Not everyone wants to tackle the Great Ocean Walk or climb hundreds of steps to see a waterfall. Sometimes you just want a nice stroll without breaking a sweat or destroying your knees. The Otways has heaps of easy walks that’ll still show you incredible stuff without requiring mountain goat fitness levels.
Maits Rest is the perfect “I don’t really walk but this is nice” walk. It’s 800 metres on a boardwalk through ancient rainforest, takes about 30 minutes if you read all the signs. No steps, no hills, just flat timber walkway winding through tree ferns and 300-year-old myrtle beeches.
The trees here are the stars. Some of these old myrtles were already massive when Captain Cook was sailing past. The interpretive signs tell you about the forest without being preachy. Kids actually read them because they’re short and interesting. The boardwalk means you stay dry even when the forest floor is soggy, and wheelchairs can handle most of it though it’s narrow in spots.
Best time is early morning when the mist is still hanging in the trees. Looks properly prehistoric. But even middle of the day when everywhere else is packed, Maits Rest stays cool under that canopy. Just watch for tour buses – when one arrives, 40 people hit that narrow boardwalk at once.
During the day (forget the glow worms for now), Melba Gully has this easy 1.2km circuit that’s gorgeous. It follows Johanna River through the gully, crossing it on little bridges. The track’s well-formed but can get muddy after rain – you won’t need gumboots but don’t wear your white sneakers.
The tree ferns here are massive, some with trunks thicker than your body. In winter the fungi goes nuts – orange brackets, purple jellies, weird coral-looking things everywhere. Even without the glow worms this walk would be worth doing. Takes about 45 minutes if you’re dawdling.
From the Shelly Beach car park near Apollo Bay, there’s a beautiful coastal walk that’s dead flat and easy. You can walk along the beach itself when the tide’s out, or stick to the formed track behind the dunes. Either way it’s about 2km to the end of the beach and back.
This is where locals walk their dogs (on leads), jog, or just wander when they want some ocean air without any drama. You’ll see surfers checking the waves, kids building sandcastles, maybe some dolphins if you’re lucky. The rock pools at the far end are brilliant at low tide – full of crabs, starfish, those little blue periwinkles.
While everyone’s hiring canoes to paddle Lake Elizabeth, you can actually walk around it. The full loop is about 8km which might be pushing it for casual walkers, but you can do as much or little as you want. The first 2km from the car park to the lake is easy, then you can wander along the shore a bit and head back.
The track follows the old tramway so it’s pretty flat. You’re walking through forest that’s recovering from the 1983 fires, so there’s this interesting mix of regrowth and dead trees. Those dead trees in the lake are hauntingly beautiful, especially when mist’s rising off the water. Platypus spotting is best from the walking track actually – you’re higher up and can see ripples better.
Forget climbing the lighthouse for a minute – the grounds themselves are great for easy walking. There’s paths all around the complex, through the old telegraph station, past the keeper’s cottages, down to the cliff edges (safely fenced). You can easily spend an hour just wandering around reading about shipwrecks and lighthouse life.
The Dinosaur Cove walk from the lighthouse is only 1.5km return and mostly flat. Takes you to where they found dinosaur fossils in the 1980s. Can’t see any fossils now but the coastal views are spectacular. Pretty exposed to wind though – on a rough day you’ll get sandblasted.
Apollo Bay has a proper foreshore walk that runs for about 3km from the harbour to Marengo. All flat, sealed path, perfect for prams and wheelchairs. The harbour section is great for watching fishing boats and checking out what they’ve caught. Usually seals hanging around hoping for scraps.
Lorne’s foreshore is similar – the walk from the main beach to the pier is beautiful, especially at sunset. In summer it’s packed but off-season you’ll have it mostly to yourself. Stop at the swing that hangs from that massive cypress tree – every kid in Victoria has probably had a go on that swing.
Forrest has a sculpture trail through town that’s quirky and fun. Local artists made sculptures from old logging equipment and farm machinery. It’s only about 2km all up, dead flat, and you end up at the brewery which is convenient. Kids like spotting all the sculptures and adults like knowing there’s beer at the end.
Pretty much every beach along here is walkable when the tide’s right. Wye River to Separation Creek when the tide’s out is beautiful – about 3km of sand and rock pools. Just check tide times or you’ll get caught scrambling over rocks.
Johanna Beach is massive – you can walk for hours in either direction. Pretty wild and exposed though. Not a gentle stroll but more of a “walk into the wind until you’ve had enough then get blown back” situation.
Full moon walks on the beach are magic. No torch needed, just the moon lighting up the waves. Shelly Beach is perfect for this – safe, easy access, and the moon reflects off the water beautifully. Just remember it gets cold fast once the sun goes down.
Dusk walks are brilliant for wildlife. The camping area at Aire River has wallabies everywhere at dusk. They’re used to people so you can get pretty close. The road to Cape Otway at dusk is koala spotting paradise – they’re more active as it cools down.
Autumn mornings are perfect for walking here. Cool enough that you’re comfortable, usually still and misty which makes everything look mystical. Spring brings wildflowers on the coastal walks. Summer can be hot on exposed tracks but forest walks stay cool. Winter is actually lovely if you don’t mind getting a bit damp.
Layers are your friend. Start with a jacket, end up in a t-shirt. The weather changes fast here. Bring water even on short walks – there’s usually nowhere to get a drink once you leave the car park. And for the love of god, proper shoes. Seen too many people attempting muddy tracks in thongs. That never ends well.
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.
