Cape Otway - Parker Hill & Inlet Walk
The 5.35km Parker Hill & Inlet walk takes in bush, beach and some of the often wild Victorian coastline.
This circuit walk can be done either way, but it's easier to commence from Blanket Bay Road and walk towards Parker Hill and back along the beach because you will descend from Parker Hill down some steps, rather than up them.
There is an abundance of birdlife and you will likely see wallabies and koalas, and echidnas and reptiles in summer.
Note: There is a bit of clambering over rocks from Parker Inlet and some of the rocks, particularly in winter, can be mossy and quite slippery. So if you are unsteady on your feet or have some balance issues you might not want to walk this part of the route. However, there is a coastal track that is part of the Great Ocean Walk slightly inland from the coast for the return trip. It is clearly marked and you will still and up at the same finish spot.
It is great walking along the rock ledges and small sandy beaches (not swimmable, apart from Parker Inlet), looking in rock pools and finding interesting things.
You can also walk to Crayfish Bay toward the end of the walk before you go back to the start (see Point of Interest 16). Another nearby walk is Cape Otway to Rainbow Falls walk
There are toilets at Parker Hill campground, but no water.
Cape Otway - Parker Hill & Inlet Walk Map
Interactive map
Main Points of Interest
1. Fork in the road
Take the left fork to Park Hill as its a bit easier then walking the other way round.
2. Down to Parker River
Nice view isn't it? In summer evenings this spot is Often alive with birdlife hunting insects.
3. Steps to the beach
The path to the beach can be a bit tunnel like.
4. Parker River
The Parker River in the Gadubanud language is named, Tjeerrang bundit, meaning "twigs of spear tree. Occasionally some of the Hull of Eric there Red is visible in the river bed mouth.
When the wreck is visible, it is typically seen in the Parker Inlet beach area. A simple guide is to stand roughly in the middle of the beach facing the ocean and look slightly to the left, where shifting sand sometimes exposes parts of the hull.
5. Parker River beach
The Parker River beach is graded a "moderately safe" beach. The river and waves have built a 100 m long beach inside the bay, with a small, low, sand barrier and estuary behind the beach.
7. Across the water
You can walk along the rocky ledges the other side of Parker Inlet for miles (maybe even to Blanket Bay?).
8. Access to water
You can get down close to the water at some parts, and it is often crystal clear.
10. Grotto
There are a few grottos blown into the cliff faces along the shoreline, this one has pig-face curtains hanging in front.
11. Channels
Love watching the waves crash up the many channels cut into the rocky ledges along the coast.
12. Rocky formations
The windblown walls made of different rocks formed over the ages appear like sculptures?
13. Cape Otway Lighthouse
On a clear day you can see the Cape Otway Lighthouse in the distance.
15. Crayfish Bay Carpark
Head up the track to Crayfish Bay carpark then keep going to get back to the start.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are not permitted in this part of the Great Otway National Park.
Location
Blanket Bay Road, Cape Otway 3233 View Map
Web Links
→ www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/great-otway-national-park/where-to-stay/parker-hill-campground
→ walkingmaps.com.au/walk/4586
