A colony of shy platypus live in the timber-flanked lake. The quiet visitor may see them at at dusk or dawn foraging in the shallow waters. Bird enthusiasts may be treated to birdsong and sightings of Striated Fieldwrens, Rufous Bristlebirds, and Pink Robins. A number of excellent bird apps are useful guides to birdsong and recognition.
Streams and rivers throughout the park and provide great opportunities for fishing. Cast a line at the West Barwon Dam for your chance to catch trout and redfin or the East Barwon River for Brown Trout.
The tranquil Lake Elizabeth Campground is nestled beneath tall eucalypts on the bank of the east branch of the small Barwon River. This is a dogs-on-lead camping opportunity and it is separate to the Day Visitor Area. The lake is a 1km walk from the visitor area .
Beautiful picnic areas of the Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park include Lake Elizabeth, Dandos Campground, Birnham Station and Stevensons Falls Campground.
You can also explore and enjoy the natural environment of this part of the Otways on horseback, mountain bike, or in a four wheel drive vehicle.
The roads in the Wonga and Barongarook areas of the Otway Forest Park are ideal for horse riding as there are a number of wider, slashed roadsides.
Mountain bike riders of all levels are catered for by more than 60km of formed tracks and a 12km mountain bike loop linking the Forrest township with West Barwon Reservoir and Lake Elizabeth.
For driving enthusiasts, a range of formed tracks and roads provide four-wheel drive access throughout the parks. Seasonal track closures may apply.
Things to do
Lake Elizabeth Campground
Mountain biking
4WD
Fishing
Horse riding
How to get there
Forrest
When you're there
In this area of Great Otway National Park, dogs are permitted on lead only in the Lake Elizabeth Camping Area and the Lake Elizabeth Day Visitor Area and adjoining walking tracks. Dog owners should keep dogs on leads when visiting this area to reduce incidents of snake bite. Dogs are permitted in all areas of Otway Forest Park.
Download the visitor guide before you go.
Need to know
Forrest
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.
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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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 East Campground (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 -
Aire River West Campground (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 -
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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Blanket Bay Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Blanket Bay campground, sites closed
Blanket bay campground- sites unavailable due to drainage and campsite maintenance works until August 31, 2021
Blanket Bay campground, sites closed
Blanket bay campground- sites unavailable due to drainage and campsite maintenance works until August 31, 2021
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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.
