Otway Fly Tree Top Walk

High above the damp, ferny floor of the Great Otway National Park, the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk lets you stroll through the canopy of a temperate rainforest that feels plucked from another era. The steel walkway rises 30 metres into the air, wrapping around ancient myrtle beech and mountain ash trees that have stood here for centuries. It’s a quietly thrilling experience — part nature walk, part bird’s-eye view into a hidden world of moss, tree ferns and filtered green light.

Highlights & What to See

• The Tree Top Walk itself — a 600-metre-long steel walkway that lifts you into the canopy; the central spiral tower reaches 45 metres high, offering sweeping views over the rainforest.
• The Spiral Tower — a 30-metre-high lookout that spirals up around a living tree; at the top you’re level with the crowns of the tallest trees, and on clear days you can see all the way to the Southern Ocean.
• Stepped Nature Walk — a 2.5-kilometre loop on the forest floor that passes giant tree ferns, mossy logs and trickling creeks; keep an eye out for lyrebirds and wallabies.
• Triplet Falls — a short side-track (about 1 km return) leads to a three-tiered waterfall that’s especially dramatic after rain; it’s a favourite spot for photographers.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours here: 45 minutes on the Tree Top Walk and another 45 minutes on the ground-level loop. If you want to add Triplet Falls, budget another 30–45 minutes. The walk is easy and family-friendly — prams are fine on the elevated walkway, though the ground loop has some stairs. Aim for mid-morning when the light filters through the canopy, or late afternoon for fewer crowds.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Great Otway National Park — endless walking trails, waterfalls and coastal viewpoints; the drive from the Fly to Apollo Bay is one of Victoria’s prettiest.
• Apollo Bay — a relaxed seaside town 20 minutes’ drive away, with a good bakery, fish-and-chip shops and the start of the Great Ocean Walk.
• Mait's Rest — a short, easy rainforest loop near the Fly, with towering mountain ash and a boardwalk through tree ferns.
• Cape Otway Lightstation — Australia’s oldest surviving lighthouse, about 30 minutes south, with excellent views and a chance to spot migrating whales (June–October).

Please check official sources for current details.