Jo and Matt's guide to the Otways!
Foodies Heaven
The local area is famous for food production and fantastic eateries, featuring local produce from the lush farms and fields.
A family owned quality pub serving locally brewed beer for all tastes. We recommend the Sticky Fingers Larger for those who don’t normally consume beer, or try a tasting platter! Meals at reasonable prices, cakes and coffee, and you can dine indoors or outside.
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Forrest Brewing Company
26 Grant StA family owned quality pub serving locally brewed beer for all tastes. We recommend the Sticky Fingers Larger for those who don’t normally consume beer, or try a tasting platter! Meals at reasonable prices, cakes and coffee, and you can dine indoors or outside.
This Scotch distillery is a local gem where you can taste the local brew. Reservations at the resturant are advised for lunch as it’s popular!
57 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Timboon Railway Shed Distillery
1 Bailey StThis Scotch distillery is a local gem where you can taste the local brew. Reservations at the resturant are advised for lunch as it’s popular!
This is the ultimate gastronomic fine dining experience. From paddock to plate, everything is organically grown and produced seasonally onsite. Only 20 minutes drive from The Little Church, and a taxi service is available, so you are free to indulge. Contact the restaurant for more information and bookings are essential.
53 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Brae Restaurant
4285 Cape Otway RdThis is the ultimate gastronomic fine dining experience. From paddock to plate, everything is organically grown and produced seasonally onsite. Only 20 minutes drive from The Little Church, and a taxi service is available, so you are free to indulge. Contact the restaurant for more information and bookings are essential.
New to Forrest, the community is delighted to support Dar Teta Resturant! With homely, relaxed decor and a yummy menu, the food is simple and delicious. Open for lunch and dinner most days (exception Tuesday and Wednesday - at the time of writing this guide)
Ring to book on: ph0431-276764.
Dar Tèta
16 Grant StreetNew to Forrest, the community is delighted to support Dar Teta Resturant! With homely, relaxed decor and a yummy menu, the food is simple and delicious. Open for lunch and dinner most days (exception Tuesday and Wednesday - at the time of writing this guide)
Ring to book on: ph0431-276764.
Relax and be guided through a tasting at this unique boutique winery, then relax in the garden with a picnic or in the tasting shed by the wood fire surrounded by wine barrels. Bring your own picnic or cheese platter.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Brown Magpie Wines
125 Larcombes RdRelax and be guided through a tasting at this unique boutique winery, then relax in the garden with a picnic or in the tasting shed by the wood fire surrounded by wine barrels. Bring your own picnic or cheese platter.
We had a wonderful hour or so picking raspberries, but Pennyroyal also has blackberries, currants, loganberries and other varieties. Afterwards you can sip a cocktail in the ‘shed’ watching everyone else work in the vines! Only open seasonally, so check the website for details.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm & Cidery
115 Division RdWe had a wonderful hour or so picking raspberries, but Pennyroyal also has blackberries, currants, loganberries and other varieties. Afterwards you can sip a cocktail in the ‘shed’ watching everyone else work in the vines! Only open seasonally, so check the website for details.
Gentle Annie Berry Gardens
520 Pennyroyal Valley RdBungador Berry Farm
325 Speedway RdDining at Yeild is a family experience, a feeling of being a guest, enjoying local produce from the garden (and beyond) in a charming setting. More of a cafe than a resturant, but with an amazing deli full of goodies that you will want to bring home, also a great place to find foodie gifts!
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Birregurra General Store & Cafe
59-61 Main StDining at Yeild is a family experience, a feeling of being a guest, enjoying local produce from the garden (and beyond) in a charming setting. More of a cafe than a resturant, but with an amazing deli full of goodies that you will want to bring home, also a great place to find foodie gifts!
On your trip to the 12 Apostles, be sure to stop at G.O.R.G.E. Chocolates, selling artisan Chocolates, alpaca garments and giftware. We love the fantastic creativity of G.O.R.G.E chocolates and particularly love the cow shaped milk chocolate! you can also feed the alpacas and explore the garden, have a cuppa in the garden cafe and chat to the owners who run the farm and make the chocolates!
