A Guide to the Mystical Redwood Forest in the Otways
Here’s our guide to visiting the Otways Californian Redwoods, located deep inside the Great Otway National Park in Victoria’s south-west. This mystical forest is the perfect detour for those visiting the 12 Apostles, or travellers exploring the best of Victoria.
The Otways Californian Redwood Forest is one of Victoria's best kept secrets (like the Warburton Redwood Forest used to be!).
Located in the Great Otway National Park, just down the road from the incredibly beautiful Hopetoun Falls (read our guide here) the 85-year-old plantation is left over from the logging industry that used to operate here in the 1930s. Today, the 60m high trees make for an enchanting, peaceful place to wander through.
With the Aire river trickling by to one side and dense ferns and native trees closed around it, this is a little pocket of natural magic you’ll want to spend hours soaking up.
We’ve put together a little guide to help you enjoy the best of this natural wonderland.
EXPLORING THE MYSTICAL OTWAY REDWOODS
A LITTLE ABOUT THE OTWAY REDWOODS HISTORY
Similar to the East Warburton Redwoods (which you can read all about here), the Otway Redwoods were planted in the mid 1930’s by the Forests Commission of Victoria. It was hoped the 461 seedling planted at the head of the Aire River would survive and thrive in the dank environment (similar to their native habitat in California), and would be used in construction, cladding and roof shingles.
As it turns out, the trees grew quite slowly, and were left to their own devices. Over the next 70 years though, they really did grow, to their current height of close to 70m. Apparently, measurements from 2004 indicate the trees have the potential to reach the height of their Californian counterparts if left undisturbed from bushfire, pests and disease, or trampling by tourism
While they’re not native, the Redwood forest here is utterly mesmerising, with the dense, thick plantation cohabitating with local species and ferns to create a mystical, natural wonderland which we can now all enjoy.
HOW TO GET TO THE OTWAY REDWOOD FOREST
The Otway Redwoods are located in the depths of the incredible Great Otway National Park, about 2.5 hours (200 kms) from Melbourne CBD.
Below we’ve detailed how to get there from both Melbourne, and Apollo Bay, including a map which you can download for your journey.
FROM MELBOURNE
If you’re coming from Melbourne, you’re likely coming along the Great Ocean Road - great choice because it really is one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
Take the Princess freeway (M1) towards Geelong, before taking the Geelong bypass towards Torquay. Here, join the B100 (which later becomes the Great Ocean Road) for until you arrive in a small town called Skenes Creek. From here, turn right and take Skenes Creek Rd (C119) for around 30 mins, before turning right onto Turtons Track (C159) towards Beech Forest. After 20 mins, turn left onto Binns Rd.
After a quick 15 minute drive on Binns Rd, you’ll arrive at Otway Redwoods (just passed Hopetoun Falls).
FROM APOLLO BAY
Alternatively, if you’re based in Apollo Bay, it’s really easy to find the Otway Redwoods.
Continue on the Great Ocean Road (B100) through the Otways National Park, passing through Glenaire and Johanna before arriving at Lavers Hill.
Turn right on Colac - Lavers Hill Rd. (C155) at Lavers Hill, and drive for around 25 mins, passing Beech Forest before turning right onto Binns Rd, passing Hopetoun Falls, and arriving at the Redwoods on your right.
EXPLORING THE MYSTICAL REDWOOD FOREST
Having spent years enjoying the Californian Redwood forest of Warburton, we weren’t sure what to expect from their Otway counterparts.
As it turns out, the Otway Redwoods might just be a smaller, yet more beautiful, more mystical version of their Yarra cousin.
After a short, winding drive from Beech Forest, you’ll come across with the towering Redwoods, which act as some sort of barrier into an another world. After stepping through the narrow forest opening, you’re greeted with a dense, dark, and mystical environment. Thick, orange trunks reach skyward, blocking any sunlight from reaching through, while rust-coloured leaves cover the damp forest floor.
The achingly clear Aire River, on its journey to the Southern Ocean, passes peacefully to the south of the forest, snaking its way through the plantation and a sea of ferns with effortless grace. Across it lies gigantic, moss-covered tree trunks, the unfortunate victims of strong winds which whip through this part of the world.
