The Otways is an area of sublime beauty in proximity to the Otway National Park. There are a number of small hamlets where small boutique accommodation can be found. Places to consider are Cape Otway, Hordern Vale, Glenaire, Lavers Hill, Beech Forest, Johanna, Gelibrand Lower, Wattle Hill, Yuulong and Moonlight Heads. There are no hotels and only one motel in the area. However there are a number of self catering and holiday type accommodation such as bed and breakfasts (also known as bnb and b&b), apartments, holiday houses, cottages, cabins, guesthouses as well as one tourist or caravan park. There are no backpackers or hostels.
Self catering accommodation – Apartments, holiday houses, cottages, cabins, b&b’s and guesthouses in the Otways are:
Tourist, Caravan or Holiday Parks in Cape Otway is:
Tourist, Caravan or Holiday Parks in Gellibrand River is:
The Motel in Lavers Hill is:
The Backpackers or Hostels in Otways are:
- Bimbi Park (Cape Otway) has some backpacker accommodation. Nearest hostels are Apollo Bay, Wongara, Princetown and Port Campbell.
Otways Information:
Great Otway National Park
Great Otway National Park starts 162 km south-west of Melbourne. The 103 km² park was declared in 2004 when Otway National Park, Angahook-Lorne State Park, Carlisle State Park, Melba Gully State Park, areas of the Otway State forest and a number of Crown Land reserves were combined into one park. The Great Otway National Park is notable for its diverse range of landscapes and vegetation types. The park contains three camping areas - at Johanna, Aire River and Blanket Bay, and it can be accessed from the east via Apollo Bay, north via Forrest or Beech Forest, and from the west via Princetown. The park runs along the coast in the Otway Ranges, offering good access to beaches and to the Otway forest. There are many walking tracks in the park allowing access to the beaches. The Cape Otway Lighthouse is adjacent to the park. The park is a popular area for local and international tourists. The Otways are a dramatic stretch of coastline on the Great Ocean Road.
Cape Otway
Rugged, isolated Cape Otway is located 222 km south-west of Melbourne. Cape Otway was the site of several ship wrecks in the early part of the 19th century when passenger and cargo ships making the long sea journey from England to the fledgling colonies came to grief in the 'final strait' of the trip. The 'strait' is Bass Strait, one of the world's most treacherous and unpredictable stretches of water. Cape Otway and Cape Wickham on King Island mark the narrow and dangerous western entrance - only 50 nautical miles wide. Mariners referred to it as the 'Eye of the Needle'. The worst was the wreck of the Cataraqui which had swung south to miss the Cape Otway rocks only to crash into King Island. This resulted in the death of some 406 people. There is a small cemetery near the lighthouse which records the tragedies which were common when people lived in such isolated circumstances. The colonial government was forced to build a series of lighthouses, the first at Cape Otway and Cape Wickham on King Island. The light began shining its warning to seafarers on August 29, 1848. Whale oil and then kerosene were initially used to fuel the lamps. Later diesel generators and mains electricity taking over in more modern times. After claiming the title of the Australian mainland’s longest continuously operating light, it was decommissioned in 1994, replaced by a solar-powered light in front of the old tower.
To get there head west of Apollo Bay for 20 km along the Great Ocean Road and take the signposted left. It is 12 km to the lighthouse. There are marked walking tracks from the lighthouse. A short, easy, 30-minute return walk to the cemetery and there is a longer, easy walk to Rainbow Falls (about two hours return). Today, the lighthouse and the keeper’s cottages are tourist attractions where you can get a feel of those early days and the hardships that were experienced. A fee is charged to enter the station. Accommodation is also available.
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area around Cape Otway was inhabited by Aborigines who lived largely on the produce of the sea. The first European accounts of this stretch of coastline come from Matthew Flinders who passed by in 1802 and commented on the fierceness of the cliffs. Later Lieutenant James Grant named the ranges (and by association the Cape) after his friend Captain Albany Otway.
Things to See and Do:
Cape Otway Lighthouse Station
The Cape Otway lighthouse is the second-oldest on the Australian mainland and the oldest on the Victorian coast. Built in 1848 to a design by the Colonial Architect Mortimer Lewis, it stands on the 100-metre headland, is 15.6 metres high and can be seen for 22 km out to sea. It is very much worth the detour off the Great Ocean Road.
