ON their 13th day of taking on the Great South West Walk (GSWW), a group of 13 hikers stopped and took a breather high above Murrells Beach.

Included in that number were Sarah Sharp and Danita Smith, leading the group through the 250-kilometre loop, beginning and ending at the Portland Information Centre.

Ms Sharp has been leading groups on the GSWW since 2015, and Ms Smith is training in the volunteer role.

Over the 14 days in total, the adventurers cooked and looked out for each other, sharing their interests in all things nature, wildlife and landscape.

While they’re not renovating their house, Tasmanian couple Leon and Toni Ashlin said they take on walks across Australia.

“We do a few walks, we’ve done cape to cape before in Perth, Western Australia near the Margaret River,” they said.

“This is the longest multi day we've done.

“It’s been on our bucket list. It's just a beautiful walk, there is lots of different terrain and gorgeous coast.

“The bush to the river to beaches and to coast, it's just wonderful.

“It’s a marvellous walk. Most walks are the same sort of thing, but this is just different.”

Individuals had to provide their own food, tents and other equipment. However, they didn’t have to carry it. Ms Sharp’s husband, Peter Sharp, was on the job as chief assistant.

With his trusty vehicle, Mr Sharp drove all the equipment, travellers couldn’t carry on their own, to the camp spots for each night.

Before the group arrives, the chairs are already set out, the fires going and the kettle is boiling, thanks to Mr Sharp.

Narrawong resident Kathy Taylor was delighted to be on the walk.

“Our leaders Sarah, Danita and then Pete the support person. Fantastic. Just so good for the walk,” she said.

“It's been challenging, but all the different environments that you walk through – I loved it on the river, I loved opportunities for swimming when we could, and the coastal walks are just magnificent.

“We go from Portland out along Dutton Way, to the caravan park on the beach side, and then we cut across through to the Bolwarra school, then up a bit north.

“It's a big loop around. We went through the Cobboboonee Forest, then you get right back over to the Glenelg River. Down the river to Nelson, and then we basically followed the beach but in the dune area.

“It's phenomenal.

“I'm not a hiker. I like going for walks, but when you’re doing 22 kilometres a day, it's challenging.”

The first supported walk was held in 1995, and this is Ms Sharp’s 12th year as a guide.

The supported walk this year cost $800 a head, with all funds put toward maintenance of the track. Guides and vehicle support have volunteered their time over the two weeks.

One Portland resident, Andrew Graham, is so impressed with the walk, he decided to do it all again after already completing it last year.

He said the second time was “a little easier”.

“It is easier because you know where the destinations are each day, you're not wondering how much further,” he said.

“It's easier to do a supported walk because I'm too old to carry a backpack.

“I have done it a couple times where my wife picks me up at the end of the day, but this is quite comfortable.

“It's one of those experiences, people in Portland don't realize what they've got in their backyard.”

After their few minutes’ breather, the group took off again down the trail toward their very last camp spot. Once strangers, everyone was bantering and laughing as they headed out.