Wye River and Kennett River Walks and Drives
Enjoy the bush and observe the native animals, birdlife and marine creatures found around Wye River, Separation Creek and Kennett River.
Local wildlife includes echidnas, wallabies, koalas, kangaroos, possums, bats, glow-worms, whales during winter, dolphins and seals. The best way to see wildlife is to keep your eyes open, remain patient and make as little noise as possible.
Birdlife includes king parrots, Gang-gang cockatoos, rosellas, currawongs, wattlebirds, magpies, grey shrike-thrushes, superb fairy-wrens, red-browed finches, yellow-rumped thornbills, bowerbirds, bristlebirds, kookaburras, sacred kingfishers, goshawks, black-shouldered kites, pardalotes, New Holland honeyeaters, eastern spinebills, tree martins and sulphur-crested and black cockatoos. Pacific gulls, white-faced herons and other seabirds and waterbirds are also common.
Beach Walks
Wye River to Kennett River Coast Walk - 2 hours one way
Walk along the beaches and rock platforms between Wye River and Kennett River.
Short Beach and Rock Walks
Short walks can be taken in either direction from Wye River and Separation Creek. Places to explore include Artillery Rocks and Godfrey Beach.
Kennett River Beach - 20 minutes
Walk along the sand towards Point Hawdon and Wye River.
Important: Check the tides, swell and weather before attempting any beach or rock-platform walk. These coastal areas are unpatrolled and rising water can cut off the return route.
Easy Inland Walks
Paddy's Path - 20 minutes one way
Starting beside the Wye River CFA building, follow Paddy's Path towards Stanway Drive. The path roughly follows the route of an old timber tramway.
Wye River Walk - allow 1 hour return
This gentle 3 km return walk starts beside the playground near the Wye River General Store and follows the river upstream through the recreation reserve, caravan park and surrounding bushland. Dogs are not permitted.
Current update: The section north of the BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park is closed following flooding in January 2026. Follow the signed diversion and observe all temporary closure signs.
Wye River Heritage Walk - 90 minutes
Explore the historical sites around Wye River, including Paddy's Path, the remains of timber tramways, old mill sites, Harrington Memorial Park and the history of the Great Ocean Road.
Kennett River Nature Walk
This easy, self-guided riverside walk begins near the Kennett River wetlands and features 14 interpretive signs about local wildlife and township history. The signed section is only a few hundred metres long, with the option to continue along the riverside track for approximately 1.5 km.
Kennett River Koala Walk
Follow Grey River Road from Kennett River and look for koalas in the manna gums. Binoculars are useful and visitors should avoid approaching, feeding or touching wildlife.
Grey River Nature Walk - 45 minutes one way
Drive approximately 6 km along Grey River Road to the picnic ground. The 1.5 km walk passes through cool temperate rainforest filled with mountain ash, tree ferns, mosses, fungi and other forest plants before reaching a lookout.
Carisbrook Falls - 15 minutes one way
Follow the 300 m uphill track to a viewing area overlooking one of the tallest waterfalls in the Otway Ranges. The falls are most impressive after rain.
Kennett River Glow Worm Walk
Explore the Grey River picnic area after dark to look for glow-worms. Arrive before dusk, wear sturdy footwear and carry a torch. Keep noise and torchlight to a minimum near the glow-worms.
Medium-Level Inland Walks
Wye River Circuit - 2.5 hours
Follow Morley Avenue uphill behind the Wye River Hotel. Shortly after the road becomes unsealed, pass through the gates and follow Kennett-Wye Track over several steep ridges. At the Y-junction, turn south towards the ocean along Birds Track. Coastal views towards Point Hawdon and Kennett River Beach appear after approximately eight minutes. Continue downhill to the Great Ocean Road and return along the road or, when conditions permit, via the beach and rock platforms.
Separation Creek to Wye River Road Circuit - 1.5 hours
From Separation Creek, walk up Harrington Street and turn onto Dollar Track. When the track reaches Wye River Road, turn right and continue to the Great Ocean Road. Turn right again and return along the beach. Beach access is just beyond the first bend.
Jamieson River Track - 4 km
Drive approximately 7 km along Wye River Road to the signed Jamieson Track. Walk through the Great Otway National Park towards the Jamieson River, or follow Godfrey Track to the Great Ocean Road near Godfrey Beach. A car shuttle is recommended unless completing a longer return walk. Wye River Road is subject to seasonal closures.
Pack a Picnic
Free electric barbecues are available beside the playground where the Wye River Walk begins and near the public toilets at the southern end of Wye Beach.
Harrington Memorial Park is a peaceful place to picnic, stroll and enjoy the wildlife and views. The park is one of the stops on the Wye River Heritage Walk.
A family picnic area is located beside the Kennett River wetlands, near the start of the Kennett River Nature Walk. Toilets are available in the caravan park.
Grey River Picnic Area is approximately 6 km along Grey River Road. It has picnic tables and wood-fired barbecues and is the starting area for the Grey River Nature Walk and Kennett River Glow Worm Walk.
Take a Drive
Many unsealed roads leading from the Great Ocean Road connect with Benwerrin-Mount Sabine Road and can be combined into scenic circular drives. Some roads are seasonally closed, although Grey River Road is generally open throughout the year. Check current road conditions before travelling.
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia's most spectacular coastal drives. It was constructed largely by returned servicemen as a memorial to those who died during the First World War. The final section between Lorne and Wye River was completed in 1932.
Stop at the Mount Defiance and Cape Patton lookouts for sweeping views of the coastline.
Location
Great Ocean Road, Wye River 3221 View Map
Web Links
→ Wye River and Kennett River Walks Brochure (PDF)
