The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Colac Otway Shire Region

The Colac Otway Shire region is two and a half hours drive south-east of Melbourne and includes the main towns of Apollo Bay and Colac with smaller towns such as Beech Forest, Birregurra, Forrest and Wye River.

The region is dominated by the magnificent Great Otway National Park. The rugged rainforest landscape and high rainfall in the area means that the area has many spectacular waterfalls including Hopetoun Falls, Beauchamp Falls, Triplet Falls and Little Aire Falls and Carisbrook Waterfall.

The Otways are also home to Otway Fly Treetop Walk and Cape Otway Lightstation. Stop at Kennett River to experience wildlife on the Kennett River Glow Worm Walk and Kennett River Koala Walk in an area with around 1800 koalas. Immerse yourself in the rainforest experience at Melba Gully and Maits Rest Rainforest Walk.

The Great Ocean Walk stretches through the region for 104 km from Apollo Bay to near the Twelve Apostles and has been designed so that walkers can 'step on and step off' the trail.

A map of the region is:



The best playgrounds in this region are:

Princes Highway Playground, Colac



Huge park in the middle of Colac without any fences. Main structure is a platform with tunnel, wave and spiral slides radiating out. The structure also has climbing mats, flying fox, abacus, fireman's pole, steering wheel, walkway, various types of ladders, steps and tic-tac-toe.

There is also a structure in the shape of a steamroller with curved slide, tic-tac-toe, ladder and steering wheel. Four person pommel bounce.

Plenty of shaded seats. Areas with BBQs and tables around the edge of the park. Rotunda and toilets. A very pleasant spot to stop for a while.

Colac Botanic Gardens Playground, Colac



A really spread-out playground which stretches over a distance of 100m. At one end is a structure with curved flying fox and monkey bars plus swings. Then a huge half dome metal climbing frame, large carousel for eight people to stand, Liberty swing, circle of colourful toadstools, two sets of little wave slides, hammock, two kangaroo springers, three stand-on spinners, sandpit with digger, four swings, "house ruin" with little table to explore, two pelican springers (almost a flock), see-saw and speedboat on springs.

Lake Colac is 100m away at this point. Shelter with four quadrants (it's good to see that my maths studies are coming in useful) which each have a table and seats, BBQs, unshaded tables, shaded and unshaded seats and toilets. There is also the whole Botanic Gardens to explore.

Elliminyt Recreation Reserve Playground, Elliminyt (Colac)



A great play space in the shape of a boat which is the best playground in the area of Colac. A wooden carving stands proud on the bow of the boat which has a sandpit with a nice sand conveyor system and some panels including a clock. Next to this is a rope slanting climbing frame and at the bow is a tricky two sided climbing wall which has a section which inclines backwards and some chain ladders. In the middle is a structure with wave slide, suspended disk traverse, flying fox, monkey bars, low climber bridge with half circles, a high chain bridge, steps, small slide, simple alphabet panel and steering wheel panel. At the end is a birds nest swing, fish springer, see-saw and standard swings.

A shelter with two tables at one end, unshaded seats in the middle and another shelter with BBQ and table plus water tap. Next to tennis courts and some grassy areas.

The best skate parks in this region are:

Colac Skatepark (Street course with big bermed corner, banks, quarters, funbox and grind rails. There is separate section with some quarters, spine and rollover)



Birregurra Skatepark (Shallow bowl with an open end, banks, grind poles, three steps, little quarter and an island between the bowl and sloping ramp. Smallish and tight)



There are also skate parks at Apollo Bay Skatepark and Forrest Skatepark.

The best BMX track in this region is:

Reviews of all playgrounds, skate parks and BMX Tracks in the Colac Otway Shire council region are here:

Family activities in the Colac Otway Shire region include:

Apollo Bay

Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre (Information on accommodation, tours, things to see and do in Apollo Bay and the Otways)

Artworks on the Foreshore (Sculpted wooden poles located on the Apollo Bay Foreshore)

Bass Strait Shell Museum (Collection of local and overseas shells, coral, preserved sea life specimens and old photographs of shipwrecks)

Hike 2 Camp Great Ocean Walk (All the fun of a big hike without the fuss. Camp, equipment, food, water and transport provided)

Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (A self-guided 30 min return rainforest boardwalk through beautiful fern gardens and giant rainforest trees up to 300 years old)

Otway Expeditions Mountain Bike Tours (Offers mountain bike tours and 'Argo' buggy adventures)

Apollo Bay Aviation 12 Apostles Flightseeing (Scenic flights along the coastline)

Apollo Bay Fishing & Adventure Tours (Tours include deep sea shark fishing, inshore fishing trip, seal encounter and lighthouse tour)

Apollo Bay Surf & Kayak (Provides surf lessons, surf board hire, kayaking trips, kayak hire, SUP lessons and hire, snorkeling tours and hire, rafting, Indigenous tours, rock pool rambles, fishing, body board and mountain bike hire)

Apollo Bay Museum (Key themes of the museum include the story of the laying of telephone cable from Victoria to Tasmania, maritime history of the Apollo Bay coast and local history of the area including construction of the Great Ocean Road)

