Cape Otway: Lighthouse, Coastal Walk and Whale Watching

At Cape Otway, towering sea cliffs and a layered history shape the character of the destination. The Cape Otway Lightstation, the Great Ocean Walk and historic sites devoted to telegraphy and radar bring together coastal nature and human activity. There is also a whale theme to explore seasonally and year-round. This means you can experience Cape Otway as a destination with several different focuses: coastal walking, nature watching or history.

Clifftop Location and Whale Watching

The Cape Otway Lightstation sits on high sea cliffs, 90 metres above the meeting point of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. Cape Otway Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse on the Australian mainland.

Twenty-five whale species pass the Cape Otway Lightstation each year. Cape Otway is a whale-watching vantage point between May and October; individual sightings vary. The Lightstation also has a Whale Interpretive Area open year-round, dedicated to learning about whales. These are two nature-related attractions with different timings: whale watching is seasonal, while the interpretive area is open year-round.

Explore the Great Ocean Walk in Sections

The Great Ocean Walk is 100 kilometres long, follows a rugged coastline and is laid out as a long-distance walking trail from east to west. It passes through the Cape Otway Lightstation area, which lies at the centre of the route. Walkers can join and leave the Great Ocean Walk in sections, choosing them according to the sights they want to see or the time available. So it is not just the full 100-kilometre distance to consider: you can also tailor a section to your schedule. For planning with children, walking the trail in sections can be a practical option: the key considerations are the time available and the sights you want to include in your day’s walk.

Telegraphy and Radar at Cape Otway

The Telegraph Station at Cape Otway was built in 1859 and housed the operators, their families and the telegraph operating rooms. The restored station tells the story of the station and the people who lived and worked there.

In 1942, the Royal Australian Air Force built a radar station at the Cape Otway Lightstation. No. 13 Radar Station operated for four years; during this time, up to 50 RAAF personnel were stationed at Cape Otway. The Telegraph Station links its historic operations with the operators and families who were housed there; the radar station adds a chapter on military use during the war.

Choose Your Travel Dates Based on Your Interests

Whale watching is available between May and October, while the Great Ocean Walk offers flexible planning by section according to your time and interests. These are different ways to structure a stay: whale watching has a seasonal window, while you can tailor the length of your chosen walking section to the time you have available.

Discover more destinations: Donald, Glenaire, Howqua, Corryong, Cohuna, Chirnside Park, Yan Yean, Cranbourne South.

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.