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gorge Chocolates
1432 Princetown RdOn your trip to the 12 Apostles, be sure to stop at G.O.R.G.E. Chocolates, selling artisan Chocolates, alpaca garments and giftware. We love the fantastic creativity of G.O.R.G.E chocolates and particularly love the cow shaped milk chocolate! you can also feed the alpacas and explore the garden, have a cuppa in the garden cafe and chat to the owners who run the farm and make the chocolates!
A busy pub with Asian / Australian cuisine. This is your standard country pub experience, not salubrious, but wholesome!
Farmers Arms Hotel Beeac
87 Main StA busy pub with Asian / Australian cuisine. This is your standard country pub experience, not salubrious, but wholesome!
Cafe serving good coffee and really yummy gluten free bread. A popular destination and a must visit in Birregurra
Otway Artisan Gluten Free
77 Main StCafe serving good coffee and really yummy gluten free bread. A popular destination and a must visit in Birregurra
Blakes Estate Winery is a small winery - the summer sparkling and Pinot noir are a favourite.
80 Bambra Cemetery Rd
80 Bambra Cemetery RoadBlakes Estate Winery is a small winery - the summer sparkling and Pinot noir are a favourite.
The Beeac General Store and Lolly shop is worth a visit. Home made cakes, pies and sandwiches and a large range of sweets and soft drinks from all over the world.
69 Main St
69 Main StreetThe Beeac General Store and Lolly shop is worth a visit. Home made cakes, pies and sandwiches and a large range of sweets and soft drinks from all over the world.
While in Birregurra consider dining at this Art Deco country pub with charm! Gill McLaughlan, CEO of the Australian Football League is a part owner and you may see him or recognisable sports celebrities lounging at the bar. The service is good and the fare, although simple, is yummy!
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Royal Mail Hotel Birregurra
49 Main StWhile in Birregurra consider dining at this Art Deco country pub with charm! Gill McLaughlan, CEO of the Australian Football League is a part owner and you may see him or recognisable sports celebrities lounging at the bar. The service is good and the fare, although simple, is yummy!
We love this shop! Combine it with a trip to the Scotch distillery next door. Worth the hour drive to Timboon. And a short 20 minutes from Timboon is the LochArd Gorge and 12 Apostles.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Timboon Fine Ice Cream
1A Barrett StWe love this shop! Combine it with a trip to the Scotch distillery next door. Worth the hour drive to Timboon. And a short 20 minutes from Timboon is the LochArd Gorge and 12 Apostles.
Offering Cellar door tastings and events. Yeowarra is on your way from the airBnB to Colac, approx 10 minutes drive!
Yeowarra Hill
152 Drapers RoadOffering Cellar door tastings and events. Yeowarra is on your way from the airBnB to Colac, approx 10 minutes drive!
St Anne’s Winery
150 Mountjoy ParadeWhile in Lorne, stop for a tasting at the beachfront Cellar Door.
Gellibrand is a tiny hamlet with a lot of history, from the quaint country pub to the General Store/licenced cafe there is a lot to do. Read about the railway history at the quaint Historic Centre in the park, visit the old Gellibrand Station (a tiny tin shed) and take a walk along the Beechy Rail Trail, a 45 km walking/riding track. Although just a small section of the trail will give you glimpses of the lovely bush landscape. Warning, the food at the licenced cafe is diabolical, but they have an old upright piano out front, which all are welcome to tinker on! Enjoy Gellibrand!
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gellibrand
Gellibrand is a tiny hamlet with a lot of history, from the quaint country pub to the General Store/licenced cafe there is a lot to do. Read about the railway history at the quaint Historic Centre in the park, visit the old Gellibrand Station (a tiny tin shed) and take a walk along the Beechy Rail Trail, a 45 km walking/riding track. Although just a small section of the trail will give you glimpses of the lovely bush landscape. Warning, the food at the licenced cafe is diabolical, but they have an old upright piano out front, which all are welcome to tinker on! Enjoy Gellibrand!
