Julija Posted on 22 April 2025

Exploring the Otway Ranges in Victoria

Words Hema Maps Editorial and Julija Zivanovic and Pics Supplied

Join us as we explore Great Otway National Park, about three hours from Melbourne by car, offering stunning waterfalls, deep temperate forest, unsealed dirt roads and rugged coastlines — otherwise known as all the things four-wheel drivers love!

Aerial view of the Cape Otway in Victoria

The wilder side to the Great Ocean Road, Great Otway National Park — known affectionately as ‘the Otways’— possesses everything from exquisite waterfalls, unsealed dirt roads, tranquil creeks, treacherous coastlines and sandy beaches to low-lying heathland and cool temperate rainforest. The forest is where many of the region’s attractions lie, with compacted dirt roads cutting through the region to guide visitors to the natural highlights of the park. It’s a popular spot, and for good reason.

Keep reading as we provide a comprehensive breakdown of our favourite bush camps, walking trails and waterfalls — plus much more! — starting with the essential information.

The details

Location: 160km (or three hours by car) west of Melbourne

Best time of year: November to May as some roads and tracks are closed after rain and during winter.

Weather: The climate changes dramatically depending on where in the park you are. Temperatures tend to be higher inland compared to the coast. It’s usually drier and windier the closer to the coastal areas you are. It can get quite cold in winter.

Fees & permits: No fees or permits are required to enter the park.

A koala found in the Otways forest A Cape Otway koala (Credit: David Bristow)

Four-wheel driving

Most of the Otways is accessible one way or the other from the Great Ocean Road. For those looking to find some solitude off the beaten track, there are more than 50 small, secluded 4WD tracks throughout the region, mostly easily navigated dirt roads that can become muddy and potential bog hazards after rain.

Camping

Camping fees and site closures apply. To book, check availability or for more information please head to the Parks Victoria website or call 13 19 63.

Below is a list of camping areas in the region with some essential information. Generators are not permitted.

CAMPING AREA	SITE DETAILS
Aire Crossing	5 non-bookable sites. Toilets. Non-potable water. No campfires. No dogs.
Aire River East	5 tent-only sites, 15 tent/caravan sites. Toilets. Picnic area. No solid fuel fires. No dogs.
Aire River West^	8 tent-only sites, 32 caravan sites. Toilets. Information booth. Picnic area. Boat ramp. Fireplace. Non-potable water. No dogs.
Allenvale	20 tent-only, walk-in sites. Toilets. Picnic area. No fires. No potable water.
Big Hill	7 tent-only sites, 6 caravan sites. Toilets. Picnic area. Non-potable water. Fireplace. No dogs.
Blanket Bay	13 tent-only sites, 9 tent/camper trailer sites. Toilets. Picnic area. Non-potable water. Fireplace. Beach access. Not suitable for caravans. No dogs.
Hammond Road	6 tent-only sites, 4 caravan/campervan sites. Toilets. Parking. Picnic area. Fireplace. Non-potable water. No dogs.
Jamieson Creek	10 tent-only sites, 2 caravan sites and 12 tent/camper trailer sites. Toilets and fireplaces. No dogs.
Johanna Beach	25 tent/caravan sites. Toilets. Non-potable water. Beach access. No campfires. Dogs on leash permitted.
Lake Elizabeth	20 tent-only sites. Disabled parking. Loading zone. Toilets. Picnic area. Fireplace. Non-potable water. Dogs on leash permitted.
Parker Hill	20 tent-only sites (10 are walk in). Toilets. Information booth. Non-potable water. No fires.
Wye River Road	3 campgrounds. 3 tent-only sites, 8 tent/caravan sites. No facilities. No fires.

^Several sites at Aire River West Campground get closed due to potential for flooding caused by river mouth closures, so be sure to check the Parks Victoria website for any closures.

Camping in the Otways is a fantastic experience Hammond Road North Free Camp, Otway Forest, Victoria

Walking tracks

The Otways’ serene natural setting and easy accessibility makes it a haven for bushwalkers, with more than 40 official walking trails in the area. Whether you’re after a relaxing short walk or a full-day hike, there’s something for everyone.

