Wye to Kennett River Walk (Great Otway National Park)

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Wye to Kennett River Walk (Great Otway National Park)

A beautiful coastal walk following the Great Ocean Road through sections of forest between Kennett River and Wye River townships. Enjoy coastal views to Cape Otway and over Bass Straight while hugging the steep edge of the Otway Ranges and treading the line between forest and ocean.

This undulating 4.6km coastal track with steps and creek crossings links the townships of Wye River and Kennett River. High points of the track offer views through tall eucalypts to the Southern Ocean beyond. Learn about the history of the area through storyboards and listen for birdlife as you walk through forest above the Great Ocean Road.

Commencing at the Wye River hotel and winding through the streets of the township, the trail begins at the top of Morely Avenue. A meandering track with some challenging steep sections, this walk follows the coastline above the Great Ocean Road before descending into Kennett River.

Kennett - Wye River is located in Great Otway National Park 15 minutes east of Lorne. The coastal and forest setting is less developed than nearby Lorne providing a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. There are a small number of areas to camp, walk or take in the sites along the Great Ocean Road. Facilities in this area are more basic.

How to get there

Wye to Kennett River Walk (Great Otway National Park)

Wye to Kennett River Walk (Great Otway National Park)

Need to know

Wye to Kennett River 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 motorbikes/trailbikes
  • No drones without a permit
  • No firearms allowed
  • No bicycles
  • No camping
  • No dogs allowed
  • No horses
  • No vehicles

Warnings

  • Other warnings
    • No mobile phone reception
    • Trees may fall take care
    • Limbs may fall take care
  • Animals and pests
    • Snakes
  • Water hazards
    • Rough Surf
  • Terrain hazards
    • Slippery surface
    • Uneven ground

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.

Aire River East campground Temporary closure

Aire River east campground is temporarily closed due to wet conditions making the area unsuitable for camping.

Seasonal road closures 2023

Seasonal road closures apply to areas within and tracks bordering this park from 15 June 2023. See MapshareVic for locations of the closures. Visit the seasonal road closures page for more information.

Erskine Falls Lower Lookout Closed

Erskine Falls lower lookout is closed until further notice. Access to the base of the waterfall is no longer open due to unsafe conditions. Erskine Falls can be viewed from the top lookout which looks across to the top of the falls. Straw Falls is also inaccessible from the Erskine Falls carpark due to this closure. Erskine Falls walking track is still open from the Lorne township up to the base of Erskine Falls. 

Delayneys Track Closed

Delayneys Track is closed until further notice.

Sharps Campground Permanently Closed

Due to environmental and safety risks, Sharps campground will be permanently closed from Thursday 22nd December 2022.

For more information please see attached fact sheet.

Cora Lynn Campground Closed

Due to environmental and safety risks, Cora Lynn campground is permanently closed. 

Great Ocean Walk - Wet and Muddy conditions

As a result of ongoing rain in the Great Otway National Park over autumn and through winter 2023, conditions of the track on  the day 1 and day 2 sections of the Great Ocean Walk are advised to be very wet and muddy. 

The Elliot Road section of walk is particularly unfavourable, and heavy conditions are anticipated to be ongoing until late Spring 2023.

South West District Weather forecast

Attachments: GOW May 2023 (540KB)

Blanket Bay - Bush Rats

Following the success of our fox and feral cat management programmes population numbers of Rattus fuscipes have grown again in the Blanket Bay campground area of the Great Otway National Park.  
 
The combination of less predators and conducive weather conditions has allowed a population to return that campers at Blanket Bay should be cautious of.
 
The Bush rat has some specific features that can help you distinguish it from similar rats.
·         It has pointed head and rounded ears.
·         Its tail is smaller than the rat's body.
·         Another key feature is their front teeth - they are chisel-shaped with hard yellow enamel.
 
These native rodents are known to scavenge on campers’ food, gnawing through tents to get to uncontained foodstuffs.
 
Native bush Rats are protected wildlife in the National Park and may form part of your camping  experience while camping at Blanket Bay. 

Attachments: Native vs Non-Native FS (779KB)

Lifejackets Required For Rock Fishers from March 1, 2022

A two-year trial of new laws that require rock fishers to wear a lifejacket at high-risk locations will commence on 1 March 2022.
 
For Great Otway National Park this includes:
  • Artillery Rocks, west of Lorne
  • The rock platform opposite Sheoak Falls, south of Lorne
This factsheet includes maps of the affected areas.
 
Fines apply if you don’t wear a lifejacket at these sites.
 
To find out more, visit Victorian Fisheries Authority 

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 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.

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