Updated on December 5, 2025
Otway National Park, Great Ocean Road
The Otway Ranges consist of cool temperate rainforest, rising up behind the Great Ocean Road, covering over 1000 sq km between Torquay and almost all the way to the 12 Apostles.
The Otways also encompasses coastal sections including Cape Otway and was declared a National Park in 2005.
Roads criss-cross the Otways, some are sealed and others are unmade tracks that can become rutted but lead into the heart of the small mountain range.
A number of campgrounds are accessible, some free camping sites are available too. Dando’s camping area is one of our favorites, deep in the forest, it seems so remote and peaceful.
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Things to do in the Otways
The Otway Rainforest is a superb area for different activities:
- Bushwalking & Old Beechy Rail Trail
- See some of the best waterfalls in Victoria
- Otway treetop walk
- Trees adventure courses
- Mountain bike trails
- Micro Breweries & Otways Harvest Trail…
1. Otway Walks & Waterfalls
Visitors could easily spend a week just hiking to all the beautiful waterfalls in the Otways. Some are short easy hikes and a few require a bit more effort to visit. Read more about the waterfalls…
There is a fab book that covers many of the hikes in the region, find out more and where to buy a copy.
2. Otway Fly & Otway TreeTop Walk
There is a cost to enter the Otway Fly, but we feel it is well worth the expense as the elevated walkway is amazing. Find out more…
A tree surfing zipline experience is an optional extra activity and loads of fun gliding between the massive trees.
3. Yeodene Trees Adventure Course
Our kids loved this park! It is really well set out and can provide quite a few thrills climbing between the trees, jumping off platforms, even ‘riding’ a bike up high between platforms!
And it is not just for kids. Read more about the Yeodene Adventure Course…
4. Lorne – Livewire Park
Livewire Park is just up behind the town of Lorne, so very easy to access from the Great Ocean Road.
Our kids loved this adventure park too. Climbing between platforms, flying down the zip line that goes around bends and through the trees. Read more…
5. Spotting Platypus, Koalas, Kangaroos & Glow worms
See some famous Aussie creatures and tick them off your list. There is something special about watching wild animals in their own surroundings.
- See koalas on Cape Otway or at Kennett River, a tiny town between Lorne and Apollo Bay.
- Kangaroos can be found anywhere in the Otways, they come out to graze on open grasslands, the Princetown recreation reserve has basic, cheap camping and loads of roos.
- Glowworms – not exclusive to Australia, but fun to see. Melba Gully, up high in the Otways near Lavers Hill is a popular spot (take a torch, but don’t shine it on the little critters). Beyond Kennett River, drive up Grey River Road for about 13kms and there is a picnic reserve where they are easily visible at night, you do not even need to hike away from the car parking area!
- Platypus live in many of the streams and lakes of the Otways. It takes patience and a bit of luck to see them and the early morning is usually the best time. Lake Elizabeth is a good place to go and there is a tour company that takes visitors out in canoes with the aim of seeing these elusive animals. Find out more info here.
6. Old Beechy Rail Trail
The Old Beechy Rail Trail follows what was a narrow-gauge railway that operated between 1902-1962 and is now a pretty walking and cycling trail (best suited to mountain bikes) passing through farmland and forest.
The 50km trail can be done in sections or as a whole. Read more about the Beechy Rail Trail on their website.
7. Mountain Bike Riding
Mountain bike trails are established throughout the Otways, including the use of the Old Beechy Trail. BYO bike or hire from the General Store in Forrest.
8. Redwood Forest Victoria
This little patch of Californian Redwood trees ( Sequoia sempervirens ) in the Otways, is a serendipitous surprise for many. Planted in 1936 as a Forestry Commission experiment, they have been left to grow and have become a popular spot. The trees are not massive like their counterparts in California, but they are impressive and worth seeing.
Located on Binns Road, they are a pleasant stopping point for a short walk or picnic. Once you enter the little forest, the silence is obvious. It is usually so still and quiet, with the Aire River running alongside. Get Directions.
9. Harvest Trail, Restaurants and Cafes
Visitors to the Otway National Park region will need a week to sample the many different cafes, restaurants, and even a microbrewery.
- Forrest Brewing Company Their headline reads: Equal parts microbrewery, eating place and mountain biking hang-out! This little business in Forrest is a gem.
- Another spiffing reason to visit Forrest – Platypi Chocolate shop. ‘Try a hot chocolate, a fabulous coffee, tasty lunch or jump straight to the delicious desserts and chocolates, all hand made on-site’.
- Forrest General Store. Located on the main street of Forrest. Home-cooked foods, bread, coffee, snacks, and souvenirs. Not your average general store.
- Otway Blueberries – Established since 1994. Pick your own pesticide-free blueberries on the farm.
- Dinny Goonan Wines – try their cellar door tastings.
- Brae Restaurant – Fine dining at its best. Brae is not a venue you simply drop into on the way past. Reservations are required at this award-winning restaurant.
- Otway Estate – Winery, Brewery, Cidery and Distillery. Bar and cafe on site, definitely worth adding to your ‘must visit’ list if you enjoy craft beers, etc.
- Otway Harvest Trail – Find even more amazing places to eat, drink and be happy (safely) in the Otways.
Cape Otway
Historic Lightstation, rugged beaches, camping with koalas and bushwalks.
About 20 minutes drive past Apollo Bay, following the Great Ocean Road, is the turnoff to Cape Otway. Driving through the forest with Manna Gum Trees and koalas to the end of the road where the Cape Otway Lighthouse is the star attraction, is a great journey.
It is a beautiful area to spend a few days with walks along the coastline, including the first section of the Great Ocean Walk. There is a charge to tour the lighthouse and surrounding area which has a lot of history attached. Find out more information here.
Otways Accommodation
There is no shortage of accommodation in the Otway Ranges with luxury choices, self-contained cottages, holiday homes, and cabins.
Browse the Booking website to find the best prices on your favorite style of accommodation.
Booking.comCamping in The Otways
Camping in the Great Otway National Park is popular with plenty of excellent campgrounds, including awesome free camping sites. Find a list and locations for caravan and camping parks along the Great Ocean Road and Otways here.
Otways Tourist Park
The Otways Tourist Park in Birregurra is in a central location for exploring the Otway Ranges. The well-maintained tourist park is almost its own self-contained village with an onsite bistro, plenty of activities. Find all the details on their website.
- Powered and unpowered sites
- Camp kitchen
- Motel style units
- Cabins & deluxe villas
- Bistro and bottle shop
- Solar heated Swimming pool & playground
- Well stocked store including icecreams and coffee.
- Dog-friendly – though rules do apply and dogs are not to be in cabins etc. Ideal for people camping or caravanning with their dogs though.
Cape Otway Camping
- Blanket Bay is a lovely campground on Cape Otway. Limited in size and facilities. There is also the basic, Parker Hill Campground. Read more here.
- Bimbi Park This fab little camping park has caravan sites and cabins to rent as well as grassy pitches for tents.
Free Camping
Otway forest park camping includes some awesome free campgrounds, Stevensons Falls being one of our favorites. Read about all the free camping areas in the Otways and get directions here.
Pet-Friendly Options in The Otways
The Otways Tourist Park, listed above, is a pet-friendly camping and caravan park and a number of other campgrounds are listed on our camping and caravan parks page.
Some of the waterfalls and walking tracks are pet-friendly and lots of beaches are available for off-lead dog runs.