WALKING TRAIL	DETAILS
Great Ocean Walk	The Great Ocean Walk transports visitors to another world where they will have the chance to explore some of the most diverse, culture-rich and rarely visited areas in Australia. Popular stopping points include Ryans Den and Station Beach, as well as Wreck Beach, where visitors can view the anchors of a shipwreck embedded in rocks.
Maits Rest Board Walk	The Maits Rest Rainforest Board Walk will take visitors through 800m of ancient rainforest, complete with giant rainforest trees and fern gardens. The trees alone are believed to be 300 years old. Visitors will want to look out for the inhabitants of the rainforest, including koalas, wallabies and grey kangaroos.
The Gables Lookout Walk	The Gables Lookout Walk is an 800m journey across a casuarina grove and it ends with a spectacular view over the Moonlight Head reefs. Whales and seabirds visit this area during the period between June and September, and the view can be appreciated from what is believed to be the highest sea cliffs on the Australian mainland.
Otway Fly Treetop Walk	The Otway Fly Treetop Walk covers 2km and takes visitors across 600m of treetop canopy walkway. This 30m-tall steel structure is a guided tour through the rainforest, from an angle that most people have never seen before.
Old Beechy Rail Trail*	The Old Beechy Rail Trail takes visitors through forest, farmland and hills as they follow the path where the gauge railway once stood. The old railway once ran from Colac to Crowes and passed the Otway Ranges. The trail spans 45km and changes from a gentle to a steep slope as the journey progresses.
Surf Coast Walk	The Surf Coast Walk is a 44km journey that will allow visitors the chance to choose between short, long and even a multiday experience. The walk offers astounding ocean views from the Anglesea River to Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club.
Triplet Falls Walk	The Triplet Falls Walk takes visitors to the breathtaking Triplet Falls waterfall, which is situated in Great Otway National Park. This walk lasts about an hour and loops through the rainforest of mountain ash and myrtle beech. Visitors can view the spectacular falls from various, elevated viewing points and the walk in total spans about 1.8km.
Little Aire Walk	Little Aire Falls, located not far from Beech Forest, is another spectacular natural wonder of the Otway Ranges. The Little Aire Walk spans a distance of about 5km and takes approximately two hours to complete. During the walk, visitors will make their way through mountain ash forest and view the falls from a handy, elevated position.
Wreck Beach Walk	The Wreck Beach Walk is a tricky walk through 2km of sand and rock. The journey begins and ends at Wreck Beach, where visitors will be able to catch glimpses of the Fiji and Marie Gabrielle anchors — two vessels that came to an end on this treacherous part of the ocean. This walk is for experienced hikers only, since it tends to be somewhat tricky to traverse and should only be attempted during the low tide due to the large sea swells.
Shelly Beach Circuit Walk	The Shelly Beach Circuit Walk is a 2km journey that will take visitors across Shelly Beach, through coastal scrub and fern gullies. The walk is a relatively easy one and allows travellers to get up close and personal to some of the inhabitants of the area, including koalas and gliders.

*The Old Beechy Rail Trail between Wimba (south of Gellibrand) and Beech Forest is closed until further notice. Whilst Old Beech Forest Road is an alternative that could be used, due to the volume of vehicles which use this road (including logging trucks), walkers and cyclists are advised not to use it. The rail trail is open between Colac and Wimba, and Beech Forest and Ferguson. For more information visit the Colac Otway Shire Council website.

Spectacular waterfalls

The incredible Hopetoun Falls in Great Otway National Park, Victoria (Credit: Sarah Winter)

Common within the Otway Ranges are stunning waterfalls, significant examples being the three-tiered gem Triplet Falls, and others such as Hopetoun Falls and Beauchamp Falls that are straight drops to the waiting pools below.

WATERFALL	LONGITUDE/LATITUDE
Triplet Falls	38.6713° S, 143.4934° E
Beauchamp Falls	38.6469° S, 143.6119° E
Hopetoun Falls	38.6684° S, 143.5679° E
Erskine Falls	38.5068° S, 143.9132° E
Phantom Falls	38.5432° S, 143.9466° E
Sheoak Falls	38.5689° S, 143.9650° E
Marriners Falls	38.7192° S, 143.6417° E

Experience the Otway Fly

The Otway Fly is a super-fun zip line, not for the faint-hearted (Credit: Mark Chew)

For more adventurous souls there is also a zip line tour named the Otway Fly, which sends visitors flying around 30m above the forest floor for a unique view of the ecosystem. Go to Otway Fly Treetop Adventures for more information and prices. (38.6496° S, 143.5046° E)

Melba Gully State Park

Melba Gully is also called the ‘Jewel of the Otways’ and is known for its astounding plant growth. It is believed to be among the wettest areas within the state and is home to glow worms, which are visible at night as they traverse the forest floor. While camping isn’t allowed, visitors can make use of toilets, picnic tables and gas barbecues available in this location. (38.6974° S, 143.3695° E)

The Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road

The famous Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles is the name given to the rock stacks that emerge from the Southern Ocean. The limestone cliffs situated in this area began to erode between 10 and 20 million years ago, creating this natural wonder. The best views of these stacks are at sunrise and sunset, when they brighten up and appear to take on a yellow colour. (38.6621° S, 143.1051° E)

Lake Elizabeth

Lake Elizabeth is home to a flooded valley that was created more than 50 years ago. It is in this lake that visitors will be able to catch glimpses of the well-known platypus. The banks of the river are lined with trees and dead tree trunks peek out from the water. A campground is based on the Barwon River, where visitors will find shelter underneath the Eucalyptus trees. (38.5522° S, 143.7584° E)

Cape Otway Lighthouse

Cape Otway Lightstation is one of the oldest in Australia

The Cape Otway Lightstation is the most well-known lighthouse in Australia, as well as the most important. It was built in 1848 and towers 90 metres above the Southern Ocean ad Bass Strait. This perch is a great location for whale watching. (38.8566° S, 143.5117° E)

Redwood forest

California redwoods are located along the road to Beech Forest. These rare giants are scarce even in their native homeland of North America, with each impressive specimen capable of reaching more than 100m high.

Further information & resources

We would like to remind you that Parks Victoria (Contact: 13 19 63) is offering free camping in 131 of its campgrounds from 1 December 2024 to 30 June 2025. Book now to take advantage of this fantastic offer.

Johanna Beach is a highlight of Cape Otway Johanna Beach in Great Otway National Park is your editor's favourite spot in the area. Check out the camping available there further up the article (Credit: David Bristow)