| Address: |
Cape Otway
,
Victoria
|
| Phone: |
Info Centre (03) 5237 6529
|
| Fax: |
Info Centre (03) 5237 6194
|
Cape Otway Walk
Travelling west on the Great Ocean Road from Apollo Bay, approximately 8 kms from the township on your left is the turn off to Shelly Beach. Follow this gravel road down to the picnic area (toilets & picnic tables) set among tall eucalypts. Several walks begin from here, ranging from an easy 40-minute walk to Shelly Beach and other more difficult circuit walks up to two hours return. (Avoid these walks at high tide). These walks are part of the Great Ocean Walk. Track notes are available from the Information Centre.
Returning to the Great Ocean Road
Continue on your journey west. A further 9kms will bring you to the rainforest walk at Maits Rest. This cool temperate rainforest walk is a unique experience. The timber boardwalk, viewing platforms and bridges makes it an easy walk for all ages. Take time out to wander through this eucalypt forest rich in giant tree ferns, Myrtle Beech trees, mosses and the carnivorous black snail which is unique to the Otways. The turn off to Cape Otway is 4kms west of Maits Rest, on the left.
Enjoy the change in scenery and surrounding bushland as the tall eucalypts are replaced by the Coastal Manna Gum, home to many koalas if you look hard enough! Most of the koalas are located on the gravel road to Blanket Bay which is 8kms on your left along the Otway Lighthouse Road. Blanket Bay is a great camping and picnic spot in the Otway National Park (Wood fires, picnic tables & toilets available). To camp during peak times bookings are essential. The track is quite rough and should be avoided over winter months.
Guided nature walks are available (by appointment only) at the Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology located on the Cape Otway Lighthouse Road. Contact the Great Ocean Raod Visitor Information Centre for more details.
The Cape Otway Lightstation is 13kms down the Cape Otway Lighthouse Road. A charge applies to access the Lightstation (the oldest surviving lighthouse on the Australian mainland, built in 1848). Tours of the lighthouse are availble. While there, the Telegraph Station and café are worth a visit. There are marked walking tracks outside the Lightstation grounds. An easy 30-minute walk to the cemetery or, for the fit, a five-hour return walk to Rainbow Falls, can be enjoyed from here.
TOURING TIPS
• Direct driving time to the Otway Lightstation is approx. 30 mins.
• Suggested picnic stops: Shelly Beach Picnic Ground & Blanket Bay.
• Special places of interest include: Elliot River Walk, Maits Rest, Blanket Bay, Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology & the Cape Otway Lightstation.
• For more exploring, check with the Visitor Information Centre about Parker River.
• If planning a visit to Blanket Bay, check road conditions.