Cape Otway

Travel Guide

Great Ocean Road featuring heritage elements, a lighthouse and general coastal views
Apollo Bay featuring mountains and rugged coastline
Apollo Bay showing a lighthouse, general coastal views and heritage elements
Apollo Bay which includes views and rugged coastline
Apollo Bay featuring heritage elements, a lighthouse and general coastal views

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.

Cape Otway is located along the iconic Great Ocean Road, a scenic coastal highway in the southwest of Victoria. Home to a lush national park, Cape Otway is an attractive wilderness of rainforests, waterfalls, heathlands, rocky coastlines and sandy beaches.

Drive to the Great Otway National ParkOpens in a new window and follow one of the marked trails, where kangaroos hop among the foliage. Look up often to spot well-camouflaged koalas in the treetops. These cute-looking marsupials are commonly hiding in the forks of the tree branches to sleep, but can sometimes be seen climbing a tree or chomping on eucalyptus leaves. This special diet takes a lot of time to digest, so the docile creatures doze up to 20 hours a day.

Delve deeper into the national park to see its picturesque waterfalls. The three separate flows of the Triplet Falls are set among a rainforest of mountain ash, myrtle beech trees and tall tree ferns in mossy glades.

Drive down the bumpy road to the remote Cape Otway Lightstation. The oldest of the Great Ocean Road lighthouses, this Bass Strait beacon was built in the 1840s on its rocky point. An entry fee permits access to the lighthouse and its more recent, but still historical, telegraph station and radar room. Climb to the top for splendid views of the Southern Ocean. Time your visit to catch the informative Koori tour to learn about the long and complex relationship between the Gadubanud people and Cape Otway. The on-site café serves tea with scones, among other treats.

Spend some more time in the park to really appreciate all it has to offer. The 8-day Great Ocean Walk will really immerse you into the wonders of nature as it follows the rocky coastline of Cape Otway. Go for just a few days or take the supported tour option if you have less time or are feeling less adventurous.

Camping in Great Otway National Park is another great option, along with stays in one of the old keepers’ cottages at the Cape Otway Lightstation. Head to charming little Apollo BayOpens in a new window to find more varied accommodations and dining options, still with easy access to Cape Otway.

Whatever you choose to do, you can’t help but admire the variety and beauty of Cape Otway against the backdrop of the Bass Strait.

Bimbi Park - Camping Under Koala
Bimbi Park - Camping Under Koala
2 out of 5
90 Manna Gum Drive, Cape Otway, VIC
The price is ¥5,942 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
¥5,942
¥6,536 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly campground in Cape Otway. Enjoy free parking, an area shuttle (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions Point Flinders ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (184 reviews)
Good place
"Very quiet. Looked like a fun place but unfortunately for us it rained so we could not do any of the outside activities."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

Bimbi Park - Camping Under Koala
Otway Garden
Otway Garden
Cape Otway
The price is ¥94,716 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
¥94,716
¥157,180 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this vacation home in Cape Otway. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Otway Cove and Cape Otway Lightstation are located ...
6/10 (1 review)
This property also known as sea eagle retreat?
"The house is quite old. The cleaning is terrible. Many of the dishes were filthy. It's a little difficult to get there. The entry is unmarked. Sea Eagle Retreat may have been the name of this property. The entrance had that board.Numerous light globes and the kitchen fan were not functioning. One ..."

Reviewed on Jan 27, 2025

Otway Garden
Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn
Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn
3.5 out of 5
173 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, VIC
The price is ¥11,565 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
¥11,565
¥12,822 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach motel in Apollo Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
One night stay on ocean road
"Quick checkin. Friendly hosts , booked the room with view and it was perfect. Everything was as it said on the website."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn
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.
Bimbi Park - Camping Under Koala
Bimbi Park - Camping Under Koala
2 out of 5
90 Manna Gum Drive, Cape Otway, VIC
Book a stay at this family-friendly campground in Cape Otway. Enjoy free parking, an area shuttle (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions Point Flinders ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (184 reviews)
Good place
"Very quiet. Looked like a fun place but unfortunately for us it rained so we could not do any of the outside activities."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

Bimbi Park - Camping Under Koala
Otway Garden
Otway Garden
Cape Otway
Stay at this vacation home in Cape Otway. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Otway Cove and Cape Otway Lightstation are located ...
6/10 (1 review)
This property also known as sea eagle retreat?
"The house is quite old. The cleaning is terrible. Many of the dishes were filthy. It's a little difficult to get there. The entry is unmarked. Sea Eagle Retreat may have been the name of this property. The entrance had that board.Numerous light globes and the kitchen fan were not functioning. One ..."

Reviewed on Jan 27, 2025

Otway Garden
Seafarers Getaway
Seafarers Getaway
4 out of 5
6080 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, VIC
Stay at this 4-star beach apartment in Apollo Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Skenes Creek Beachfront Park and Old ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (819 reviews)
"Stunning location and very clean.property. check in and out was super easy and loved seeing the alpaca nearby. Ocean view and once it gets dark, gorgeous stargazing!"

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Seafarers Getaway
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.

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Things to do

Reviews of Cape Otway

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 80%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

one of the most special & quietly magnificent places to visit. Feeling lucky to have had this experience

Cities near Cape Otway