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.

As beaches and coasts are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Great Otway National Park is a safe and enjoyable one.

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 is a one-way, long-distance walk extending just over 110km. This once-in-a-lifetime hike will take you eight days.

Great Otway National Park

Explore the different areas

Explore all of the different areas within the Great Otway National Park.

Need to know

Great Otway National Park

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 Sites

    Erskine Falls Access Road Closed from Monday 7 to 25 October

    Parks Victoria advises that due to roadworks on Erskine Falls Access Road and in the carpark, vehicle access to Erskine Falls will be closed to visitors from Monday 7 to 25 October.
     
    Pedestrian access or vehicle access down Erskine Falls Access Road is not available during this time.
     
    Pedestrian access is still be available during this time via the Lemonade Creek walking track. This track starts from Blanket Leaf Picnic Area and is a 8.8km return walk. The track is suitable for most ages and fitness levels. It has short steep sections, a rough surface and steps.
     
    During this temporary closure, visitors can enjoy other nearby waterfalls, accessed from the Sheoak Picnic Area. See this short video for information on waterfalls to enjoy from Sheoak Picnic Area and elsewhere in the Great Otway National Park. 

  • O'Donohue Beach Access (Great Otway National Park)

    O'Donohues Rd Beach Access Closed

    Beach access from O'Donohues Rd Carpark is closed. Due to recent dune erosion the staircase is currently unsafe. Alternative beach access is available 400m east at Melba Pde or 400m west at The Gap. Parks Victoria apologizes for the inconvenience and is investigating ways of reinstating safe public access.

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

    Aire East - CLOSED

    • Following ongoing wet conditions the the Aire East drive in camp ground is CLOSED until 31 October 2024.
    • Soft ground in the camp ground can not safely hold vehicles until it dries out.
    • Do not enter a closed area of National Park.  
    • Regulations apply.

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

    Aire West Campground - Reduced capacity - Sites Closed

    • Following recent estuary flooding all sites from #17 and above are CLOSED at the Aire West campground 
    • Sites 1-16 are OPEN for booked, permit holder campers
    • The Aire West Great Ocean Walk hiker camp is fully OPEN 
    • Camping in areas without a permit, or in areas that are not open, will attract a penalty under National Park Regulations 2013
    • Under reg.83 the infringement value penalty is currently $395 per camper

  • Other issues

    Sharps Campground permanently closed

    Permanently closed due to environmental and safety risks. 

  • Sheoak Picnic Area to Phantom Falls Walk (The Canyon) (Great Otway National Park)

    Canyon Walking Track Closure

    The Canyon walking track is currently closed due to damaged infrastructure. This closure will affect walkers trying to complete the "loop" from Phantom falls to Sheoak Picnic ground. Henderson, Won Wondah and Phantom Falls are all still open and accessible via alternate routes. 

  • 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

  • Great Otway National Park

    Reduced Capacity of Big Hill Campground Due to Unfavorable Conditions

    Campsites at Big Hill Campground will be reduced over October and November while we wait for campsites to dry out. Only two tent sites (sites 5 and 7) will be available in this time. Graveled caravan and van sites (sites 8-13) remain open and in good condition. Other sites suitable for tents are available nearby at Allenvale Mill Camping Area and Jamieson Creek Campground.

Tours and adventure experiences in parks

One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.

There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.

Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more. 

Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.

Find a Licensed Tour Operator

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