After a few days of beach visits, bushwalks, and kids treating their clothes like napkins, the laundry becomes everyone’s best friend. Our laundry facilities at Otways Tourist Park are designed to handle the reality of holiday washing – sandy towels, muddy hiking gear and whatever mystery stain the kids managed to create today.
The laundry runs on coins because that’s what works best for everyone. Machines are commercial grade – none of those domestic washers that take three hours to clean a pair of socks. These things mean business. They’ll handle your sleeping bags, every towel you brought, and that pile of clothes the kids went through in two days.
Dryers that actually dry things properly, not just move warm damp air around your clothes. Nothing worse than putting stuff in a dryer and coming back to find it’s still wet. These are the industrial type that’ll have your clothes properly dry and warm, ready to fold.
Hot water in the machines, obviously, because cold water and beach sand aren’t friends. The machines get maintained regularly so they actually work when you need them. There’s usually a machine free, though Sunday mornings and the day before everyone leaves can get busy.
Change is available at reception if you rock up with only notes. Washing powder is available if you forgot yours – either from reception or there might be a vending machine. Though half the time someone’s left their giant box of powder in there with a “help yourself” note.
There’s usually a bench or table for sorting and folding. Maybe a hanging rail for drip-dry stuff. Some people bring their own washing powder, others buy the little boxes from reception. Both work fine. Fabric softener’s optional but your towels will thank you after they’ve been through the industrial dryer treatment.
The laundry’s open from early morning to evening – exact times vary but generally when normal people do washing. Not at midnight, not at 5am. If you desperately need to do washing outside hours, reception might help, but don’t count on it.
Here’s how not to be the most hated person in the camp park: Don’t leave your washing in the machine. Set a timer on your phone.
Peak times are mornings before checkout and Sunday when all the weekenders are packing up. If you can avoid these times, do. Middle of the day when everyone’s at the beach? Perfect laundry time. Evening while dinner’s cooking? Also good.
What to Wash and What Not To
Beach towels – absolutely. They’re sandy, salty, and starting to smell like low tide. Hiking gear – yes, especially after those muddy waterfall walks. Kids’ clothes – obviously, they go through three outfits a day on holiday somehow.
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.
