Maits Rest Walk

The giant, towering Mountain Ash trees of the Great Otway National Park form the backdrop for this gorgeous boardwalk that winds its way through sections of lush rainforest, and does an excellent job of showcasing the blend of nature that makes the Otways one of Victoria's true natural treasures. Spanning an easily-navigable 800m, the boardwalk is well-maintained and provides a clear path from which to witness this delicate and beautiful ecosystem that contains some of the region's oldest trees, as well as innumerable ferns, bubbling streams, and a diversity of native wildlife including wallabies, kangaroos and possums.

Bird life in particular is dense in the national park, and their calls add an additional layer of tranquility to the proceedings; if you're in the region and wanting to feel truly "at one" with nature, then there are few better spots to do so. Located close to Apollo Bay, the lush beauty of the Maits Rest walk makes for a refreshing change of pace from the picturesque yet slightly repetitive coastal Great Ocean Road scenery and can be done in an hour (return) when walked at a leisurely place. Given the relatively small investment of time and energy required, Maits Rest is well worth the effort for all ages as a stop along the Great Ocean Road.