Wye to Kennett River Walk

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Wye to Kennett River Walk

Great Otway National Park

A beautiful coastal walk following the Great Ocean Road through sections of forest between Kennett River and Wye River townships. Enjoy coastal views to Cape Otway and over Bass Straight while hugging the steep edge of the Otway Ranges and treading the line between forest and ocean. 

This undulating 4.6km coastal track with steps and creek crossings links the townships of Wye River and Kennett River. High points of the track offer views through tall eucalypts to the Southern Ocean beyond. Learn about the history of the area through storyboards and listen for birdlife as you walk through forest above the Great Ocean Road. 

Commencing at the Wye River hotel and winding through the streets of the township, the trail begins at the top of Morely Avenue. A meandering track with some challenging steep sections, this walk follows the coastline above the Great Ocean Road before descending into Kennett River. 

Kennett - Wye River is located in Great Otway National Park 15 minutes east of Lorne. The coastal and forest setting is less developed than nearby Lorne providing a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. There are a small number of areas to camp, walk or take in the sites along the Great Ocean Road. Facilities in this area are more basic. 

 

Wildlife

 
Echidnas
Koalas
Kangaroos
Wallabies

How to get there

Wye to Kennett River Walk

Great Otway National Park is south of Melbourne via Geelong (Great Ocean Road, B100) or Colac (inland routes C155 or C164). Western approach is via Port Campbell along the Great Ocean Road (B100).  A daily bus service between Geelong, Lorne and Apollo Bay connects with train services to Melbourne. 

Wye to Kennett River Walk

Need to know

Wye to Kennett River Walk

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.

  • 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. 

  • Cora Lynn Campground (Great Otway National Park)

    Cora Lynn Campground Closure

    This campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees.

  • 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.

  • 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

    Curtis Track Closed

    Curtis Track is currently closed due to hazardous conditions. Conditions continue to be monitored and assessed.

    Delayneys Track Closed

    Delayneys Track is closed until further notice.

    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 

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Youngs Creek track closure

    This track is closed due to roadworks

    Erskine Falls Lower Lookout Closed

    Erskine Falls lower lookout is closed until further notice. Access to the base of the waterfall is no longer open due to unsafe conditions. Erskine Falls can be viewed from the top lookout which looks across to the top of the falls. Straw Falls is also inaccessible from the Erskine Falls carpark due to this closure. Erskine Falls walking track is still open from the Lorne township up to the base of Erskine Falls. 

    Great Ocean Walk - Wet and Muddy conditions

    As a result of ongoing rain in the Great Otway National Park over autumn and through winter 2023, conditions of the track on  the day 1 and day 2 sections of the Great Ocean Walk are advised to be very wet and muddy. 

    The Elliot Road section of walk is particularly unfavourable, and heavy conditions are anticipated to be ongoing until late Spring 2023.

    South West District Weather forecast

    Attachments: GOW May 2023 (540KB)

  • Urquhart Bluff Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park)

    Toilet Closed Urquhart's Bluff

    Toilets are closed due to scheduled maintenance and repairs, No toilet access and hand wash or water availability 

    Toilet Closed Urquhart's Bluff

    Toilets are closed due to scheduled maintenance and repairs, No toilet access and hand wash or water availability 

  • 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

  • Sheoak Picnic Area (Great Otway National Park)

    No All-Abilities Toilet at Sheoak Picnic Area

    No all-abilities toilet access at Sheoak Picnic Area. Portable toilets temporarily in use.

  • Other issues

    Blanket Bay - Bush Rats

    Following the success of our fox and feral cat management programmes population numbers of Rattus fuscipes have grown again in the Blanket Bay campground area of the Great Otway National Park.  
     
    The combination of less predators and conducive weather conditions has allowed a population to return that campers at Blanket Bay should be cautious of.
     
    The Bush rat has some specific features that can help you distinguish it from similar rats.
    ·         It has pointed head and rounded ears.
    ·         Its tail is smaller than the rat's body.
    ·         Another key feature is their front teeth - they are chisel-shaped with hard yellow enamel.
     
    These native rodents are known to scavenge on campers’ food, gnawing through tents to get to uncontained foodstuffs.
     
    Native bush Rats are protected wildlife in the National Park and may form part of your camping  experience while camping at Blanket Bay. 

    Attachments: Native vs Non-Native FS (779KB)

 
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