Photo: User DirkvdM on en.wikipedia / CC BY 1.0
Imagine walking among the towering mountain ash and myrtle beech trees of the Great Otway National Park, suspended 30 metres above the forest floor. The Otway Fly Treetop Walk is a world-class eco-adventure that offers a bird's-eye view of one of Australia's most ancient and lush temperate rainforests. This 600-metre steel walkway, with a 45-metre-high observation tower, provides an exhilarating and accessible way to experience the canopy ecosystem. The walk is a highlight of the Great Ocean Road region and a must-do for nature lovers, families, and anyone seeking a unique perspective on the Australian bush.
Highlights & What to See
- Treetop Walk: The main attraction – a gentle, wheelchair-accessible walkway that takes you through the forest canopy. Look out for the giant Mountain Ash trees, some of the tallest flowering plants on Earth.
- Spiral Observation Tower: Climb the 45-metre-high spiral tower for panoramic views over the Otway Ranges and, on clear days, all the way to the Southern Ocean.
- Forest Floor Walk: A separate, shorter boardwalk that explores the fern-filled gully below, with interpretive signs about the forest ecology and the region's logging history.
- Wildlife Spotting: Keep your eyes peeled for superb lyrebirds, crimson rosellas, and if you're lucky, a sleepy koala high in the eucalypts.
- Nearby Waterfalls: After your canopy walk, drive a short distance to see the stunning Hopetoun Falls, Beauchamp Falls, or the Triplet Falls – all within the national park.
Suggested Time to Spend
Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours to fully experience both the treetop walk and the forest floor walk. If you want to include a picnic or a short bushwalk on one of the nearby trails, allow half a day. The site is best visited in the morning when the forest is quiet and the light filters through the canopy. It's an easy stop on a Great Ocean Road itinerary, and many visitors combine it with a visit to the Twelve Apostles or the Otway lighthouse.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Great Ocean Road: The iconic coastal drive is about 30 minutes south, with highlights like the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and the shipwreck coast.
- Apollo Bay: A charming seaside town 40 minutes away, perfect for lunch, a beach walk, or as a base for exploring the Otways.
- Lorne: Another popular coastal town, 50 minutes east, with great cafes, waterfalls, and the Teddy's Lookout viewpoint.
- Port Campbell National Park: Home to the Twelve Apostles and other dramatic limestone stacks, about 1.5 hours southwest.
- Melbourne: The walk is about 2.5 hours' drive from Melbourne, making it an easy day trip or a stop on a longer journey along the Great Ocean Road.
- Great Otway National Park: Beyond the treetop walk, explore the park's extensive network of walking trails, waterfalls, and ancient rainforests.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Sovereign Hill — Chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Great Ocean Road — Bobak Ha'Eri / CC BY 3.0
- Apollo Bay — Marcus Wong Wongm / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lorne — Hagai Agmon-Snir حچاي اچمون-سنير חגי אגמון-שניר / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Port Campbell National Park — Brian W. Schaller / FAL
- Melbourne — Melbpal / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Great Otway National Park — Biatch at English Wikipedia / Public domain