Otway Estate is one of those places that started as a decent brewery and incredible gardens, food, music, the lot. About 25 minutes drive from the park, just outside Barongarook, and it’s become a proper weekend destination for locals and tourists who’ve had enough of looking at trees and waterfalls.
The brewery came first. Bloke named Dave decided the Otways needed its own beer, which was correct, and started brewing in what used to be old dairy sheds. Now they’re doing about eight different beers at any given time plus seasonal specials when they feel like experimenting. The Prickly Moses beers – that’s what they call them – range from easy-drinking lagers to hefty dark ales that’ll put hairs on your chest.
The tasting paddle is your best bet if you’re not sure what you’re after. Four beers for about twenty bucks, little 150ml glasses so you can try a few. The Native Hop Ale uses actual native Australian hops which is pretty interesting – gives it this lemony, eucalyptus thing going on. Not for everyone but worth a crack.
They started distilling gin a few years back too. Small batch stuff using botanicals from around the area – pepper berries, lemon myrtle, that sort of caper. The gin tasting is forty-five minutes of dangerous fun. They walk you through four different gins, explain how they make them, what goes in them. By the end you’re convinced you need a bottle of each.
The restaurant does proper meals, not just pub grub. They change the menu seasonally but there’s always a good steak, fish of some sort, couple of vegetarian options that don’t feel like afterthoughts. The beef comes from down the road, fish from Apollo Bay when they can get it. Pizza oven runs on weekends – wood-fired jobs that are actually pretty decent. Kids menu exists and isn’t just nuggets and chips which is refreshing.
There’s this huge lawn area where kids can run around like lunatics while parents sit at picnic tables slowly getting through a tasting paddle. Genius really. They’ve got giant chess, couple of other lawn games.
Saturdays and Sundays they usually have live music. Ranges from solo guitarists doing covers to proper bands. Mostly cruisy stuff – nobody wants death metal with their Sunday session. Gets busy when the weather’s good.
They do events through the year – Oktoberfest is massive, queens birthday weekend gets packed, Easter they do this whole family thing with egg hunts and that. Check their Facebook before heading out on a long weekend or you might rock up to find a wedding’s taken over the whole joint.
Here’s the thing – you need to book on weekends. Especially if you want lunch. They’re not jerks about it but if you rock up at 1pm on a Saturday without a booking you’re probably not eating. The bar’s usually fine for drinks without booking but the restaurant fills up.
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.
