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Great Otway National Park
Cape Otway
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Great Otway National Park
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Great Otway National Park

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Great Otway National Park
4.5
About
Great Otway National Park stretches from Torquay, along the world-famous Great Ocean Road and up through the Otways hinterland. Discover windswept coastlines and breathtaking waterfalls in tall mountain forests, walk the iconic Great Ocean Walk, immerse yourself in the Otway Lightstation's history, or surf some of the best breaks in Australia. Enjoy the great outdoors and explore the wonders of the Great Otway National Park. See the stunning coast by foot on the Great Ocean Walk, where nature unfolds at every step. Or drive the iconic Great Ocean Road. For longer stays, there are excellent camping opportunities whether you are looking for a family-friendly place to park your caravan or a solitary night under the stars.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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157
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
100 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
36
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Ilavayou
Manila, Philippines288 contributions
Astonished!
Nov 2023 • Family
Californian Redwoods - was our first stop from our motel. We were astonished how old the trees were. It was a sight upon entering the park. We spent a lot of time just admiring its beauty.
Written 3 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller
Melbourne, Australia15,739 contributions
Great Otway National Park
Nov 2021
The Great Otway National Park is a huge park spanning a few hundred kilometers with many entry points and many walking trails.

My wife and I visited several parts of the Park during our recent holiday in Lorne for three nights.
Written 28 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EndlessTravels
Greater Melbourne, Australia35,419 contributions
Waterfalls to beaches to Forests.. such much variety
Nov 2021 • Family
You could spend weeks exploring the varied attractions of this national park. Best idea is to base yourself at each town (Apollo bay,Lorne etc) for a night or two.

Dont forget the inland towns like beech Forrest, Gelibrand or Forrest.

To experience the waterfalls a great idea is to base yourself at lorne and spend a couple of times walking around the area just north of town that has so many waterfalls in a small area

Apollo Bay has the lighthouse, otway fly treetop walk and redwood forest close by. Don’t forget to visit the glow worms at night time at Maits Rest
Written 18 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue B
10 contributions
Walked up the back of Fairhaven
Oct 2021
Good views to the Ocean. Good walk through changing bush. Were there in October - flowers and bush flora.
Written 28 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen W
Wagga Wagga, Australia115 contributions
Beautiful
Nov 2020
It was the first time I'd drive through the National Park. Due to the COVID situation, some things were still shut but the waterfalls etc were open and stunning.
Written 13 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenafarious
Murwillumbah, Australia236 contributions
Simply stunning
Jan 2020 • Solo
So much to see it's hard to decide!

Managed to travel most roads revealing magnificent forest stands, wild flowers stretching almost the whole length of roads and bird calls following.

I particularly enjoyed finding small clearings along the road to just stop and smell the bush, take in the surroundings or a short walk to a meandering creek if able.

As a first timer to the area I also enjoyed the different scenery, large stands of lush ferns and huge straight gums then leading to paths which may hold a lake, hiking and biking on a rail Trail or free camping and mountain biking. So many options for recreation here.

As the roads into the forest are mostly gravel good tyres and spares are recommended although I did travel I a small hired van which handled the roads well. Caravans are generally not recommended on most roads so check options available before travel.

Mobile reception is fairly scarce too.
Keep your phone charged before setting out and always advise someone of your movements if intending to hike.

Fuel stops arent easy to come by especially ially if travelling at night. Lavers Hill restaurant kit, hen closes around 9pm and no food either way for some time so again byo.

Apollo Bay has good accommodation options with varying price points, lots of trails and beautiful beaches to explore.

The park is an easy drive from Colac, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell but check supplies of accommodation & availability before travelling from especially in peak times as this area is very popular.
Will definitely take more time to explore this area in future.
The glimpses of the ocean from Lavers Hill tempt travellers before commencing the steep descent to the coast.
Written 15 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Parks Victoria
Thanks so much for sharing your experience at Great Otway National Park. We're so glad you enjoyed your visit and found the park stunning. We look forward to having you back again in the future to explore more of the park. Thanks again, Parks Victoria
Written 17 December 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
389glenne
Moe, Australia93 contributions
Worth the Winter Weather
Jun 2020
We stayed at Apollo Bay and travelled into the park each day via route C119. We travelled at 10am on a winters day with the sun coming through the tree canopy...a great drive through beautiful southern Australian forest. We took our time and visited the water falls...which were fantastic due the rain recieved the two previous days. The walks required a good pair of shoes and are not difficult just a bit up and down....but very enjoyable. There are areas to picnic with tables and toilets. Some areas allow camping. We did our trip in winter with rainy days....for the waterfalls, it was perfect.
Written 23 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Parks Victoria
Thanks so much for sharing your experience at Great Otway National Park. We're so glad you enjoyed the walks and the waterfalls during your visit! Thanks again, Parks Victoria
Written 26 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michael C
3 contributions
Giant Tree Ferns
Feb 2020
A magic temperate rain forest with fantastic dense tree ferns - some of the tallest I have ever seen. Unfortunately we only had a taste but will certainly be back to explore!
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MichaelRW
3 contributions
Disappointed
Dec 2019
I usually write positive reviews, but, following a scenic detour from the Great Ocean Road to the lighthouse we discovered that just for a photograph, there was an entry fee of $20 each, just to get through the gate. Coffee was also the other side of the gate, and the person taking the money was so engrossed in a conversation that we had no opportunity to negotiate. We left, pretty disappointed and totally disgusted!
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daisysnicks
Salisbury, UK141 contributions
Superb experience
Dec 2019
We explored Great Otway National Park and its lakes and waterfalls from Apollo Bay whilst on a month's long road trip from Adelaide to Sydney. Other than New Year's Eve in Sydney, this was the highlight of our trip in Australia. Superb wilderness walking with very few people about. Fantastic views of waterfalls and bush vegetation and a variety of walks to choose from.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Great Otway National Park (Cape Otway) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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