National park · Australia
Great Otway National Park
Entry is free: drive the Great Ocean Road section in one day for Maits Rest (30 min) and Cape Otway, or give it two days for the Otway Fly and the waterfall loop; go October–April, avoid the Christmas–January school-holiday crush, and check fire ratings before any summer walk.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,030 km²398 sq mi
approximate
Established
2004
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 1,030 km²398 sq mi
- About 103,000 hectares (1,030 km²), spanning roughly 40 km east–west and 40 km north–south (check).
- Established
- 2004
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Great Otway National Park is the forest behind the Great Ocean Road: 103,000 hectares of cool temperate rainforest, tall eucalypt, fern gullies and waterfalls, running from the coast at Cape Otway inland to the plateau above Colac. It was assembled in 2004 from a group of smaller reserves. There is no gate and no entry fee; you pay only for the Cape Otway Lightstation, the Otway Fly walkway and camping. Most visitors see one boardwalk and drive on, which is why the waterfalls and the inland forest stay quiet even in peak season.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2004.
Size and age
1,030 km²398 sq mi · national park since 2004
About 103,000 hectares (1,030 km²), spanning roughly 40 km east–west and 40 km north–south (check).
Why go
- Rainforest boardwalks and fern gullies within a short walk of the Great Ocean Road.
- A waterfall loop — Hopetoun, Beauchamp, Triplet and Erskine — that most road-trippers skip.
- Koalas in the manna gums along Lighthouse Road near Cape Otway, seen from the roadside.
- Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia, on the southernmost point of the Otways.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanWarm and dry; school holidays, book ahead
- FebWarm; fire risk on hot, windy days
- MarMild, settled, fewer people
- AprCool and green; good walking
- MayWet; waterfalls at their best
- JunCold, wet; quiet trails
- JulColdest, wettest; short daylight
- AugWet underfoot; leeches in fern gullies
- SepWarming; wildflowers start
- OctMild, green, quiet
- NovWarm days, long light
- DecPeak crowds and fire season
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koalas in manna gums along Lighthouse RoadAll year · Look up, stay on the road; do not approach or handle them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sulphur-crested cockatoos, king parrots and crimson rosellasAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Grey kangaroos and wallabies at dusk on the plateauAll year · Main wildlife hazard on the roads after dark. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Fungi across the forest floorApr–Sep · The Otways are known for their autumn and winter fungi; do not pick. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Leeches in wet fern gulliesJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Melbourne
M1 Princes Freeway then the B100 Great Ocean Road via Torquay and Lorne; the park starts around Lorne and runs west past Apollo Bay.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Apollo Bay
The town sits on the park's eastern edge; Maits Rest is about 15 min west, Cape Otway about 45 min.
15–45 min
From Colac
Inland approach from the north on the C155/C159 through Beech Forest to the Otway Fly and the waterfall loop.
1–1.5 h
From South West Coast region plan
Where the Otways fit between the Twelve Apostles and the Grampians.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal strip (Lorne to Cape Otway) | Maits Rest boardwalk, Sheoak and Erskine Falls, koala road, Cape Otway Lightstation. | Open; free except the Lightstation. |
| Inland plateau (Beech Forest, Weeaproinah) | Otway Fly walkway, Hopetoun, Beauchamp and Triplet Falls, tall mountain ash forest. | Open; free except the Otway Fly. |
| Cape Otway and Blanket Bay | Lighthouse, coastal heath, Blanket Bay camping and beach. | Open; camping booked. |
| Waterfall loop roads | Narrow sealed and gravel roads linking the falls; the drive is part of the visit. | Open to cars; watch for wildlife and logging trucks. |
Sketch map
- 1Apollo Bay · Town≈-38.755, 143.671Map ↗
- 2Maits Rest · Trail≈-38.756, 143.554Map ↗
- 3Cape Otway Lightstation · Viewpoint≈-38.856, 143.510Map ↗
- 4Blanket Bay · Beach≈-38.828, 143.583Map ↗
- 5Hopetoun Falls · Trail≈-38.669, 143.565Map ↗
- 6Otway Fly Treetop Walk · Viewpoint≈-38.650, 143.500Map ↗
- 7Erskine Falls · Trail≈-38.530, 143.920Map ↗
- 8Allenvale Campground · Sleep≈-38.549, 143.960Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee for Victorian national parks; you pay only for the sites below. |
| Cape Otway Lightstation | AUD 20–25 | adult | 2026 estimate; child and family rates lower (check). |
| Otway Fly Treetop Walk | AUD 25–35 | adult | 2026 estimate; zip-line costs more (check). |
| Camping (parks Victoria campgrounds) | AUD 15–40 | night | 2026 estimate per site; some campgrounds are free, some book out (check). |
| Vehicle entry to the park | Free | vehicle | No road tolls or park gate on the Great Ocean Road. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping permit or guide
Otway Fly and Cape Otway Lightstation permit or guide
Park rules
- No entry fee
- Victorian national parks have no gate fee; only the Lightstation, Otway Fly and some campgrounds charge.