Sightseeing
Just a 15 minute drive from Timboon, make this must see landscape part of your day trip to the Timboon distillery and icecream shop, the Californian Redwoods and the 12 Apostles. Learn about the Geological history and features of the stone formations and experience the wild wonder of the ocean from atop the cliffs and down on the beaches at the base of this magnificent landscape.
112 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Twelve Apostles Visitor Facility
Booringa RoadJust a 15 minute drive from Timboon, make this must see landscape part of your day trip to the Timboon distillery and icecream shop, the Californian Redwoods and the 12 Apostles. Learn about the Geological history and features of the stone formations and experience the wild wonder of the ocean from atop the cliffs and down on the beaches at the base of this magnificent landscape.
By the 1930’s, settlers to this area had felled many of the Mountain Ash trees native to the area. The planting of these Californian Redwoods (sequoia) was part of a experimental program by the Forests Commission. The trees stand at approx 60 meters high and provide an ecosystem that feels magical and very different to the Gum forests and rainforests in the area. Spend half an hour or more walking through the trees and exploring. Take sturdy walking shoes though, as your adventure might take you on narrow paths and over fallen logs; and with a meteorologically famous rainfall in the area, it’s often wet underfoot. On a dry day, take a picnic then wade in the crystal clear mountain stream afoot the great trees for a lovely warm day outing.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Californian Redwood Forest
By the 1930’s, settlers to this area had felled many of the Mountain Ash trees native to the area. The planting of these Californian Redwoods (sequoia) was part of a experimental program by the Forests Commission. The trees stand at approx 60 meters high and provide an ecosystem that feels magical and very different to the Gum forests and rainforests in the area. Spend half an hour or more walking through the trees and exploring. Take sturdy walking shoes though, as your adventure might take you on narrow paths and over fallen logs; and with a meteorologically famous rainfall in the area, it’s often wet underfoot. On a dry day, take a picnic then wade in the crystal clear mountain stream afoot the great trees for a lovely warm day outing.
Lake Colac is a large expanse of water edged by rushes and reeds filled with bird life and chirping frogs. It is a wonderful place for a gentle walk, bike ride or run (the foreshore path spans approx 3-4 km), a place to take nature photography, dip a toe in the water at the ‘beach’ near the botanical gardens and walk past the Colac Million Dollar Real Estate Mile, with its water-front homes. There’s an out-door gym at the Western end of the path. Or peruse the botanical gardens or Apex Park. Stop at the cafe in the botanical gardens to have a meal overlooking the lake.
Lake Colac Foreshore Reserve
Lake Colac is a large expanse of water edged by rushes and reeds filled with bird life and chirping frogs. It is a wonderful place for a gentle walk, bike ride or run (the foreshore path spans approx 3-4 km), a place to take nature photography, dip a toe in the water at the ‘beach’ near the botanical gardens and walk past the Colac Million Dollar Real Estate Mile, with its water-front homes. There’s an out-door gym at the Western end of the path. Or peruse the botanical gardens or Apex Park. Stop at the cafe in the botanical gardens to have a meal overlooking the lake.
Lake Elizabeth is a favorite nature visit, approx 20 minutes into the National Park behind Forrest. Bring a map from the airBnB as some turns down gravel roads are required and some electronic maps are not reliable. The lake walk, approx 6Km, has spectacular terrain, and sometimes you can spot platypus in the water! We recommend a night walk to see glow worms that line the path from the car park to the lake!
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lake Elizabeth
Lake Elizabeth is a favorite nature visit, approx 20 minutes into the National Park behind Forrest. Bring a map from the airBnB as some turns down gravel roads are required and some electronic maps are not reliable. The lake walk, approx 6Km, has spectacular terrain, and sometimes you can spot platypus in the water! We recommend a night walk to see glow worms that line the path from the car park to the lake!
