GREAT OTWAY

NATIONAL PARK
JANVI CHEENAPALLI
16041AA045
 LOCATION AND PLANNING AREA

 The planning area comprises Great Otway National Park and Otway
Forest Park.
 Together the parks total just over 140 000 ha and are located south-
west of Melbourne between Torquay and Princetown, extending
from the coast almost to the Princes Highway.
 Great Otway National Park (103 185 ha) includes extensive forests
and heathlands on much of the southern fall and many northern
 areas of the Otway Ranges, and much of the coastline between
Torquay in the east and Princetown in the west.
AUSTRALIA
 Its coastal boundary is generally the low water mark

• The Great Otway National Park is managed under the National Parks Act, to preserve and protect its natural condition for
use, enjoyment and education of the public, and for protection of indigenous flora and fauna, and features of scenic,
archaeological, ecological, geological historic or other scientific interest.
• This Management Plan for the parks was prepared by Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment
(DSE), with significant input from agencies and the wider community.
• It takes into account legislation, land use proclamations, policies, reports, research findings and community knowledge and
aspirations that relate to the parks.
 Regional context
• The coasts, rivers, mountains, heath lands and forests of Great Otway
National Park and Otway Forest Park are some of the many diverse
highlights in this region known as the Otway Ranges. The parks are
within the Surf Coast, Corangamite and Colac Otway Shires.
• The creation of these parks and the cessation of sawlog and pulpwood
harvesting on public land in the Otways in 2008 had significant
economic and social implications for these shires and the Otways
region. There are now increased opportunities in plantation forestry
and a strengthened future for key industries associated with tourism
and recreation.

NATURAL
• Large areas of intact native vegetation and habitats of the
Otway Ranges, Otway Plain, Warrnambool Plain bioregions
• A large area of essentially unmodified coastline, linking the
land to marine ecosystems and marine national parks
• Many sites of geological and geomorphological significance
including Artillery Rocks, Dinosaur Cove, Lion Headland,
Moonlight Head to Milanesia
• Beach, Point Sturt and View Point .
CULTURAL
• A rich cultural landscape linked through stories,
family, tradition, lore, song, spirituality and
contemporary meaning to the Traditional Owners of
Country.
• Many sites of social significance to which people feel
a strong connection.
• Significant historic places including sawmills,
tramways and sites with a long tourism history.
• Many significant Aboriginal places and objects.
 Past uses of the parks
• Gadubanud, Wathaurong, Kirrae Whurrong and Gulidjan people have a timeless link with Otways Country. Middens and
other sites along the coast provide an extensive archaeological record of historic Aboriginal culture and indicate that
many people lived along the Otway coastline for thousands of years.
• The Otways played a part in the early days of European settlement of Victoria, with sealers operating along the coast from
about 1800, whaling active in the Apollo Bay area from the 1820s to 1840s, and Governor La Trobe exploring a route to
Cape Otway from the west in 1846.
• Major wildfires occurred within the Otway Ranges in 1851, 1886, 1898, 1919, 1926, 1939, 1951 and 1983. Following
serious loss of life and the destruction of many mills in the 1939 bushfires, a network of fire observation towers was
constructed including Peters Hill, Mt Cowley, Crowes, Mt Pordon and Mt Sabine. The Mt Sabine tower is the only original
tower remaining in the parks.
 Wildlife
KOALAS
The Cape Otway Conservation Ecology
Each year whales migrate from polar THE ELUSIVE PLATYPUS Centre is a nationally registered non-
waters to calve in cool temperate waters WHALES profit ecological research, conservation
near the coast. From May to October ECHIDNA and wildlife rehabilitation centre,
dedicated to protecting and
Southern Right Whales can be seen along KANGAROOS AND understanding Australian ecosystems. The
the Great Ocean Road, sometimes WALLABIES Great Ocean Eco-Lodge accommodation
approaching within 100 metres to shore is available for guests to stay for an all
BIRD WATCHING inclusive wildlife experience. The dusk
providing hours of entertainment. GLOW WORMS guided walk is a highlight (Available to
guests only).
OTWAY BLACK SNAIL
FURRY KINDS
 STRATEGIES FOR FOREST RESOURCE USE
Firewood Harvesting
AIMS
• Allow firewood harvesting for commercial and
personal use from the Otway Forest Park in
accordance with relevant legislation, codes of
practice, procedures and prescriptions.
• Minimise the impacts of harvesting firewood on
the natural, cultural and recreational values of the
Otway Forest Park.
Management strategies
• Prepare an annually updated three-year
Wood Utilisation Plan to provide for the
sustainable supply of firewood in accordance
with relevant legislation, codes of practice,
procedures and prescriptions.
• Monitor compliance with permits for
domestic firewood collection and commercial
firewood operations to ensure adherence to
legislation, codes, procedures and
prescriptions.
Minor forest produce harvesting
AIMS
• Allow minor forest produce harvesting in
Otway Forest Park in alignment with relevant
legislation, codes of practice, procedures and
prescriptions.
• Minimise the impacts of minor forest
produce harvesting on the natural, cultural
and recreational values of Otway Forest Park.
Management strategies
• Allow the harvesting of minor forest
produce in the forest park in accordance
legislation, codes, procedures and
prescriptions.
• Plan and monitor minor forest produce
harvesting to ensure protection of natural
and cultural values. Harvesting will not be
allowed in Special Protection Zones and other
areas of the forest park that could be
adversely affected by such activities.
 STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT
COMMUNITY AWARENESS
Aim
• Increase the community’s awareness
and
understanding of the parks’ values and
management activities
Management strategies
Liaise with communities, groups and with
the three local government Councils to
enhance community understanding of
shared management issues and to foster
opportunities for local communities to
contribute to achieving park management
objectives.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Aim
• Build a sense of shared ownership and custodianship for the parks among
community groups and individuals.
• Support and encourage people to actively assist in implementing the plan
and managing the parks.
Management strategies
• Encourage and support park-related social networks with Friends, volunteers,
educational institutions, students and community groups that participate in the
parks’ management to provide guidance and support and to ensure that they
have opportunities to appropriately exercise their interests and use their
knowledge and skills.
• Encourage community involvement in monitoring and recording programs
using standard methods.
• Explore options for community participation in the implementation of this
plan, including appropriate formal structures.
• Celebrate the achievements of Friends, volunteers and other groups in
meeting park management objectives.
 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
OTWAY FLY
There is no better introduction to the Otway rainforests than at Otway Fly Treetop
Adventures which takes your rainforest experience to new heights in the lush
surrounds of the magnificent Otway Ranges. Great for kids and the young at heart,
visitors can experience the rainforest from a different perspective by doing the Treetop
Walk or Zipline Tour.
JOHANNA BEACH
One of the campgrounds for the Great Ocean
Walk, Johanna Beach is a popular attraction in
itself due to its location along the coast.
This is a great place to camp for the night or to pay a visit during the day as the
beach is beautiful with lovely views out to sea.
MELBA GULLY

A few kilometres past Lavers Hill, Melba Gully is well-known for its large
colony of glow worms which is best seen after dark. Take a walk among
ancient mossy trees and giant tree ferns at Melba Gully and experience
the unique spectacle of the glow worms. With picnic tables and an
amenities block, Melba Gully is also a great place for a picnic.