Maits Rest a Fantastic Rainforest at the Great Ocean Road
Maits Rest a Fantastic Rainforest at the Great Ocean Road

Maits Rest a Fantastic Rainforest at the Great Ocean Road

Australia
Australia

When Is the Best Time

Maits Rest, in the heart of the vast Great Otway National Park, is an outstanding stroll through millions of years of pristine nature when the supercontinent Gondwana existed. The volcanic soil and the huge amount of rainfall let this rainforest thrive with trees more than 300 years old. Take your time and soak in the beauty of this easy-to-access cool temperate rainforest. 

The lush rainforest with fern trees and overgrwon trunks on the floor
Like walking through a mystic fairytale.

The rainforest walk got reopened in mid-2020. It was closed for months for boardwalk improvements, to raise and widen the trail because of increasing visitors, and resting seats were added. A map of the trail can be found below.I

A tree with a huge hole in the trunk
Called the Hollow Tree - hundreds of years old.

f travelling the Great Ocean Road, don't miss this little jewel. Maits Rest is always worth visiting, even in the rain. During summer, expect more tourists around midday. Nowadays, bus groups make a stop here as well. Most visitors take a break here when driving the Great Ocean Road due to the close proximity. The busiest time is the summer, but mostly bearable, best visited in the morning or late afternoon.

A huge eucalyptus tree with moss on the trunk
Mountain Ashes (Eucalyptus) more than 100 m tall occur here.

Top Tip: Visit the rainforest in the evening. Bring a torch for the walk and watch the glow worms shining in the forest. That's like being in a fairytale. 

Weather Great Otway National Park

12 Apostles - Great Ocean Road

Where there is rainforest, there is rain, is a saying. High rainfall throughout the year deep in the heart of the Great Otway National Park. Warmer and "drier" conditions occur from November to April, however, showers occur. Winter is the wettest and coldest season, from June to August but this raifnorest is even more beautiful and shimmering if wet.

Don't miss out on my entire Great Ocean Road Guide - 3 Days Itinerary - Top Tips - Where to Stay

Whether you want to snap photos of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, drive the Great Ocean Road, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, or explore the rugged Outback, I can highly recommend the 3rd edition of Fodor’s Essential Australia guidebook. It is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time.

Best Months to Visit

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Location and Tips

Great Otway National Park
Australia
Australia

Maits Rest is a stunning break from driving on the Great Ocean Road. This short walk is well made on a flat path also for elderlies. Immerse yourself in the lush rainforest, listen to the bird song and get astonished by the high fern trees. Although just n 800 m walk, it may take half an hour because of the magical atmosphere.

Map of the Maits Rest walk
Information Board in high resolution - walking direction clockwise

Maits Rest named after the district's first forestry officer, Maitland Bryan. This rainforest has evolved over millions of years. The rainforest walk was opened in March 1993. Stunning cool temperature rainforest with huge tree ferns and giant myrtle beeches up to 300 years old. It's an easy self-guided 30 minutes loop walk, and we felt like being in Tasmania. There is a lovely picnic area and even a BBQ. It's a great stop along the Great Ocean Road before the Great Otway National Park.

A bird on the forest floor.

Maits Rest is more popular with day visitors and bus groups because close to the main road and the walk can be done but almost everybody. If you want to dodge the crowds hike through the rainforest at Melba Gully. Google Maps Location

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Created by
Micha Herber-Bleich
Micha Herber-Bleich
I am always open, curious about new…