Explore the vast national park nestled along the Great Ocean Road.
The Great Otway National Park is located southwest of Melbourne and stretches across more than 100,000 hectares of land. It contains mountains, waterfalls, boardwalks, and stunning sea cliffs.
There is plenty to explore in this national park, so what are some of the highlights to check out?
Visit the Cape Otway Lightstation
The Cape Otway Lightstation is a prominent landmark located on the Great Ocean Road. Standing tall along the coast, the lighthouse is easy to spot while journeying along the highway. The lighthouse was built in 1848 and is the oldest lighthouse that still stands on Australia’s mainland.
This landmark makes for a great stop along the Great Ocean Road. You can take in panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. From May to October, this is also a great location to try and spot whales!
Embark on a hike
There are many hiking trails to follow in the Great Otway National Park. The trails range from strenuous to more relaxing.
One of our favourite hikes is Melba Gully. We enjoy this hike so much, that it’s one of the stops on our Great Ocean Road Day Tour. This short hike leads you through the rainforest and ends with views of a waterfall. If you go during the nighttime, there is a chance you’ll be able to spot glow worms here as well!
Another great hike is the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk. This hike takes about 30 minutes to complete the loop and is rich in native flora and fauna. This trail can also lead to glow worms if you hike along it during the evening!
Check out the waterfalls
The Great Otway National Park is full of gorgeous, cascading waterfalls. Some of these waterfalls are more popular and easy to access, whilst others are less known and require a bit of hiking.
One of the most popular waterfalls is Hopetoun Falls. This waterfall cascades 30 metres into the waters below, surrounded by dense forest. There is a viewing platform at the top of the waterfall, or you can take the 200 steps that lead to the lower part of the waterfall for a closer look.
A lesser-known waterfall is Triplet Falls. As its name suggests, Triplet Falls is made up of three waterfalls. There is a 2-kilometre walking circuit that leads through the forest and offers fantastic views of the waterfalls.
Go wildlife spotting
Many critters call the Great Otway National Park their home, with its diverse landscape and natural resources. From a variety of birds to kangaroos, there is plenty of wildlife to see!
There is an abundance of eucalyptus trees that grow in the national park, which means there are koalas! One of the best places to spot koalas is Kennett River. However, there is a good chance you will be able to spot them in the trees as you drive along the Great Ocean Road.
Another animal to keep an eye out for is the platypus. This creature is more difficult to spot, but a great place to try your luck is at Lake Elizabeth. The platypus can be quite aloof, so it will probably take some time and patience to spot one.
Be sure to add the Great Otway National Park to your itinerary as you journey along the Great Ocean Road!
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.