Cape Otway Cliff Walk
There is a track around the coast from Cape Otway which provides spectacular views. If you have the time and inclination it offers some of the best views along the coast.
Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk is a 91 kilometre track which stretches from Apollo Bay to Glenample Homestead, adjacent to the 12 Apostles, and passes through the Great Otway and Port Campbell National Parks.
The Great Ocean Walk was launched in January 2006 and has become Victoria’s iconic long-distance coastal walk attracting many national and international walkers.
One of the unique aspects of the Great Ocean Walk is that walkers can ‘step on and step off’ the trail, completing short, day, overnight or multi-day hikes, ranging from easy walks to difficult treks. To complete the entire linear walk (approx. 91 km) would take approximately eight days and seven nights.
Walkers will experience spectacular coast and forest scenery including rocky platforms, sheltered beaches, rivers, forests and coastal heathland.
Wildlife includes Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Black Wallabies, evidence of echidnas on the ground and koalas in the trees around Cape Otway. At vantage points along the trail walkers have the opportunity to see dolphins and, from June to September, migrating whales. A variety of birds may be observed including King Parrots, Rufous Bristlebirds, Crimson Rosellas, Singing Honeyeaters, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos and Gang-gang Cockatoos. Wedge-tailed Eagles and White-bellied Sea-eagles are also seen. Along the beach flocks of Crested Terns, larger Pied or Sooty Oystercatchers and occasionally Little Penguins, can be seen. At night campers may hear the Boobook and Powerful Owls in the forests or the unusual screaming sound of the Yellow-bellied Glider or the puppy-like yaps of Sugar Gliders.
Cape Otway is renowned for its shipwreck history and evidence of this can be seen at Wreck Beach where walkers can visit the anchors of the Marie Gabrielle and Fiji, embedded in the sand.
The Gadabanud people’s traditional Country transcends what is known today as the Otway coastline. This area, rich and diverse in plant and animal life, has been a gathering, ceremonial and feasting place for thousands of years. Many sites and spiritual links remain today. Local Gadabanud & Aboriginal people are closely involved with Parks Victoria in the protection, restoration and management of significant sites.
Near The Gables lookout walkers can experience some of the highest sea cliffs in mainland Australia
The walk goes from ‘mild’ in the east to ‘wild’ in the west. As walkers hike west the walk becomes more remote and challenging.
The final section of the walk concludes with spectacular views of the Twelve Apostles before crossing the Great Ocean Road to Glenample Homestead. The Homestead was built by pioneer pastoralist Hugh Gibson in 1869. Today, the homestead houses interpretive information on early pastoral and maritime history of the area. Contact Parks Victoria for opening times.
The walk includes a mixture of tracks, gradients and surfaces including beach walking 5%, walking tracks 53%, management vehicle only tracks 13% and vehicle tracks 29%. There are a number of sections where further beach walking is an option.
Visitors can chose to camp in the park or select from a variety of off-park accommodation including privately operated campgrounds, bed and breakfasts and self-contained cottages.
There are seven purpose built Great Ocean Walk ‘hike-in’ campsites along the walk with a total capacity of up to 170 people. They are located at Elliot Ridge, Blanket Bay, Cape Otway, Aire River, Johanna Beach, Ryans Den and Devils Kitchen. Distances between campsites range from 10-15km. Bookings are required and fees apply.
Parks Victoria has allocated three dedicated group camping areas on the Great Ocean Walk at Elliot Ridge, Blanket Bay and Cape Otway.
There are four ‘drive-in’ campsites at Blanket Bay, Parker Hill, Aire River and Johanna Beach. These sites are available for both car based campers and hikers. Registration is required.
Walkers using campsites will be asked to register their intentions to help Parks Victoria manage the effects and risks to the health of the park and assist visitors in enjoying their experience. Walkers must book their campsites and register their intentions at least 2-4 weeks in advance.
Drinking water is not available along the track. Tanks at campsites hold untreated rainwater. Walkers must be prepared to carry their drinking water requirements or to treat rainwater.
If walkers are planning to camp they need to carry food, water and equipment for up to 15km or chose to link their walk to nearby accommodation and service providers.
The track surface is predominantly made of natural soils or sand, however boardwalks and crushed rock have been laid to protect areas from erosion.
