Overview
Colac Otway Shire is a large local government area in south-western Victoria, roughly two hours' drive from Melbourne. It encompasses the inland town of Colac on the shores of Lake Colac, the forested ranges of the Otway Ranges, and a stretch of the Great Ocean Road coastline including the small communities of Apollo Bay, Lorne (partly), Skenes Creek, and Kennett River.
The shire covers enormously varied terrain — volcanic plains and crater lakes to the north, dense temperate rainforest in the ranges, and rugged Bass Strait coastline to the south. This diversity gives visitors an unusual chance to move between ecosystems in a single day.
The town of Colac itself is a regional service centre with a modest population and a character shaped by the surrounding dairy and grazing industry. Apollo Bay, on the coast, is the shire's main visitor hub, with a working fishing harbour, cafes, and direct access to Great Otway National Park trails.
For travellers, the shire functions less as a single urban destination and more as a region to move through — best explored with your own vehicle and an appetite for landscapes that shift from volcanic lakes to ancient myrtle beech forests within an hour.
Before You Go
Visas
Australia requires a visa or travel authority for almost all international visitors. Do not rely on this guide for specific visa requirements — check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for up-to-date, country-specific information.
What to pack
- Layered clothing is essential year-round; the Otways can be 10–12°C cooler than Melbourne on the same day, and coastal weather changes quickly.
- Sturdy waterproof walking shoes are strongly recommended for any national park trails.
- A good rain jacket, even in summer.
- Insect repellent, especially for dusk walks near streams.
Practical preparation
- Mobile phone coverage is patchy throughout the ranges and along some sections of the Great Ocean Road. Download offline maps before you travel.
- Many accommodation options in the shire — particularly farm stays and forest cabins — book out weeks ahead during Victorian school holiday periods. Reserve early.
- Check the Parks Victoria website and VicEmergency app before entering national park areas, particularly during summer fire season and after heavy rain when landslips can close roads.
Getting There
By road
Colac is approximately 155 km south-west of Melbourne via the Princes Highway (M1/A1). Apollo Bay on the coast is around 190 km from Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road, a well-maintained scenic route that is itself a major attraction. Allow at least 2.5 to 3 hours without stops; with stops, considerably longer.
By bus
V/Line operates coach services between Melbourne's Southern Cross Station and Colac. Services also connect to Apollo Bay on some routes. Check the V/Line website (vline.com.au) for current timetables and fares, as these change seasonally.
By air
There is no commercial airport within the shire. The nearest major airports are Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) and Melbourne's Avalon Airport. Both serve as realistic entry points for international and interstate visitors hiring a car to self-drive.
By train
V/Line operates a rail service from Melbourne to Geelong, from which coach connections toward Colac and the coast are available. Verify current schedules with V/Line directly.
Getting Around
A private vehicle is strongly recommended for exploring Colac Otway Shire. Public transport within the shire is limited and does not reach most of the national park trailheads, lookouts, or small coastal communities.
The Great Ocean Road through the shire is a single-lane-each-way highway with numerous tight curves and slow-moving tourist traffic, especially on summer weekends. Allow generous travel time and avoid rushing on this road. Campervans and large vehicles should be aware of some road width restrictions, particularly on the Otway hinterland roads leading to places like Turtons Track.
Bicycle touring is possible along sections of the Great Ocean Road, though the road has no dedicated cycle lane through most of the shire and traffic in peak season can be heavy. Verify current conditions locally before a cycling trip.
Fuel is available in Colac and Apollo Bay. In smaller communities and along forested inland routes, fuel stops can be many kilometres apart — fill up before entering the ranges.
Where to Stay
Accommodation in the shire ranges from national park campgrounds managed by Parks Victoria, through to farm stays, self-contained holiday cottages, and hotels and motels in Apollo Bay and Colac. There is no large resort-style hotel in the shire; the offering is generally small-scale and independent.
Apollo Bay has the widest variety of visitor accommodation, including a hostel, motels, B&Bs, and holiday rentals. Book well in advance for summer weekends and Victorian school holidays.
Park-based camping at sites like Aire River, Johanna, and Blanket Bay requires booking through Parks Victoria (parks.vic.gov.au). Fees and availability vary seasonally — check the Parks Victoria website directly.
Farm stays and forest retreats in the ranges offer a quieter, more immersive experience. These properties book out quickly and often have minimum-stay requirements on weekends. Search locally or through mainstream booking platforms and verify details directly with operators.
Things to See & Do
Great Otway National Park
The park is the centrepiece of the shire for nature-based activities. It protects one of the largest remaining areas of coastal temperate rainforest in Victoria. Highlights include:
- Beauchamp Falls and Hopetoun Falls — accessible rainforest waterfall walks of varying difficulty
- Cape Otway Lightstation — Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse on the mainland (verify opening times and admission on the official site before visiting)
- Aire River and Johanna Beach — remote coastal areas popular with surfers and campers
- Great Ocean Walk — a multi-day coastal walking trail stretching from Apollo Bay westward into the park; sections can be walked as day hikes
Otway Fly Treetop Adventures
A steel elevated walkway and zip-line experience set among tall mountain ash and myrtle beech trees near Beech Forest. Verify current operating hours and booking requirements directly with the operator before visiting.
