Great Otway National Park

Stretching from the surf-beaten Shipwreck Coast to the cool ferny gullies of the Otway Ranges, Great Otway National Park is a dramatic collision of wild ocean and ancient rainforest. This is a place where you can smell salt spray and damp eucalyptus in the same breath, where waterfalls tumble through mossy groves and koalas snooze in the treetops. The park feels raw and untamed, yet accessible — a perfect detour on the Great Ocean Road or a multi-day escape into Victoria's wilderness.

Highlights & What to See

• Twelve Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge: The park's iconic limestone stacks and dramatic sea cliffs are a must-see at sunrise or sunset, when the light turns the Southern Ocean gold.
• Maits Rest Rainforest Walk: A short boardwalk loop through towering myrtle beech and tree ferns, where the air is cool and the birdlife abundant — an immersive ancient forest experience.
• Triplet Falls & Hopetoun Falls: Two of the park's most photogenic waterfalls; Triplet Falls cascades over three tiers, while Hopetoun plunges into a fern-lined amphitheatre.
• Cape Otway Lighthouse: Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse, perched on windswept cliffs with sweeping ocean views and a fascinating maritime history.
• Koala Spotting at Kennett River: The eucalypts along Grey River Road are prime koala habitat — look up and you'll almost certainly see them dozing in the forks of trees.
• Blanket Bay & Johanna Beach: Wild, unpatrolled beaches perfect for a picnic, a walk, or simply watching the Southern Ocean roar — swimming is only for the very brave.

Suggested Time to Spend

To truly appreciate the park's diversity, allow at least two full days. Use day one to explore the coastal section — the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and Cape Otway Lighthouse — with a sunset stop at Gibson Steps. On day two, head inland for the rainforest walks and waterfalls; you can easily combine Maits Rest, Triplet Falls, and a koala detour near Kennett River. If you're short on time, a single day can cover the coastal highlights and one rainforest walk, but you'll be rushing.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Port Campbell National Park: Right next door, home to the Twelve Apostles and the stunning Shipwreck Coast — combine seamlessly for a full Great Ocean Road itinerary.
• Apollo Bay: A laid-back coastal town with great seafood, a sheltered beach, and easy access to the park's southern entrances.
• Lorne: Another charming seaside town with a lively café scene, waterfalls (Erskine Falls), and the start of many forest walks.
• Otway Fly Treetop Adventures: A steel walkway through the rainforest canopy near Beech Forest — a different perspective on the park's towering trees.
• Bells Beach & Surf Coast: World-class surf breaks and dramatic coastal scenery, about an hour's drive east of the park.

Please check official sources for current details.