GSWW Section 14 – Trewalla Camp to Mallee Camp

Hiking Trails » Victoria » Great Ocean Road » GSWW Section 14 – Trewalla Camp to Mallee Camp

Written by greenta| January 23, 2018| Great Ocean Road

If you haven’t done so already, check out our Great South West Walk hiking trail summary or go back to GSWW Section 13 – The Springs Camp to Trewalla Camp. Else, let us continue on with this fourteenth section of the Great South West Walk from Trewalla Camp to Mallee Camp.

I loved these coastal sections of the Great South West Walk, although on occasion I was rather concerned about my wellbeing, being so close to the edge of the cliff along the way. In fact there are some points on the trail where it has been diverted to a more inland route, because the original trail has fallen off the edge of the cliff. I think my worries in this case were then justified.

So there is a cafe at Cape Nelson Lightstation. Make sure you get there on time! They stop serving food at 2:30pm. They also have alcohol here – enjoy a cold one. Eat more food. Eat lots of food. Foooood. There is also a guided tour available at Cape Nelson Lightstation. It costs about $15 per adult. I cannot comment on it’s value, however quite a few people were doing it.

Mallee Camp is an overnight walkers camp in Cape Nelson State Park set amongst Moonah and heathland. The site is a FUEL STOVE ONLY area and has raised camping pads for tents. The campsite offers shared shelter, seasonal tank water treat before drinking) and toilet.

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The open beaches of Bridgewater Bay, views from the limestone ledges of Cape Nelson Headland and Lightstation make this a wonderful and varied walk section.

Cape Nelson Lightstation

Call in for a well deserved meal, coffee or cake at the cafe. Stay in luxury at the accommodation and take a lighthouse tour. Visitors are welcome 7 days a week. Call ahead to book a tour on (03) 5523 7011 or visit www.capenelsonlighthouse.com.au or lighthouseluxury@activ8.net.au

What’s under your feet?

In the headland, two distinct layers of rock can be seen. The cliff-base is dark coloured basalt (bluestone), a result of lava flow from an ancient volcanic eruption. On top of this is the lighter coloured limestone, deposited more recently. This is easily observed at Cape Nelson Lightstation.

Soap Mallee

Victoria’s only population of Soap Mallee (Eucalyptus deversifolia) occurs here. It thrives in the limestone soils of Cape Nelson but is more common in South Australia. Like other mallee eucalypts, Soap Mallee has no single trunk but a large woody rootstock from which several stems grow. After a fire, new growth sprouts from the rootstock protected safely beneath the soil.

Stop, look and listen quietly

Small mouse-sized wrens, finches and larger Singing Honeyeaters are just some of the birds you may see or hear in this ideal habitat.

Great South West Walk Section 14 – Trewalla Camp to Mallee Camp

Section 14: Trewalla Camp to Mallee Camp.

Section Features: Cape Nelson – coastal cliffs, diverse birdlife, picturesque walks, Gannets, Cape Nelson Lightstation, Soap Mallee, Rufous Bristlebirds.
Reported Distance: 15km
Measured Distance: 15.5km
Elevation Gain: 505 metres
Elevation Loss: 510 metres
Minimum Elevation: 0 metres
Maximum Elevation: 95 metres
Time to complete: 3-5 hours

Trewalla Camp

Bridgewater Bay

Bridgewater Bay – Wait a second, what’s that up ahead?

Shipping containers. 4 stacked high, washed up sideways on the beach. Refrigerated unit – food items no doubt. Must have been a big storm to wash them this high on the beach!

It’s a tough slog getting up here. At the end of the beach the trail goes straight up. Straight up a sand dune! There are some stairs under there, but most are covered in thick, soft sand.