Great Otway National Park

Great Otway National Park

Great Otway National Park

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    Great Otway National Park

    Great Otway National Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

     

    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.

    Top places

    The famous Split Point Lighthouse at Airey's Inlet.
    Anglesea and Aireys Inlet
    A man looks out of his tent towards his partner walking towards him with the coast in the background at Johanna Beach in the Great Otway National Park.
    Cape Otway and Apollo Bay
    Three friends standing at the Erskine Falls lookout admiring the waterfall.
    Lorne
    Three friends canoe through Lake Elizabeth infront of a back drop of ferns and old growth forest.

    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.

    A woman with a large hiking pack takes in the view from Blanket Bay Campground.

    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

    Download the Great Otway National Park visitor guides for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders. 
     

    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.
    Check availability

    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.

    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.

    • Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)

      Maits Rest refurbishment

      Maits Rest will be closed from Monday 8 July until May 2020 to undergo refurbishment of the full 800m loop trail. Find out more about the Maits Rest refurbishment. Melba Gully is the perfect alternate location to visit during the Maits Rest closure.

    • Great Otway National Park

      Kennett-Wye Jeep Track and Bird Track closed

      Kennett-Wye Jeep Track and Bird Track will be closed until 30 June 2020 due to a landslip undermining the road.

      Track closures 24 to 28 February 2020

      Big Hill Track, Reedy Track, and Stony Track will be closed from 24 to 28 February for hazardous tree removal works.

      Upper Kalimna track closed

      The Upper Kalimna Falls walking track is closed until further notice due to damage to the boardwalk and lookout. The Lower Kalimna Falls are still accessible from Sheoak Picnic Area via Kalimna Walking Track and from Garvey Track via Kalimna Link Track.

      Wye River Campground closed

      Wye River Road Camping Area is closed until further notice due to dangerous trees

    • Jamieson Camping Area (Great Otway National Park)

      Jamieson Campground closed

      The Jamieson Campground, Jamieson Track and Godfrey Track, are closed until Easter 2020 to allow for site upgrades.  

      Jamieson Track campground temporary closure

      Jamieson Track campground is closed until Monday 2 March 2020 due to upgrade works.

    • Herberts (Wymbooliel) Campground (Great Otway National Park)

      Herbert's Campground closed

      Herbert’s Campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees.

    • Hammond Road Campground (Great Otway National Park)

      Hammonds Road closure

      Hammonds Road will be closed during daylight hours Monday to Friday between 24th February and 31st of March due to road re-surfacing works. Detours will be in place. Hammonds Campground will remain open and is accessible via the Bambra - Aireys Inlet Road.  

    • Henderson Falls Walk (Great Otway National Park)

      Henderson Falls walking track closure

      Henderson Falls walking track is closed until further notice due to unsafe pedestrian bridges. Visitors can still access Won Wondah Falls and the Canyon circuit.

    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.

    View all local tours

    How we keep it special

    The Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park Management Plan was first published in December 2009 and amended in November 2019.

    Parks Victoria

    13 1963
    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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