Outdoor Activities, Wye River, Great Ocean Road and Region, Victoria, Australia

Outdoor Activities

Although the region is most famous for its road, there are plenty of opportunities to put on your hiking boots or walking shoes and be rewarded with amazing views, fresh air and the rush of endorphins that comes with an invigorating hike in a spectacular location.

Throughout the Otways there are walks of varying length and difficulty that will allow every family member the chance to enjoy nature on foot. Most of them reach a crescendo at a spectaularly gushing waterfall - some particularly strenuous walks are a tease when the final stretch is within earshot of the running water.

The Great Ocean Walk stretches 104km from the idyllic resort town of Apollo Bay, to within sight of the magnificent 12 Apostles. The walk can be broken down into short walks of up to three hours or day-long walks. The walk in its entirety takes 8 days (7 nights) to complete. Hike in campsites can be booked, and a range of tour operators provide support services, including luggage transfer or passenger drop off.

The public land throughout the Otway National Park is managed by Parks Victoria and there are opportunities to camp in designated sites throughout the park - check with Parks Victoria for conditions and facilities (link?) There are also caravan parks throughout the region offering excellent facilities and sites for campers.

Highlights

Kennett River

Koala and wildlife Spotting

The coastal bushland between Lorne and Apollo Bay is home to a large population of koalas. A short drive up Grey River Road is usually rewarded with a sighting and, as soon as you’ve spotted one, you’ll be an expert spotter! During cooler months whales are often spotted offshore as they migrate from Antarctica or use the sheltered beaches in the region to deliver and nurse calves. A nocturnal visit to the Kennett River picnic ground will also reveal tiny but glorious glow worms.

Lorne

Great Otway National Park

The Great Otway National Park stretches from Torquay through to Princetown and up through the Otways hinterland towards Colac. The park features rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, rock platforms and windswept heathland. In the north, the park features tall forests, ferny gullies, magnificent waterfalls and tranquil lakes. Walking The Great Ocean Walk, stretches 91 kms from the idyllic resort town of Apollo Bay to Glenample Homestead (adjacent to the 12 Apostles). It passes through the National Park and overlooks the Marine National Park. The walk has been designed so that walkers can 'step on and step off' the trail at a number of places, completing short, day or overnight hikes. Horse riding and mountain biking Experience and enjoy the natural environment on horse back or on a mountain bike. A permit is required for horse riders to ride in the National Park and Parks Victoria staff can assist you with this. The formed roads and tracks provide ideal trails for these active endeavours. Picnicking and camping Picnic opportunities abound, with lovely settings at many of the waterfalls as well as Blanket Leaf, Sheoak, Distillery Creek, Moggs Creek, Paradise, Melba Gully, Shelly Beach, Triplet Falls and Blanket Bay to name a few. There are excellent camping opportunities throughout the Parks. Whether you are looking for a family friendly place to park your caravan or a solitary night under the stars there's something to cater to every need. Before you go Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website. Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Forrest

Forrest Mountain Biking

There are 8 separate mountain bike trails in the Forrest Mountain Bike precinct. There is more than 50km of purpose built track in the area ranging from rated from easy trails to extreme and strenuous tracks. The Otway Odyssey, Forrest 6 hr ride and Rainforest Ride events during the year are adding to Forrest’s reputation among the growing Australian mountain bike community.

Lorne

Lorne Fishing

The best fishing spots in Lorne include Reedy Creek, Loutit Bay, Lorne Pier and Lorne Beach. There are also some opportunities for freshwater fishing in the hinterland areas. Fishing licenses are available at the Lorne Visitor Information Centre.

Lorne

Whale Watching around Lorne

Whales have long known what we humans are just coming to realise – the Great Ocean Road is a wonderful spot for a winter break. Sightings are most common during June, July and August, though whales have been spotted as early as February and as late as November. On the migration from Antarctica – humpback whales pass Lorne en route to Queensland and southern right whales spend time on the sheltered Victorian coast to breed and raise calves. To help land-based visitors make the most of this special time, a range of ‘Whale Watch’ initiatives are in place to provide notifications when whales have been spotted off the coast. At Lorne, Wye River, Onion Bay and Apollo Bay, dedicated whale-sighting flags will be hoisted when a verified spotting of one or more of the massive creatures has been spotted nearby, letting people know to cast their eyes to sea for a chance at seeing them too. The ‘Whale Watch’ blog on this site has a diary of confirmed sightings with times, locations, numbers and, where possible, breed of whale. Members of the public can use the blog to report a sighting in the region. ‘Whale Watch’ has hundreds of separate whale sightings reported each year, sometimes with up to six whales in a pod.

