Great Otways NP Tracks

"Had to "detour" around a few locked gates (deconstruct the fence then put it back)."

I hope someone recognises you and reports you. Idiots like you have to take much of the blame for track closures. If I see you engaging in such activities you can be sure I'll report it.

I'm sick of seeing all the references to "greenies" on this site followed by comments about how they don't understand or are fanatics. Most are simply fellow recreational users of public places who'd had enough of the d*&^ heads!

Another mate spent at week down there recently, very overgrown and dry was his comments.

Maps are good, DNRE has some decent ones 1:25000, Meridiam Maps put out a decent map which i have 2 paper versions the cd of.

Never go to the otways without a winch and a chainsaw was something i learn MANY years ago.

Steve

Andrew a few years ago we explored this area & before we went we got a lot of detailed guff off a website. As I recall it was a 4WD group site something like ANFWD (Vic division). They had current updates & details from locals. Try Google. Try Googling "Otways". Right now I can't put my hands on some of those print-outs with the website details on the bottom as they are in a cupboard somewhere, I'll have a look later & get back to you MM email if I find anything useful. Meanwhile there is/was a booklet called Victoria's National Parks Exploreres Guide (Ph 13-1963), but that may not have any more detail than you already possess. the guide or its update may now be on the VicParks website.

Found it. Rather than MM I thought I'd put this on Exploroz as it may be of interest to others too. The website (in 2001) was " target="EOF" class="lbg">www.vafwdc.org.au/tracks.htm and the heading was "Western Tracksat reports". When I tried that just now it defaulted to www.fwdvictoria.org.au and I guess one would have to dig out the details there, if they still exist. or contact someone on the site and ask.
A lot of the map references given quoted "Otways & Shipwreck Coast Vicmap 1:50,000 Liesure Series". We particularly like the Aire River Crossing in that general area.

G'Day Andrew,

Best paper map is

"The Otways Forest Map"

Was being printed by DNRE but think one of the commercial printers has it now.

Other good track maps are CFA in either paper or on CD.

The only local commercial operators run mountain bike or site seeing tours, although some of the Melbourne tour operators run tours down this way every now and then.

Remember also that a lot of the tracks south of the range, (the coast side), are part of the park that will either be turned into roads or closed. The north side is the area designated "recreational" where most people will be hearded into, everything from walking the dog, horse riding, bike riding to 4WDing.

Only "bushwalkers" in future on the south side. you just wait an see!

Commercial logging will continue for many years to come in the area. What isn't national park is generally surrounded by plantation and many roads are used by logging rigs to cart timber out.

As for camping, our many vehicle camp sites are being taken away so you either have to camp with lots of others, such as at Dando's or Aire River, or walk in to previously vehicle based camping areas, such as Lake Elizabeth, with its expensive bridge to nowhere.

Yes, very dry. No substantial rain for months, although the mud runners seem to find what is left judging by the vehicles going past every Sunday afternoon

Hope this helps

Rolande

Does anyone have a map by Spatial Vision called 2nd Edition 4WD Touring in the Otways Map?