The Great Otway National Park is a paradise for nature lovers with lush temperate rainforests, stunning waterfalls and the historic Cape Otway Light station. This was our first time visiting the park as part of our Great Ocean Road trip and were blown away by it’s stunning beauty.
Where is Great Otway National Park located
South western Victoria about 209km west of Melbourne along the great ocean road.
Getting Around
You will definitely need a car to explore the Great Otway National Park if you don’t own one you can hire one from Melbourne or Geelong. Search for a rental car in the affiliate widget below.
When is the best time to visit the Great Otway National Park
Summer (December–February): The peak tourist season, with warmer temperatures and longer sunny days with average temperatures between 12 °C (56 °F) – 21 (71 °F)
Spring and Autumn: Milder weather and less crowds with average temperatures between 10 °C (49 °F) – 20 (69 °F)
Winter (June–August): Cold temperatures, but fewer crowds with average temperatures between 9 °C (48 °F) – 14 (57 °F)
Our verdict: Spring is probably the best time to visit as you will have nice weather and the waterfalls will have nice flow. Late summer some of the waterfalls can dry up or just be a trickle.
Where to stay
Lorne: Laid back beach town with beautiful beaches and easy access to many hikes and atractions in the Great Otway National Park
Apollo Bay: Another costal town a little bit bigger and busier than Lorne. You will find more accommodation and food options here. And again easy access to the Great Otway National Park
All these places have all sorts of accommodation available from camp sites, hotels and everything in between.
Travel Tips for Great Otway National Park
- Pack for the elements: The Otways can be unpredictable, with cool temperatures even in summer. Pack layers, waterproof gear, and sturdy footwear.
- Embrace the wildlife: Keep an eye out for koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and a variety of birdlife.
- Respect the environment: Stay on designated trails, avoid littering, and minimize your impact on the natural surroundings.
- Fuel up for adventure: Bring plenty of food and water, especially if you plan on hiking or spending time outdoors.
- Drive with caution: The roads in the Otways can be winding and narrow, so drive carefully and be aware of wildlife crossing the road.
- Book accommodation in advance: Especially during peak season, it’s wise to book accommodation well in advance to secure your preferred option.
Things to do in Great Otway National Park
Erskine Falls
Erskine Falls is a spectacular waterfall located about 10km from Lorne to get there you need to take the beautiful Erskine falls road that winds its way through lush rainforest. There are 2 lookouts offering scenic views of the falls. The first lookout can be reached quite easily at the start of the trail, while the second lookout requires a bit of work climbing down 230 steps. The second lookout provides the best views of the waterfall up close.
Great Otway National Park is home to many amazing waterfalls some others worth checking out are: Hopetoun Falls, Lower Kalimna Falls and Triplet Falls.
Cape Otway Lightstation
The Cape Otway Lightstation is a fascinating historic place located on the tip of Cape Otway. There are a number of historic buildings here to explore and learn the about the many roles this site has had over the years. The highlights include a telegraph station that was built in 1859 and a World War 2 radar bunker that sits high up in a commanding position that is also a great place to spot whales. The main attraction is the Cape Otway Lighthouse built in 1848 the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. The lighthouse is perched on top cliffs overlooking the Southern Ocean where you can climb the 78 stairs to the top of the lighthouse where you can get 360 degree views of the rugged coastline.
The Cape Otway Lightstation is open daily Open 10am – 5pm
And there is an entrance fee of $19.50 per Adult.
Otway fly treetop adventures
The Otway Fly Treetop Walk is the longest and tallest elevated walkway of its kind in the world, stretching for 600 meters and reaching 30 meters above the ground level of the Otway Ranges rainforest. The walk itself is a 1.9 kilometre round trip that takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete. There’s a 47-meter spiral tower that you can climb for a stunning panoramic view of the rainforest canopy. This was the first time we had done something like this and we really loved the unique perspective you get of the forest and walking through the treetops.
It costs 27.50 per adult to enter and is open from 10:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 15:50
Maits Rest
Maits Rest offers a short but enchanting rainforest experience within the Great Otway National Park. There is a 800-meter loop track that takes about 30 minutes to complete through cool temperate rainforest filled with towering Myrtle Beech trees, that can be up to 300 years old that grow up to 50m tall. The giant tress provide a canopy for the lush undergrowth of ferns and moss that carpets the forest floor.
Guvvos Beach
Guvvos Beach is a 5km stretch of sandy beach located just south of Anglesea. The beach has big waves making it a popular spot for surfing. The long sandy beach makes it a great place for a walking. You can walk for miles in either direction and enjoy the beautiful scenery and sandy beaches as far as the eye can see.
Phantom falls
Phantom falls is a 15 meter waterfall fed by the St.George river that trickles down into a pool below and surrounded by ferns and some very square rocks that almost look man made. We were lucky to come here in summer and still see the waterfall as we have heard it often can be dry.
Phantom falls is accessed by a moderate 3.7km out and back trail through lush temperate forest. The trailhead starts at the Sheaoak picnic area which is located just outside of Lorne. There are also some other waterfalls that can be hiked to from the Sheaoak picnic area if you have more time.
The Redwoods Otways
The Redwoods is a grove of towering Californian Redwoods that were planted in the 1930s as an experiment and have since thrived in the region’s climate. The Redwoods is a peaceful and tranquil place, perfect for a leisurely stroll and disconnect.
Lake Elizabeth
Lake Elizabeth is a tranquil haven nestled deep within the Otways rainforest. The lake is a great place to go for a walk and enjoy the natural beauty and spot some wildlife including the elusive platypus.
Hiking
The Great Otway National Park offers endless hiking trails where you can explore temperate rainforests, waterfalls and stunning vistas. Check out the Alltrails map for hiking trails in the area.
Our Experience
Great Otway National Park really blew us away with its stunning temperate rainforests that felt like stepping into a set on Jurassic park and of course the stunning waterfalls. We only scratched the surface of what there is to see in the park so we will definitely be coming back. You definitely need 2-3 days to properly explore the park and can keep coming beck to experience more of the hidden gems.
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Also check out our YouTube video below 👇
