Great Otway National Park

Stunning national park featuring temperate rainforest, cascading waterfalls, and diverse wildlife along Victoria's southwestern coast. A must-visit for nature lovers seeking lush forest scenery, walking trails, and the famous Otway Fly treetop walk.

Things to do

• Otway Fly Treetop Walk — Experience a 600-meter long elevated walkway through the rainforest canopy with a 45-meter tall spiral tower offering panoramic views of the temperate forest.
• Stevenson Falls Walk — Hike to a spectacular 24-meter waterfall cascading through lush ferns and native trees in one of the park's most picturesque locations.
• Triplet Falls Loop — Trek through rainforest to discover three beautiful waterfalls in succession, with the main fall dropping 40 meters into a serene pool.
• Melba Gully State Forest Walk — Stroll through old-growth mountain ash and myrtle beech forest alongside a gentle creek, ideal for spotting lyrebirds and glowworms at night.
• Cape Byron Lighthouse Visit — Drive to the dramatic coastal cliffs near Torquay to witness stunning ocean vistas and historic lighthouse architecture at the park's western edge.
• Maits Rest Rainforest Walk — Explore a short but immersive 1-kilometer loop through ancient temperate rainforest with interpretive signs identifying native plants and trees.

Food to try

• Fresh Seafood from Apollo Bay — Sample locally caught fish, crayfish, and abalone at restaurants in nearby Apollo Bay, which sits on the park's coastal boundary.
• Native Pepper Berry Cuisine — Taste contemporary Australian dishes infused with native Otway Region pepper berries, a local ingredient that adds distinctive spicy notes to local menus.
• Locally Roasted Coffee — Enjoy artisan coffee roasted in nearby towns like Colac and Apollo Bay, often prepared at visitor facilities and local cafés throughout the park region.
• Homemade Scones and Cream — Visit charming tea rooms in surrounding villages to experience traditional cream teas and fresh scones, a quintessential Australian regional experience.
• Grass-Fed Lamb and Beef — Dine on locally sourced meat from surrounding farmland, often featured in regional restaurants with views of the Great Otway landscape.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Rainforest Regeneration — Stay on marked trails to protect the delicate temperate rainforest ecosystem, as soil compaction and vegetation damage take decades to recover in this environment.
• Plan for Weather Changes — The Otways experiences sudden weather shifts and high rainfall year-round, so bring layered clothing and waterproof gear regardless of the forecast.
• Indigenous Garinggal Heritage — The land is part of Garinggal Country belonging to the Gulidja people; acknowledge this heritage and support culturally-informed experiences when available.
• Early Morning Wildlife Watching — Visit trails at dawn or dusk to maximize encounters with native birds like lyrebirds, kookaburras, and possums that are most active outside midday hours.