Lavers Hill is the highest point on the Great Ocean Road. It is a charming, small town with a number of cafes, take aways and a local tavern. These prove to be very popular stops with tourists as there is quite a drive to get there. If you are coming from Apollo Bay it will take about 45 minutes and if you are coming from the 12 Apostles it will take approximately the same amount of time.
Lavers Hill is a destination in its own right as it is very central to all the area’s major attractions. The closest is Melba Gully, named after our great operatic singer, Dame Nellie Melba. This is a beautiful area which was once private property but was handed over to Parks so as to allow access to the public. A wonderful, generous gesture that now allows everyone to experience this magical oasis. Melba Gully is just a few minutes drive west of Lavers Hill. It’s a very easy walk enabling tourists to see the glories of a temperate rainforest. This is the best place in the vicinity to see Gloworms in the evening.
From Lavers Hill it only takes about 20 minutes to get to the Otway Fly. This is the longest and tallest rainforest canopy walk in the world. Give yourself a good hour here even if you only opt to do the skywalk. In addition to the skywalk you can now attempt abseiling from great heights or even fly from tree station to tree station on the recently created flying fox. This is a real thrill!
While you are in this vicinity you should also visit Triplet Falls. These falls are on the same road as the Otway Fly and in my opinion are the most beautiful in all the Otways. This too is a reasonably easy walk – a little steep towards the end but not for long – and is a must if you have the time. There are other waterfalls in this area that are also worth a visit. They are just past the historic township of Beech Forest which incidentally is home to legendary runner Cliff Young. I should also add that the 12 Apostles are just down the road.
Accommodation in this area is unique. You can choose to stay in or near Lavers Hill at Yuulong which is right on the Great Ocean Road. There is very good and new budget accommodation at the Lavers Hill Tavern. Just down the road you’ll find Southern Heights B&B and Nellie Nook – a small farm house. Yuulong offers you the chance of farm accommodation at Wombalano or cottage accommodation at Seatree. Happy rural days!