Explore
Great Ocean Walk - Day 4 - Cape Otway to Aire River Walk (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)
Wind your way through a wind-sculptured landscape of sand dunes, coastal scrub and calcified cliffs, taking in views of the wild Southern Ocean vistas before heading towards the tranquil Aire River. Take a break at Station Beach en-route or take a detour to the mesmerising spring-fed Rainbow Falls.
How to get there
Great Ocean Walk - Day 4 - Cape Otway to Aire River Walk (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)
Need to know
Great Ocean Walk - Day 4 - Cape Otway to Aire River Walk (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)
Safety in nature
You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.
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. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.
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.
Warnings & Restrictions
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed
Restrictions
- No bicycles
- No camping
Warnings
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Other warnings
- Limbs may fall take care
- Vehicles
- Unpatrolled area
- Trees may fall take care
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Terrain hazards
- Slippery rocks
- Uneven ground
- Slippery surface
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Water hazards
- Strong currents
- Rough Surf
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Animals and pests
- Beware European wasps
Be Prepared
Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.
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 - CLOSED
Due to escalated fire risk, the Great Otway National Park is closed.
Keep updated via Emergency Victoria https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/
Aire Crossing access and campsite - CLOSED
As a result of ongoing bushfires and increased fire danger, access to Aire Crossing and the campsite is CLOSED.
Do not enter CLOSED areas of National Parks.
Parks Victoria, FFMVic and Conservation Regulator authorised officers will patrol this area. For you safety please do not enter closed areas of National Parks.
National Park Regulations Apply
Lake Elizabeth - CLOSED
Due to EXTREME fire danger and going fires in the northern Great Otway National Park, Lake Elizabeth camp ground, day visitor area and loop walk are CLOSED.
Great Otway National Park sites closed due to flash flooding event
Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding 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:
Visitors are advised NOT to visit any sites within the Great
Otway National Park between Aireys Inlet and Kennett River while assessments
and recovery works continue.
Closures included but are not limited to :
Erskine falls Road is currently closed which prevents access to Erskine Falls Visitor Area and Blanket Leaf Picnic Area
Roads & Tracks
Wye Rd
Curtis Track
Godfrey Track
Jamieson Track
Walking tracks
St George
Phantom falls
Lemonade ck
Kalimna
Henderson
Sheoak Falls
Walking tracks
St George
Phantom falls
Lemonade ck
Kalimna
Henderson
Sheoak Falls
Sheoak picnic ground walking Nature Loop
Cumberland
Cumberland Garvey Link
Kalimna Garvey Link
Castle Rock
Cumberland Garvey Link
Kalimna Garvey Link
Castle Rock
Cora Lynn
Erskine Falls Walking Track
Won Wondah
Many 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.
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.
Great Ocean Walk destination car parking at the Twelve Apostles visitor center during summer & Peak Visitation periods
During the busy peak visitation period at the Twelve Apostles precinct (from summer through to early autumn including school holidays, public holidays, long weekends & busy peak visitation weekends concluding after Chinese New Year / Easter), due to the sheer volume of visitors onsite, a traffic management program is in place to maximize public safety & ensure visitor experience. If you are planning to park your vehicle at the Twelve Apostles before walking the Great Ocean Walk (or sections of it including section 8) during this period, please communicate this information to onsite traffic control staff at the entrance & they will do their best to accommodate your vehicle in the main carpark. This will avoid your car remaining in the overflow carpark area which needs to be cleared and locked each night. Similarly, if you arrive at the Twelve Apostles to park your car at a time when traffic control are not onsite, or setting up, please park your vehicle in the main carpark area. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!
Redwoods and Hopetoun Falls Car Parks Full
The Redwoods (Aire Valley Reserve) and Hopetoun Falls carparks within the Great Otway National Park are consistently full over this busy summer period.
We advise all our visitors to these iconic areas to remain patient and vigilant for all other users of these areas.
Visitors also need to be aware that large log trucks also use the Binns Road as part of their logging operation.
Thank you all for your co-operation and please enjoy these and other areas of the Great Otway National Park.