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
Johanna Beach Campground
Triplet Falls
Melba Gully
Aire River East Campground
Aire River West Campground
Blanket Bay Campground
Maits Rest
Parker Hill Campground
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.
When you're there
Stay on the path while looking for the different mosses, fungi, lichens and ferns found growing on the forest floor. They play an important role in maintaining the rainforest - recycling leaf and bark back into soil nutrients.
Download the Cape Otway and Apollo Bay visitor guide for more information about this part of Great Otway National Park.
Need to know
Cape Otway and Apollo Bay
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.
The Colac Otway Shire and Surf Coast Shire each have an all-terrain wheelchair, called a Trailrider, that is available for park visitors with mobility difficulties. The chairs can be booked with the respective shires.
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
Delayneys Track Closed
Delayneys Track is closed until further notice.
Bird Track and Kennett-Wye Jeep Track Closed Due to Landslip
Bird Track and Kennett-Wye Jeep Track are closed for public safety due to a landslip undermining part of the track. Repairs are planned and due to be completed in early 2024.Allenvale road Closure
Allenvale road will be closed for road works from 25/3 - 28/3.Intermittent night park closures Great Otway National Park
Parks Victoria will recommence invasive species control in the Great Otway National Park from Sunday night, 24/3/24 through to Friday morning 29/3/24. During this time, intermittent park closures will be in place to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.No campgrounds or visitor areas will be impacted by these night closures. Areas that may be impacted by intermittent closures includeKarwarren, Carlisle, Wonga, Kennedy's Creek, Cannans Tk/ Calder Ridge area, Olangalah area.For more information, please call 13 19 63 or email the West Region Deer Control Program westregiondcp@parks.vic.gov.auCurtis Track is closed.
Curtis Track is closed due to unsafe conditions. -
Other issues
Sharps Campground permanently closed
Permanently closed due to environmental and safety risks. -
Sheoak Picnic Area (Great Otway National Park)
Sheoak Falls Picnic area Closed
Sheoak Falls Picnic area will be closed from 25/3 - 28/3 to allow for road works. -
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 -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
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.