The Great Ocean Road is more than just a pretty drive along one of Australia’s most beautiful coastlines; it’s a journey through some of the country’s most beautiful national parks and reserves. From forests and coastline to beaches and cliffs, these are nature lovers, hikers, and those who want to get up close and personal with the natural world. Managed by Parks Victoria, these protected areas are the key to preserving the region’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and wildlife. Go on this epic road trip and see the wild Victoria.
The Region
The Great Ocean Road region is ecologically, geologically and culturally significant. It has many habitats, forests, heathlands, wetlands and coastlines, each with unique flora and fauna. These areas are key to the conservation of many native species, some of which can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. This region also has great cultural heritage, many parks are on the traditional lands of the Eastern Maar and Gunditjmara people. For thousands of years, these Indigenous communities have managed and cared for the land, practising sustainable stewardship that has shaped the landscapes we see today. We need to acknowledge the cultural history and traditional ecological knowledge of these communities to protect and understand these environments.
Experience the breathtaking Great Ocean Road 3 day tour, where you’ll uncover the region’s stunning flora and fauna and learn about its Indigenous cultural heritage.
National Parks and Reserves
The Great Ocean Road region has many national parks and reserves, each with its own landscape and experience. From the windy coastline of Port Campbell National Park to the ancient rainforest of Great Otway National Park, these are for adventure seekers, history lovers and those who want to live by the beach or be in nature.
Port Campbell National Park
Port Campbell National Park is a treasure of the Great Ocean Road, known for its rugged coastline, cliffs and rock formations. This park is home to some of Australia’s most iconic sights – the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. Millions of years of erosion from the Southern Ocean have carved out these limestone stacks and arches into natural wonders. The park is also part of the Shipwreck Coast, named for the many shipwrecks that occurred here in the 19th century. You can explore these historic sites along walking trails and viewing platforms that offer breathtaking views of the coastline.
Along with its geological wonders, Port Campbell National Park is also home to a diverse biodiversity of native plants and animals. Coastal heathlands are home to birds like the southern emu-wren and white-bellied sea eagle, while the marine environment is protected within the nearby Apostles Marine National Park. This marine park is a key habitat for species like the weedy seadragon and giant kelp, making it a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkelling. The park’s ruggedness and ecological significance make it a must-do when driving the Great Ocean Road.
Great Otway National Park
Great Otway National Park is one of Victoria’s biggest and most varied national parks, with rugged coastlines and ancient forests. It’s a nature and outdoor lover’s paradise with many walking tracks to explore some of the region’s most beautiful scenery. Highlights include the Great Ocean Walk, a multi day walk from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles and shorter walks like the Madsens Track Nature Walk which wanders through fern gullies and eucalyptus forests.
The park has some of the tallest trees in Victoria, including the massive mountain rocks which can reach over 90m high. These giant eucalyptus trees are home to koalas, gliders and many bird species. The park has several stunning waterfalls, including Hopetoun Falls, Triplet Falls and Beauchamp Falls, where you can see the power and beauty of water cascading through mossy surroundings. If you want a more peaceful experience, the park’s remote rainforest trails and secluded beach coves are the perfect haven.
Great Otway National Park is also culturally significant, with many sites of importance to the local Indigenous communities. Parks Victoria manages the park in partnership with traditional landowners to protect these cultural landscapes and promote sustainable tourism and environmental education. You can learn about the region’s Indigenous history through signs and guided tours, which provide information on the traditional use of the land and its resources.
Kennett River Nature Reserve
Small but mighty, this reserve is teeming with wildlife and coastal eucalypt forests. Along the winding road between Lorne and Apollo Bay this is one of the best places on the Great Ocean Road to see koalas in the wild. You can often spot them high up in the eucalyptus trees and various bird life like the crimson rosella and laughing kookaburra. There’s also a glow worm colony here which can be seen after dark in the damp, shady areas near the river.
Kennett River’s natural beauty and wildlife makes it a popular stop on the Great Ocean Road. The reserve is close to Apollo Bay and the towering forests of the Great Otway National Park so it’s a great base to explore the area. You can take a leisurely walk along the river or get more adventurous with kayaking and birdwatching. If you’re looking for a peaceful, wildlife filled escape Kennett River Nature Reserve has it all.