Apollo Bay Cinema (Plays the latest release movies during the school holidays)

Apollo Bay Swimming Pool (A 25m seasonal outdoor facility with strict conditions on opening times based on temperature)

Great Ocean Walk (The walk stretches 104 km from Apollo Bay to near the Twelve Apostles and has been designed so that walkers can 'step on and step off' the trail)

Great Ocean Walk - Auswalk (Offers a self-guided trip or a group guided trip along the Great Ocean Walk)

Walk 91 Great Ocean Walk Tours (Offer guided nature, bush tucker and shipwreck history walks plus Great Ocean Walk trips)

Marriners Lookout (Panoramic views of Apollo Bay and far out to sea)

Colac

Old Beechy Rail Trail (The 45 km trail follows one of the state's former narrow gauge railways through an area of scenic forest, rich farmland and rolling hills with the coast not too far away)

Colac Sculpture Park Walk (Outdoor sculptures along a section of the Barongarook Creek path)

Colac Botanic Gardens (The lovely gardens, which were developed from a plan by William Guilfoyle at the beginning of the 20th Century, have plenty of areas of interest including a cafe)

Colac Visitor Information Centre (Local information on activities)

Colac Strikes & Spares Ten Pin Bowling (A family fun centre with ten pin bowling facilities)

Lake Colac (Popular location for fishing, water activities and other recreation along its shoreline including Colac Botanic Gardens)

Irrewarra Gourmet Strawberries near Colac (Pick your own strawberries from early November to late March)

Bluewater Fitness and Aquatic Centre (Indoor 6-lane, 25 metre pool, spa and steam room)

Forrest

Forrest History Walk at Forrest (A one-hour walk to discover Forrest's fascinating history)

Forrest Mountain Bike Trails near Forrest (A network of over 50km of sustainable, cross-country mountain bike trails in the picturesque Otway Ranges)

Otway Eco Tours - Forrest Mountain Bikes (Mountain bike tours with all equipment provided)

Otway Eco Tours - Platypus Tours (Canoe tour to discover the elusive platypus)

Lake Elizabeth near Forrest (Hidden lake in the Otways where you can find a platypus)

Other Locations

Great Otway National Park (Diverse flora, fauna, landscapes, seascapes and the rich human history of the Otways)

Red Rock Scenic Lookouts near Alvie (Two scenic lookouts are atop one of Victoria's youngest volcanoes)

Stevensons Falls near Barramunga (Walks to the falls ranging from 500m to 4.6km)

Heritage Windmill Park at Beeac (Celebrates the existence of the businesses of the six known windmill makers in the town at various times from about 1890 to the 1940s)

Beauchamp Falls near Beech Forest (A 2 km walk to the falls)

Hopetoun Falls near Beech Forest (A 1km return walk to soak up the spray as the Hopetoun Falls plummet 30 metres into the Aire River)

Californian Redwoods near Beech Forest (A pocket of Californian redwoods which are more than 60m high)

Birregurra Heritage Walk at Birregurra (Discover the history of the Birregurra township)

Birregurra-Forrest Rail Trail (The 7km rail trail follows the route of the former Forrest branch railway line)

Bimbi Park Horse Riding and Rock Climbing at Cape Otway (Horse rides cater for all ages and levels of ability and there is a state-of-the-art rock climbing structure)

Cape Otway Lightstation at Cape Otway (The oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia which can be visited)

Cressy Discovery Trail at Cressy (A self-guided walk through the town of Cressy)

Shoebridge Blueberry Farm at Gellibrand (Pick-your-own blueberries from Feb to Mar)

Kennett River Glow Worm Walk near Kennett River (Take your torch and explore the natural beauty of glow-worms by night)

Kennett River Koala Walk near Kennett River (An area with around 1800 koalas)

Melba Gully (Great Otway National Park) (A dense rainforest of myrtle beech, blackwood and tree-ferns with an understorey of low ferns and mosses with a nature walk and glow worms)

Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm near Murroon (Pick-your-own berries which are organically grown)

Otway Fly Treetop Walk near Weeaproinah (600m long, 25m high elevated tree top walk and zip line tour through the Otways rain forest)

Carisbrook Waterfall near Wongarra (One of the highest falls in the Otway Ranges with the falls flowing down a diagonal rock face)

Wye River and Kennett River Walks and Drives near Wye River (A range of beach and inland walks and drives)

Wye River Heritage Walk (Discover the historic township of Wye River with a 90 minute easy walk)

Triplet Falls and Little Aire Falls near Wyelangta (One of the iconic visitor sites in the Great Otway National Park with impressive cascades flowing through shady rainforests and glades of mossy tree ferns. Walks to the falls are 1-2 hours return)

Planet Mud Outdoor Adventures at Yeodene (Paintball, globeriding and Segway adventure centre)

Yeodene Park Trees Adventure at Yeodene (Swing and soar amongst the gum trees with 8 fun and challenging courses)

Sabine Falls (A difficult 3.6km walk to where three waterfalls plunge down a 130 metre escarpment at the head of Smythe Creek)

---

Web Links

→ www.colacotway.vic.gov.au


The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Colac Otway Shire Region, Colac, Victoria, 3250