Cookies help us provide a better experience for you. By continuing to use our site, you accept the use of cookies. Read our Cookies Policy.
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.
WINTER IN THE OTWAYS
Find a place to stay in
Browse through our selection of accommodation
Recommended accommodation
Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm and Cidery
In the Otway foothills Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm and Cidery is a hidden delight. The Farm offers comfortable self-contained cabins for couples, with views over the berries to the valley beyond.
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.
Glenaire Cottages
Inspired by nature, Glenaire Cottages are designed to offer a restful sanctuary, superb views and a taste of relaxed country living in a breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful setting.
Sea Zen
Sea Zen is a luxury studio for couples who wish to experience the Art of Great Ocean Living.
A romantic retreat with Japanese elements, where you wake looking out over the ocean.
Twilight Glamping
We are the Great Ocean Roads premium pop up accommodation service. Twilight Glamping was created to inspire people to get together, enjoy the outdoors and get back to nature..all in a little luxury! We’re not just here to set up tents, we’re on a mission to provide unique and extraordinary experiences that can’t be matched!
Great Ocean Ecolodge
The Great Ocean Ecolodge is a social enterprise, established and operated by the Conservation Ecology Centre. All profits raised through ecotourism are invested into wildlife conservation.
What's on in
WINTER WILD APOLLO BAY
Walk the path that countless others have walked before you. Mystics. Visionaries. Shamans. The choice is not where you are going, but how you will get there. The question you need to ask yourself is this: which path will I choose? Slip inside and return transformed. Open up and surrender.
16 Aug 2019
06:00pm
18 Sep 2019
09:00pm
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.
18 Aug 2019
09:00am
18 Aug 2019
02:00pm
DIGNITY OF RISK - SCREENING AND INTERACTIVE Q&A
Dignity of Risk is a 15min short film/documentary featuring an encounter between Prof Joe and a patient, Mr Jones, who has recently been diagnosed with dementia. The film raises questions relating to either protecting Mr Jones from harm vs intruding on his choices to enjoy his life.
19 Aug 2019
01:30pm
19 Aug 2019
03:00pm
COLAC AREA HEALTH FOUNDATION - TRIVIA NIGHT
Help us build a healthier community by joining us for a night of fun at the Piano Bar. Round up your workmates and put together a table of 8. Great raffle prizes to be won. Seating is limited so book now.
21 Aug 2019
06:00pm
21 Aug 2019
09:00pm
RED DOOR'S STRICTLY BALLROOM
Red Door Dance and Theatre Co are proud to present their 2019 senior musical, Strictly Ballroom!!!
22 Aug 2019
08:00pm
31 Aug 2019
08:00pm
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.
25 Aug 2019
09:00am
25 Aug 2019
02:00pm
Nearby restaurants
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.
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.
Kentys Bakery and Cafe
We bake our bread, savouries, pies and slices on site everyday.
Wye General Store
Sitting proudly on the Great Ocean Road with mountain and ocean views, this beach cafe and general store offers an all day brunch menu and impressive selection of cocktails.
Forrest General Store
The Forrest General Store is a unique little general store offering tasty home-cooked food and treats, including good coffee, home-made pies, cakes, slices, salads, soups and sourdough bread.
