COME AND SEE THE FAIRY MAGIC IN THE TREETOPS AT OTWAY FLY THIS SUMMER

This summer, Otway Fly Treetop Adventures will be transformed into a magical fairy wonderland and children from all across the land will be able to help our little fairy and elf friends find their treetop homes.

Ten fairy homes, which have been lovingly built by our friends at Men’s Shed Colac, will be scattered throughout the rainforest floor and it is our mission to help the fairies and elves living at Otway Fly to find their very own fairy home.Nathan Bridgeman, Otway Fly Operations Manager says Otway Rainforest is frequently referred to as being magical but this summer it is going to be extra magical.

Nathan Bridgeman, Otway Fly Operations Manager says Otway Rainforest is frequently referred to as being magical but this summer it is going to be extra magical.

“We’re often told how magical the Otway Fly experience is but this summer we’re anticipating a huge sprinkling of fairy dust throughout the treetops and we think everyone needs a little magic in their life,” says Mr Bridgeman.

Upon arrival at Otway Fly, which is a quick 20-minute drive from the beginning of the Great Ocean Road, children will receive a magical fairy card at admissions, which will set them off on a trail to discover each of the homes and un-jumble the magic word. 

  Once all ten fairies’ homes have been found, our little fairy home hunters will receive a special enchanted sticker to award them for their efforts.

Ray Wheadon from Men’s Shed Colac says that the fairy homes project has been has been a great project to be involved with and the men involved enjoyed letting their imaginations fly.

“The team of us at Colac Men’s Shed have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the fairy homes project with Otway Fly and in fact, most men ended up letting their imaginations fly and working on their homes over the dedicated two days a week that we meet for Men’s Shed,” says Mr Wheadon.

Ray and the team at Men’s Shed initially set out on this project by visiting Otway Fly to ensure each fairy’s home was tailored to a tree on the fairy path.

“Everything from how many windows or whether or not they needed a veranda, each home was designed with each fairy’s needs in mind and we used a combination of materials to build the homes including fallen branches from the Otway Ranges and recycled pellets,” says Mr Wheadon. 

It’s estimated it took our fairy homebuilders over 200 hours to build the ten homes, with some homes weighing up to 12kg and a number are 80cm high. 

“Men’s Shed Colac is all about helping our local communities and we hope that the children that visit the fairy homes enjoy seeing them as much as we enjoyed building them,” says Mr Wheadon.

Mr Bridgeman says “The fairy houses created by Ray and the team at Men’s Shed Colac are beyond any of our expectations and they have even created a miniature village and a boat and boatshed at Young’s Creek. 

“We can’t thank them enough and we can’t wait to see that fairy magic shared with families and children that visit Otway Fly this summer.”

Whilst discovering the fairy homes, visitors to Otway Fly can also try out the Treetop Walk which features a 600 metre-long, 25 metre-high elevated walkway which provides unrivalled views of the unique beauty of the region’s flora and fauna, from the rainforest floor up into the towering heights of the treetops.

As well as the 45-metre tall Spiral Tower and the cantilever perched above Young’s Creek – a truly exhilarating experience as you gently sway with the rainforest canopy.

So fly in and feel the fairy magic at Otway Fly this summer and if you’re lucky, you may even spot a fairy zipping through the treetops on the attraction’s high-flying Zipline Tour! 

Book now to ensure you don’t miss out - www.otwayfly.com  

Where: Otway Fly Treetop Adventures – 20 minute drive from the Great Ocean Road, 360 Phillips Track, Weeaproniah, 3237, VIC , GPS ref – Beech Forest, 3237

When: Summer Holidays: 18 December 2018 to 30 January 2019 

Open daily 9:00am – 5:00pm. Last entry to Treetop Walk is at 4:00pm

Cost:

• Treetop Walk: Adults from $25. Children from $15
• Zipline Eco-Tour (includes Treetop Walk): Adults from $120. Children from $85
• Rainforest Ranger trail included in price of entry
• Book online and save: www.otwayfly.com 

Facilities:

• The Black Snail Café is open 9:30am – 3pm daily. 

Quick Facts about Otway Fly Fairy Homes:

• 10 fairy homes were built by volunteers from Men’s Shed Colac
• Took 200 + hours to build the fairy homes
• The weight of the homes vary with the largest weighing 12 kg 
• Fairies come in all shapes and sizes and so to these homes with height sizes varying from 20cm up to 80cm
• Timber used for the fairy homes has been sourced/recycled from Otway Ranges

Special thanks to the following from Men’s Shed Colac: 

Ray Wheadon – Coordinator & Spokesperson, John Lawless, Geoff Black, Tracey Hanson, Ted Russell, Chris Burrow, Paul Griffith, Colin Box & Colin Parr