Lorne

Lorne Pier

The start of the famous ocean swimming race ‘The Pier to Pub’, the Lorne Pier is also a popular spot for fishing. Garfish, salmon and barracouta are commonly caught here. The Lorne pier is at the Western end of Loutit Bay.

Lorne

Lorne Rides

Lorne has four set rides. Ratings range from easy, for all ages on the flat, to hard in the steep hilly sections. With times from 30 minutes to three hours, and optional extensions, the rides cover the town, coast, bush and Erskine Falls. The hills around Lorne provide a bit of a challenge, but you can enjoy a leisurely cycle around the main street and down to the pier. If you like a bit of a challenge, the Forests and Flowers Mountain Bike Ride is a moderate to hard circuit of 35km, with plenty of scenic rewards. The ride starts at the Lorne Visitor Information Centre with an almost 9km climb through the forest in its first section. Highlights include Erskine Falls and giant tree ferns. The second, less-taxing section, follows the Benwerrin-Mt Sabine Road through the tall Otways forest. The final section is downhill run along Deans Marsh Road back to Lorne.

Lorne

Lorne Walks & Waterfalls

The Great Otway National Park is a spectacular area of native forest, and there are plenty of opportunities to get closer to nature with walking tracks and trails in the area, many leading to spectacular crashing waterfalls. There are seven waterfalls within the bushland surrounding Lorne, with different accessibility levels – some are a quick ten minute stroll from the carpark, others are a more strenuous rainforest hike rewarded with the majestic roar of a waterfall. CORA LYNN CASCADES Car park options: - Blanket Leaf picnic ground carpark (4 km return walk to the falls) - Cora Lynn Cascades carpark (7 km return walk to the falls) - Allenvale Mill carpark (8 km return walk to the falls) Walking track information: - Start: Blanket Leaf picnic ground, off Erskine Falls Road - Finish: Allenvale Mill car park - Distance: 4 km return to Cora Lynn cascades, 12 km return to Allenvale Mill - Duration: 2 hours to Cora Lynn cascades, 5 1/2 hours to Allenvale Mill - Difficulty: Moderate (to Cora Lynn cascades), Strenuous (to Allenvale Mill) Details: The Cora Lynn Cascades walk passes through fern gullies and rocky gorges to Cora Lynn Cascades (about 2 km from the picnic area). The next section (from the Cascades to the Cora Lynn carpark) is only for experienced walkers. From the carpark the track continues on to Phantom Falls to Allenvale Road. From here you can walk east along Allenvale Road then turn left onto the Green Break Track which joins up with Erskine Falls Road which leads back to the picnic area. Another option is to follow Saint George River from the Allenvale Mill site to the coast. ERSKINE FALLS & STRAW FALLS Car park options: - Erskine Falls car park (300m return walk to falls 1st lookout, 700 m to 2nd lookout) Walking track information (Erskine River Track): - Start: Erskine Falls car park - Finish: Lorne - Distance: 7.5 km one way - Duration: 3 hours - Difficulty: Strenuous Details: Erskine Falls is a short drive out of Lorne on appropriately named Erskine Falls Road. It is one of the most popular falls in the Otways and easily accessible. A five-minute walk from the car park brings you to a lookout of the falls, cascading 30 metres into a beautiful tree fern gullyYou also can take steps down to the Erskine River to view the falls from below. . Straw Falls are a 15m cascade on the Erskine River and are a further 400m downstreams of Erskine Falls. Experienced walkers can follow the river from Erksine Falls to Lorne. The 7.5km one-way walk takes about three hours and passes Straw Falls and Splitter Falls. It should not be attempted when water levels are high. HENDERSON FALLS, THE CANYON & PHANTOM FALLS Car park options: - Sheoak Creek Picnic area carpark, along Allenvale Rd (21/2 hours return walk to Phantom Falls) - Allenvale Mill site, on Allenvale Road (90 minute return walk to Phantom Falls) Walking track information: - Start: Sheoak Creek Picnic area carpark - Finish: Sheoak Creek Picnic area carpark - Distance: 6.5 km return - Duration: 21/2 hours - Difficulty: Strenuous Details: Henderson Falls, the Canyon and Phantom Falls are reached from the Sheoak Creek Picnic area, along Allenvale Rd. There are barbecue facilities, toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces and drinking water. From the Canyon, you can return to Sheoak picnic area by the same track or continue on to Phantom Falls and then down to the Allenvale Mill carpark and along Allenvale Rd back to the Sheoak picnic area. On the way is also Won Wondha Falls. Henderson Falls is about 8 to10 meters, Panthom Falls about 15 meters high. The total distance of this circuit is around 9 km. KALIMNA FALLS (UPPER & LOWER FALLS) Car park options: - Sheoak picnic area carpark (2.5 hours walk to Lower Falls, 31/2 hours to