The Otways is absolutely stacked with hiking options. Whether you’re the type who brings trekking poles and maps everything on GPS, or someone who just wants a nice walk to a waterfall, there’s something here for you. Being based at the tourist park puts you right in the middle of it all – half the tracks basically start from your doorstep.
Let’s start with the showpiece. The Great Ocean Walk runs 100km from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. Now before you panic, nobody’s saying you have to do the whole thing. Most people cherry-pick the best sections for day walks. The stretch from Apollo Bay to Shelly Beach is a ripper – about 10km of coastal views without too many hills trying to kill you.
The Aire River to Castle Cove section is another beauty. About 15km but you’re walking through forests, along clifftops, past beaches you can’t access any other way. Rainbow Falls is on this section – only way to see it is to walk. Makes you feel pretty special standing there knowing most tourists will never see this.
If you’re interested to do the whole 100km, it takes about eight days. There’s designated campgrounds along the way but they book out months ahead. Most people arrange food drops or get picked up and dropped off for sections. The logistics are needed and the walk itself is incredible. Just you, the ocean, and more stairs than you can count.
Not everyone wants to walk for eight days straight. Fair enough. The rainforest hikes around here are perfect for normal humans. Triplet Falls is the classic – 2km circuit, well-made track, three waterfalls. Takes about an hour unless you’re stopping for photos every two seconds, which you will because it’s gorgeous.
Stevensons Falls up near Barramunga is a bit more of a mission to get to but the walk itself is easy. About 3km return through forest that feels properly remote. The waterfall at the end is this wide curtain of water that changes completely depending on rainfall. Seen it as a trickle and seen it absolutely roaring.
Little Aire Falls is the sneaky good one. It’s actually part of the Triplet Falls area but has its own track. Only about 1km return, hardly anyone does it because they’re all at Triplet. You get this beautiful little waterfall all to yourself most of the time.
For something different, the Redwood Forest near Beech Forest has walking tracks through these massive Californian redwoods. Not native obviously, but walking through them is surreal. The tracks are basically flat, covered in this soft red bark that’s like walking on carpet.
If you’re fit and looking for something that’ll make you earn your beer afterwards, there’s plenty of that too. The walk to Cora Lynn Cascades from Allenvale is a solid workout. About 7km return but it’s steep in places and can be muddy as hell. The cascades are worth it though – this series of drops through a narrow gorge that most people never see.
The full Kalimna Falls track is another one that’ll test you. Most people just do the short walk to Lower Kalimna, but if you do the whole loop including Upper Kalimna it’s about 8km of up and down through wet forest. The track’s rough in places and after rain it turns a bit muddy.
For the really keen, you can walk from Kennett River to Wye River along the Eastern View track. It’s about 12km one way along the coast and through the forest. You’ll need to arrange transport at either end but the views are unreal and you’ll have most of it to yourself.
Look, you can hike here year-round but some times are definitely better. Autumn (March to May) is perfect – cool enough that you’re not sweating buckets, dry enough that tracks aren’t mud pits, and the fungi starts coming out which adds interest.
Spring is beautiful for wildflowers in the heathland sections and the waterfalls are usually flowing well. Summer can be stinking hot on exposed coastal sections but the rainforest stays cool. Just start early and bring more water than you think you need.
Winter hiking is for people who don’t mind being wet and cold. The forest is atmospheric as hell with mist and rain, but tracks get treacherous. I’ve seen people lose shoes in the mud near Cora Lynn. Proper gumboots are your friend.
Phone reception is basically non-existent once you’re in the forest. Download offline maps or bring proper paper ones.
The weather changes fast. You start in sunshine at the coast and by the time you’re in the mountains it’s pouring. Bring a rain jacket even if the forecast says fine. Hypothermia in summer is a real thing here when you’re wet and the wind picks up.
Track conditions change after heavy rain. That easy walk you did last summer might have washouts, fallen trees or sections underwater. Check with Parks Victoria or ask locals before heading out after big weather.
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.
