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.
Plan your visit to coincide with the many markets, festivals, community arts events and cultural festivals that fill the region’s calendar year-round.The Otways has inspired generations of artists, writers, sculptors and performers. There’s a rich vein of creativity anchored in local arts communities. Tap into it at regional and independent galleries, performance spaces, pocket-sized studios and art-inspired trails.
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.
AUTUMN IN THE OTWAYS
Find a place to stay in
Browse through our selection of accommodation
Recommended accommodation
Alkina Lodge
As the closest luxury accommodation to the Twelve Apostles, Alkina Lodge is perched on a hill top 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.
Hidden Valley Cabins
Hidden Valley Cabins are set on 30 acres of magnificent Otway forest just 15 minutes from Lorne. We have five fully self contained cabins .
BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park
A stunning natural setting and relaxed atmosphere. Quality accommodation, large river side camp sites.
Southern Anchorage Retreat
Southern Anchorage Retreat is indulgence in the Otways, just a short 20 minute drive to the iconic Twelve Apostles.
Rotten Point House
Rotten Point House is a magnificent property on an untouched cliff top overlooking Johanna Beach, located just off the Great Ocean Road, between Apollo Bay and the 12 Apostles.
What's on in
THE COLAC PLAYERS - DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING
The Colac Players proudly present a series of short plays and music cabaret.
30 May 2019
07:30pm
01 Jun 2019
09:30pm
DREAMER IN THE DEEP - WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
Dreamer is an adorable comic, puppet character who combines the qualities of a cautious adventurer with those of an amateur scientist. This show combines black-light and other puppetry techniques to create spectacular images and adventures beneath the ocean's surface.
05 Jun 2019
09:30am
07 Jun 2019
02:15pm
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.
16 Jun 2019
09:00am
16 Jun 2019
02:00pm
ROBOT SONG
Based on a true story, Robot Song illustrates the profound, transformative nature of creativity that when combined with unconditional love, becomes an unstoppable force.
26 Jun 2019
10:30am
26 Jun 2019
02:30pm
THE SAPPHIRES
The Sapphires is a multiple award winning musical play and film that is coming to COPACC for the first time.
Four young women from regional Australia, who like singing country music, suddenly get the chance to change their tune, their clothes and their lives
28 Jun 2019
08:00pm
28 Jun 2019
10:30pm
Three day Photography Tour: Otway Ranges
Capture beautiful beaches on a three-day photography tour with professional photographer Alfonso Calero this winter.
19 Jul 2019
09:00am
19 Jul 2019
09:00am
Nearby restaurants
Otway Estate Winery & Brewery
Otway Estate Winery and Brewery occupies a forest clearing in the northern foothills of the Otway ranges, 10 minutes south of Colac.
Hulm's Bakery Colac
Hulms Bakery Colac is a family owned business delivering quality baked goods to Colac 7 district for the past 70 years.
Otway Nourished
Drop into the Otway Nourished when you visit the Otways.
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.
Blakes Estate Winery
Blakes Estate is located in Deans Marsh, nestled in the foothills of the Otway Ranges in western Victoria.
Brae
Set on a hillside in Birregurra, Victoria, Australia, Brae is a contemporary restaurant and guest suites, on a working organic farm – a place to be immersed in nature and...