Upper Falls) Walking track information: - Start: Sheoak picnic area carpark - Finish: Sheoak picnic area carpark - Distance: Lower Falls – 6.5 km; Upper Falls – 8.5 km - Duration: Lower Falls – 21/2 hours: Upper Falls – 31/2 hours - Difficulty: Easy Details: The Sheoak picnic area, is a 4km drive from Lorne. The Kalimna falls are fringed by tall rainforest trees and dense tree ferns. The Lower Falls are not large, but you can get behind them and look out through the falling water to the large pool surrounded by mossy logs and rocks. The Upper Falls are a series of cascades viewed from a platform. The walk follows the route of an old tramway and some of the old sleepers can still be seen. The return walk to the picnic area can be made along Garvey track. SHEOAK FALLS Car park options: - Sheoak picnic area carpark (10 minutes walk to Sheoak Falls) Walking track information: - Start: Sheoak picnic area carpark - Finish: Sheoak picnic area carpark - Distance: 7 km return • Duration: 3 hours - Difficulty: Moderate Details: Head south-east from the Sheoak Picnic Area along Sheoak Creek to Swallow Cave (where swallows nest in the rock crevices in spring) and on for another 400 m to the 15-metre Sheoak Falls (this section of the walk should not be attempted when water levels are high). While not falling for a great distance, the water passes over a dark rock face within a natural amphitheatre, making for spectacular viewing. Return a very short distance towards Swallow Cave then branch off to the left along the Sheoak/Castle Rock Track. After about 1.3 km there is a track junction. Turn left to Castle Rock where there is a lookout then return to the junction. Keep to the left, following the Sheoak Track north to Garveys Track which leads back to the Picnic Area. CUMBERLAND FALLS Car park options: - Picnic area carpark at the mouth of the Cumberland River (3 hours walk return) - Sheoak picnic area carpark Walking track information: - Start: Picnic area carpark at the mouth of the Cumberland River - Finish: Picnic area carpark at the mouth of the Cumberland River - Distance: 9 km return - Duration: 4.5 hours - Difficulty: Strenuous Details: About 6 km south of Lorne along the Great Ocean Road is a picnic area at the mouth of the Cumberland River. You can take the Cumberland Falls Walk by following the river for about 3 km past some excellent clifftop scenery to the Cumberland Cascades (not to be attempted when the river level is high). Return the way you came for nearly 1 km but then take the track on the left which follows a ridge north to Garveys Track. Turn right onto the latter but turn right again almost immediately onto the Sheoak Track to Castle Rock. From Castle Rock return along the track for a couple of hundred metres to the track junction and turn right. The track leads to Sheoak Falls then on to the Great Ocean Road carpark which can be followed back to the Cumberland River Reserve. CURRAWONG FALLS (AIREYS INLET) Car park options: - Lower carpark, Distillery Creek picnic area (near Aireys Inlet) Walking track information: - Start: Distillery Creek picnic area carpark - Finish: Distillery Creek picnic area carpark - Distance: 12 km return - Duration: 4 hours - Difficulty: Strenuous Details: The Currawong Falls are at their best in the winter and spring and the site offers fine views of the surrounding countryside. The walk reveals a fascinating range of habitats: ironbark and other eucalypt forests, melaleuca swamps, fern gullies, sheoak stands on high ridges with panoramic views, and steep-sided gorges.

Lorne

Teddy's Lookout

At the end of George Street, Teddy’s Lookout offers spectacular views of the St. George River and the Great Ocean Road coastline. There is walking trail connecting Teddy’s Lookout with two other lookouts, and takes about 30 minutes return.

Lorne

Lorne Beach and Foreshore

The wide ribbon of sand and gentle waves make Lorne Beach on Loutit Bay a perfect spot for swimmers, surfers and frolickers alike. The sand is only a short stroll from Mountjoy Parade, there are shower and toilet facilities and the beach is patrolled in Summer. In the foreshore reserve area there is a children’s playground, swimming pool, skate park, trampoline hire and lots of open space for games and picnics.

Lorne

Lorne Country Club

Experience the Otways at the Lorne Country Club. For golfers, a spectacular nine hole course set in natural bush with sweeping views of the ocean, and for tennis players, six en-tout-cas courts. Visitors are welcome and green fees and tennis court hire fees are low. Golf clubs and tennis racquets are available for hire. Phone for bookings or pop in and book at the bar whilst enjoying a drink and some of the best views on the Great Ocean Road. Memberships are available with annual subscriptions affordable. The Club is only 2km. from the main street of Lorne. Take the Deans Marsh Road and follow the Country Club signs.

