David Hume
From lush rainforest to iconic coastline, the Otways region in Southern Victoria rewards visitors with a perfect getaway destination.
Winding through the Otways, the Great Ocean Road is best known for views of spectacular cliffs and rock formations, while just inland there await sedate but majestic mountain ash trees towering over dense ferns and waterfalls.
Whether you are a serious bush walker willing to take on the elements while camping along the 100km Great Ocean Walk, or an ambler who prefers to immerse in nature without too much effort, there is something for everyone.
The Great Otway National Park preserves the habitat for a diverse range of animals and birds. Yellow-tailed black cockatoos and countless migratory water birds frequent the rivers and estuaries as they near the ocean. Shore birds and rarer cliff top peregrine falcons dot the coastline. Koalas are visible in nearby eucalypts at Aire River campsites and along roadsides of the park. To locate them, just watch out for tourists clambering out of their vehicles and looking up with cameras clicking!
Mountain bike riding tracks around the town of Forrest cater for all skill levels, while the Old Beechy Rail Trail from Colac through hinterland towns covers 45km and can be ridden or walked in segments. Rail trails are usually a good bet for those who prefer a pedaling cruise rather than struggling up hills.
While fishing is not permitted in marine national parks and sanctuaries, anglers are to be seen in solitary spots along the wide sandy beaches. Areas such as the upper Gellibrand River are known for river blackfish and brown trout. Adults generally require a Victorian Amateur Fishing Licence.