The whole area feels like a fairytale, and a visit here is highly cathartic. it’s incredible quiet underneath the canopy - save for birdsong or the light trickle of the Aire river.
You can’t help but feel small and slightly insignificant here in the Redwood forest - a rare feeling in our hyperconnected world.
Exploring further along the Aire river will end in wonder - the views here are just as spectacular, even if the haphazard pathway is a little slippery and hard to follow.
If you’re like us, you’ll spend hours photographing every corner of the forest. Or, if you’re just passing through, you’ll witness one of the most visually beautiful places in Victoria.
Either way, enjoy.
PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE OTWAY REDWOODS
For the photographers out there, the Otway Redwood Forest is a dream.
If it’s foggy, the mood provides some epic shots. If it’s sunny, the dappled light allows for creative compositions.
There are a number of fallen trees which act as great subjects in which to stand (pose) on, which if shot on a zoom, can result in some awesome background compression.
If you’ve got a wide zoom (16mm - 35mm), use the extra width to take in the forest canopy, or use a human subject to show the scale of the Redwoods.
RELATED | Read our travel photography tips guide here
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING THE OTWAY REDWOODS
BEST TIME TO VISIT THE OTWAY REDWOODS
Having visit the Redwoods on a beautiful winters day, we’d be inclined to the best time to visit the falls is winter.
The darker, moodier days, the increased flow of the Aire River, and the lack of tourists, means the Redwoods are fare more enjoyable at this time of year. If winter is not an option, the shoulder season of spring is a good bet.
For photographers, get there early regardless of season (pre 9 am), as the day-trip crowds begin to arrive from around 10am. The light, obviously is far better in the early morning, without the harsh midday sun pushing through the canopy. Alternatively, head there late afternoon for golden hour.
RESPECT THE OTWAY REDWOOD FOREST
The huge increase in tourists to the Otway Redwood Forest recently has left the natural environment a little worse for wear.
Therefore, it’s super important to preserve the natural environment for those in the future by to following these simple rules:
Don’t be an idiot
Take your litter with you. Why you’d visit a pristine natural environment and leave your litter behind is beyond us
Leave the natural environment undisturbed as much as possible. Stay to the paths and leave things as they are
PARKING
There is limited parking on site, with enough space for around 10 or so cars. It is possible to park on the side of Binns Rd. leading into the Redwoods, but just we sure to leave enough space for cars to drive through.
TOILETS
Thankfully, there are pit-style toilets on site, so if nature calls, you’re sorted. They’re located across the road from the carpark.
WATCH YOUR STEP
The Otways are one of the wettest areas in Victoria, so the Redwood forest can get very slippery underfoot, especially in the wetter months of the year. Take your time and take every step with caution, and be careful the further you go into the forest.
Runners and boots are fine for walking the trails.
WHERE TO STAY ON THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
On our most trip along the Great Ocean Road, we stayed at the Marengo Motel, just outside Apollo Bay.
It’s definitely the more budget option, but the accommodation was pretty much in the middle of everything we wanted to explore, simple but comfortable, with just about everything we needed for a few-day stay.
From here, it’s about 1 hour to the Otway Redwoods.
BOOK | Marengo Motel
Other accommodation options we recommend along the Great Ocean Road are:
Lorne | Chatby Lane Lorne
Apollo Bay | Apollo Bay Waterfront Motel, or Captains at the Bay
Port Campbell | Sea Foam Villas
HOW TO EXPLORE THE OTWAYS
Pretty much the only way to explore all of the Great Ocean Road & Otway National Park attractions is via vehicle, whether your own rental or on a day trip from Melbourne if time is limited.
Here are a few of our fave options:
BY VAN
One of the most common sights you’ll see on the Great Ocean Road is the bright green and purple branding of Jucy Rentals vans. #Vanlifing along this coastline is one of the most popular ways to discover the area — and is something we can personally vouch for having done the very same for a week back in 2017!
BOOK | Book your Jucy Rental
BY CAR
The Great Ocean Road and the Otways are literally built for epic road trips. If you need to hire a car, we recommend booking through Rentalcars.com.
BOOK | Rentalcars.com
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Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
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