Forrest

Ride Forrest

Forrest is one of Australia's best mountain bike destinations. With over 60 kilometres of purpose built single track, there is more than three days of riding here. You can stay in a variety of accommodation options and ride right from your front door of your accommodation. Forrest is the gateway to the Otways, with places to stay, eat and ride. Platypus tours are also available. Visit the Ride Forrest website to find all you need to know about Forrest and Mountain Bike riding in the Otways.

Apollo Bay

Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk, on Victoria's spectacular west coast, stretches 104km from the idyllic resort town of Apollo Bay, to within sight of the magnificent 12 Apostles. Weave through beautiful National Parks, walk deserted beaches and gaze over pristine marine sanctuaries. Step on and off the trail with convenience; enjoy comfortable accommodation and excellent local meals or pitch your tent at wildly picturesque spots along the way. You can walk at your own pace and within your own timeframe along the Great Ocean Walk. Short walks of up to 3 hours long are available and take in old shipwrecks, historic lighthouses and lookouts. Or, take a full-day walk and experience breathtaking ocean views, stunning waterfalls, lush forest, and more natural wonders. The full walk from Apollo Bay to Glenample, within sight of the 12 Apostles, is an 8 day, 7 night walk. There are hike in campsites along the way, or for a more luxurious approach stay in quality accommodation properties nearby and have licensed tour operators shuttle you and your belongings back and forth each day.

Torquay

The Surf Coast Walk

Whether you're a nature lover or a fun lover, whether you take an hour, a day or a week, the Surf Coast Walk puts a stunning and unique coastal environment within easy reach. - Offering natural beauty and easy access - A world-class walking destination for all to enjoy - On the edge of the stunning Great Ocean Road - Do a section or do it all; at your own pace - More than a walk, over half the track is suitable for bikes Relish the rich ochre of the Bells Beach cliffs, the deep blue of Bass Strait and the leafy green of eucalypt forects. Discover traditional Wathaurung country, fascinating surf culture and abundant wildlife as the walk connects you with the coastal town comforts of Torquay, Anglesea and Aireys Inlet.

Anglesea

Anglesea Golf Club

The Anglesea Golf Club is situated on the Great Ocean Road and is an undulating 6,074m Par 73 layout set in natural bushland. A feature of the course is the number of elevated greens that require plenty of thought when selecting your club. There are only 42 bunkers throughout the course which have been likened to sand-belt bunkers and coupled with eucalypt tree lined fairways combine to produce a stimulating round. Also there is the ever present resident population of Eastern Grey Kangaroos which number approximately 300. Anglesea Golf Club welcomes social golfers and social groups 7 days a week, don't have golf equipment? The Pro Shop carries hire clubs, pull buggies and motorised carts. Green fees are $45.00 non-daylight savings and $50.00 daylight savings, cheaper rates for group bookings, juniors and 9 holes. If you're not interested in golf why not come along and have lunch or dinner in the Bistro over looking the 18th hole with ocean glimpses. The Bistro is open for lunch daily 12.00pm - 2.00pm and dinner nightly Sunday - Friday 6.00pm - 8.00pm and Saturdays 6.00pm - 9.00pm. The kangaroos generally come down towards the Clubhouse of an evening so visitors having a drink on the balcony or dining in our bistro have the unique experience of seeing Australian Wildlife in a natural setting.

Near Beech Forest

Otway Fly Treetop Adventures

Otway Fly Treetop Adventures - One Location two adventures. Located in Victoria's magnificent Otways providing visitors with a unique opportunity to view the forest from a bird's eye view through its two unique eco-adventure experiences, the famous Tree Top walk and Zip Line tour. The Tree Top Walk - the longest and tallest elevated walk of its kind in the world. At 600 metres long and 30 metres above ground level. A 45 metre high lookout is ascended via a spiral stairway through the under story to emerge amongst the crowns of the giants of the forest, whilst the springboard cantilever bounces precariously high over picturesque Young's Creek. The walk is a 1.9 kilometres round walk starting from the visitor centre and takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour to complete. The walk is full of quality interpretive panels educating our visitor on the forest and surrounds on display. For the thrill seeker Zip lining is the perfect adrenaline fuelled activity where you can Zip across the treetops in this unique forest experience, gaining a bird's-eye view of Otways beautiful forests. The Zip Line tour involves traversing from one platform to another connected by tree platforms called 'cloud stations', and attached so steel cable suspended up to 30 metres above the forest floor. This exciting adventure lasts 3 hours and is unlike any other experience, we recommend pre booking the Zip Line Tour via the Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures website. The visitor centre is home to a licensed cafe which seats up to 100 people. The car-park also provides for Campervans, Caravans and Coaches. Group bookings can be made and need to be booked in advance, guided tours and catering are available for these bookings.

