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
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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Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Garvey Track Closed until further notice.
Garvey track will remain closed until further notice. Major road works are due to occur when conditions are suitable. -
Kalimna Falls Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Upper Kalimna Walking Trail Closed
Walking trail to Upper Kalimna Falls closed until further notice due to storm damage. Lower Falls remain open. -
Cora Lynn Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Cora Lynn Campground Closure
This campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees. -
Kalimna Tramline Link Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Kalimna Tramline Trail Closed
This walking track 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. -
Great Otway National Park
This park has been impacted by recent significant weather events
This park has been impacted by significant flood and/or storm events and some areas may be closed or restricted. Check the Storm and Flood Affected Parks page for the most up to date information on this location.Lifejackets Required For Rock Fishers from March 1, 2022
A two-year trial of new laws that require rock fishers to wear a lifejacket at high-risk locations will commence on 1 March 2022.For Great Otway National Park this includes:- Artillery Rocks, west of Lorne
- The rock platform opposite Sheoak Falls, south of Lorne
This factsheet includes maps of the affected areas.Fines apply if you don’t wear a lifejacket at these sites.To find out more, visit Victorian Fisheries Authority -
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Maits Rest Carpark- bus access
Maits Rest Carpark is suitable for small coaster buses only. Large buses or coaches are advised to use Melba Gully walk track near Lavers Hill. -
Melba Gully Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park)
Melba Gully - Large bus access
Melba Gully Walk Track and picnic area is accessible for large coaches. Toilet facilities are available on site -
Wye to Kennett River Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Wye River to Kennett River walking track detour
Wye River - Kennett River walking track is closed between Wye River and Bird Track. Detour is available via Bird track which loops back with the walking track. Please allow additional time to complete this section (approximately 2.5km)Attachments: Wye to Kennett Walk_Map (1,246KB)
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Great Ocean Walk - conditions
Walking Track -The Great Ocean Walk is experiencing wet and muddy conditions. A wet winter and spring have seen conditions along most areas of the track maintain high levels of moisture, tending to mud in heavily tracked areas. Walkers should not expect a dry walking track which will be slippery in areas. Some sections of track are prone to land slippage and rock fall. Only attempt to cross these areas if safe to do so and report any slips to 13 1963 when within phone signal range.Camp sites -All sites are high in dampness. More rainfall will see these conditions maintained. Camp site water tanks are all fall as a positive.Tree Risk in Windy Conditions -Given high National Park soil moisture levels tree fall in windy conditions are probable. Walkers and campers should be on heightened alert in windy conditions and avoid prolonged periods under tree canopy. Wind forecasts of 30+kph should trigger a walker and camper alert level. Report tree fall over track and in camp sites to 13 1963 when within phone signal range.Great Ocean Walk - Helicopter operations
Helicopter operationsSubject to final approvals, some western sections of the Great Ocean Walk will be closed and access restricted on Tuesday 13 December 2022 between 0900hrs -1600hrs (conditions permitting).This is for sling load helicopter operations to improve camp site and walking track infrastructure. Licenced Tour Operators and walkers should be aware of activity on this day and restrictions that will be in place via authorised Parks Victoria Rangers.Camp sites impacted – Ryans Den and Devils KitchenWalking Track sections – Section 7 and 8Attachments: Restricted Area Map (105KB)
Red Rocks Beach - steep beach drop-off at lower access to eastern beach stairs.
Walkers and beach users be aware of changed beach conditions at eastern end of Red Rocks Beach, access with care and caution. The lower section of stairs currently has a significant steep slope on the beach making access difficult and challenging.
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 all the 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
