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VICTORIA Otway National Park Otway National Park is perfect for a wide variety of recreational and nature based activities. Some of the most rugged and inaccessible coastline in Victoria lies in the 13,000 hectare park, an invitation to the adventurous to explore this 60-kilometre stretch from Apollo Bay to Princetown, reached via the Great Ocean Road. Things to Do At Maits Rest, near Apollo Bay, take the 40 minute self-guided rainforest walk. Walk through cool temperate rainforest of towering trees beside streams cascading seaward to Bass Strait. Visit Melba Gully, a cool temperate rainforest pocket near Lavers Hill, and walk the Madsen Track. See ancient and intricate plant life, lush ferns, mosses and fungi. Swim, snorkel, surf or fish at secluded beaches and estuaries. Glimpse Swamp Wallabies, Pygmy Possums, gliders and koalas, and (in winter) Southern Right Whales. Facilities You can camp at Blanket Bay, Aire River and Johanna; all sites have basic toilets. Accommodation in other camping areas, cabins and motels is available at nearby Apollo Bay and Lavers Hill - contact the Apollo Bay Tourist Information Centre for details on (03) 5237 6529. The Light Station at Cape Otway is considered to be the best collection of historic lighthouse buildings in Australia. There are daily tours of the Lighthouse, and accommodation in the historic keeper's quarters can be arranged by contacting the Lighthouse on (03) 5237 9240 or the Apollo Bay Tourist Information Centre. Heritage The Otways were formed 150 million years ago when the great southern land mass known as Gondwana began to break up. Part of the coastline is rich in fossils, including those of a dinosaur that roamed here 105 million years ago. Aboriginal communities hunted the coastal woodlands with fire, dingoes and spears. Although the steep slopes and tall forest of the Otways were a barrier to European settlement, settlers began to move in. Due to numerous shipwrecks, attention was focused on this part of the coast and in particular Cape Otway. The Cape Otway lighthouse was constructed in 1848. Fauna The park has abundant wildlife - Swamp Wallabies, koalas, Ring-tailed Possums and Grey Kangaroos are common, and Tiger Quoll and Yellow-bellied Gliders are present, though rarely seen. Vegetation Much land was cleared by early settlers, but extensive forest remains. Not far inland, rainforests and mountain ash trees contrast with coastal heathlands and open woodlands. Towering Myrtle Beech trees and their under-storey of dense tree-ferns can be seen on the Maits Rest walk and at Melba Gully. Looking After the Park All native plants and animals are protected. Do not disturb or remove them. Dogs, cats and firearms are prohibited (Dogs are permitted at Johanna on a lead). Fires may be lit only in fireplaces provided and not at all on Total Fire Ban days. Wood or fuel stoves and gas lights are not permitted on these days. Bring all firewood to the park. Take your rubbish home and, where possible, recycle. Check your recreational fishing guide before collecting shellfish or rock lobster (Shell fish collecting is not permitted east of Cape Otway). Always stay on walking tracks. Precautions Before setting off on long walks, leave details with staff at the park office. Wear strong shoes and appropriate clothing, and take water and food if you are planning a longer walk. How to Get There The park is 200 km south-west of Melbourne via Geelong or Colac From the west, approach via Port Campbell along the Great Ocean Road. The Otway and Shipwreck Coast Leisure Map, available from tourist information centres, will make navigation easy. Maits Rest The walk at Maits Rest is a great introduction to Victoria's tall wet eucalypt forests and rainforests. The forest walk has sections of raised boardwalk, compacted soil and aggregate. Some steep sections lack handrails. There are excellent interpretive signs along the path. Vehicle access to this site is excellent, and the area around the car park is free of obstacles. There are no picnic or toilet facilities. The closest are at Apollo Bay or the Aire River Camping area. Aire River The east area of the Aire River campground is an informal grassy area that can also be accessed by caravans. Neither camp area has any designated accessible facilities, but there is more flat ground on the west side than on the east. Johanna Beach Campers at Johanna Beach can park adjacent to a campsite, and it is possible to bring a caravan. Access to the toilet is restricted by a narrow path, as is access to the beach. The track to the beach is also very sandy. The camping area is fairly flat overall. Blanket Bay Facilities at Blanket Bay include picnic tables, pit and composting toilets and open fire places. There is a designated unisex toilet, with a gravel approach path. The sandy path with uneven stairs leading to the beach is poorly accessible. Recycling bins are provided - please use them. No water is available so bring your own, or draw it from the Parker River. Nearby Parks Angahook-Lorne State Park Melba Gully State Park Port Campbell National Park Bay of Islands Costal Park Activities Camping, Horse Riding, Snorkelling, Surfing, Swimming, Walking Guided Activities 1. Bicycle Touring 2. Birdwatching 3. Bushwalking 4. Canoeing / Kayaking 5. Coach/Bus Tours 6. Fishing 7. Four Wheel Drive Tours 8. Horse Riding 9. Mountain Bike Riding 10. Rafting 11. Sea Kayaking 12. Spotlight Tours / Nightwalks 13. Trail Bike Tours