About the walk

[From Aussie Camino Org website:]

 

Aussie Camino® is a pilgrimage route running from Portland in Victoria to Penola in South Australia (approx 250 Km), inspired by the life and journeys of Australia’s Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and her mentor Fr Julian Tenison Woods. Based on the traditions of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, pilgrims receive a guidebook, passport, scallop shell and stay in the local towns along the way. Groups are organised by tour companies and  depart at various times of the year. (see below) Those who are extremely hardy and have experience in  unsupported multi-day walks may want to organise their own group. However, for those lucky enough to have walked on a European camino, we advise that the Aussie Camino has a much shorter tradition and is less supported.

 

In April 2013, three workmates set out on a pilgrimage they called the ‘Aussie Camino’.  On the way they discussed the history, customs and traditions of the ancient pilgrim trails and asked ‘Why are there only caminos in Europe and the Holy Land? Why can’t  we have one here? Now that we have a saint of our own, St Mary MacKillop. Where would it begin and end?’

Aussie Camino - Image from the Bushwalking Victoria website

[From Raw Travel website:]

The Aussie Camino follows a mixture of paths and backroads. The first section is along the Great South West Walk, a winding track which follows the contours around the coastal headlands. You will also some sections of beach walking. Some sections involve walking in quite exposed areas next to the ocean so be prepared for inclement weather. Turning Inland from Port McDonnell you then follow a mixture of backroads and trails; some are tarmacked roads others are soft limestone lanes, mimicking what you would find on the Camino in Spain. You can expect to walk between 4 and 8 hours each day with regular stops.

 

We walk all the best sections of the trail, approx 176km, but transfer on a few of the road walking sections to make it a more enjoyable walking experience.

 

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