HOT: Redwood Forest, Great Otway National Park

Did you know that Victoria has not just one, but two Redwood Forests?

Hidden down an unsealed logging route within the Great Otway National Park, you’ll find the Californian Redwood Forest and Picnic Area. It’s a unique forest of towering Redwood trees beside the fern-fringed Aire River.

The trees were planted in the 1930s by the State Forests Commission as an experimental logging plantation and are now protected as part of the Great Otway National Park.

The trees have been planted in an undulating area so that it seems like they are sailing away. Their height blocks out most of the sunlight, making the area particularly quiet and cool.

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Note it can get quite muddy and slippery after rain as there’s not much undergrowth. Because of its uneven surface, I don’t think it’s really suitable for prams.

You could spend as little as ten minutes craning your neck up high, or half a day wandering and playing in the mysterious forest.

If you take a picnic there are tables and benches outside the main forest area facing the carpark. Note that the carpark is very small and narrow, so be very careful with your turning circle.

Within close driving proximity are Hopetoun Falls and Beauchamp Falls so you can extend your commune with nature.

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If you want to visit Victoria’s other Redwood Forest head to East Warburton in the Yarra Valley.

HOT Tips:

From Melbourne, you can access the Redwoods Picnic Area and Forest via Colac, or from The Great Ocean Road.
As you travel along Binns Road, the area is signposted, and there is a small, unsealed carpark area just off the road.
There aren't any defined paths in the forest. Prams need to be able to move over the soft floor of leaf debris and twigs and a varied gradient.
Free parking;
No dogs allowed;
Pit toilet located across the road from the carpark.
No bins so take your rubbish away;
Picnic tables outside the main forest;
Total fire ban;
No mobile reception;
Nearest town is Beech Forest.

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Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.