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. Mountain bike riding and bird watching along peaceful Lake Elizabeth are among a range of pursuits to be enjoyed here.
Explore the Lake Elizabeth Loop Walk and and its forested hinterland. A massive landslide in 1952 dammed the East Barwon River, turning the remote forested valley into the lake you see today.
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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Great Otway National Park
Great Otway National Park sites closed due to severe flooding
Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding on 16 January 2026 has caused significant damage across parts of the eastern Great Otway National Park.For public safety, the following areas are closed until further notice while assessments and clean-up works are undertaken:Closures included but are not limited to :Erskine falls is limited to the top viewing platform. Access to the base of the falls and along the river track is closed.Roads & TracksWye RdCurtis TrackGodfrey TrackJamieson Track
Walking tracks
St George
Phantom falls
Lemonade ck
Kalimna
Henderson
Sheoak FallsSheoak picnic ground walking Nature LoopCumberland
Cumberland Garvey Link
Kalimna Garvey LinkCora LynnErskine Falls Walking TrackWon WondahAlternative walking tracks can be found at:Moggs Creek picnic areaDistillery Creek picnic areaOcean TrackCastle RockSheoak Falls to Swallow cavesMany roads, tracks and visitor facilities are impacted by debris, flooding and unstable conditions.The Great Ocean Road has been impacted,Always follow safety signage and directions from response crews, and do not enter any closed areas.Thank you for your patience and understanding as works are undertaken to make these popular areas safe to visit again.Proposed planned burning in Lorne area -5 mile Track
Planned burning operations are scheduled in this park which will result in the following areas being affected from the time a burn is approved for ignition, until the area is declared safe. Ignition of the burns are scheduled from 23 March 2026 and are subject to favorable weather.
Please adhere to all closure and advice signs in the area as planned burn activity commences.
Check the status of current planned burns at https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.auAreas Affected:5 Mile TrackPlanned burning around Lorne
Planned burning operations are scheduled in this park which will result in the following areas being affected from the time a burn is approved for ignition, until the area is declared safe. Ignition of the burns has commenced.Please adhere to all closure and advice signs in the area as planned burn activity continues.Check the status of current planned burns at https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.auAreas Affected:Sheoak Picnic areaCastle Rock Walking TrackSharps Rd, Garvey Track and Henderson.Allenvale Camp ground is now reopened. -
Aire River West Campground (Aire River Heritage River)
Aire River West Campground - sites 24 to 40 CLOSED
- Due to wet and muddy conditions sites 24 to 40 at the Aire West Campground in the Great Otway National Park are CLOSED for safety and environmental reasons.
- Access is planned to be restored for camping from 13 APR 2026.
- Vehicle access and these camp sites are not suitable for camping.
- Do not access or camp in closed areas of the National Park.
- National Park Regulations apply.