The solar heated pool at Otways Tourist Park is proof that camping doesn’t mean you have to swim in the freezing Southern Ocean or skip swimming altogether. It’s that perfect middle ground – warmer than the beach, cleaner than the river, and you don’t have to worry about rips, sharks or jellyfish.
Right, let’s clear this up because everyone asks. Solar heating doesn’t mean the pool’s tropical bath temperature. It means we use the sun to take the edge off so you’re not swimming in liquid ice. The water runs through solar collectors – basically black pipes on a roof somewhere that get hot in the sun. Water goes in cold, comes out less cold. On a good sunny stretch, the pool’s actually properly warm. After a week of clouds? Well, it’s still better than the ocean.
The beauty of solar heating is it’s free warming from the sun. No massive gas bills, no environmental guilt, just using what nature provides. Course, nature doesn’t always provide, especially in winter, but from September through April it usually does a decent job.
The pool’s generally open from September to April, but that’s weather dependent. September might be optimistic some years – water’s still pretty fresh. October through March is prime time. April depends if we’ve had an Indian summer or if winter’s come early.
Some hardy souls swim year-round but they’re usually the same people who surf at Johanna Beach in August without complaining. For normal humans, November to March is when the pool’s at its best. Kids don’t care though – if the pool’s open, they’re in it, blue lips and all.
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.
