Is the Great Otway National Park free to visit?

Visit this scenic national park located along the Great Ocean Road.

The Great Otway National Park is a fantastic free place to visit when travelling along the Great Ocean Road. The national park stretches from Torquay and continues along the Great Ocean Road, past Apollo Bay and more places.

This national park is a fantastic place to visit either on a quick stop or for a couple of days!

Things to see and do at the Great Otway National Park

There is a lot to appreciate about this national park. Whether you are stopping by or camping along the Great Ocean Road, there is plenty to see at the Great Otway National Park.

• Hike the Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk is a long hike that takes quite a few days to complete. It is 100 km long and stretches from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. The hike is a great way to be immersed in nature and explore the national park in depth.

• Go wildlife spotting
One of the common animals that people try to spot along the Great Ocean Road is the koala. Koala spotting is popular here because of the forests of eucalyptus. There are many other animals that call this national park home including a range of birds, kangaroos, wallabies, and more.

• Visit the Cape Otway Lightstation

The Cape Otway Lightstation is located along the coast of the Southern Ocean. The lighthouse is the oldest in mainland Australia and dates back to 1848. It helped guide many travellers as they reached the shores of Australia.

• See glow worms in Melba Gully
The glow worms are not always visible year-round. The best time of year to see them is between the months of December to March. The glow worms like a warm and damp environment, which is why they are easiest to spot in the summer. There is a walkway you can follow that leads you through the forest with glow worms hanging out in dense clusters.

• Set up a campsite
There are lots of options for camping in the Great Otway National Park. You can camp at Johanna Beach, surrounded by lush trees and soothing ocean waves. Other great camping locations include Blanket Bay, Aire Crossing, and Apollo Bay.

• Surf at Johanna Beach

If you enjoy surfing, you’ll want to check out Johanna Beach. Even if you are not a surfer, the beach is a fascinating place to explore. There are lots of rock pools with diverse marine life at this beach.

• Stroll to some of the gorgeous waterfalls
Some of the waterfalls in the Great Otway National Park include Triplet Falls, Hopefoun Falls, Erskine Falls, and Kalimna Falls. There are many amazing waterfalls to check out, and those are just a few.

Be sure to visit this stunning national park while travelling the Great Ocean Road!

Cameron Ward

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.