WORDS CATHERINE LAWSON PICS DAVID BRISTOW
The Otways, Vic
Away from the coast, the breathtaking beauty of the Otways
reaches new heights.
I
nland of Victoria’s most famous
crumbling coastline, on the rainforested
flanks of the Otway Range, tall
canopies of mountain ash and ancient
myrtle beech trees tower above a vast
network of fern-fringed streams and
dramatic, multi-tiered waterfalls.
These lush, lofty forests provide a quiet
escape from the coastal crowds where
you can walk in solitude and discover
secluded pools and swimming holes. They
also harbour an excellent trio of free forest
camps – a surprising find in a region where
campsites are at a premium – and it’s all
thanks to their state forest boundaries.
Exploring the Otways is tremendous fun
and with extensive coastline and undulating
inland plains to explore on either side of the
range there are plenty of routes you might
tackle. To escape the crowds, try this easy
waterfall circuit, looping inland from Apollo
Bay to overnight at the base of Stevensons
Falls, bushwalk around the picturesque
hamlet of Beech Forest, and picnic beneath
a giant stand of Californian Redwoods
before ending your journey at the historic
Cape Otway Lighthouse.
The Stevensons Falls campground makes
a great base for exploring the nearby
historical timber town of Forrest, before
seeking out platypus at Lake Elizabeth
along some excellent walking trails. The big
attraction for mountain bikers is Forrest’s
50km of offroad biking trails.
One of the most thrilling attractions
on this loop is the Otway Fly Treetop
Adventures where you can stroll the treetop
boardwalk 30m above the forest floor
and climb the Spiral Staircase to eyeball
rainforest giants stretching 45m high.
Close by, the much photographed
triple cascades of Triplet Falls are one of
the Otways’ most beautiful waterfalls,
accessed via a short boardwalk loop that
takes about an hour.
For an unbeatable picnic spot, pull in to
the Redwoods picnic area, in the midst of
a magnificent grove of California redwoods,
planted in the 1930s. Meandering along the
10-minute walking trail through the grove of
forest giants is an awe-inspiring experience.
Further west, a final detour off the Great
Ocean Road to the south leads to Cape
Otway, where colonies of koalas can be
spotted sleeping silently in the crooked
limbs of manna gums, making a lovely
diversion on the way to the historic Cape
Otway Lighthouse.
FASTFACTS
GETTING THERE
To start this loop, follow the Great Ocean
Rd 5.5km east of Apollo Bay then turn north
onto the Forrest-Apollo Bay Rd.
ACTIVITIES
Explore the numerous walking trails,
check out the stunning waterfalls, make the
most of the free bush camping and enjoy a
self-drive tour of this spectacular region.
STAY
The free campgrounds at Stevensons
Falls, Dandos and Beauchamp Falls are
managed by DELWP (www.delwp.vic.gov.au).
MORE INFORMATION
www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
ADVENTURES
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