Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos has launched the Great Ocean Road Regional Trails Strategy 2025–2035—a transformative plan to enhance, connect and sustain the region’s iconic network of trails.

Stretching from Torquay to Port Fairy, the Great Ocean Road region is home to some of Victoria’s most awe-inspiring coastal scenery, biodiverse forests, and culturally rich hinterlands. Trails like the Great Ocean Walk, Twelve Apostles Trail, Surf Coast Walk, and Forrest Mountain Bike Trails draw walkers, cyclists, and nature-based travellers year-round. This growing network now has a unified vision to guide its future.

Developed by TRC Tourism for the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, the Strategy sets the long-term direction for planning, developing, maintaining, managing, marketing, and promoting a high-quality, integrated trail network over the next decade.

Coordinated Vision, Collective Effort

This Strategy serves as the hub of a wheel, bringing together a wide and diverse range of stakeholders that have historically worked independently on individual trails. Now united by a common purpose, these stakeholders are collectively working toward a world-class, culturally grounded, climate-resilient trail network.

The Strategy was shaped through extensive consultation and deep on-ground research. The TRC Tourism team walked, cycled, and ran across various parts of the network to directly assess local conditions and future needs. This approach ensures that the final Strategy is responsive, place-based, and community-informed.

Over 14 public entities have been involved in the Strategy’s development, including:

  • Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation

  • Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation

  • State Government departments and agencies:

    • Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

    • Parks Victoria

    • Department of Transport and Planning

    • Department of Jobs, Skills, Industries and Regions

  • Local government areas:

    • Colac Otway Shire

    • Corangamite Shire

    • Moyne Shire

    • Surf Coast Shire

    • Warrnambool City

  • Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism

  • Land managers, community trail groups, and tourism operators

To ensure cohesive delivery and long-term coordination, the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority will lead implementation in partnership with Traditional Owners, local councils, volunteers and key stakeholders.

Grounded in Country

At the heart of the Strategy is a strong commitment to Traditional Owner leadership and values. The Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung Peoples—Traditional Owners of the land, waters, and skies across the Great Ocean Road region—are key partners in governance, planning, co-design, and storytelling.

Their Country Plans inform the Strategy’s approach to cultural interpretation, economic opportunity, and land stewardship. This ensures that trail use aligns with cultural values and contributes to caring for Country in meaningful, enduring ways.

Planning for Quality, Connection and Care

The Strategy is built around six core goals:

  • Integrated governance and planning to align efforts across agencies, Traditional Owners, and community organisations.

  • Sustainable funding and investment to support long-term maintenance, development and upgrades.

  • Partnerships with Traditional Owners to reflect cultural responsibilities and leadership.

  • High-quality, resilient and sustainable trails built to national standards.

  • Inclusive and accessible design so all people can experience and enjoy the trails.

  • Consistent trail information and marketing to improve visitor experience and encourage regional dispersal.

These goals are supported by a Destination Stewardship Framework—a model that acknowledges the complexity of trail management across jurisdictions and communities, and champions collaborative care, climate resilience and long-term regeneration.

Coordinated Delivery for a World-Class Trails Network

The Strategy covers key trails across the region, including:

  • Great Ocean Walk

  • Twelve Apostles Trail

  • Surf Coast Walk

  • Forrest Mountain Bike Trails

  • Plus dozens of local trails, lookouts, nature walks and connecting paths.

A newly established Regional Trails Forum will support the Strategy’s delivery, offering a platform for collaboration, shared learning, and coordinated investment across the trail network.

With strong leadership, shared vision, and an unwavering commitment to quality, equity and environmental care, the Great Ocean Road Regional Trails Strategy 2025–2035 lays the foundation for a trail network that connects people, places, cultures and ecosystems.

 

“The Strategy provides a clear roadmap to realise the Great Ocean Road region’s potential as a world-class trails destination, delivering benefits for local business and supporting jobs throughout the region.”
– Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos

 

🔗 Read the full Strategy and learn more at: greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au 
📄 Read the media release (PDF)
📰 See the launch news story