Tour operator puts both feet forward

For the past three years, visitors to the Great Ocean Road have been able to do more than just drive the iconic route; hardy souls can continue on foot, along the Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles. The opening of the walk in 2006 by Parks Victoria represented an opportunity not only for walkers but also for tourism operators and accommodation providers in the region. One such operator is Both Feet Walking Tours, founded by Dana and Gavin Ronan five years ago. The company has been providing luxury guided walks along the route since October 2005.

Ms Ronan has a background in tourism marketing, specialising in ‘baby boomer’ marketing, and saw an opportunity in Victoria for the type of walking tours being operated in places such as Tasmania, New Zealand, Canada and North America; tours that are still quite rare in mainland Australia.

After using other accommodation providers for the first few years, the Ronans have now built their own eco-lodge as a base for walkers on their guided tours. “We were having trouble with supply and availability of accommodation during peak holiday season,” Ms Ronan explains. “And we always intended to invest in accommodation in some form.”

Located near Johanna Beach at the mid-point of the walk, the lodge is built in the eco-style, which, Ms Ronan says, is compatible with their clients’ expectations. The lodge holds 10 people and will be expanded next year to accommodate 20.

Ms Ronan says the company has managed to tap into a consumer interest in combining nature-based activities with a holiday experience. “The type of customer we are dealing with tends to take several short-break holidays a year; and we fit into that category,” she says.

So far, clients have been mostly interstate tourists but Both Feet’s packages have been designed with international visitors in mind. “The Great Ocean Road is a world icon and a highly sought-after destination,” Ms Ronan says. “It’s certainly one of the world’s great driving destinations and now we’re making it one of the world’s great walking destinations.”

While the Ronans have definitely made their commitment to the area, Ms Ronan believes there are still opportunities for other tourism operators to invest in the Great Ocean Road.

“There are still a lot of interesting niches that are not being met,” she says.