Great Otways National Park benefits from facility upgrades

Melba Gully, a favourite location in the Great Otway National Park has had a makeover with the addition of a refurbished barbeque area and picnic shelter.

With those works now complete, Parks Victoria is now proceeding with the second stage of its $2.5 million investment package to improve visitor facilities in the National Park.

Maits Rest, which attracts more than 150,000 visitors a year, will see upgrades to the entire 800 metres of its trail introducing larger platforms that invite visitors to gather and share experiences.

The infrastructure is designed to better protect the forest systems through raised platforms, keeping visitors on trails and providing corridors for native animals to move through the forest safely.

Maits Rest will close from Monday 8th July until November while the works are being completed.

In the meantime, visitors can continue to be impressed by Melba Gully’s rainforest walk and attractions including the famed glow worms and the Otway Black Snail, endemic to the region and one of five carnivorous snails in Australia.

Stretching from Anglesea to Princetown and up through the Otways hinterland, the 100,000-hectare Great Otway National Park is one of Victoria’s largest and most important environmental and tourism locations.

Commenting on the upgrades, Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio stated “these investments in the Great Otway National Park ensure some of Victoria’s most precious natural treasures are cared for and protected while providing an immersive and enjoyable visitor experience.”

“We are committed to protecting biodiversity while supporting local business and communities through nature-based tourism.”

Image courtesy of Parks Victoria.