Take a picnic and watch the sun go down over the vista of Lakes and Craters of this volcanic region
Red rock hill top
Take a picnic and watch the sun go down over the vista of Lakes and Craters of this volcanic region
Riding, bushwalking and running
This area is littered with adventures for those who love to walk, run and ride!
A short 6 kms from the airBnB, you’ll find the top entrance to the Tiger Rail Trail just off the Biregurra-Forrest Road. (You can also access the trail from the township of Forrest). So named, because when the narrow-gauge trains stopped running, the route was replaced with an old Dodge automobile. This is a scenic 5km trail (one way) lined with rainforest and native bush sections. The trail runs through local cattle farms and over a creek bed. In the early morning Kangaroos can be seen lolloping through the mist along the trail which is lined with Wattle, Heath and Hakea providing a lovely flower show in Winter and Spring. This trail provides gentle off road cycling (with the exception of a couple of steep short hill climbs at either end). It’s also an easy and safe trail to run and walk.
Tiger Rail Trail
Tiger Rail TrailA short 6 kms from the airBnB, you’ll find the top entrance to the Tiger Rail Trail just off the Biregurra-Forrest Road. (You can also access the trail from the township of Forrest). So named, because when the narrow-gauge trains stopped running, the route was replaced with an old Dodge automobile. This is a scenic 5km trail (one way) lined with rainforest and native bush sections. The trail runs through local cattle farms and over a creek bed. In the early morning Kangaroos can be seen lolloping through the mist along the trail which is lined with Wattle, Heath and Hakea providing a lovely flower show in Winter and Spring. This trail provides gentle off road cycling (with the exception of a couple of steep short hill climbs at either end). It’s also an easy and safe trail to run and walk.
A peaceful, quiet trail, worth picking up out of Colac on Forrest St if you prefer to avoid riding or running in town. Lovely vistas, bridges and towering gum trees, there’s a good chance to spot a Koala or two along the way.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Old Beechy Rail Trail
Old Beechy Rail TrailA peaceful, quiet trail, worth picking up out of Colac on Forrest St if you prefer to avoid riding or running in town. Lovely vistas, bridges and towering gum trees, there’s a good chance to spot a Koala or two along the way.
An easy and picturesque 4km walk, Stevenson’s Falls are famous to the area. There are many waterfalls through the lush Otways rainforest, and those seeking a waterfall hunting adventure must add Stevenson’s falls to their list!
Pull into the Upper Gellibrand camping area and park at the end of the camping ground. the walking path to the falls is from the Southern end.
Carry water and food for a picnic if you wish (there are open gassy spaces along the walk).
Stevensons Falls Walk
Stevensons Falls WalkAn easy and picturesque 4km walk, Stevenson’s Falls are famous to the area. There are many waterfalls through the lush Otways rainforest, and those seeking a waterfall hunting adventure must add Stevenson’s falls to their list!
Pull into the Upper Gellibrand camping area and park at the end of the camping ground. the walking path to the falls is from the Southern end.
Carry water and food for a picnic if you wish (there are open gassy spaces along the walk).
Lake Elizabeth offers a fascinating walk offering eerie water vistas. Formed by a natural landslide in 1952, it is located in a fern filled valley. Most notable are the dead stags that resulted from the Lakes formation. Platypus can be seen in the water for those who are very quiet, astute and lucky! But a must see is the glow worms lining the walking path at night!
Bush walkers and mountain cyclists can undertake 15.5km return circuit from the Barwon Dam to Lake Elizabeth. Alternatively the Lake Elizabeth circuit from the car park is a 4.3 km circuit of easy walking.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lake Elizabeth
Lake Elizabeth offers a fascinating walk offering eerie water vistas. Formed by a natural landslide in 1952, it is located in a fern filled valley. Most notable are the dead stags that resulted from the Lakes formation. Platypus can be seen in the water for those who are very quiet, astute and lucky! But a must see is the glow worms lining the walking path at night!
Bush walkers and mountain cyclists can undertake 15.5km return circuit from the Barwon Dam to Lake Elizabeth. Alternatively the Lake Elizabeth circuit from the car park is a 4.3 km circuit of easy walking.