Belfast Coastal Reserve
Running along Victoria’s southern coast, the Belfast Coastal Reserve is a haven for wildlife and recreation. The reserve’s varied habitats of coastal dunes, wetlands, and estuaries support a range of species, including the endangered hooded plover. These tiny shorebirds nest directly on the beach, so they are very vulnerable to human impact. Conservation work in the reserve includes habitat restoration and public education to protect these fragile ecosystems and the threatened species that call them home.
Surfers, anglers and nature lovers also visit the Belfast Coastal Reserve. The windswept beaches and rock platforms are great for fishing and beachcombing, and the coastal views are perfect for photography and painting. The reserve’s management plan by Parks Victoria balances recreation and conservation to protect the natural beauty and ecological value of this area for the future.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is a geological and ecological gem within an old volcano. This reserve, managed by Parks Victoria, is one of the oldest in Victoria and is a haven for native wildlife, emus, kangaroos and koalas. The varied habitats of rainforest, wetlands and grasslands are great for wildlife spotting and nature walks. You can walk several trails that take in the views of the crater and the central lake and learn about the area’s history.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is also significant for its Indigenous heritage. The reserve is on the traditional lands of the Gunditjmara people and has been a food gathering and cultural site for thousands of years. Guided tours led by Indigenous rangers will give you a greater insight into the cultural and ecological values of Tower Hill, including the traditional uses of plants and animals and the creation stories of the volcano. This natural and cultural gem is a must-see for anyone who wants to go deeper into the Great Ocean Road.
Budj Bim National Park
Budj Bim National Park, part of the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that recognises the ingenuity of the Gunditjmara people. The park is home to one of the oldest and largest aquaculture systems in the world, where the Gunditjmara people have been farming eels for over 6,000 years. The landscape is shaped by ancient volcanoes, lava flows, crater lakes, and wetlands, all of which have been modified and managed by the local Indigenous community to create a food system.
You can walk the cultural landscape of Budj Bim through trails and guided tours that highlight the geological features and cultural sites. The park management, in partnership with the local Indigenous community, is working to protect the cultural heritage and promote tourism that respects the traditions and values of the Gunditjmara people. This means the park is a living cultural landscape where you can see the old and ongoing connection to the land and its traditional owners.
Johanna Beach Conservation Reserve
Johanna Beach Conservation Reserve is a hidden gem along the Great Ocean Road. Wild and untouched coast. Big surf and long sandy beaches. Surfers and campers love this beach for its seclusion. The reserve’s ruggedness with cliffs and wind blown dunes is a nice change from the more sheltered beaches along the coast. Walk along the beach, fish, picnic all while surrounded by the Southern Ocean.
The reserve is part of the Great Ocean Walk, a multi day hike from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. This section of the walk has stunning views of the coast and you get to experience the wild and untouched Victorian coast. Johanna Beach is also a habitat for many bird species including the endangered hooded plover. Conservation in the reserve is about protecting these sensitive habitats and keeping the beach a wildlife sanctuary and a peaceful retreat for visitors.
Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve
Located near the charming town of Apollo Bay the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve is a family and outdoor lover’s paradise. The reserve has grassy campsites, picnic areas and sports fields so it’s a great spot for a family holiday. Close to Apollo Bay’s shops, cafes and beautiful beaches it’s a local and visitor favourite.
The Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve is also the entrance to the Great Otway National Park, where you can visit some of the region’s most famous natural attractions. From here, you can take a short drive to the park’s waterfalls, rainforests, and walking trails. The reserve’s facilities and location make it the perfect base for all the outdoor activities the Great Ocean Road has to offer.
Princetown Recreation Reserve
At the intersection of the Aire River and the Southern Ocean, Princetown Recreation Reserve is a quiet spot to camp, bird watch and enjoy the Great Ocean Road. The reserve’s wetlands are a bird sanctuary with great egrets, black swans and Australasian bitterns. Walk the boardwalks and trails that wind through the wetlands and along the river and see wildlife in their natural habitat.
Princetown Recreation Reserve is also close to the Twelve Apostles so it’s a great base to explore the rock formations and cliffs of Port Campbell National Park. The reserve is peaceful and scenic so whether you’re camping under the stars or having a picnic by the river it’s the perfect retreat.
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