Our Locals Guide.
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Dining
Wye General Cafe
WYE RIVER
38.63°S, 143.89°E
Conveniently located just 1km our Coastal House is the Wye General Store. The coffee here is consistently great and we love the daily bakery treats. On weekends they often bake fresh sourdough bread and baguettes which are outstanding.
Wye River Pub
WYE RIVER
38.63°S, 143.89°E
The Wye River pub is a great local spot to soak up the beach atmosphere. If you are hungry after a surf, swim or hike, then this is the place to help satisfy your appetite. They serve up an interesting menu of quality pub classics and they have a great beer and wine list.
Ipsos
LORNE
38.53°S, 143.97°E
Ipsos has a great vibe both inside & out. The food is excellent - a relaxed and homely style of Greek cooking. That means dips, salads, grilled fish, steamed mussels, souvlaki and lamb keftedes. The cocktails, Mythos beer and crisp wines are also appreciated!
Totti’s Lorne
LORNE
38.53°S, 143.97°E
Located at the Lorne hotel right on the beachfront, Totti’s is a laidback Italian eatery which serves antipasti, wood-fired pizza, local seafood dishes and house-made pasta. For dessert, there are nostalgic banana splits, chocolate torte and, of course, tiramisù
Brae
BIRREGURRA
38.33°S, 143.80°E
Brae is our favourite regional Australian restaurant. It delivers a closed-loop dining experience with all the bells & whistles you’ve come to expect from a 3-hat restaurant. Truly best in class.
Forrest Brewing Company
FORREST
38.50°S, 143.71°E
In a century-old former general store, the little Forrest Brewing Company serves up generous meals that complement a beer or local glass of vino.
Beech Hotel
BEECH FOREST
38.62°S, 143.57°E
Beechy Hotel in Beech Forest is an old school country pub… think T-bone steak and beer on tap. Perfect spot for lunch after you visit the Otway Treetop Walk.
Le Comptoir
AIREYS INLET
-38.45°S, 144.10°E
Le Comptoir is a French deli and café with great wine and light meals, including breakfast. A great little stop off point to collect tasty local and French goodies to enjoy during your stay.
Forage
Torquay Farmers Markets
TORQUAY
38.28°S, 144.32°S
Torquay Farmers Market is on every Saturday morning from 8.30am to 1.00pm in the carpark of the Surf Coast Shire Offices. This popular weekly market celebrates fresh local foods and artisan produce.
Fisherman’s Co-Op
APOLLO BAY
38.74°S, 143.67°E
Known for crayfish, abalone, snapper, scallops, squid, gummy shark flathead, trevally and tuna, Apollo Bay has a rich history of seafood. For fresh seafood visit the Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Co-op.
The Store Deans Marsh
DEANS MARSH
38.39°S, 143.88°E
The Store Deans Marsh is a tea room, grocery, deli, café and cake shop with (naturally) a vegetable garden, post office, newsagency and info centre. The store has a thoroughly modern approach - they understand black garlic salt and vegan health balls.
Top Swims
Always check the surf condition, as all beaches on the Great Ocean Road can be very hazardous when any swell is running. Please visit Life Saving Victoria for information on beach patrolled seasons.
Wye River Beach
38.63°S, 143.89°E
The Wye River beach is expansive and perfect for family enjoyment. It’s a 20 minute walk from Months & Seasons via Separation Creek beach or Paddy’s Path. The western end of the beach is particularly stunning with relics of the old pier, plenty of rock pools and private spots to chill out. Surfing from the main beach is great for all abilities (be sensible – the swell can get big).
Kennett River Beach
38.63°S, 143.89°E
Just 7 minutes drive from Months & Seasons is Kennett River which is known for its rough current and picture-perfect waves. Locals from Wye River and Apollo Bay flock to Kennett to surf so if the swell is good you may have to share the waves! The setting is particularly stunning and you get a strong sense of the Otway forest meeting the beach.
Sep Creek Rock Pools
38.62 °S, 143.89°E
Located between Wye River and Separation Creek beaches is a long stretch of rock pools and sandy beach. This is an idyllic spot, a little quieter and protected. Why not grab our Finska set and play on the flat sand? The rocks naturally heat the water in summer, it’s a great spot if you don’t like cold water.
Lorne Main Beach
38.53°S, 143.97°E
Patrolled during the summer months, Lorne Main Beach is the perfect spot to let the kids run free as you enjoy a little rest and relaxation.
Johanna Beach
38.76°S, 143.38°E
Located along the Great Ocean Road near Glenaire, west of Apollo Bay, is Johanna Beach. It was the site of the World Surfing Championships in 1970, and its famous left and right breaks are a mecca for surfers. With 3.6 km of shoreline, it is one of the best surf beaches Great Ocean Road has to offer.
Activities
Otway Treetop Walk
FERGUSON
38.62°S, 143.50°E
The Otway Fly Treetop Walk is the highest and longest walk of its kind in the world. The walk (which isn't physically challenging) lets you see the rainforest from 30 metres above the forest floor. The forest is home to ancient species of trees and an abundance of wildlife.
Lorne Cinema
LORNE
38.54°S, 143.96°E
Since 1937, Lorne Theatre has entertained locals and visitors along the Great Ocean Road. After years of neglect it has now been taken over by the founders of Sydney’s Golden Age Cinema & Bar and Melbourne’s Rooftop Cinema. Check the website for the latest schedule which features a blend of contemporary and classic films.
