Cape Otway and Apollo Bay

Explore

Cape Otway and Apollo Bay

Great Otway National Park

Breathtaking coastlines, dramatic cliff faces, deep valleys of tall forest and fern-clad gullies, and spectacular waterfalls all feature here in Apollo Bay and Cape Otway. From glow worms to rockpool rambles and fishing, you will be delighted with things to see and do in this incredibly beautiful south western part of Great Otway National Park.

Cape Otway Lightstation is a wonderful place to visit with many reminders and stories of Australia’s maritime history. Take a tour during business hours and explore Australia's oldest working lighthouse, operating between 1848 and 1994. Entry fees apply.

The Great Ocean Walk is one of Australia's iconic walks. Linking Apollo Bay with the Twelve Apostles it weaves through tall forests, coastal heathlands beside rocky shores and along windswept clifftops. Hike up to eight days or choose a day walk.

A feature of the spectacular waterfalls found in this part of the Great Otway National Park is their short walk access. Be sure to visit Triplet Falls, Beauchamp Falls, Sabine Falls, Hopetoun Falls and Anne's Cascades at Melba Gully.

The Aire River and Gellibrand River’s upper waters are popular with anglers seeking River Blackfish, Brown Trout and Black Bream near Princetown.

Get the most out of your day and plan for a picnic at Shelly Beach Picnic Area (loop walk through tall forest leading down to rocky shoreline), Blanket Bay (rockpools and beach at low tide), Aire River (camping riverside on a quiet estuary protected from the ocean), Johanna Beach Day Visitor and Camping Area (wild coastal beach), Melba Gully Picnic Area (rainforest walk and glow worms), or Sabine Falls.

A host of camping areas are available and plenty of off-park camping and accommodation opportunities in the Cape Otway area. Aire River Camping features two campgrounds located on opposite banks. This area is a haven for wildlife including wetland birds and a host of fish species. A great place to go bird watching, fishing, swimming and canoeing.

Alternatively, dog-friendly Johanna Beach Campground offers access to prime ocean swells while the smaller Parker Hill Campground is set on a forested hill high above the beach and inlet. Blanket Bay Campground is heavily used in holiday periods. It has a boat ramp, day visitor area, short walk and rockpools to explore.

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

Things to do

 
A couple in their thirties play with their dog at Johanna Beach Campground next to their tent and campervan.

Johanna Beach Campground

Nestled between coastal sand dunes, a lush, grassy hinterland and a prime surf beach, the dog-on-lead friendly Johanna Beach Campground has everything you need for an unforgettable seaside camping experience. Take in the salty ocean vistas, go surfing, fishing or hike a section of the Great Ocean Walk.
A young woman walks on rocks across the water in front of Triplet Falls.

Triplet Falls

Triplet Falls is one of the iconic visitor sites in the Great Otway National Park. Nestled amongst the ancient forests of Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech, you will discover three distinct and impressive cascades flowing through shady rainforests and glades of mossy tree ferns.
A couple follow a walking path through luscious rain-forest ferns.

Melba Gully

Melba Gully has prolific plant growth and is a dense rainforest of Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and Tree-ferns, with an understorey of low ferns and mosses. Perhaps the most unusual inhabitants of the area are the glow worms, which can be seen at night along the walking tracks.
A car camping set up at Aire River East Campground in the Great Otway National Park

Aire River East Campground

This campground is situated within the Great Otway National Park located on the banks of the Aire River Estuary. This area is home to a magnitude of native and migratory bird species as well as an abundance of fish species making it a great place to go bird watching, fishing, swimming and canoeing
A family camps on the shores of Aire River in the Great Otway National Park

Aire River West Campground

This campground is situated within the Great Otway National Park located on the banks of the Aire River Estuary. This area is home to a magnitude of native and migratory bird species as well as an abundance of fish species making it a great place to go bird watching, fishing, swimming and canoeing.
Setting up tents at Blanket Bay Campground in the Great Otway National Park

Blanket Bay Campground

This campground is situated within the Great Otway National Park just a short stroll from the beach which is accessible via walking tracks. Picturesque views are obtainable only meters from this campsite looking out over the beach and surrounding landscapes.
A woman walks along the boardwalk at Maits Rest in the Great Otway National Park.

Maits Rest

There is an easy self-guided circuit walk through ancient, cool temperate rainforest at Maits Rest. Maits Rest is renowned for its natural beauty and a must see destination.A wooden boardwalk has been built over the tree-fern gullies and moss covered roots, providing a unique view of the forest.
A shelter and tent set up between the trees at Parker Hill Campground at Great Otway National Park

Parker Hill Campground

The campground is situated within the Great Otway National Park on top of a hill overlooking a secluded cove that is accessible via walking track. Great views are obtainable only meters away looking out over the cove and surrounding landscape.

How to get there

Cape Otway and Apollo Bay

Great Otway National Park is south-west of Melbourne via Geelong or Colac. From the east, approach Apollo Bay and Cape Otway along the Great Ocean Road (B100) by taking either Anglesea Road or Surf Coast Highway from Geelong.

From Colac, approach through Lavers Hill (inland route C155).

From the west, pick up the Great Ocean Road by approaching via Port Campbell (inland route C164).

A daily bus service between Geelong, Lorne and Apollo Bay connects with train services to Melbourne.

Need to know

Cape Otway and Apollo Bay

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.

