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.
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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.
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Beauchamp Falls Reserve (OTWAY FOREST PARK)
Beauchamp Falls is currently closed for upgrades.
Beauchamp Falls walk and campground are closed for upgrades. This location is scheduled to re-open November 2021. -
Triplet Falls Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Triplet Falls Walk Partial Closure
A section of the Triplet Falls loop walk is currently closed due to damage to the boardwalk by a fallen tree, and is not accessible.
The walk to the Triplet Falls lookout remains open and now is a great time to see the falls.The walk to the Little Aire Falls remains open.Triplet Falls Walk Partial Closure
A section of the Triplet Falls loop walk is currently closed due to damage to the boardwalk by a fallen tree, and is not accessible.
The walk to the Triplet Falls lookout remains open and now is a great time to see the falls.The walk to the Little Aire Falls remains open. -
Lemonade Creek Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Lemonade Creek Walking Track Closure
Due to an unsafe pedestrian bridge, Lemonade Creek Walking Track will be closed for the foreseeable future. -
Aire River West Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)
Aire West Campground site closures- sites 20 to 40
Aire River West sites 20 to 40 (the flats) will be closed until September 30th 2021 due to wet conditions, sites 1 to 19 remain available -
Aire River East Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)
Aire River East Campground site closures- sites 10 to 20
Aire River East campground sites 10 to 20 will be closed until September 2021 due to wet conditions, sites 1 to 9 remain available -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Seasonal road closures 2021
Some roads in this park are subject to seasonal road closures. Seasonal road closures generally operate after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but may be extended due to seasonal conditions. Visit the seasonal road closures page for maps and more information.
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Cumberland River Beach Access (Great Otway National Park)
Cumberland Beach Carpark Closed
Cumberland Beach Carpark is closed until further notice for public safety as recent high tides and large swell have damaged the dune system, carpark and access stairs.Cumberland Beach is still accessible via the walking track west of the Cumberland River. Access is directly opposite the Cumberland River Holiday Park carpark. -
O'Donohue Beach Access (Great Otway National Park)
O'Donohue Beach Access is closed until further notice for public safety
O’Donohue Beach Access is closed from the car park until further notice for public safety due to storm impacts on the stairs. Alternative beach access is available 400m to the east at Melba Parade or 400m to the west at The Gap car park. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Jarosite Mine Track (Great Otway National Park) Closure due to upgrade
The Jarosite Mine Track will be closed for 10 days from the 14/9/21 until the 24/9/21 to allowing the track to be upgrading and infrastructure to be installed to help interpret the site better. -
Southside Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park)
Closure - Southside Lookout (Construction of new, all-abilities access lookout)
Southside Lookout will be closed from 13 September 2021 to 8 October 2021 to allow construction of a new, all-abilities access lookout.The hang-glider / para-glider launch area will remain open at this time.The carpark and access to Southside Beach will remain open at this time. -
Great Ocean Walk - Day 6 - Johanna Beach to Ryans Den (Great Otway National Park)
Melanesia Track damage- walkers take care
Melanesia Track and the Great Ocean Walk between Johanna and Ryans Den have been damaged by 4WD activity. Walkers are advised to take care while accessing Melanesia Beach as the track is very slippery and rutted.
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
