The Otway Fly is basically a 600-metre long bridge stuck up in the trees, 25 metres off the ground. It’s about 30 minutes from the park, tucked away in the hills near Weeaproinah, and it’s one of those tourist things that’s actually worth doing.
They built this thing in 2003 and everyone thought it was mad. Who’s going to drive all the way out here to walk through the trees? Turns out, everyone. Gets absolutely packed in summer and school holidays. The whole structure is steel with mesh sides so you can see through everything, which is great unless you’re scared of heights. Then it’s interesting.
The main walkway snakes through the canopy for 600 metres. Takes about 30-40 minutes if you read the signs and stop for photos. Ten minutes if you’re one of those people who treats everything like a race.
You’re walking through the top layer of mountain ash and beech forest. The trees up here are massive – some of the mountain ash are 80-90 metres tall. You’re literally walking past bird nests, eye level with where the eagles hunt. Sometimes you’ll see yellow-tailed black cockatoos ripping into dead branches right next to the walkway. They don’t care about the tourists at all.
The walkway moves. Not in a dangerous way, but it’s designed to flex. When twenty people are walking in the same section it bounces. Kids love it. Some adults go white and grip the handrails.
The lookout tower is the real test. It’s 45 metres high – that’s like a 15-storey building – and it’s a spiral that goes up through the canopy and out the top. The views from up there are mental. On a clear day you can see for kilometres across the forest canopy. Looks like green broccoli stretching to the horizon.
The stairs are those metal mesh ones where you can see straight down through them. Helpful. The handrails are solid though and there’s mesh all around so you can’t fall off even if you tried. Doesn’t stop your brain from having opinions about the whole situation.
They added a zipline tour a few years back. Two and a half hours of flying through the trees on cables. Eight different ziplines, the longest is 120 metres. You’re harnessed up like you’re going to war and they send you flying between platforms in the trees. About $150 per person – but if you want the adrenaline hit it’s worth it.
Early morning is magic. Mist through the trees, hardly anyone there, birds going off. Plus it’s cooler – the walkway can get pretty warm on hot days with no shade up there. They open at 9am and if you’re there on the dot you might have the whole thing to yourself for a bit.
Avoid school holidays if you can. Especially the first week. It’s like every school in Victoria decides to do their excursion on the same day. Busloads of screaming kids, the walkway bouncing like a trampoline, queues for everything.
Winter’s actually brilliant if you don’t mind the cold. Misty, moody, proper rainforest atmosphere. The tower might be closed if it’s too windy but the main walkway stays open. Plus it’s empty.
From the park you head toward Forrest, then through to Weeaproinah. The last bit of road is narrow and winding. Takes about 30 minutes all up. Watch for logging trucks!
Parking is free and there’s heaps of it. Even on busy days you’ll get a spot, might just be a bit of a walk to the entrance. They’ve got disabled parking right near the entrance and the whole visitor centre area is wheelchair accessible, though obviously the walkway itself isn’t wheelchair friendly.
Otways Tourist Park is nestled in Gellibrand, a short drive from the charming rural townships of Colac and Forrest, Victoria. Otways Tourist Park is a welcoming destination – perfect for those looking to unwind, slow down, and reconnect with nature and loved ones.
Nearby attractions include the world-famous Great Ocean Road, waterfalls, rainforest walks and the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk.
The park is also conveniently located within easy reach of popular destinations like Apollo Bay, Lorne and the Twelve Apostles, making it an ideal base for exploring the spectacular Otway Ranges and Surf Coast region.
