Forrest

Three people in a canoe on Lake Elizabeth

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Forrest

Great Otway National Park

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

 
A couple in their later twenties enjoy a joke while at their campsite at Lake Elizabeth Campground in the Great Otway National Park.

Lake Elizabeth Campground

Lake Elizabeth Campground is a dogs-on-lead camping area sheltered by tall eucalypt trees and nestled beside the Barwon River.
A young mountain biker attempts a drop while cheered on by his father and older sister at the You Yangs Regional Park.

Mountain biking

Explore parks on two wheels with mountain bike trails to suit most experience and fitness levels.
A Land Rover Defender attempts a river crossing in the Alpine National Park.

4WD

Enjoy a range of short and long 4WD trips in Victoria's parks. From the desert or mountains, to the rainforest or snow, 4WD tracks cater for all levels of skill and expertise.
Two friends fish off the back a boat on a misty morning on Lake Eildon.

Fishing

In quiet lakes and gently flowing rivers, in the pounding surf or in the depths beneath your boat – the waters of Victoria’s parks and reserves offer some prize catches.
Two women ride horses along a dirt path in the You Yangs Regional Park.

Horse riding

Explore the landscape on horseback to appreciate the solitude and peace of the natural environment. Victoria's parks offer a variety of horse riding experiences.

How to get there

Forrest

Two major roads connect Colac with Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park, including Colac-Lavers Hill Road and Colac-Forrest Road. From the west, approach via Port Campbell along the Great Ocean Road.
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.

When to go

Enjoy the shady fern gullies, towering forest and tranquil lake waters.

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.

  • Great Otway National Park

    Delayneys Track Closed

    Delayneys Track is closed until further notice.

    Wye Road Closure

    Wye Road is temporarily closed for grading and landslip repair.  

    Temporary park closures Great Otway National Park

    Sections of the Great Otway National Park will be temporarily closed at night from Monday 15th April 2024 through to June 1st 2024 to allow for the safe delivery of park conservation work.  Temporary closed areas will be clearly sign posted.  All campgrounds will remain open during this operation.  For further information please contact Parks Victoria on 13 19 63 or email westregiondcp@parks.vic.gov.au

  • Other issues

    Sharps Campground permanently closed

    Permanently closed due to environmental and safety risks. 

  • Lemonade Creek Walk (Great Otway National Park)

    Lemonade Creek Walking Track Closure

    Due to multiple unsafe bridges the Lemonade Creek Walking Track will be closed indeffinately 

  • Aire Crossing Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)

    Youngs Creek Track Closed Great Otway National Park

    Following recent rainfall and current conditions, Youngs Creek track within the Great Otway National Park is currently closed.

    Safety for our visitors and protection of the environment has led to this decision. The nearby Triplet Falls and Aire Crossing visitor sites remain open along with the tracks leading to them. 

  • Jamieson Creek (Great Otway National Park)

    Wye Road Temporary Closure

    Wye Road will be closed temporarily for grading and landslip repair.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Planned Burn Operations Around Anglesea

    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 12th April 2024 and are subject to favourable 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.au

    Areas Affected:

    Duckponds Burn:
    Ironbark Spur
    Gentle Annie Track
    Dam Wall Track
    McKenzie Link Track
    Duckponds Track
    Loves Track
     
    Woodlands Burn:
    Woodlands Track
    Harrison North
    Motorbike Offload Area (Cecil)
    Informal Track west of Flaxbourne’s Road
     
    Cecil Burn:
    Cecil Track
    Motorbike offload area (Tanners/Gumflat)
     
    Red River Burn
    Yan Wirring Miir Loop
    Denhams Track
    Red River Track
    Bunjil Lookout

    Please take your rubbish home

    Reminder to campers and visitors to please take your rubbish home. Please do not put rubbish in toilets. Visitors have been placing rubbish in the pit toilets making human waste removal difficult. Parks appreciates your assistance in looking after the Park.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Blanket Bay Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park)

    Blanket Bay Campground- water supply

    Blanket Bay campground in Great Otway National Park water supply is very low. Campers are advised to bring their own water. 

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