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 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
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.
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
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.
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Best Months to Visit
Location and Tips
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.
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.
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