Apollo Bay Harbour
A working fishing harbour where local boats land crayfish, abalone, and other seafood. The foreshore area has walking paths and is a good spot for birdwatching and watching fishing activity.
Crater Lakes and Colac
Lake Colac and the nearby maar lakes (Gnotuk and Bullen Merri) are of significant geological interest — formed by ancient volcanic activity. Lakeside walking tracks exist around some of these lakes. These areas also hold cultural significance for the Kirrae Wurrong and Gulidjan peoples; interpret and approach these sites respectfully.
Wildlife
Koalas are frequently spotted along Kennett River (Gray River Road is particularly well known for this). Echidnas, wallabies, and diverse birdlife including yellow-tailed black cockatoos are commonly seen throughout the shire. Wildlife is wild — do not feed or handle animals.
Food & Drink
Apollo Bay has the greatest concentration of cafes, restaurants, and takeaway options in the shire. Seafood — particularly local crayfish and fish — is a regional highlight. Several operators sell fresh and cooked seafood directly from or near the harbour; availability depends on season and catch.
The Otway hinterland supports a number of small artisan producers including cheesemakers, berry farms, and cool-climate wineries. The regions around Forrest and Beech Forest have a small cluster of food-related businesses worth investigating locally. The nearby Otway Estate winery (verify operating status locally) has been a notable producer in the area.
Colac's dining scene is modest and practical — suited to a regional service town. Expect standard pub meals, bakeries, and a small number of cafes. It is not a culinary destination in itself, but perfectly adequate for a meal before or after exploring the region.
Visitors planning to stay in remote areas of the national park or along the Great Ocean Walk should carry sufficient food and water. There are no services within most of the park itself.
Practical Information
Emergency contacts
In any emergency in Australia dial 000 for police, fire, or ambulance. This number works from any mobile or landline. In areas with no mobile coverage, do not rely on your phone — inform someone of your itinerary before entering remote areas.
Medical facilities
Colac has the Colac Area Health hospital for medical needs. Apollo Bay has a community health centre with more limited services. For serious medical emergencies, transfer to Geelong or Melbourne may be required. Verify current local health services before your visit.
Money
ATMs are available in Colac and Apollo Bay. Many smaller businesses and rural areas operate cash-only or have unreliable EFTPOS. Carry cash if you plan to venture into smaller communities or market stalls.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi is available at some accommodation and cafes in Apollo Bay and Colac. Mobile data coverage (particularly 4G) is unreliable throughout much of the shire outside the main towns. Do not rely on real-time navigation in the national park — download maps in advance.
Fire danger
The Otways and surrounding areas carry significant bushfire risk during summer (December–March). Register your plans if undertaking multi-day walks, monitor the VicEmergency app, and follow all Total Fire Ban restrictions.
Safety
The primary safety considerations in Colac Otway Shire are environmental rather than crime-related. The shire is a low-crime rural and coastal region; standard common-sense precautions apply.
Bushfire is a serious and real risk from late spring through summer. Visitor plans can be disrupted by road closures, park closures, or emergency evacuations. Always check fire danger ratings on days you plan to walk or drive through forested areas.
Ocean swimming at beaches in the shire can be hazardous. Many beaches — including Johanna Beach — are unpatrolled and have strong rips and unpredictable surf. Swim only at patrolled beaches during patrol hours where possible, and treat all surf beaches with caution.
Road safety on the Great Ocean Road is a genuine concern. The road has a history of accidents related to fatigue, distraction, and unfamiliarity with its curves. Do not drive while fatigued, observe speed limits, and use designated stopping points rather than pulling over on the roadway to take photographs.
Walking track safety: Some national park tracks involve creek crossings that can become impassable after rain. Check conditions with Parks Victoria before heading out, and always tell someone your plans if undertaking a walk in a remote area.
Local Culture & Etiquette
The land of Colac Otway Shire is the traditional Country of several First Nations peoples including the Kirrae Wurrong and Gulidjan peoples, who are part of the broader Kulin Nation grouping. These communities have lived on and managed this Country for tens of thousands of years. The volcanic lakes around Colac and many features of the landscape hold ongoing cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance.
Visitors are encouraged to approach this history with respect and curiosity. Look for interpretive signage at key natural sites, and if opportunities arise to learn from or engage with Aboriginal-led cultural experiences in the region, these are worth seeking out.
The shire's European settler heritage from the mid-19th century is also present — the dairy and grazing industries that shaped the landscape, the lighthouse at Cape Otway, and the timber industry that once cleared much of the Otways and whose legacy is visible in the regrowth forests visitors walk through today. This layered history makes the landscape richer to understand if you take time to read about it before or during your visit.