Great Otway National Park

Great Otway National Park is a lush, temperate rainforest wonderland that plunges from misty mountain ridges down to the wild Shipwreck Coast. The air smells of damp eucalyptus and ancient ferns; the sound of crashing surf and cascading waterfalls fills the gully. This is Victoria's most dramatic coastal-meets-forest landscape, where you can stand beneath a towering waterfall in the morning and watch the Southern Ocean pound the Twelve Apostles that afternoon.

Highlights & What to See

• Triplet Falls – A series of three cascading waterfalls set in a cool, mossy fern gully. The elevated boardwalk gives you a perfect eye-level view of the main drop.
• Great Ocean Walk – This multi-day track snakes through the park's coastal heath and dense forest, with jaw-dropping views of cliffs and rock stacks. Even a day-walk from Apollo Bay to Marengo is rewarding.
• Maits Rest Rainforest Walk – A short, wheelchair-accessible boardwalk loop through ancient myrtle beech and tree ferns. It feels like stepping into a prehistoric world.
• Cape Otway Lighthouse – Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse, perched on dramatic sea cliffs. The surrounding area is also a prime spot for spotting koalas in the wild.
• Hopetoun Falls – A spectacular 30-metre drop into a deep, emerald pool. The steep descent is worth it for the plunge-pool views and the rainforest atmosphere.
• Blanket Bay & Johanna Beach – Two of the park's most beautiful, wild beaches. Blanket Bay is protected for swimming; Johanna is a powerful surf beach with towering dunes.

Suggested Time to Spend

Give yourself at least a full day – ideally two – to properly experience the park. With one day, focus on the Great Ocean Road section: do a short walk at Maits Rest, then visit Triplet or Hopetoun Falls, and cap it off with the lighthouse and a beach stop. With two days, you can hike a section of the Great Ocean Walk, explore the inland rainforest loops, and take a sunrise or sunset walk along the coast. The park is best visited between November and March for dry trails and warm swimming.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Twelve Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge – The iconic limestone stacks and dramatic gorge are just a 30-minute drive west, forming the heart of the Shipwreck Coast.
• Apollo Bay – The gateway town to the park, with a great food scene, fishing harbour, and access to the Great Ocean Walk.
• Port Campbell National Park – Adjacent to the west, this park protects the famous Twelve Apostles, London Bridge, and The Arch – all essential stops.
• Otway Hinterland – Inland towns like Beech Forest and Lavers Hill offer cool-climate wineries, cheese producers, and ferny walking trails away from the coast.
• Lorne – A lively surf-and-café town 45 minutes east, with its own waterfalls (Erskine Falls) and the start of the Great Ocean Road scenic drive.

Please check official sources for current details.