Otways

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesAireys Inlet
FinishForrest
DifficultyDifficulty 2.5/5
Suitable ForAWD Motorbike 
Distance107.01 km
Minimum Days2
Average Speed43.98 km/hr
Travel Time2 hrs 26 mins
Page Updated: 21 Oct 2021

Description

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.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

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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.

TrekID: 61

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.

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 Usage

There is NO fuel available in Forrest, nearest fuel is in Barwon Downs, 8 km to the north. (Limited hours only)
DieselULPLPG
4cyl 15 litres4cyl 13 litres *4cyl 21 litres
6cyl 16 litres6cyl 19 litres6cyl 19 litres
8cyl 16 litres8cyl 18 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

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

Closest Climatic Station

Aireys Inlet
Distance from Trek Mid Point 16.1km E
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C22.722.921.319.016.113.813.314.416.117.919.621.0
Mean Min. °C13.914.713.411.59.88.17.37.48.19.211.012.2
Mean Rain mm38.337.034.249.050.360.966.867.757.561.561.340.4
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Aireys Inlet to Gentle Annie Hill
Driving: 10.67 km
Heading: 287°
Avg Speed: 32.9 km/hr
EST Time: 19:27
Gentle Annie Hill to Benwerrin
Driving: 10.13 km
Heading: 248°
Avg Speed: 39.5 km/hr
EST Time: 15:23
Benwerrin to Big Hill Campground
Driving: 0.84 km
Heading: 186°
Avg Speed: 63.37 km/hr
EST Time: 00:47
Big Hill Campground to Mount Cowley
Driving: 14.38 km
Heading: 218°
Avg Speed: 50.66 km/hr
EST Time: 17:01
Mount Cowley to Sharps Track Campground
Driving: 7.43 km
Heading: 93°
Avg Speed: 35.76 km/hr
EST Time: 12:27
Sharps Track Campground to Allenvale Mill Campground
Driving: 2.84 km
Heading: 86°
Avg Speed: 40.49 km/hr
EST Time: 04:12
Allenvale Mill Campground to Lorne
Driving: 2.16 km
Heading: 54°
Avg Speed: 35.46 km/hr
EST Time: 03:39
Lorne to Point Grey
Driving: 1.25 km
Heading: 131°
Avg Speed: 49.61 km/hr
EST Time: 01:30
Point Grey to The Spit
Driving: 4.13 km
Heading: 216°
Avg Speed: 53.99 km/hr
EST Time: 04:35
The Spit to The Brothers
Driving: 1.17 km
Heading: 235°
Avg Speed: 62.78 km/hr
EST Time: 01:07
The Brothers to Cumberland River Holiday Park
Driving: 0.62 km
Heading: 295°
Avg Speed: 43.61 km/hr
EST Time: 00:51
Cumberland River Holiday Park to Mount Defiance Lookout
Driving: 2.01 km
Heading: 225°
Avg Speed: 50.42 km/hr
EST Time: 02:23
Mount Defiance Lookout to Jamieson Creek Campground
Driving: 2.66 km
Heading: 221°
Avg Speed: 38.2 km/hr
EST Time: 04:10
Jamieson Creek Campground to Lake Elizabeth Campground
Driving: 39.1 km
Heading: 290°
Avg Speed: 29.83 km/hr
EST Time: 01:18:38
Lake Elizabeth Campground to Forrest
Driving: 7.62 km
Heading: 327°
Avg Speed: 33.06 km/hr
EST Time: 13:49
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

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

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

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