Colac is situated on the famous Great Ocean Road and is a beautiful regional town, the starting point to explore South West Victoria’s natural beauty and culture. Colac has a mix of natural beauty, historic landmarks and local flavour that’s for everyone to enjoy. So this town and its surrounds are an explorer’s playground with ancient forests and volcanic lakes to fine dining and cultural heritage.
History
Colac’s history goes back to the early 1830s when it was first settled. The push for this was mainly due to the rich agricultural land and logging history, and Colac soon became the largest town in Otway Shire. It played a big part in shaping south-west Victoria, with changes in its history reflecting broader regional environmental change.
Some of these are 19th century buildings that are historical landmarks of Colac’s colonial past. The links to its own past and surrounding areas include: national parks; cultural significance on traditional lands etc. By exploring these you can see how it changed from a small rural outpost to one of the main regional centres.
Art & Culture
The community spirit in town is reflected in its arts scene so Colac is a cultural hub. One of the cultural landmarks is Colac Botanic Gardens where visitors can stroll through beautifully landscaped gardens and interact with the many art installations there. Plus other botanical gardens in the region offer peaceful spaces to create art or hold community events.
Apart from gardens precincts there are several galleries and art spaces across town showing work by local and regional artists. Plus cultural festivals throughout the year add to the art in Colac with all sorts of art forms from visual arts to music and dance. In Colac the quaint gift shops and antique traders sell local items you can’t find anywhere else.
Ancient Rainforests
The ancient rainforests around Colac, like the Otway Ranges, are some of the most beautiful natural sites in the region. These evergreen forests have a wide range of plant and animal species you can’t find anywhere else. So, get to see virgin wilderness and connect with nature at its rawest.
For instance, visitors to the Otway Ranges can experience the rainforest through activities like the Tree Top Walk at Otway Fly. You can see 360 degrees from the canopy viewing platform. Nature lovers can’t miss Beech Forest as it has some of the tallest trees and the most diversity. Ecologically important as they are, these ancient forests are a peaceful escape from urban life for humans.
Natural Attractions
Colac and the surrounding area have some amazing natural features. The beaches along the Great Ocean Road, like Bells Beach, Johanna Beach and Cape Bridgewater, are beautiful and offer water activities. Two of the biggest freshwater lakes in the area, Lake Corangamite and Lake Colac, are great fishing spots. Volcanic lakes like Lake Elizabeth are a feature of this landscape from ancient volcanic activity. Deep crater lakes and rock pools are also available to discover.
Camping
Camping in Colac is getting back to nature. There are many campgrounds and parks in the area to suit all types of campers, but they can be divided into two categories: those who want modern facilities and those who want no comfort zone around them. Depending on what you want, you can choose between established campgrounds with amenities or more primitive ones that will let you get closer to nature’s path. Popular destinations include areas around Lake Colac and Otway Ranges. Camping is a great opportunity to experience the peace and quiet of this area and see the many scenes, from lush rainforests to coastal cliffs.
Waterfalls
Colac has many beautiful waterfalls to see. These natural wonders give great views and allow you to see the many ecosystems of this region. The Otway Ranges has many notable waterfalls with their stunning cascades and surrounding vegetation. This peaceful environment is created by ancient rainforest and water falling over rocks. Within this 243 hectare state park there are many walks to some of the best waterfalls in the Colac area.
Walking and Hiking
If you love walking and hiking, you can check out the different landscapes on Colac and Great Ocean Road. In Colac, there are many trails for all types of walkers, from easy tracks through forests to tough hikes with great views.
The Great Ocean Walk is a fantastic hike with beautiful coastal views and varied landscapes all the way from Apollo Bay to Twelve Apostles. Near Eastern View there’s a 3km clifftop walk with stunning views of the Southern Ocean and coastal cliffs. And for more information on the local history while you’re in the area you can do the Heritage Trail in Colac town.
Join a Great Ocean Road Melbourne tour to experience stunning coastal views and diverse landscapes. Hike from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles or take the clifftop walk for spectacular sights of the Southern Ocean.
Discover Dormant Volcanoes
Colac region is known for its volcanic past with dormant volcanoes and volcanic crater lakes so it’s different to anywhere else. The extinct volcanoes here are also interesting geological features that explain the volcanic history of this place. Places like Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and these volcanic crater lakes will give you an insight into the geological history of the area as well as the rugged ranges caused by ancient volcanic activity.
Taste the Local Flavours
Colac is famous for its regional flavours and you can experience it all here. The town and surrounds are known for its gourmet offerings – farm fresh produce, handcrafted cheese and local brews. There are restaurants from fast food to fine dining showcasing the best of South West Victoria.
Farmers markets and rural gift shops are great places to try local dishes. You can spend time at Colac’s Botanic Café and enjoy the food while taking in the beautiful gardens. This food scene shows just how much agriculture is ingrained in the history of this town and how it supports local produce.
Lake Colac
Lake Colac is a massive freshwater lake in Victoria, Australia and one of the main natural attractions in the Colac region. You can fish, boat or picnic within its vastness. The shores of Lake Colac are a peaceful escape and there are many other areas for gentle walking or bird watching. Nearby areas for relaxing walks/hiking include beaches along lake shores. Locals consider Lake Colac part of their landscape as it’s such a big part of what makes this region so beautiful.
Colac Botanic Gardens
One of the things that stands out about the Botanic Gardens in Colac is the beautifully manicured lawns where you can relax and have fun. There are thousands and thousands of species here and the gardens are divided into many sections. People use the gardens for slow morning walks and during daylight hours for outdoor events like; church functions, weddings, graduations and others who come from within or outside the town. The gardens is another way Colac loves its environment and heritage.
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