Otway Fly Treetop Walk
A 600-metre elevated walkway 25 metres above the temperate rainforest, plus a 47-metre spiral tower with views across the Otway canopy — the road's strongest forest experience.
A walk through the canopy of one of Australia's tallest forests
The Otway Ranges contain some of the tallest hardwood forests on the planet. Mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) routinely grow over 80 metres tall here — second only to the California redwoods globally. Beneath the towering canopy, dense undergrowth of myrtle beech, blackwood, soft tree ferns, and moss creates a dim, humid, almost prehistoric environment. The forest floor in the Otways feels like it hasn't changed in millions of years.
The Otway Fly was built to give visitors a perspective on this forest that walking the floor doesn't provide. The 600-metre steel walkway runs at canopy level — 25 metres above the rainforest floor, just below the highest tree crowns. From the walkway, you look out across the canopy as a continuous green sea, look down into the gullies between trees, and watch the dappled light filter through what would otherwise be invisible from below. At the midpoint, a 47-metre spiral tower lets you climb above the canopy entirely for 360-degree views over the Otway range.
The structure is fully wheelchair-accessible across the main walkway (the spiral tower has internal stairs only). The visitor centre at the entry has a café, toilets, gift shop, and a rainforest interpretation display. Add the optional zipline tour and the Otway Fly is a half-day in itself — comfortably the most engineered, family-friendly, accessible nature experience along the entire Great Ocean Road.
The walkway, the tower, the rainforest floor
Drive in from Apollo Bay (45 min) or Lorne (60 min) via the Great Ocean Road. The Otway Fly is signposted on Phillips Track from Beech Forest — the road inland is sealed and easy. Park at the visitor centre.
Pay entry at the visitor centre (around AU$30/adult, family passes available). Online booking in advance is recommended in summer school holidays — the walkway has a daily capacity and busy days can sell out by 11am.
From the visitor centre, a paved path leads out to the walkway entry. The 600-metre walkway is a single steel-decked path with railings on both sides. It curves gently through the canopy, with several open viewing platforms where the structure widens to allow groups to pause for photos. Expect 30 minutes one-way at a relaxed pace.
Midway, the spiral lookout tower rises 47 metres above the forest floor. The tower has internal stairs in a square-spiral pattern. The climb is moderate; people of average fitness manage it without issue. From the top platform, you have 360-degree views over the Otway canopy — the only place in the entire region where you can see above the rainforest from a fixed structure.
The walkway terminates at the rainforest floor — a short stairway (and an alternate accessible ramp) descends to the forest floor for a contrasting bottom-up perspective. From there, a 1 km loop trail returns you to the visitor centre through the lower forest, passing tree ferns, mountain ash trunks, and moss-covered fallen logs.
For an extended visit, add the Zipline Tours (book separately) — a 2.5-hour guided experience with six ziplines and two suspension bridges through the canopy. Around AU$120 per person; closed in poor weather. Not for those uncomfortable with heights.
The right weather and the right time of year
The Otway Fly is open year-round and accommodates almost any weather. That said, conditions affect the experience meaningfully:
- Light drizzle — the strongest weather for the walkway. The mist softens the canopy, the leaves turn deep green, and the rainforest comes alive. Bring a waterproof jacket; the walkway has no shelter.
- Heavy rain — manageable but uncomfortable. Visibility from the tower drops; the deck gets slick (it has texture but caution needed). The rainforest floor becomes mud.
- Clear sunny days — best for the tower views. The walkway under direct sun loses some of its rainforest atmosphere — too much light, not enough mist.
- Strong wind — the walkway is closed in dangerous conditions. Verify before you drive in if a storm is forecast.
- Mid-week off-season — the quietest time. You can have entire stretches of the walkway to yourself. Spring and autumn weekdays are ideal.
- Summer school holidays — busiest. Book online ahead of time and arrive early.
The Otway Fly pairs naturally with other Otway attractions on the same trip — Maits Rest Rainforest Walk, Triplet Falls, Hopetoun Falls, and the Cape Otway Lightstation are all within 30 minutes' drive. A full Otway hinterland day combining the Otway Fly with two waterfalls and Cape Otway koala-spotting is a strong full-day commitment from Apollo Bay or Lorne.
Combine with these Otway stops
Erskine Falls
30 min east. The most accessible Otway waterfall with a 230-step descent into a tree-fern gully.
Cape Otway Lightstation
45 min south. Mainland Australia's oldest lighthouse + the famous koala forest drive.
Great Otway National Park
The wider park surrounding the Fly — Maits Rest, Triplet Falls, Hopetoun Falls, glow worms.
Otway Fly FAQs
- Where is the Otway Fly?
- The Otway Fly Treetop Walk is in the Great Otway National Park, about 45 minutes' drive inland from Apollo Bay or 60 minutes from Lorne. The address is 360 Phillips Track, Beech Forest. There's a free car park at the visitor centre with toilets, a café, and the walkway entry.
- How long is the Otway Fly walkway?
- The elevated steel walkway is 600 metres long and runs 25 metres above the rainforest floor at canopy height. The full circuit including the visitor centre walk and the spiral lookout tower takes 60–90 minutes. The walkway itself is a relaxed 30-minute one-way stroll.
- How tall is the Otway Fly tower?
- The spiral lookout tower at the midpoint of the walkway rises 47 metres above the rainforest floor — about 25 metres above the canopy. The tower has internal stairs (no lift) and an open viewing platform at the top with 360-degree views over the Otway forest. The climb is moderate; reasonable fitness required.
- Is the Otway Fly worth the entry fee?
- Yes for first-time visitors and families. The combination of the canopy walkway, the spiral tower views, and the rainforest setting is genuinely unique — no other walkway in Australia gives this perspective on temperate rainforest. For repeat visitors or those who've done canopy walks elsewhere (Tahune AirWalk in Tasmania, Treetop Walk in Western Australia), the experience is similar though the Otway forest is the most distinctive of the three.
- Is the Otway Fly accessible for wheelchairs?
- Most of the walkway is wheelchair accessible — it's a steel structure with a smooth surface and wide enough for wheelchairs. The spiral lookout tower is not accessible (internal stairs only). The visitor centre, café, and toilets are accessible. For visitors with mobility needs, the walkway alone is still a strong experience.
- How much does the Otway Fly cost?
- Around AU$30 per adult, less for kids and seniors. Family passes available. The fee covers the walkway, the spiral tower, and the rainforest interpretation centre. Valid for a single visit on the day. Booking online in advance is recommended in summer school holidays.
- How long does an Otway Fly visit take?
- Allow 2 hours minimum: 60 minutes on the walkway and tower, 30 minutes for the visitor centre and café, plus driving time. The Otway Fly is far enough inland that a quick 30-minute visit doesn't make sense; build it into a half-day or full-day Otway hinterland trip combining Maits Rest, Triplet Falls, and Cape Otway.
- Is there a zipline at the Otway Fly?
- Yes — the Otway Fly Zipline Tours operate alongside the walkway, with a 2.5-hour guided experience including six ziplines and two suspension bridges through the rainforest canopy. Booked separately from the walkway entry. Not for those uncomfortable with heights. Cost around AU$120 per person.