Lavers Hill: Rainforest and Great Ocean Road

Lavers Hill is a scenic stop on the Great Ocean Road, between Port Campbell and Apollo Bay. From here, you can enjoy views of rolling hills and forested areas of the Otway Ranges. The town is also at a junction of roads leading to Cobden and Colac. The scenery and road location offer different points of reference to help you decide whether Lavers Hill fits into your travel plans.

Rainforest and trails in Melba Gully

Melba Gully is a dense rainforest with Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and tree ferns. Low-growing ferns and mosses grow in the understorey. The variety of plants makes the character of this natural area tangible: rainforest and its vegetation are the focus here, while the views of hills and forested areas show another side of the Lavers Hill landscape.

The 35-minute Madsen’s Track Nature Walk begins at the Melba Gully picnic area. Trail conditions can change, so check the current track conditions before setting out. At night, glow-worms can be seen along the walking trails. Their visibility can vary seasonally, so sightings may not be equally easy to plan for at every time of year.

Koala experience with photo area

Fauna Australia offers a 30-minute Koala Experience, where you can take your own photos. It also includes a covered photo area, and the experience can be enjoyed in any weather. Together with the 35-minute Nature Walk, this offers a way to compare a short walk with a differently focused experience: here, the trail through Melba Gully takes centre stage; there, the koala experience includes the opportunity to take your own photos.

Sculpture at the road junction

The Drift, a striking wooden sculpture, stands at the junction of the Great Ocean Road and Colac Road. It evokes the marine environment, prehistoric skeletal remains, shipwrecks and the region’s agricultural machinery. Its themes therefore range from nature and the past to agriculture. If you would like to discover an artwork in town as well as rainforest and walking trails, The Drift offers another specific point of reference.

Local food and evening events

The Perch offers a farm-to-plate experience in Lavers Hill, involving local fishers, farmers and producers as well as its own farm. Menus and sourcing arrangements may change. The Perch also regularly hosts live music and quiz nights. If you would like to plan your evening around one of these events, check the dates in advance; no current events calendar is provided here.

Location and choosing accommodation

Lavers Hill is on the Great Ocean Road between Port Campbell and Apollo Bay; roads also lead from the junction towards Cobden and Colac. Johanna Beach Campground is located nearby, south of Lavers Hill. This information can help you distinguish the town from a reference point to the south when choosing accommodation. When looking for a suitable base, consider which of the road locations mentioned best suits your planned trip.

Lavers Hill is also home to the heated swimming pool at the Cliff Young School and Community Recreational Centre. It is available to paying community members when it is not being used by the college. There is a 2026 user guide for the pool and gym; the stated access is subject to membership and availability outside college use.

For the broader travel overview: Colac Otway Shire.