A popular trail head for mountain bike trails through xanthorea and gum forests. Detailed maps can be found in Forrest.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Forrest Yaugher MTB Trailhead
A popular trail head for mountain bike trails through xanthorea and gum forests. Detailed maps can be found in Forrest.
A range of moderate and technical mountain bike trails for all ages, maps provided at the trail head.
Forrest Southern MTB Trailhead
A range of moderate and technical mountain bike trails for all ages, maps provided at the trail head.
Markets and Shopping
Spend an hour or two browsing the shops in Colac. Discover Murray Street Market, which is a local treasure trove of secondhand and craft goods. On Murray St you’ll also find boutiques for homewares and gifts. All the banks are here and a Telstra shop.
Colac has 3 supermarkets, Aldi, Woolworths and Coles, as well as independent butchers and grocers and three pharmacies. There’s a generous array of all kinds of cuisine for eat-in and takeaway meals and two main pubs.
For lovers of secondhand treasures there is an antique store on Murray Street, ‘How Bazarre’ on Skene St and ‘Rae St Relics’ on Rae St.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Colac
Spend an hour or two browsing the shops in Colac. Discover Murray Street Market, which is a local treasure trove of secondhand and craft goods. On Murray St you’ll also find boutiques for homewares and gifts. All the banks are here and a Telstra shop.
Colac has 3 supermarkets, Aldi, Woolworths and Coles, as well as independent butchers and grocers and three pharmacies. There’s a generous array of all kinds of cuisine for eat-in and takeaway meals and two main pubs.
For lovers of secondhand treasures there is an antique store on Murray Street, ‘How Bazarre’ on Skene St and ‘Rae St Relics’ on Rae St.
Forrest General Store is a unique country store. Gifts, local produce, pre-made meals, essential groceries, sandwiches, coffee, milkshakes and cake as well as Australia Post Services, this is the thriving heart of Forrest!
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Forrest General Store station
33 Grant StForrest General Store is a unique country store. Gifts, local produce, pre-made meals, essential groceries, sandwiches, coffee, milkshakes and cake as well as Australia Post Services, this is the thriving heart of Forrest!
Red Rock Regional Theatre and Gallery
520 Corangamite Lake RdThink of the cutest country hamlet you can imagine; picket fences, artisan gluten free bakeries, rusty iron roofs, roads lined with gums trees… and that is Birregurra. A must see, adorable town with heart.
Main Street
Main StreetThink of the cutest country hamlet you can imagine; picket fences, artisan gluten free bakeries, rusty iron roofs, roads lined with gums trees… and that is Birregurra. A must see, adorable town with heart.
Adventures!
Adventure parks and structured activities
5 minutes down the road towards Colac you’ll find Tree-Tops adventures! Bookings can be made online weblink treetopsadventure
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trees Adventure - Yeodene Park
70 Possum Ridge Rd5 minutes down the road towards Colac you’ll find Tree-Tops adventures! Bookings can be made online weblink treetopsadventure
Otway Fly is an attraction not to be missed. Zip line tours and treetop walks offer a unique tree-top canopy experience.
www.otwayfly.com.au
153 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aventuras en las copas de los árboles de Otway Fly
Otway Fly is an attraction not to be missed. Zip line tours and treetop walks offer a unique tree-top canopy experience.
www.otwayfly.com.au
This is a new attraction that people on the area are raving about! Actually, neighbours of the airBnB helped build the facility!
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wildlife Wonders
475 Great Ocean RdThis is a new attraction that people on the area are raving about! Actually, neighbours of the airBnB helped build the facility!
The Craft Trail
Patchwork, quilting, jewellery making, wool craft and all things hand-made. This area has some beautiful shops just for you!
