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UPDATE
A reminder that patrolled beaches and parks are closed. This Easter the message is clear. Stay home. Protect our health system. Save Lives.
The Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Health Officers have asked all Australians to stay at home unless we must seek medical attention, travel for work or education, undertake essential shopping or exercise. Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism supports the State and National effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 and asks everyone to adhere to these restrictions. As much as we normally love to welcome visitors, we are asking you to stay at home whilst these bans are in place. Our small communities do not have the health services and resources to support an outbreak of COVID-19. We look forward to welcoming you back when restrictions are lifted.
It's not business as usual - for the locals in the Otways, click here for an update on who's still open.
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
Sky Pods - Luxury Off-Grid Eco Accomodation
Relax in luxury, architecturally designed, self-contained Sky Pods, situated on a 200-acre, private wildlife refuge property on the rugged coast of Cape Otway.
Autumn Stay and Save - Brae, Birregurra
30% off Sunday + Monday stays at Brae
Gone Surfin
Gone Surfin’ is situated on The Great Ocean Road just past Lavers Hill, and boasts stunning views towards Bass Strait and across the Otway Ranges.
Otway Escapes Luxury Spa Accommodation
Otway Escapes Luxury Cottage Accommodation Victoria offers you a choice of three private and exclusive holiday accommodations, custom designed as romantic retreats for couples.
The Boomerangs on the Great Ocean Road
The Boomerangs on the Great Ocean Road at Johanna in Victoria's Great Otway National Park is the quintessential Australian experience.
Johanna River Farm and Self Contained Cottages
Johanna River Farm and Self Contained Cottages offer a farm stay experience in a fantastic setting.
What's on in
Gellibrand River Blues and Blueberry Festival
The Gellibrand River Blues and Blueberry Festival is a unique annual event held during the last weekend of February to celebrate Blues Music,...
Annual-
01 May 2020
SALUTE TO THE ANZAC'S
From Promac Productions, a 2020 reimagining of their critically acclaimed hit production Great Songs of the War Years, dedicated to those brave men and women who gave so much in serving of our country.
06 May 2020-
11:00am - 12:00pm
FORREST SOUP FEST 2020
A great winter day out! Now in its 15th year the Forrest Soupfest is an annual festival held at the Forrest Recreation Reserve featuring homemade soups. Enter competitions for home made soups, jams, conserves, pickles, chutneys, wine and beer. There will be a prize for the biggest/most unusual vegetable.
07 Jun 2020-
10:00am - 03:00pm
AMERICAN MADE - FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS AND THE BEACH BOYS
With rich and booming tones and a powerful tenor lead, these consummate professionals will leave the audience wanting more – singing and dancing until the very last note!
15 Jul 2020-
11:00am - 12:00pm
PRACTICALLY PERFECT – THE MUSIC OF JULIE ANDREWS
Featuring some of her best known songs from shows such as Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music and more, interwoven with stories of her life both on and off the stage, be swept away on an all singing, all dancing journey from the West End to Broadway and onto Hollywood.
09 Sep 2020-
11:00am - 12:20pm
JADE HURLEY - AUSTRALIA' KING OF COUNTRY ROCK – THE MAN AND HIS PIANO
From the first minute Jade hits the stage, he connects with the audience – you’ll be clapping your hands, singing along and laughing at Jade’s comic antics.
07 Oct 2020-
11:00am - 12:00pm
Nearby restaurants
Gentle Annie Berry Gardens
Gentle Annie Berry Gardens is a licensed farmhouse cafe/restaurant and produce shop located on a pick your own berry farm in the beautiful Pennyroyal Valley.
Forrest General Store
The Forrest General Store Café is a haven for locals and tourists alike, offering delicious gourmet produce and service with a smile – ensuring you get the best taste of...
Otways Bistro @ Otways Tourist Park
Otways Tourist Park at Gellibrand now has a Bistro and Take-Away which is available to every-one!
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...
Otway Junction Cafe & Restaurant
Friendly service, delicious meals with all fresh ingredients. Great coffee, fresh local seafood, fully licensed with a bottle shop. Fantastic views, cosy wood fire for those cold days.
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.
