The Californian Redwoods are located in the Otway National Park.
Planted in the late 1800s, the Californian Redwoods were planted to mimic the same forest as their parent plants in California. The soils around the south of Victoria are rich and fertile, and this land has provided lots of nutrient-dense land for growing lush vegetation. This has allowed the Californian Redwoods to grow in the Otway National Park.
There are around 235 days of rain in the Otways every year, so it’s no wonder the trees were able to grow to such astronomical heights!
They were planted in 1936 by the Forests Commission Victoria. With the rich soils and biodiversity of the area in mind, the redwoods were planted as an experiment to see whether they would thrive as well as they would on the Californian soils.
The wood is also useful for cladding and roof shingles, due to the wood’s durability.
The trees can tower up to a whopping 115 metres tall.
How to see the redwoods
Where else are the Californian redwoods? There is also a collection of Californian Redwoods planted in the Yarra Ranges, near Warburton, VIC. If you’re touring the Great Ocean Road, the Otway National Park redwoods are easier to get to. But if you’re taking a day trip from Melbourne, then the Yarra Ranges are a quicker journey!
Visiting the Otway National Park Redwoods
Seeing the Redwoods means taking a slight detour from the Great Ocean Road.
Or, you can travel through Colac. From Apollo Bay, it’s only an hour away. Summer months can see a flux of tourists in the redwoods, so if you want a quiet nature walk through these serene trees, head there early in the morning.
The Great Ocean Road ends near the Californian Redwood Forest, and you’ll be able to see this magnificent tree-filled region of Victoria.
The tree bark is red and fluffy, and the forest is dense. The trunks are enormous, and if you’re in the area, then these trees are worth having a look!
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.