Near Forrest

Planet Mud Outdoor Adventures

Planet Mud Outdoor Adventures are proud to be Victoria's first Paintball, Globeriding and Segway® Adventure Centre offering you a range of exhilarating activities to enjoy. Whichever one you choose, Planet mud outdoor adventures provide a high quality outdoor experience with the friendliest highly trained staff and the promise of a quality and fun experience to remember. For a great Day out in the Otways, the location is set on 53 acres of beautiful bush and just 40 minutes from Lorne, 1hr from Geelong, 30 mins from Apollo Bay, 45 mins from Warrnambool and 15 mins from Colac. They have different scenario paintball games as well as their fabulously popular Tournament style field - grab some mates, bucks / hens show coming up, or a corporate event - they can arrange it all for you. The Segway Nature Trails give you an hours experience with a Segway Off-road X2. It's easy, it's fun and it's an exhilarating new experience when you ride an all-terrain Segway® X2 on our cross country Nature course. A hugely popular activity for everyone aged 10 or over. You get a sense of power and speed, yet you also feel a sense of safety and absolute control. It all feels natural, safe, and instinctive. Globeride in three metre inflatable transparent ball. Zorbing is classed as an extreme sport, but safety is our priority and focus so all you need to worry about is buckling up and enjoying the ride. Planet Mud Outdoor Adventure Vouchers make great gifts and can be purchased all year round and used towards any of the activities that we offer. Booking is essential for all activities so call now to book

Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay Fishing

There are loads of great fishing spots in and around Apollo Bay. Try near the harbour, from the beach or just beyond the point towards Marengo. There are also freshwater streams nearby worth a try.

Geelong

More Than A Tour

More than Tour offer their local knowledge will give you the very best opportunity of seeing a range of beautiful native animals in their natural environment. Shorts walks to the scenic attractions, lookouts, beaches and rain forests will be on well-defined tracks and board walks and requires a moderate level of fitness. Their guides will accompany you on all walks and your safety is their priority. Being a boutique tour company they will confirm your pick up point, departure and return times prior to departure. More Than A Tour also offers a Door to Door Service. More Than A Tour can tailor make tours to satisfy your groups desires, including: •Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island two day tours •Great Ocean Road and Grampians two day tours •Tailor made tours also available.

Queenscliff

Queenscliff Bike Hire

Queenscliff Bike Hire is located at Queenscliff Harbour in Victoria, Australia, approximately an hour and 30 minutes drive from Melbourne. Bike hire is available for adults and kids. As well as optional trailer bikes and buggies for younger kids and toddlers. The bikes are brand new and are regularly maintained by their on site mechanic. Queenscliff bike hire can supply bikes for individuals or large groups and will deliver to the entire Bellarine area including Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads. Discounts apply for long term hire, schools and groups of more than 10 people. You can hire a bike for half a day, full day or even a week. There are plenty of fantastic places to ride. If you are in town for a short time, take a ride along the beach path which winds its way along Point Londsdale foreshore to the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. This is an easy eight kilometre round trip. If you have a bit more time then you may like to ride the Queenscliff to Drysdale rail trail, 16 kilometres one way. Please visit our website of call to arrange a booking.

Packages & Offers

See, Do, Stay & Save

Welcome to goTravlr, your passport to great deals in Geelong, the Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road.

Whitecrest Winter Indulgence Package

A special romantic experience.

Golf Getaway on the Bellarine

$225 per person twin share.

Otway Fly - Friday Fly Day

Friday Fly Day - activate your winter!

Chris's Beacon Point Restaurant & Villas Winter Warmer Getaway Package

Package for two from $350.00.

Stay & Save at Cumberland Lorne Resort

From $411 for a three night stay.

BIG 4 Beacon Resort Blues Train Package

A unique musical experience! Toe tapping entertainment, a cool drink and a good laugh. Rock your stay in Queenscliff with Blues Train tickets and award winning accommodation at BIG4 Beacon Resort.

Seahaven Village - Taste of The Bellarine $495

Relax at stunning Barwon Heads Friday and Saturday night in a cosy 4.5 star one bedroom spa suite.

Barwon Heads Golf Club Winter Escape

$240 per couple per night

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