Explore
Great Otway National Park
Great Otway National Park stretches from Torquay, along the world-famous Great Ocean Road and up through the Otways hinterland. Discover windswept coastlines and breathtaking waterfalls in tall mountain forests, walk the iconic Great Ocean Walk, immerse yourself in the Otway Lightstation's history, or surf some of the best breaks in Australia. Enjoy the great outdoors and explore the wonders of the Great Otway National Park.
See the stunning coast between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles by foot on the Great Ocean Walk, where nature unfolds at every step. Do the whole walk in eight days or tackle it in sections on weekends away. Immerse yourself in nature by walking the Surf Coast Walk over 44km from Torquay to Aireys Inlet.
Or drive the iconic Great Ocean Road. Built by soldiers recently returned from World War 1, it is the world’s longest war memorial.
Take a tour and discover the colourful maritime history of the Cape Otway Lightstation. Climb to the top of the historic lighthouse for dramatic views of the so-called Shipwreck Coast.
Surf the thunderous beach breaks off Johanna Beach and discover the fascinating underwater mini-ecosystems of rockpools in the Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary at Aireys Inlet or the sandy shores and rock platforms along the Great Ocean Road.
Ride through tall eucalypt forests, dry heathy scrub and dense fern gullies along the Forrest Mountain Bike Trails in the nearby Otway Forest Park, or simply relax among the eucalyptus trees and have a picnic at the Sheoak Picnic ground near Lorne.
Traverse fern-laden valleys to discover picture-perfect waterfalls such as Erskine Falls, Sheoak Falls, Triplet Falls, Hopetoun Falls and Kalimna Falls.
Walk through the mossy forest of Melba Gully and witness the unique night-time spectacle of glow worms.
Visit Maits Rest to discover gorgeous fern gullies or the giant beech trees – some of which are up to 300 years old and walk among the towering Californian Redwoods hidden in the Otway Ranges.
For longer stays, there are excellent camping opportunities whether you are looking for a family-friendly place to park your caravan or a solitary night under the stars.
As beaches and coasts are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Great Otway National Park is a safe and enjoyable one.
Forrest
The Forrest section of Great Otway National Park, along with Otway Forest Park, encompasses a stunning landscape including undulating plains and plateaus of the hinterlands and magnificent Mountain Ash forests.
Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk is a one-way, long-distance walk extending just over 110km. This once-in-a-lifetime hike will take you eight days.
Great Otway National Park
Explore the different areas
Explore all of the different areas within the Great Otway National Park.
When you're there
Camping & accommodation
Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park offers excellent camping opportunities whether you are looking for a family-friendly place to park your caravan or a solitary night under the stars.Need to know
Great Otway National Park
Accessibility
The Colac Otway Shire and Surf Coast Shire each have an all-terrain wheelchair, called a Trailrider, that is available for park visitors with mobility difficulties. The chairs can be booked with the respective shires.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
Subscribe to Parks Victoria
Sign up to receive the latest ideas, inspiration and news delivered right to your inbox.
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
-
Alcoa Powerline Trail head (Anglesea Heath Alcoa Agreement Area)
Alcoa Powerline Track Closed until further notice
Alcoa Powerline Track closed until further notice due to safety concerns. -
Great Ocean Walk - Day 6 - Johanna Beach to Ryans Den (Great Otway National Park)
Walking Track Closed-Great Ocean Walk - Johanna to Ryans Den
Please note: Day 6 section - Johanna Beach Campground to Ryans Den is closed. All campgrounds along the Great Ocean Walk are open however walkers cannot continue along the trail from Johanna Beach Campground to Ryans Den.A section of natural rock wall cliff face has subsided to the east of Ryans Den.With recent severe weather conditions, there is potential for further landslides and rock falls in this area. It is not safe for walkers and it will be closed at least until 26th January 2022, pending further essential works to make this area safe.If walking from Johanna Beach Campground, arrange transport to take you to Ryans Den Access Track in order to continue the Great Ocean Walk. A Licensed Tour Operator along the Great Ocean Road may be able to assist. All campgrounds along the Great Ocean Walk remain open including Johanna Beach Campground and Ryans Den. Visitor safety is our top priority and we are working to re-open this section of the walk as soon as it is safe.
-
Kalimna Tramline Link Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Kalimna Tramline link Walk is closed
The Kalimna Tramline link walk is closed due to damage to a pedestrian bridge. Walkers can still access the Lower Kalimna Waterfall via the Kalimna Falls Walking Track, which starts at Sheoak Picnic Area. -
Kalimna Falls Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Upper Kalimna Falls are Closed
The Upper Kalimna Falls viewing platform and access track are closed due to damage to the platform. Walkers can still access the Lower Kalimna Waterfall via the Kalimna Falls Walking Track, which starts at Sheoak Picnic Area. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Garvey Track is Closed
Garvey Track is closed due to damage. Sharps Track is a suitable detour if required.Great Ocean Walk - walking track remediation construction works Ryans Den
Great Ocean Walk- walking track remediation construction works at Ryans Den
To ensure the safety of walkers on the Ryans Den section of the Great Ocean Walk, contractors have commenced remediation works to repair the walking track and address the potential for further serious rock slippage and falls. Please be aware that the walking track between Johanna Beach Campground and Ryans Den will remain closed for the duration of the critical safety work being carried out and that the contractors are operating machinery in this area, which is now a building site. Completion and the reopening of the track is anticipated before the 26th of January 2022 (depending on weather & site conditions).
Start date: 10/01/2022 End date: 27/01/2022 Status: Archived Submitted by: mfrancis@parks.vic.gov.au Affected Park:Great Otway National Park -
Great Otway National Park
Access restricted at Jarosite Headlands between Point Addis and Southside Beach
- A 450m section of beach at Jarosite Headlands, between Point Addis and Southside, has had access restricted.
- Do not enter exclusion zone 10m from base of cliff.
- Do not stay stationary within 10m - 30m from base of cliff.
- Visitors must take note of signage in place.
- Landslips and rockfalls are unpredictable and can occur without warning. Like all coastal environments, these cliffs are subject to dynamic weather events and prone to cracking, erosion, landslips and rockfall.
Tours and adventure experiences in parks
One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.
There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.
Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more.
Licensed Tour Operators know the all best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.
How we keep it special
