The Great South West Walk (GSWW) was created by Portland High School Yr 10 students and their families in 1981-1982 and was opened in 1983, when the Friends of the Great South West Walk was formed to manage the walk into the future. The GSWW leaves Portland and heads west through the magnificent Cobboboonee Forest to the SA border, where it meets the Glenelg River. Following the river south, the walk passes through the small hamlet of Nelson at its mouth, then begins the return journey along the wild beaches of Discovery Bay. After a short detour through the Mt Richmond National Park, the walk returns to the coast and the rugged cliffs of Cape Bridgewater, before following the track through Cape Nelson and Cape Grant and the return to Portland. Throughout the walk there are 14 walker campsites spaced between 10 - 20km apart.

The Friends of the GSWW volunteers maintained this Walk and have done so continuously since 1983, with teams of dedicated maintenance crews out on the track Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 50 weeks of the year, along with other days for Landcare and specific projects.

All donations made through the Australian Sports Foundation are tax deductible and would be greatly appreciated.