Otways

This trek is a great long weekender, particularly if you live in or around Melbourne. Our start and end point is only 120kms from Victoria's capital city and this trek is a wonderful introduction to the first time 4WDer with a good combination of tar and gravel roads. It is a 4WDer's dream - close to the city with plenty of tracks to explore.

The trek begins at Aireys Inlet on the famous Great Ocean Road and finishes in the township of Forrest. The Great Ocean Road follows the coast and there are numerous coastal towns, fantastic scenery and excellent fishing and surfing opportunities. At Aireys Inlet, there are a number of great walks and a particular favourite is before Lorne at the Cumberland River Reserve with walks to Jebbs Pool and Cumberland Falls. This is a great spot for camping if you can find a free space in the caravan park.

Environment

There is a great variety of landscape in this region. The coastal heathlands and open woodlands contrast greatly with the rainforests which are hundreds of years old. There is a large amount of wild life that may be seen throughout your trip to the Otways.

History

At the turn of the century most of the villages along the coast such as Lorne were cut off by the Otway Ranges and the only way of communicating easily with the outside world was by sea. In 1916, during the middle of the war, it was suggested that returned servicemen be employed to build roads to cut off areas.

From this initiative the Great Ocean Road trust was founded to provide employment for returned service men, and to create the road as a memorial to those who had served in the war. The road was mainly hacked out of the earth by manual labour and was completed in 1932. It is a long and winding road that starts officially at Torquay and finishes at Warrnambool.

The Otways or Otway Ranges were formed 150 million years ago when Gondwana began to break up. Home to the Katabanut Aboriginal people, the steepness and tall forests of the ranges prevented European settlement until the 1870's when some land was cleared. The Otways National Park was created in the mid-1980's. The Angahook-Lorne State Park comprises the Eastern Otways.

Permits

Only required for camping in Otways National Park. The Otway Range Forests and the Angahook-Lorne State Park do not currently charge for camping. Camping fees do apply for the Otways National Park ranging from $3.50 per night/site for bush camping, to $8.30 per night/site where facilities are provided. Bookings are advised, particularly for school holidays and Blanket Bay camping area. Full details on facilities and fees are provided in Camping in Victoria by Boiling Billy.

Some tracks in the Otway Parks and Forests are closed between 1 June to 31 October. This trek travels on some seasonally closed tracks, so its best to contact Parks Victoria before finding you can't get through! For more information, call the Parks Victoria Information Line on 13 1963.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

There is NO fuel available in Forrest, nearest fuel is in Barwon Downs, 8 km to the north. (Limited hours only)

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 376 litres	4cyl 334 litres *	4cyl 535 litres
6cyl 410 litres	6cyl 485 litres	6cyl 471 litres
8cyl 410 litres	8cyl 444 litres

Best Time To Visit

All year round - maybe avoid June to October when parts of the Parks are closed.

Other notable info. Large reservoir, river, state forest, mountain bike tracks. Lots of 4WD tracks in area, subject to winter closure.

For more information on the Great Otways National Park, call the Parks Victoria Information Line on 13 1963.

Parks Victoria

Level 10, 535 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 13 1963 (within Australia)
Website: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
Email: info@parks.vic.gov.au