- Dogs
- Not allowed in the national park; some adjoining reserves differ.
- Fires
- Total fire bans apply on declared days; use only designated fireplaces and never leave a fire unattended.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; book in summer and school holidays.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed, touch or handle koalas, birds or kangaroos; keep your distance and stay on the road at koala spots.
- Drones
- Not permitted in parks without a permit from Parks Victoria (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Apollo Bay
Motels, holiday houses and hostels on the park's eastern edge; the main base.
Near the park
Lorne
Larger town at the eastern end, close to Erskine and Sheoak Falls.
In the park
Cape Otway and Blanket Bay campgrounds
Basic Parks Victoria sites with toilets; book ahead in summer.
In the park
Beech Forest and Forrest
Cottages and campgrounds on the inland plateau near the waterfall loop.
Safety
Bushfire high
Wildlife on the road medium
Slippery trails and steps medium
Cold, wet weather medium
No phone signal low
Accessibility
- Maits Rest boardwalk and the Otway Fly walkway are built structures with some wheelchair access; check gradients and step-free routes before you go.
- Waterfall lookouts at Erskine, Hopetoun and Triplet have top-level viewing platforms reachable with short, mostly level walks; the descents to the falls are stepped.
- Cape Otway Lightstation has uneven ground and a tower with stairs; the grounds and cafe are the accessible part.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks: the fern gullies and moss beds recover slowly from trampling.
- Do not feed or handle wildlife; roadside koalas are stressed by close approach and by dogs.
- Take all rubbish out; campground bins are limited and wildlife raids them.
- Drive the waterfall loop in one direction to cut traffic on the narrow roads.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Great Otway National Park?
Nothing. There is no gate and no entry fee for the national park itself. You pay only for the Cape Otway Lightstation (about A$20–25 adult, 2026 estimate), the Otway Fly Treetop Walk (about A$25–35 adult, 2026 estimate) and camping in Parks Victoria campgrounds (about A$15–40 per site per night, 2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Great Otway National Park?
For a short stop, the 800 m Maits Rest boardwalk is the best introduction to the rainforest. For a half day, do the Hopetoun Falls steps and the Triplet Falls loop on the inland plateau. For something longer, walk from Erskine Falls near Lorne or follow the Great Ocean Walk, which passes through the park.
When is the best time to visit Great Otway National Park?
October to April for mild, settled weather and long daylight. March, April, October and November are the sweet spot: green forest, fewer people. December and January bring school-holiday crowds and the highest fire risk; June to August is cold and wet but the waterfalls and fungi are at their best.
Do I need a car to visit the park?
Yes, in practice. The park is about 160 km west of Melbourne and spread over roughly 40 km by 40 km with no train and only a weekly bus between Colac and Apollo Bay. Drive the Great Ocean Road or come in from Colac on the inland roads.
Can I see koalas in Great Otway National Park?
Often, yes. Drive Lighthouse Road towards Cape Otway slowly and look up into the manna gums; koalas sit in the forks of the trees beside the road. Stay on the road, keep your distance and never handle or feed them.
Is the Great Ocean Road the same as Great Otway National Park?
No. The Great Ocean Road is the coastal highway; the national park is the forested land behind and around it, from near Lorne west past Cape Otway. The Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell are a separate park further west.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go