Explore
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Immerse yourself in an ancient rainforest with giant Myrtle Beech trees towering over ancient tree ferns and a moss-covered forest floor. Spot the endemic carnivorous Otway Black Snail, look out for secretive long-nosed potoroos foraging in the leaf litter and at night hear the screeches of Yellow-bellied Gliders and owls.
How to get there
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Need to know
Maits Rest Rainforest 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 fires permitted
- No motorised vehicles, including electric bikes or scooters allowed on management vehicle only paths, tracks or roads
- No dogs allowed
- No camping
- No bicycles
- No horses
- No vehicles
- No firearms allowed
- No generators
Warnings
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Water hazards
- Flash flooding
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Terrain hazards
- Uneven ground
- Slippery surface
- Slippery rocks
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Other warnings
- Trees may fall take care
- Vehicles
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.
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.
Big Hill Campground Temporarily Closed
Due to upgrade works the Big Hill Campground will be closed to visitors until October 1st 2025. Works are being undertaken to improve camp pad surfaces and to establish grass cover in several areas of the campground. The campground will be closed while these works are completed and the surfaces are establishing to prevent damage to the new surfaces to improve the future camping experience at this site.
Jarosite Headlands Beach Closure
Safety Notice: Jarosite Headlands Beach Closure
Due to recent cliff falls, the beach at the base of Jarosite Headlands is closed to the public.
A large amount of rock and debris is still unstable, and further collapses may occur. For your safety, please do not attempt to enter the closed area.
Access to Addiscott Beach and Southside Beach remains open. Please consult the map below for the designated closed area.
We will provide an update when the area is safe to reopen.
Seasonal Partial Closure Notification – Aire West Campground
Closure Dates: 1 June – 30 September 2025
Due to wet and muddy ground conditions during the cooler months, Sites 17 to 40 at Aire West Campground will be closed from 1 June to 30 September 2025. Extended closure may be required to ensure conditions are suitable for opening.
Sites 1 to 16 will remain open, subject to suitable dry conditions. Campers are advised to check the latest updates before travelling.
Note: The Great Ocean Walk hike-in campground at Aire West is not affected and remains open year-round.
These closures help protect campground surfaces and ensure safe, comfortable camping experiences. Camping in closed areas is not permitted and is subject to National Park Regulations 2024.
We thank you for your cooperation and commitment to caring for the park.
Seasonal Closure Notification – Aire East Campground
Closure Dates: 1 June – 30 October 2025
Aire East Campground will be fully closed over the winter period and into early spring, due to consistently wet ground conditions. The closure is in place to ensure visitor safety, comfort, and to prevent damage to the campground’s grassed surfaces.
This closure is in line with Parks Victoria’s commitment to sustainable park management and will remain in effect until 30 October 2025.
Camping in closed areas is not permitted under the National Park Regulations 2024.
We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to explore alternative camping locations in the region during this time.
Closure may be extended if the campground has not dried out.
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.
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.
Event = Great Ocean Walk - Saturday, 25 October 2025
NOTICE TO PARK VISITORS
A permitted trail running event will be operating on the Great Ocean Walk trail system on Saturday, 25 October 2025.
Event: Great Ocean Trail Ultra
Date: Saturday, 25 October 2025
Time: 5:00 AM - 1:00 AM (20 hours)
Route: Apollo Bay to Princetown Recreation Reserve via Great Ocean Walk
Participants: Up to 400 registered runners (100km and 45km events)
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AFFECTED AREAS AND TIMES
Morning Activity (Higher Impact Period)
• Apollo Bay vicinity: 4:30 AM - 5:30 AM
• Blanket Bay Day Use Area: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
• Cape Otway Lightstation Car Park: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
• Aire River West Campground: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Peak Activity Period
• Castle Cove Lookout: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
• Johanna Beach Day Use Area: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (includes 45km event start)
• Parker Access Track/Great Ocean Road: 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Evening Activity
• Princetown Recreation Reserve: 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM (finish line area)
• GOW Lookout Car Park (near 12 Apostles): 1:30 PM - midnight
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WHAT TO EXPECT
For Great Ocean Walk Users:
• The Great Ocean Walk remains fully open to public use
• You may encounter trail runners throughout the day
• Participants are required to give way to walkers and be courteous
• Event marshals positioned at key locations to assist
Facility Access:
• All public toilets and facilities remain available
• Car parks accessible (brief periods of increased activity expected)
• Campground facilities protected - event routes bypass overnight camping areas
• Walk-in campsites not affected by event operations
Traffic Considerations:
• Minimal road impact - event follows walking trails
• Brief activity at Great Ocean Road crossings with marshal supervision
• "Event in Progress" signage displayed at key locations
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ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
Parks Victoria confirms the following protective measures are in place:
• Mandatory compliance with cinnamon fungus prevention protocols
• Leave No Trace principles enforced for all participants
• Waste management systems - all event waste removed from parks
• Professional medical support and emergency response procedures
• Regular monitoring by experienced event management team
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WEATHER AND CONDITIONS
This event is subject to cancellation or modification due to:
• South West District Fire danger ratings (Extreme or Catastrophic conditions)
• Severe weather warnings
• Track closure requirements
• Emergency service direction
Event organisers monitor conditions closely and will cancel if necessary to ensure public and participant safety.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Parks Victoria Information Centre:
📞 13 1963
Great Ocean Road Coast & Parks Authority (GORCAPA):
📞 1300 736 533
Event Information:
• Website: www.greatoceanultra.com
Emergency Services: 000
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This notice will remain in effect until Monday, 27 October 2025
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Eastern Maar People as Traditional Owners of these lands and waters and recognises their ongoing connection to Country.
Melba Gully walk track works
Melba Gully Walk track works have commenced to repair sections of the track. Please be aware that some sections may be closed while works are undertaken.
Great Ocean Walk Trail Advisory: Echidna & Long-nosed Bandicoot Activity
Important Safety Alert – Great Ocean Walk > Trail Conditions
Recent observations in Great Otway National Park have recorded a significant increase in digging activity by both short-beaked echidnas and long-nosed bandicoots—themselves ecosystem engineers—resulting in numerous diggings and burrows along the entire Great Ocean Walk. These excavations create trip hazards, especially in low-light conditions during dawn and dusk when both species are most active.
Safety Recommendations
- Remain vigilant for fresh soil disturbances, shallow holes, and uneven ground surfaces.
- Wear sturdy hiking boots with ankle support to reduce injury risk.
- Carry a torch or headlamp for early starts or late finishes to spot potential hazards.
- Echidnas and long-nosed bandicoots are fully protected native wildlife.
- It is illegal to disturb, harass, handle, injure, or remove them—or any part of their habitat—from the wild.
- Do not approach, touch, chase, corner, or attempt to move these animals.
- Keep a respectful distance and allow wildlife to move away naturally.
- If you encounter an injured or orphaned animal, do not intervene directly.
- Echidnas move up to 200 m³ of soil annually through their digging behavior, promoting soil health and biodiversity.
- Long-nosed bandicoots create shallow foraging pits that aid seed germination and nutrient cycling, further enhancing ecosystem function.
Reporting & Contacts
For any wildlife concerns or to report animal incidents or injured wildlife, contact
Parks Victoria on 131963 or visit the
Conservation Regulator on 136186 or online at https://www.vic.gov.au/conservation-regulator.
Please stay on designated tracks to protect native vegetation and minimize disturbance to habitat.
Attachments: GONP Spring 2025 (349KB)