Madsens Track Nature Walk (Great Otway National Park)

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

Explore

Madsens Track Nature Walk (Great Otway National Park)

Experience lush fern gullies and the gentle flow of Annies Cascade dwarfed by a dense rainforest of Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and Tree-ferns. Take a night walk to see glow worms, found on sheltered soil banks with overhanging ledges and nocturnal animals such as possums, gliders and the elusive Spot-tailed quoll.

How to get there

Madsens Track Nature Walk (Great Otway National Park)

Need to know

Madsens Track Nature Walk (Great Otway National Park)

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 camping
No fires permitted
No firearms allowed

Warnings

Terrain hazards
Slippery surface

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 sites closed due to major flood damage

Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding on 16 January 2026 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:

Closures included but are not limited to :

Erskine falls is limited to the top viewing platform. Access to the base of the falls and along the river track is closed.

Roads & Tracks

Wye Rd

Wye Track

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

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,

https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

https://traffic.transport.vic.gov.au/

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.

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.