Did someone say glow worms?!
Home to many favourite locals including kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, platypus, koalas, glow worms, birds, seals, penguins and migrating whales.
If you find injured wildlife in our region, please seek advice from Wildlife Victoria. You can call their emergency response line on (03) 8400 7300 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please do not feed birds while in our region. Feeding native birds is strongly discouraged as it can lead to health problems or even death for the birds, as well as issues such as colony overpopulation and mess and noise for communities.
Discover Australia’s natural beauty at Wildlife Wonders. Guided by a conservationist you will encounter unique wildlife living freely in a stunning bushland environment overlooking the ocean.
You don’t have to look hard to spot a Koala in the Otways! Despite appearing rather slow moving, koalas are actually quite agile, particularly when it comes to climbing trees. If you’re on the lookouts, try casting your eyes upwards — you’ll generally find a Koala wedged in the nook of a tree branch and most often fast asleep.
Did you know that koalas spend as much as nineteen hours of every day sleeping? Did you know that koalas spend as much as nineteen hours of every day sleeping? To immerse yourself in nature, we would encourage you to stay in the region at accommodation facilities in the Great Otway National Park, Kennett River, Wye River, Separation Creek and beautiful Cape Otway.
Each year whales migrate from polar waters to calve in cool temperate waters near the coast. From May to October Southern Right Whales can be seen along the Great Ocean Road, sometimes approaching within 100 metres to shore providing hours of entertainment.
Did you know that the Southern Right Whale is named because it was considered to be the ‘right’ whales to hunt as it swims slowly and is often close to the shoreline.
Australian Fur Seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus)
There are a number of local tour operators, including Apollo Bay Surf and Kayak that can get you nice and close to these amazing marine mammals.
The best place to see Seals is at Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary. Please note that access to the reef is permitted only on Little Henty Reef (closest to the shore). Access to the outer reef is restricted and is for management purposes only due to the Australian Fur Seals programs.
Some of the most recognised Australian native birds are found in the Otway region and even if you aren’t an avid bird watcher you will be entertained by their antics. You may hear the kookaburra before you see it with its recognizable laughing call. As you walk through the bush the bright colours of the rosella and stark white and yellow of the noisy cockatoo will definitely catch your eye. In the early morning sunrise you may hear (or be woken by) the musical warbling call of the Currawong.
Popular bird watching spots include Kennett River & Lavers Hill.
Please do not feed birds while in our region. Feeding native birds is strongly discouraged as it can lead to health problems or even death for the birds, as well as issues such as colony overpopulation and mess and noise for communities.
To spot a platypus, you are going to need some sharp eyes and a little bit of luck. The elusive creature lives in the banks of rivers and lakes, spending much of its time protected by fallen trees and burrows in the muddy shores. Coming out to feed, keep a close eye for ripples on the water’s surface, formed as a platypus comes up for air. Your best chance of spotting a platypus is at Lake Elizabeth near Forrest, just a 35 minute drive from Apollo Bay. Holding an interesting story of its own, Lake Elizabeth was formed when a flood created a landslide some 50 year ago. The ‘perched lake’ engulfed several trees that now stand as dead trucks protruding from the water’s surface.
Did you know the platypus is one of only two egg laying mammals?
The Paddle with the Platypus canoe tour operates daily from Lake Elizabeth, this guided tour will allow you to discover Australia’s most elusive animal.
Melba Gully, located near Lavers Hill records some of the highest rainfalls in the state, the result of which is this ancient mossy covered forest filled with giant trees and ferns.
Visit Melba Gully at night to see hundreds of tiny pinpricks of light gleaming and twinkling in the dark forest creating a magical effect. During the 9-month larval stage, the glow worms live in damp, dark places throughout the Otways, such as the soil banks and overhanging ledges along the walking tracks in Melba Gully. Bring a torch but avoid shining it directly at the glow worms, as they ‘turn out the lights’ when disturbed. Glow worms can also be spotted at Maits Rest Rainforest Walk and Kennett River (Grey River picnic reserve).
Did you know that Glow Worms are not worms but rather the larvae of fly like insects called fungus gnats.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
