Barwon Downs Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Lake Elizabeth is a remote mountain lake formed by a landslide and a beautiful place to spend some time searching for the Platypus. The lake is about 3/4hr walk to reach from the carpark along a well made pathway. My photo was taken near the western edge of the lake. Hidden deep in the Otways it has inspiring beauty with heavily timbered flanks and calm waters punctuated by the trunks of dead trees, drowned when the valley was flooded more than 50 years ago to form this "perched lake”. The elusive platypus can be found in the waters of the lake - wake up early or head to Lake Elizabeth at dusk to catch a glimpse of these shy Australian natives.
Lake Elizabeth is a remote mountain lake formed by a landslide and a beautiful place to spend some time searching for the Platypus. The lake is about 3/4hr walk to reach from the carpark along a well made pathway. My photo was taken near the western edge of the lake. Hidden deep in the Otways it has inspiring beauty with heavily timbered flanks and calm waters punctuated by the trunks of dead trees, drowned when the valley was flooded more than 50 years ago to form this "perched lake”. The elusive platypus can be found in the waters of the lake - wake up early or head to Lake Elizabeth at dusk to catch a glimpse of these shy Australian natives.
Lake Elizabeth is one of my favourite hidden gems in the Otway region. It's a beautiful campground that has many hiking trails. The lake was created when a landslide formed a dam. Now you have haunting dead trees rising from the middle of the lake. It's very secluded and is a place to get different photos. You can occasionally find platypus here #localgem
Walk around the lake.

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Cumberland Lorne Resort

Cumberland Lorne Resort

4.5 out of 5
150 Mountjoy Parade Lorne VIC
The price is AU$291 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
AU$291
19 Mar - 20 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Lorne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 coffee shops/cafes. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,053 reviews)
Very clean, great amenities. Always book an ocean view room which never disappoints. Refurbished pool area looks great

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Cumberland Lorne Resort
Mantra Lorne

Mantra Lorne

4.5 out of 5
Mountjoy Parade Lorne VIC
The price is AU$229 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
AU$229
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Lorne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Room with all the amenities to make it a great stay and a superb view on the ocean !

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Mantra Lorne
LUXURY ECO ACCOMMODATION WITHIN THE OTWAY NATIONAL PARK, GREAT OCEAN ROAD LORNE

LUXURY ECO ACCOMMODATION WITHIN THE OTWAY NATIONAL PARK, GREAT OCEAN ROAD LORNE

Lorne VIC
Stay at this lodge in Benwerrin. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and a garden. Popular attractions Erskine Falls and Penny Royal Creek Bushland ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews)
Beautiful place, amazingly set up

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Get rates
LUXURY ECO ACCOMMODATION WITHIN THE OTWAY NATIONAL PARK, GREAT OCEAN ROAD LORNE
See all 1,135 properties in Barwon Downs
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cumberland Lorne Resort

Cumberland Lorne Resort

4.5 out of 5
150 Mountjoy Parade Lorne VIC
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Lorne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 coffee shops/cafes. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,053 reviews)
Very clean, great amenities. Always book an ocean view room which never disappoints. Refurbished pool area looks great

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Cumberland Lorne Resort
Apollo Bay Holiday Park

Apollo Bay Holiday Park

3.5 out of 5
27 Cawood Street Apollo Bay VIC
Stay at this family-friendly cabin in Apollo Bay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (315 reviews)
The cabin was very clean and provided everything we needed for our stay. The check in service was also convenient for us as we arrived late at night. The location was great, within only a short stroll to the beach and a few blocks away from the town centre. The park facilities were also good with ...

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026

Apollo Bay Holiday Park
The Pole House - At Fairhaven

The Pole House - At Fairhaven

Fairhaven VIC
Stay at this holiday home in Fairhaven. Enjoy balconies, an in-room coffee maker and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Table Rock Beach and Eco Logic are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (66 reviews)
Overrated
Highly overrated but the beach was nice

Reviewed on 12 Dec 2024

The Pole House - At Fairhaven
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Barwon Downs Bushland Reserve

Explore the great outdoors at Barwon Downs Bushland Reserve, a lovely green space in Barwon Downs.

Barwon Downs Bushland Reserve

Murroon Bushland Reserve

Explore the great outdoors at Murroon Bushland Reserve, a lovely green space in Barwon Downs.

Murroon Bushland Reserve

Activities

Lorne: Live Wire Park Ticket with Zip Line Rollercoaster

Lorne: Live Wire Park Ticket with Zip Line Rollercoaster

AU$60
per adult
Lorne: Live Wire Park Ticket with Zip Line Rollercoaster
Yeodene: Tree Ropes Courses

Yeodene: Tree Ropes Courses

AU$69
per adult
Yeodene: Tree Ropes Courses
Lorne: Live Wire Park Super Circuit Ticket

Lorne: Live Wire Park Super Circuit Ticket

AU$86
per adult
Lorne: Live Wire Park Super Circuit Ticket
See all activities in Barwon Downs

Cities near Barwon Downs

Great Ocean Road featuring a sandy beach, general coastal views and waves

Lorne

Cafe’s historic cottage for overnight stays, looks like a place from storybook.

Forrest

Great Ocean Road is a coastal route along the southern coast of Australia, ranging 243 kilometres between Torquay near Melbourne to Allansford. The scenery is crazy beautiful with rugged cliffs, vast beaches and majestic surf. Every now and then the road arches inland through lush temperate rainforest. You can spot numerous parrots, koalas and kangaroos along the way. Best way to experience the coastal drive is to spend at least 2 nights along the way (if you're returning to the starting point) to get to see everything that the surrounding area has to offer!

Separation Creek

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