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Go off the beaten track with salty hair, sandy toes and wind against your cheek. Slide down the sand dunes, explore the Otway forests, swim the sea, taste the salt, climb trees, float on the river, breathe the wild air, gaze at the stars…and enjoy the natural world.
Feel dwarfed amongst the ancient giants of the forest. Follow the sounds of a trickling stream to the edge of a cascading waterfall. Join the colourful meeting of green forests and blue ocean. Bare witness to the ever-changing moods of the Southern Ocean. Nature is king in the Great Otways.
Eat & Drink
Harvested fresh from fertile volcanic soil by the hand of a knowledgeable local. Food and beverages produced in the Otways just taste better. Graze your way around the Otways Harvest Trail to taste all the reasons why.
Join the pursuit for ecstasy in whatever fashion you please with an endless variety of adventures built to showcase the capturing beauty of the Otways. Befriend the locals as you bike, hike, ride, kayak, board, drive or fly through the regions best. Then return to base to soak in some of the regions luxuries.
Wild for Wildlife
Shhh. Did you hear that? Look, it's a... The Otways are home to many of Australia's favourite locals including kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, platypus, koalas, glow worms, birds, seals, penguins and even migrating Southern Right Whales.
Cape Otway Lightstation
Help guide ships around the treacherous meeting of Bass Straight and the Southern Ocean. This coastline has stories to tell of lives lived and lost on the cliffs knife edge. Discover the regions history and natural beauty at the Cape Otway Lightstation.
Great Otway National Park
A land where ancient giants meet ferocious waters. Discover the rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, lush forests and descending waterfalls making up the Great Otway National Park.
Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures
Floating amongst the towering eucalypts, suspended 30 metres above the forest floor on the Otway Fly Treetop Walk. Then zipline from tower to tower like Tarzan on the Zipline Eco-Tour. Find your bird eye view at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures.
Great Ocean Walk
Great Ocean Walk stretching one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines from Apollo Bay to the iconic Twelve Apostles. Natures drama unfolds at every step from cliff edge to tranquil bays.
Ride Forrest
Ride Forrest - Official Website for Australia’s #1 Mountain Bike Destination - The Forrest MTB Trails
Family Activities
The Otways is full of little activities for big fun including berry picking, glow worms and the Otway Fly.
Otway Coast Hamlets
Otway Coast Hamlets - Wye River, Kennett River, Wongarra, Separation Creek, Great Ocean Road and Otway Ranges
The Otway Coast is the tranquil area of townships and rugged coastal beauty between the busy towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay.
Otway History
Native land of the Gudabanud Aboriginal people, early settlers began arriving in the region in the 1880's to harvest the forest.
SUMMERTIME IN THE OTWAYS
Find a place to stay in
Browse through our selection of accommodation
Recommended accommodation
Seahorse Retreat BnB and Massage Studio
Seahorse Retreat is a boutique style accommodation suited to couples or solo adventurers. If you are looking for a really relaxing piece of paradise by the sea, to unwind or...
20% Off Accommodation at Cape Otway Lightstation
Wild seas, thundering storms, 100+ km winds, double rainbows and perhaps a whale or two!
Alkina Lodge
As the closest luxury accommodation to the Twelve Apostles, Alkina Lodge is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Southern Ocean.
Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk
The 12 Apostles Lodge Walk is a multi-day passage from Castle Cove to the Twelve Apostles, covering 40 kilometres through Great Otway and Port Campbell National Parks.
Book direct for a 10% discount with Holiday Great Ocean Road
Book direct with Holiday Great Ocean Road to receive a 10% discount.
Johanna Bluegum Holiday Cabins
Johanna Bluegum Holiday Cabins offer a choice of two self-contained holiday cabins. All are pet friendly, have great views and are just a few minutes from Johanna beach.
What's on in
HYBRID END OF YEAR EXHIBITION
End of Year exhibition and art installation by Studio Forrest participants. Group and individual works for show and sale.
Jointly with the Forrest Neighbourhood House AGM
Exhibition Opening Night : Friday 13th December at 6pm
07 Dec 2019
10:00am
15 Dec 2019
04:00pm
COLAC ROTARY SUNDAY MARKET AT THE SHOWGROUNDS
Come along to the new Colac Market at the Showgrounds supporting the Colac community. Enjoy a huge variety of market stallholders from a wide area of our region. Plenty of parking available around the showgrounds.
15 Dec 2019
09:00am
15 Dec 2019
02:00pm
KAWARREN OTWAY MAKERS & GROWERS MARKET
Local food and craft food available. Great family day out.
The market is held on the 4th Sunday of each month.
22 Dec 2019
09:00am
22 Dec 2019
02:00pm
COLAC SALVOS COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Come and join us and share in the joy of Christmas! This is a family event, with activities and entertainment for the children and a Christmas message for all.
22 Dec 2019
05:00pm
22 Dec 2019
08:00pm
Otway Odyssey
The Otway Odyssey is one of Australia’s most respected mountain biking events thanks to the quality of the single track, the magnificent wilderness...
22 Feb 2020
06:00am
22 Feb 2020
07:00pm
Great Otway Gravel Grind
The event will return to Forrest, Victoria for a 4th year in 2020 and is held in conjunction with the acclaimed Otway Odyssey...
23 Feb 2020
06:00am
23 Feb 2020
03:00pm
Nearby restaurants
The Shoppe
Located on the Port Cambell side of Lavers Hill, this unique eatery serves pies and other tasty treats made at the Great Ocean Road premises.
Otways Bistro @ Otways Tourist Park
Otways Tourist Park at Gellibrand now has a Bistro and Take-Away which is available to every-one!
Blakes Estate Winery
Blakes Estate is located in Deans Marsh, nestled in the foothills of the Otway Ranges in western Victoria.
Platypi Chocolate
Platypi Chocolate is the latest great reason to visit Forrest in Victoria's Otway region. Try a hot chocolate, a fabulous coffee, tasty lunch or jump straight to the delicious desserts...
Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm & Cidery
In the Otway foothills Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm & Cidery is a hidden delight. The Farm offers comfortable self-contained cabins for couples, with views over the berries to the valley beyond.
Moriac General Store
Enjoy some country hospitality in the picturesque rural town of Moriac, just 15minutes from Geelong and on the way to the Otways and Surfcoast.
