The Great Ocean Road about 20 km east of Cape Otway

Cape Otway (including Cape Otway National Park)
Dramatic stretch of coastline on the Great Ocean Road.
Located 222 km south west of Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road, Cape Otway and the Cape Otway National Park are recognised as part of the most beautiful and rugged area of the Great Ocean Road region.

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area around Cape Otway was inhabited by Aborigines who lived largely on the produce of the sea. Ancient middens have been discovered on the Otway Peninsula near the Aire River.

The first European accounts of this stretch of coastline come from Matthew Flinders who passed by in 1802 and commented on the fierceness of the cliffs. Later Lieutenant James Grant named the ranges (and by association the Cape) after his friend Captain Albany Otway.

By 1840 the enterprising Henty brothers had established a major whaling station at Portland and over the next seven years they had a small whaling station at Point Bunbury which is where the Apollo Bay golf course now stands. Around this time William Roadknight took up land in the district.

By 1851 Roadknight had cut a road from his property to the coast near Cape Otway. The first major European settlement occurred in 1850 when timber cutters moved into the district. By the 1870 timber was the important local industry.

Today the whole area is a National Park but the views from Cape Otway lighthouse are some of the finest on the south coast and the trip is worth making.

Things to see:  

Otway Ranges
Apollo Bay is one of the many entry points to the beautiful Otway Ranges and the Otway National Park. There are a number of routes into the ranges which are spectacularly beautiful and largely untouched. For further information ring Parks Victoria on 131 963.

Cape Otway Lighthouse Station
The Cape Otway lighthouse is the second-oldest on the Australian mainland and the oldest on the Victorian coast. Built in 1848 to a design by the Colonial Architect Mortimer Lewis, it stands on the 100-metre headland, is 15.6 metres high and can be seen for 22 km out to sea. The lighthouse's construction arose from public demand after two major shipwrecks in the area had resulted in the loss of over 600 lives. The worst was the wreck of the Cataraqui which had swung south to miss the Cape Otway rocks only to crash into King Island. This resulted in the death of some 406 people. There is a small cemetery near the lighthouse which records the tragedies which were common when people lived in such isolated circumstances.

To get there head west of Apollo Bay for 20 km along the Great Ocean Road and take the signposted left. It is 12 km to the lighthouse. There are marked walking tracks from the lighthouse. A short, easy, 30-minute return walk to the cemetery and there is a longer, easy walk to Rainbow Falls (about two hours return).

Guided tours are conducted daily. Accommodation is available in the lighthouse keeper's cottages. For information about both ring (03) 5237 9240 or contact the tourist information centre at Apollo Bay, tel: (03) 5237 6529.

Cape Otway Cliff Walk
There is a track around the coast from Cape Otway which provides spectacular views. If you have the time and inclination it offers some of the best views along the coast.

Accommodation and Eating
See Apollo Bay for details.

A Book About The Great Ocean Road
The best book about the Great Ocean Road is the remarkably cheap ($19.95 for a full colour hardback) book by Port Campbell photographer, Rodney Hyett. It is 96 pages long and has everything you could possibly want ­ great photographs, maps of the area, a potted history of the area, details about national parks and visitor information centres, accommodation, walking tracks, even details of the region's eight lighthouses and succinct (not as detailed as this website) pieces of information about all the major destinations from Queenscliff to Cape Bridgewater. If you are planning to travel the Great Ocean Road and explore the totality of its attractions this is a small masterpiece of publishing and a great travel guide. It is available from many shops along the way and can be ordered from Port Campbell Shopping at http://www.portcampbellshopping.com.au.

	Cottages & Cabins
	Shearwater Cottages Cape Otway 780 Lighthouse Rd Cape Otway VIC 3233 Telephone: (03) 5237 9260 Email: escape@shearwatercottages.com Web site: http://www.shearwatercottages.com
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Glenotway Farm Holiday House Great Ocean Road Glenaire Cape Otway VIC 3233 Telephone: (03) 5237 9255