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.
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 extends just over 100km between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles near Princetown. The spectacular walk weaves its way through tall forests, coastal heathlands, wild rocky shores, river estuaries and windswept cliff-tops presenting amazing views.
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.
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 Sites
Aire River West and East campgrounds- Temporary Closure of sites
Aire River East and West Campgrounds in the Great Otway National Park are currently closed due to recent flooding. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Seasonal road closures 2020
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. View the list of 2020 seasonal road closures for details and check the corresponding map numbers with the seasonal road closure 2020 index map for locations of the closures or visit the seasonal road closures page for more information.
Partial closure due to COVID-19
Under the direction of the Chief Health Officer and in accordance with Department of Health and Human Services’ requirements, this park is open to local residents in regional Victoria. You can use this park for walking, hiking, bike riding, surfing, kayaking or yoga so long as it is closest to your home. While exercising with a person outside your household, you should keep at least 1.5 metres distance from them and others. Some parts of this park are closed to reduce the number of people moving around in the community and reduce the risk of transmission. For more information, visit www.parks.vic.gov.au/covid-19
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Great Otway National Park
Temporary Road Closure
Allardyce Track in the Great Otway National Park is temporarily closed for public safety. -
Big Hill Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Big Hill Campground is currently closed during seasonal road closure period
The Big Hill Campground is closed during seasonal road closures. As the Campground is situated along Big Hill track which is seasonally closed due to wet weather. The Campground will reopen 30 October 2020
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Herberts (Wymbooliel) Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Herbert's Campground closed
Herbert’s Campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees.
Tours in the area
Bushwalking, four-wheel driving, horse riding, kayaking, rock climbing and mountain biking are just some of the many activities you can experience in Victoria's parks.
If you want to try something new or meet some like-minded people on your next visit to a park, contact a licensed tour operator.
Parks Victoria licenses tour operators who are experts in these activities and more. They will help you get the most out of your visit.
How we keep it special