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

    Aire River West Camp ground - Sites 24 - 40 - CLOSED

    • Sites 24  to 40 at  the Aire West Campground are CLOSED due to flooding
    • Due to an ongoing river mouth closure these sites are inundated and not suitable for camping. 
    • Sites will require time to dry out once any river opening occurs.
    • Sites 24 to 40 are advised as closed until at least 31 March 2025 
    • Sites 1 -23 are not impacted > at this point.
    • The Great Ocean Walk hike in camp sites are not impacted.
    • Closed areas can not be booked nor camped in.
    • National Park Regulations apply. 
    • Flood water can be hazardous.
    • Visitors and campers should avoid flood water.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Kalimna Tramline link walk and Upper Kalimna is closed

    The Kalimna Tramline link walk 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. Upper Kalimna Falls closed until further notice.


    Temporary night closures of sections of the Great Otway National Park

    Between Monday 17th February 2025 and Friday 4th April 2025,  rolling closures park closures will occur between dusk and dawn Great Otway National Park to enable staff to safely undertake park conservation programs.  For your safety and for safety of park staff and contractors, please adhere to park closure signage.
     
    Visitor sites that may  be impacted by temporary closures include:
     
    Surf Coast Walk between Southside and Anglesea  
    Ironbark Basin
    Point Addis
    Eumeralla Area - including all mountain bike tracks
    Anglesea Heath
    Old rifle range between Cecil and Woodland Tracks
    Distillery Creek
    Moggs Creek

    Other areas that may be impacted by temporary closures include:
    Carlisle Heath, Kennedys Creek  and Chapple Vale areas
     
     
    Parks Closures will only occur at night and for short periods of time.  Closures will be signposted, supervised and patrolled by Parks Victoria staff and Authorised Officers.

    For further information please email: westregiondcp@parks.vic.gov.au

    Great Ocean Walk - Important Notice

    Parks Victoria is received increasing reports of concerning observations on the Great Ocean Walk .

    This includes use of bikes, horses, unrestrained dogs, campfires and hikers arriving at their pre-booked campsites only to find them already occupied.

    🔹 All hikers must book a campsite before their trip, even though camping is free.
    🔹 Camping without a booking or outside designated areas is not permitted.
    🔹 Campfires are NOT permitted at any Great Ocean Walk hike-in campsite.
    🔹 Only medical certified companion animals are permitted (on lead).
    🔹 The Great Ocean Walk is a walking/hiking trail - not a  long distance horse, trail bike or Mountain bike course.

    National Park Regulations Apply.
     
    Parks Victoria Authorised Officers patrol the Great Ocean Walk.  
    Evidence of a booking must be shown to a Parks Victoria Ranger on request.
     
    To ensure a fair and safe experience for all:
    ✅ Book your campsite before starting your walk.
    ✅ Only camp in designated areas and at your assigned site.
    ✅ Respect fellow hikers by only using the site you have booked.
    ✅ Do not light campfires—use fuel stoves for cooking.
    ✅ Do report observations of concern.

    If you observe:
    🚨 A campfire, bikes, animals other than native ones or hikers occupying an already booked site, please report it immediately (when safe to do so) to Parks Victoria on 131 963.

    ⚠️ Parks Victoria cannot respond to emergency situations involving hikers and campers who have not booked a campsite.

    Thank you for helping us protect the Great Ocean Walk and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone.
    For bookings and further information, visit Parks Victoria’s website.

    Parks Victoria
    Caring for Country, Connecting People

    Access to The Redwoods along Binns Road from the Great Ocean Road closed

    The Colac Otway Shire has announced that Binns Road access from the Great Ocean Road (southern end) will be closed for two weeks, from the 18th March, to fix a landslip.

    Access from this side of the road will prevent access to the Aire Valley (Redwoods) and Hopetoun Falls within the Great Otway National Park.

    Binns Road will remain open from the Beech Forest (northern end) which will allow access to visitor sites including Aire Valley (Redwoods), Hopetoun Falls and Beauchamp Falls.


  • Cora Lynn Cascades Walk (Great Otway National Park)

    Cora Lynn Cascades Walking Track Closure

    Cora Lynn Cascades walking track is currently closed due to damaged infrastructure. Please note this closure will affect you if you plan to walk from Allenvale through to Erskine falls and vice versa. 

  • 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.

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

    Aire Crossing Campground

    • Camping: Aire Crossing Campground has five (5) unbooked campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping outside these designated sites—including in the car park or along the Aire River—is strictly prohibited.
    • Campfires: Not permitted at any time.
    • Access: The campground is accessible via Aire Crossing Track. A 4WD is recommended.
    • Halls Ridge Track (4WD only) is seasonally closed and frequently inaccessible outside these periods. Use is not advised.
    • Vehicle Recovery: If your vehicle becomes stranded, retrieval must be arranged privately at your own cost.
    • Fire Danger > South West Fire District Closures:
    • The campground may close on Extreme Fire Danger Rating days.
    • It will be closed on Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days.
    • Weather & Track Conditions: Conditions can change rapidly due to wind and rain, leading to potential track closures.
    • Tree Hazards: Trees and branches may fall at any time, even in calm weather. Please be aware of the risk.
    • Phone Signal: No mobile reception is available at Aire Crossing.
    • Regulations & Enforcement:
    • National Park Regulations apply.
    • The area is regularly patrolled by Parks Victoria Authorised Officers, Rangers, Forest Fire Management Victoria, and the Conservation Regulator.

Similar experiences

 
Sunset on the rocks at Whiskey Bay in Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Wilsons Promontory National Park

Welcome to Wilsons Prom, the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. Walk remote coastal bushland trails and swim at pristine beaches dominated by granite tors. Camp in comfort at family-friendly Tidal River or hike to a more secluded campsite
X
By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. These tools enable us to improve your website experience and to provide content and ads tailored to your interests. By continuing to use our site you consent to this. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.
Confirm