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 :

Wye Rd

Curtis Track

Godfrey Track

Jamieson Track

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

Cora Lynn

Erskine Falls Walking Track 

Won Wondah

 

Many roads, tracks and visitor facilities are impacted by debris, flooding and unstable conditions.  

 

 

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 is suitable for small coaster buses only. Large buses or coaches are advised to use Melba Gully walk track near Lavers Hill.

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! 

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. 

Important camping and visitor information for

• National Parks and State Forests CLOSE during a CATASTROPHIC fire danger rating

• NO FIRES  can not be lit in the open during Total Fire Bans.  No fires are permited along or at Great Ocean Walk campsites.

• Caution and planning should be applied during an EXTREME fire Danger Rating.

• Camping is only permitted in designated campgrounds in the Great Otway National Park with a valid permit booking.  This includes the Great Ocean Walk.

• Camping or sleeping in vehicles is not permitted in car parks, lookouts or other visitation sites outside of designated campgrounds in any national park.

• There are no campgrounds in Port Campbell National Park or Bay of Islands Coastal Park; overnight stays are not permitted in these parks.  National Park Regulations apply.

• Be prepared for campgrounds, roads and tracks to close at short notice if conditions change.

• Have a clear plan for what you will do if conditions change suddenly, including how you will leave early and where you will go.

• Do not light any campfires or solid fuel barbecues during a Total Fire Ban.

• Stay informed via official emergency and park information channels and follow all instructions from rangers and emergency services.