ABOUT CAPE OTWAY
Relax, Rejuvenate and Unwind in our Cape Otway accommodation along the Great Ocean Road
Cape Otway is situated at the at the southern tip of Victoria's western coast, where the Southern Ocean meets Bass Strait. A lot of the area around Cape Otway is included in the Great Otway National Park, which features rain-forest, streams and waterfalls in the Otway Ranges, and extends right down to the coast where a rugged coastline meets with pockets of sandy beaches.
Things to Do
The Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles are a collection of magnificent rocks stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park, on the Great Ocean Road. Currently there are eight apostles left, the ninth stack collapsed dramatically in July 2005.
Maits Rest
Renowned for its natural beauty, Maits Rest is an easy 800m self-guided circular walk on a wooden boardwalk built over tree-fern gullies and moss-covered roots, providing a unique view of the forest. This is must-see destination, only ten minutes from Shearwater Cottages.
Melba Gully/Glow Worms
Known as the Jewel of the Otways, this is one of the wettest places in Victoria. The gully has prolific plant growth and is a dense rain-forest of Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and Tree-ferns, with an understorey of low ferns and mosses. Some of the most unusual inhabitants of the area are the glow worms, which can be seen at night along the walking tracks. The 35-minute Madsen's Track Nature Walk departs from the picnic area, providing an adventure into a world of ancient, mossy trees and cool fern gullies.
Triplet Falls
Triplet Falls is one of the most spectacular and enchanting waterfalls in the Great Otway National Park, approximately 45 minutes from Shearwater Cottages. Nestled amongst the ancient forests of Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech, you will discover three distinct and impressive cascades flowing through shady rain-forests and glades of mossy tree ferns.
Otway Fly
The Otway Fly consists of both the Treetop Walk and the Zip Line Tour. The Tree Top Walk is the longest and highest of its type in the world. It is 600 metres long and at the top of the tower it is 47 breathtaking metres high. The Otway Fly Zip Line Tour is the first Zip Line Tour in Victoria, a unique eco-wilderness adventure that takes place in the magnificent Otways rain-forest. Participants zip from one tree platform (‘cloud station’) to another connected by cable up to 30 metres above the forest floor…
Visit Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is the nearest town to Shearwater Cottages, it has beautiful beaches as well as a large boat harbour and marina which is home to a major fishing fleet. There are a good selection of restaurants and cafes, along with two local supermarkets for your self-catering supplies.
The Great Ocean Walk
Whether you are camping on track or staying off track it has never been easier to experience Australia’s premier walking trail. The Great Ocean Walk will not only enable you to travel through both the Great Otway National Park and the Port Campbell National Park but also to experience two marine parks – Marengo Reef, complete with a large and permanent population of fur seals and the 12 Apostles Marine Park with its resident fairy penguins.