Forrest - Lake Elizabeth Playtpi and Glow Worms - South West

Forrest - Lake Elizabeth Playtpi and Glow Worms

Lake Elizabeth is hidden deep in the Otways and has heavily timbered flanks and calm waters with the trunks of dead trees, drowned when the valley was flooded more than 50 years ago to form the 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.

The campground sits on the bank of the east branch of the Barwon River sheltered by tall Eucalypts trees. A scenic, but quite steep in parts, 20 minute, 1km walk takes you to Lake Elizabeth. If you are walking back to the campground after dusk, keep an eye open for glow worms on the banks beside the track.

Lake Elizabeth Glow Worms

There is a lovely 3.8km walk from the Lake Elizabeth campground which goes around the lake.

How to get There

The car park is about 10 km from Forrest, via Kaanglang Road. Follow the Lake Elizabeth signs from Forrest

Glow Worm Facts

Glow-Worms are not worms but rather the larvae of fly like insects called fungus gnats.

Tips on how to help protect Glow-Worms. As glow-worms prey on small insects, it is best not to wear insect repellent and to refrain from smoking or lighting fires in the 'Glow-Worm's' environment.

Larvae produce threads of sticky silk, their glow attracts prey which are then ensnared by the sticky threads.

The light "goes out" if disturbed in any way, For example: torch light or noise will turn out the light for up to 15 minutes.

Life Cycle. The adult Fungus Gnat lays up to eighty eggs, which hatch after 2-3 weeks. The larvae (Glow-Worms) grow over a period for up to nine months, they pupate for nine days after which the adult stage is reached. Only about 1.5 cm long in length, nocturnal, sluggish and harmless, the adult Fungus Gnat lives for only a short period (48 to 72 hours). When in flight they make a buzzing noise.

The adult fly has an uncontrollable light, with the female being brighter than the male until fertilised.

Where does the light come from? The end of the abdomen is luminous. The light is actually emitted from tiny tubes (malpighian tubules) which open into the gut of the larvae and are visible through transparent skin at the end of its body.

Glow-Worms are very shy! Please look, but don't touch. Glow-Worms are sensitive to disturbance and will 'switch off' their lights and retreat into a crack if they or their snares are touched.

Tips on how to help protect Glow-Worms. Glow-worms are nocturnal and rely on sunlight to set their daily rhythm. Shining torches on the insects signals them to 'switch off' their bioluminescence. To get the most out of a Glow-Worm display, make sure your torchlight is directed towards the ground.

Glow-Worms are found in dark damp places, often on soil banks with overhanging ledges.

Tips on how to help protect Glow-Worms. As well as residing in caves and under rocky overhangs, Glow-Worms can also be found along creek embankments and beside walking tracks. For this reason it is important to remain on designated walking tracks to prevent stepping on them.

Many thousands may live in large colonies, giving a spectacular effect.

Places to See Glow Worms in the Otways

There are four places to see glow worms in the Otways. They are:

Lake Elizabeth (near Forrest, 89km from Geelong)
Kennett River (108km from Geelong)
Melba Gully (near Lavers Hill, 135km from Geelong)
Maits Rest (near Apollo Bay, 138km from Geelong)

Note: Photo from Parks Victoria