Great Otway National Park Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Great Otway National Park. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 Guests

• Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Premium Tour - Max 12 Guests

• Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, Rainforest & Morning Tea-Melbourne

• Great Ocean Road 12 Apostles & Rainforest Walk with Morning Tea

• Premium Great Ocean Road Tour Reverse - Hotel Pickup

It costs nothing to visit Great Otway National Park and explore its various attractions. However, you will need transportation to reach the park and get around once you’re there, and tours can be a convenient way to explore if you don’t have your own vehicle. Full-day trips from Melbourne start at around US$65 for a coach tour and US$100 for a small-group tour.

Yes, it's well worth visiting Great Otway National Park if you're traveling along the Great Ocean Road. Not only does the park let you escape the crowds at the Twelve Apostles, but it also offers pristine rainforest, waterfalls, and a variety of walking and hiking trails to explore. The park even has its own coastal attractions, such as the viewpoint at the Cape Otway Lightstation.

Per one customer who booked the Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Premium Tour - Max 12 Guests, "Once in a lifetime experience!  Kevin was a fantastic guide and driver. The gorges and Apostles were magnificent. We also got to see koalas close up in the trees, and a mob of kangaroos. The most surprising part was the walk through the primordial rainforest. It was incredible!"

The Great Otway National Park is rich in biodiversity, from giant redwoods, waterfalls, and fern gullies to coastal regions along the Great Ocean Road. The park offers opportunities for beautiful drives, mountain biking, hiking, and learning about the area’s history at the Cape Otway Lightstation. You might even see koalas.

Plan to spend at least 3–4 days in the Great Otway National Park so you can take your time when stopping at waterfalls and ocean viewing areas or when scouting for wildlife. You can camp or stay at hotels in several towns, including Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Forrest.

There’s something to see all year-round at Great Otway National Park, but the best time to visit is during the Aussie summer (December–February). The spring and fall shoulder seasons, beginning in October and ending in April, also offer good weather but with fewer crowds.

The best place to see koalas in their natural habitat at Great Otway National Park is near the Kennett River. Find the eucalyptus trees, where you’re more likely to spot a koala among the leaves. Koalas are most active early in the morning or in the evening.

Great Otway National Park is home to an array of wildlife, including koalas. Head to Lake Elizabeth to look for the shy platypus. In the early morning and evening, keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos and the smaller hoppers—the wallabies. Birds, both permanent and migratory, also nest in the park.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Great Otway National Park. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions on the Great Ocean Road:

• Twelve Apostles

• Great Ocean Road

• Albert Park

• Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions on the Great Ocean Road.