Shire of Colac Otway Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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!
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!
If you’re travelling the Great Ocean Rd in Victoria, take the turn off at Cape Otway to visit the Lighthouse. Where you can climb to the top and see where two oceans meet. With a history dating back to the 1800s the lighthouse is the oldest surviving on mainland Australia and is a great way to spend a day or even two. #roadtrip #australia #sunset #adventure
Driftwood covered in shells. I thought it looked very arty. You can walk for miles along the beaches around this part of the Great Ocean Road. #beaches #BeachTips
Spend a little quiet time in the Otway Ranges of Sth Western Victoria at these delightful falls. They appear out of the bush after a short walk down into the gully in the Aire Valley near Beech Forest. The Aire Valley is a mixture of native old growth forest and plantation timber for the nearby sawmills.

Popular cities in Shire of Colac Otway

Apollo Bay featuring general coastal views
Apollo Bay
Known for Beaches, Sea and Walking
Delight in crescent-shaped beaches with golden sand, jewellery markets and rainforest vistas around Apollo Bay, a sparkling gem along Victoria's Great Ocean Road.

Reasons to visit

  • Great Ocean Road Waterfront
  • Marriners Lookout
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Great Ocean Road featuring general coastal views, heritage elements and a lighthouse
Cape Otway
Known for Sea, Sunsets and Cafes
Search for koalas, walk among giant tree ferns, see triplet waterfalls or climb a historic lighthouse at this coastal headland along the Great Ocean Road.

Reasons to visit

  • Maits Rest Rainforest Walk
  • Cape Otway Lightstation
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Panorama of Lake Colac at dusk in a blue light
Colac
Known for Sea, Budget and Spas
Escape to Colac! Enjoy its lake views, spas and gardens.

Reasons to visit

  • Lake Colac
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Great Ocean Road which includes a sandy beach
Wye River
Discover natural beauty in the heart of the Great Ocean Road, marvel at Australia’s iconic wildlife or just relax in this small town with an idyllic beach.
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Skenes Creek which includes a river or creek and a bridge
Skenes Creek
Known for Sea, Beaches and Hunting
This small coastal township’s good surf breaks, beachfront camping and rocky headlands make it a hit with surfers, fishers, campers and families.
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Rock platform at low tide in the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary - Marengo, Victoria, Australia
Marengo
Known for Friendly people, Beaches and Sea
Experience the beaches, seaside and spas in Marengo!
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