Live Wire Park
LORNE
38.54°S, 143.96°E
Families should check out nearby treetop adventure destination Live Wire Park. It’s the first of its kind in Australia to be powered completely by nature and is home to the country’s most extreme zip-line.
Sunset Fire by the Beach
SEPARATION CREEK
38.62 °S, 143.89°E
Sometimes the simple things are the best. One of our favourite uniquely Separation Creek things to do is to head to the beach around sunset on a calm crisp evening and light a beach fire. To locate the fire pit look for the “Howies” sign.
Wellness
In-House Massage
SEPARATION CREEK
38.62 °S, 143.89°E
If you’re looking to unwind and centre yourself during your stay with us, then we recommend a massage with Helen. She uses a unique and deeply reinvigorating style of massage. The difference between a good and fabulous massage is the experience, skill and intuition of the therapist. Helen possess this “touch” - she intuitively responds to the needs of your body in the moment of the massage.
Beach Pilates & Meditation
WYE RIVER
38.63°S, 143.89°E
Fyne Balance offers regular weekly pilates classes as well as private 1:1 sessions. The group classes are held at Wye River beach during summer, or in the function room at the Wye River pub.
Indie Spa
FAIRHAVEN
38.11°S, 144.07°E
Featuring day spa treatments, a communal steam room and a magnesium bathhouse, Indie Spa is located at Fairhaven (about 30 minutes from Months & Seasons). Take a deep breath and fill your senses with rejuvenating salt air and be assured of rest and relaxation.
Deep Blue Hot Springs
WARNAMBOOL
38.31°S, 142.47°E
Deep Blue Hot Springs is an open-air hot spring sanctuary features geothermal rock pools, sensory caves, aromatherapy pool, hydrotherapy, foot spas and more.
Coastal Walks
Jamieson Walking Track
SEPARATION CREEK
38.62 °S, 143.89°E
The walk from Separation Creek to Jamieson Creek Campground goes through the Otways National Park, utilising the route of a historic telegraph line built in 1859. Parts of the walk were devastated in the 2015 bushfires, but you will see the powerful regrowth and recovery. There are many bird varieties including King parrots, Gang Gang cockatoos, rosellas, magpies, currawongs, wattle birds and many more to see on this walk.
Teddy’s Lookout Walk
LORNE
38.55°S, 143.97°E
We love this walk as it offers an easy 5km loop track with varied terrain and stunning scenery. When you reach Teddy’s Lookout there are spectacular views over the Southern Ocean. Along the way you can spot kangaroos, koalas & listen to the birdlife. The route can be done in an hour and it a great short hiking activity close by to Lorne.
Carisbrook Falls
WONGARRA
38.69°S, 143.80°E
Carisbrook Falls are half way between Separation Creek and Apollo Bay. The spectacular 50m falls are best viewed after heavy rain and are well worth a stop on your Great Ocean Road drive.
Forest Bathing
Lake Elizabeth
FORREST
38.59°S, 143.70°E
Head to Lake Elizabeth hidden deep in the Otways and discover its inspiring beauty with heavily timbered flanks and calm waters punctuated by the trunks of dead trees, drowned when the valley was flooded more than 50 years ago to form this “perched lake”. The elusive platypus can be found in the waters of the lake – wake up early or head to Lake Elizabeth at dusk to catch a glimpse of these shy Australian natives.
Melba Gully
LAVERS HILL
38.67°S, 143.39°E
Known as the Jewel of the Otways, Melba Gully is one of the wettest places in the state. The gully has prolific plant growth (which is totally immersive and mood lifting!) and is a dense rainforest of Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and Tree-ferns, with an understorey of low ferns and mosses. The 35 minute Madsen’s Track Nature Walk departs from the picnic area.
Grey River Walk
KENNETT RIVER
38.65°S, 143.81°E
Located close to the Great Ocean Road, but tucked away deep in the Otway rainforest is the Grey River Picnic Area and short lookout walk. This secluded spot is surrounded by moist rainforest and deep valleys.
Grey River Road is home to one of the largest Koala populations in the Otways. Remember to look up as the koalas hide in the trees and can camouflage themselves very well.
Sheok Falls
LORNE
38.56°S, 143.96°E
The Sheoak Falls walk is one of the most popular waterfalls between Lorne and Separation Creek. The walk starts at the carpark and weaves its way from the coastal woodland at the mouth of Sheoak Creek and through to Sheoak Falls (approx 10 mins walk). Continue up the trail to see Swallow Cave (additional 10 mins walk). It's quite a climb, but you'll also see some great views of the falls along the way.
Triplet Falls
WYELANGTA
38.65°S, 143.49°E
Triplet Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Great Otway Park and offers a stunning one hour loop walk through ancient rainforest. View the lower cascades as you follow raised walkways through the forest of Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech to the main falls. As you leave the forest you can begin to hear the roar of Triplet Falls where a series of elevated viewing platforms provide you with spectacular views of the three cascades.
Beauchamp Falls Track
BEECH FOREST
38.64°S, 143.61°E
A beautiful scenic trail through the Great Otway National Park. This out and back route begins and ends from the Beauchamp Falls Campground at the end of Beauchamp Falls Road. Enjoy making your way down to the falls, where there is a lovely swimming hole to enjoy before making the climb back up to where you started.
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