Cute as a button patchwork shop nestled on the Main Street of Birregurra. A must see for the quilter and quilter at heart! Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
Inheritance Patchwork
79 Main StCute as a button patchwork shop nestled on the Main Street of Birregurra. A must see for the quilter and quilter at heart! Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
A large shop with a large range of fabrics and kits. Make this a part of your excursion to the 12 Apostles and the Great Ocean Road. Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Gum Valley Patchwork
13 Princetown RdA large shop with a large range of fabrics and kits. Make this a part of your excursion to the 12 Apostles and the Great Ocean Road. Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Elm Grove Patchwork, open Wednesday to Friday (or by appointment). Suppling fabric and kits specialising in reproduction fabrics for producing quilts from past eras. Make it a part of a day trip to Timboon and the 12 Apostles.
2211 Timboon-Nullawarre Rd
2211 Timboon-Nullawarre RoadElm Grove Patchwork, open Wednesday to Friday (or by appointment). Suppling fabric and kits specialising in reproduction fabrics for producing quilts from past eras. Make it a part of a day trip to Timboon and the 12 Apostles.
Yarns, embroidery, thread, beads, quilting fabrics and more! You can also purchase a roast meat and gravy sandwich in classic white bread, at the cafe in Cobden which is a very specific (and rather dubious) delicacy to the area, but might have to be tried to be believed….
Cobden Sewing Machines
31 Curdie StYarns, embroidery, thread, beads, quilting fabrics and more! You can also purchase a roast meat and gravy sandwich in classic white bread, at the cafe in Cobden which is a very specific (and rather dubious) delicacy to the area, but might have to be tried to be believed….
Beach side towns
Apollo Bay, on the Great Ocean Road, has swimming beaches, and a large variety of shops, cafes and services.
There are many good bush-walks around Apollo Bay including the Great Ocean Road multi-day Walk. Take the winding Great Ocean Road from here towards Torquay for spectacular views.
Apollo Bay is a 50 minute drive through the spectacular Otway Rainforest. On the way you can stop at Forrest for a hot chocolate at The Forrest General Store or a bevy at the Forrest Brewing Company.
82 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay, on the Great Ocean Road, has swimming beaches, and a large variety of shops, cafes and services.
There are many good bush-walks around Apollo Bay including the Great Ocean Road multi-day Walk. Take the winding Great Ocean Road from here towards Torquay for spectacular views.
Apollo Bay is a 50 minute drive through the spectacular Otway Rainforest. On the way you can stop at Forrest for a hot chocolate at The Forrest General Store or a bevy at the Forrest Brewing Company.
A gorgeous beach-side town for enjoying both swimming and surf beaches. Tourist shopping, services and surfing lessons can be accessed, as well as a range of cafes and restaurants.
Its a 75km or 58 minute drive on sealed country roads, and on the way you must stop at the Brown Magpie Winery (it's one of our favorites). As you drive past, be sure to notice the restaurant 'Brae' which offers a complete paddock to plate degustation menu for approx $500 per person (please check current pricing on the website). Take the winding Great Ocean Road from here towards Apollo Bay for spectacular views.
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Torquay
A gorgeous beach-side town for enjoying both swimming and surf beaches. Tourist shopping, services and surfing lessons can be accessed, as well as a range of cafes and restaurants.
Its a 75km or 58 minute drive on sealed country roads, and on the way you must stop at the Brown Magpie Winery (it's one of our favorites). As you drive past, be sure to notice the restaurant 'Brae' which offers a complete paddock to plate degustation menu for approx $500 per person (please check current pricing on the website). Take the winding Great Ocean Road from here towards Apollo Bay for spectacular views.
Lorne is highly recommended as a beach town as it has retained its naive charm, despite being a popular tourist destination. With an eclectic mix of shops and cafes, and lovely beaches, Lorne also provides access to some great bush walking tracks and waterfalls.
Just 54 km away, its a 45 minute drive on sealed country roads. Stop at some of the wineries along the way!
91 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lorne
Lorne is highly recommended as a beach town as it has retained its naive charm, despite being a popular tourist destination. With an eclectic mix of shops and cafes, and lovely beaches, Lorne also provides access to some great bush walking tracks and waterfalls.
Just 54 km away, its a 45 minute drive on sealed country roads. Stop at some of the wineries along the way!