BEACH WALKING AT ITS BEST

There’s nothing more grounding than losing your shoes and squeaking sand between your toes on a walking beach. Leaving the first footprints after high tide, discovering hidden coves, ambling the arc of a long sweeping bay, foraging in the white wash for glimpses of natural treasures or squatting by a shimmering rockpool in search of tiny sea creatures – it’s all better done barefoot in the pristine sands of the region’s best walking beaches.

• Around 900 metres return from Thunder Point (Warrnambool), the Shelly Beach Walk lets you stroll and take in ocean wave action, interesting rocky outcrops and a sense of the wild rugged coast.

• Start at Aireys Inlet below the Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet and set your bearings on the headland six kilometres west at Spout Creek. You’ll be trekking the Great Ocean Road’s longest stretch of uninterrupted sandy beach.

• Soak up views of Fairhaven’s local landmark – the Pole House, suspended on a platform 40m above the beach – and stop half way at the famous Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch.

• Don’t leave your furry best friend behind. There are many pet-friendly beaches on the coast including North Lorne Beach. Well away from the Lorne Foreshore, this beach is ideal for long lazy barefoot wandering with your fave pooch at your side. Not sure where you can take your dog? Look for signage or drop into the nearest Visitor Information Centre for advice.

• Wander along the large natural amphitheatre of Bridgewater Bay, where an arc of stunning white sand connects the volcanic headlands of Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater.

• Discover one of the coastline’s hidden gems at beautiful Mounts Bay between Point Bunbury (Apollo Bay) and Marengo Reef. Walk the sand bar, when the tide’s right, for sweeping views of ocean, off-shore reefs and low dunes.