. The work was completed and signed off on Friday 28 January and the track is now fully reopen for everyone to enjoy.
"We're very pleased to reopen the track and thank licenced tour operators, visitors and the local community for their patience while these necessary safety works occurred," Area Chief Ranger Andrew McKinnon says.
"The Great Ocean Walk is once again fully open between Apollo Bay and the 12 Apostles. Over the last 80 days Parks Victoria and our contractors have worked hard to find solutions and fix the areas of track impacted, and reduce the risks from further rock falls."
The 110km Great Ocean Walk runs through Eastern Maar country, from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles, shadowing the Great Ocean Road and allowing walkers to experience the tall forests, coastal heathlands, rocky, wild coastline and deserted beaches.
Before - storm damage led to rockslides and closure of a section of the Great Ocean Walk from Johanna Beach to Ryans Den. Credit: Parks Victoria
After - Parks Victoria contractors built a new retaining wall to reduce the risk of rockslides and reopen the section of track. Credit: Parks Victoria
