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By RSsydney

“Mini rainforest experience ”

Mar 2024

It's a half-hour return walk to the carpark to see the forest in all its glory, ancient trees, and ferns.

“Australia Trip”

Feb 2024

Well maintained and a variety of trees, ferns, mosses, mushrooms, etc. Easy walk and nice on a cooler coastal day.

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See what travellers are saying

Teacake_Taster
Chesterfield, United Kingdom1,186 contributions
Brief rainforest encounter
Short but occasionally steep walk around a rain forest with ferns, massive trees and water. Best when not too busy, strangely didn’t see any wildlife but could hear a lot going on. Track is partly metal grid boardwalk and partly compacted track. Much of both sloping with bridges.
Visited October 2023
Travelled as a couple
Written 26 November 2023
flo220
New York City, New York359 contributions
Beautiful temperate forest walk
Beautiful "temperate" rain forest. Walk takes around 30 minutes through beautiful foliage. We did this as part of a guided Great Ocean Roads Tour and enjoyed seeing this different beautiful aspect of nature. Relatively easy walk.
Visited October 2023
Travelled as a couple
Written 7 December 2023
Susan S
25 contributions
Australia Trip
A wonderful rainforest walk not far from Apollo Bay. Well maintained and a variety of trees, ferns, mosses, mushrooms, etc. Easy walk and nice on a cooler coastal day.
Visited February 2024
Travelled with friends
Written 19 February 2024
RSsydney
Sydney, Australia1,151 contributions
Mini rainforest experience
Mait's Rest rainforest is a 20 minute drive west of Apollo Bay. A must visit as this is a small area of undisturbed original Otway rainforest. It's a half-hour return walk to the carpark to see the forest in all its glory, ancient trees, and ferns. The walk can be managed by most people. It was a wonderful experience when visiting the Great Ocean Road. Highly recommended.
Visited March 2024
Travelled as a couple
Written 4 April 2024

These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5

872 reviews

Excellent

598

Very good

222

Average

45

Poor

5

Terrible

2

BBjourney

Doncaster, Australia16 contributions

A must visit

Jan 2021 • Family

We firstly visited the forest at night to see the famous glow worms. The path through the forest was safely built and gave you the confidence to walk in the dark (turn on touch occasionally and make sue to only point to the ground). We saw lots of glow worms. It was magical!

We then revisited it during the day. The giant ancient ferns took us back in dinosaur days. The air was so fresh and clear. Those hollow tree trunks were amazing!

Written 21 May 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GregTrav28

Orlando, FL686 contributions

Nice if you don't have time for Otways

May 2023 • Family

If you don't have time in your trip to get into the Otways then this is a very nice trail. Goes up and down but nothing too hard, could push a pram on it. If you come around 12pm all the tour busses will be there which can be a pro and con. You can tag along to hear some of the tour guides, but also will be a lot more people. No facilities on-site. Expect to spend about 45 minutes doing this walk.

Written 17 June 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David B

5 contributions

Giant ferns and ancient trees

Apr 2021

The walkway - allow 45 mins - takes you past giant ferns and beech trees among trickling water, all reminding you of what the original Otway rain forest was like. Peaceful and fresh. Could be a little slippery when really wet so choose sensible footwear.

Written 30 April 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Danny12349

Melbourne, Australia32 contributions

Breathtakingly lovely

Feb 2021

Of course sometimes you want to walk the whole day, but other times, it's nice to have a gentle stroll and to spend time looking at every detail. This was one of the loveliest short walks I've ever had. Such beautiful trees and ferns. It hardly seems real that in the middle of nowhere there is such a lovely patch of rainforest. I loved not having to keep watching my feet for rocks and trees and roots. Instead of looking where I was placing my feet I was able to look about at all the wonders of nature around me. Highly recommended.

Written 3 February 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stewarts Vacation

1,543 contributions

A perfect rest stop

Mar 2023

This is a short, easy, stunning walk in the cool temperate rainforest of the Otway Ranges. The paths and walkways are well maintained and the signage is interesting and informative. Of particular significance are the hollow tree and the Mountain Ash. We were lucky to spot a Yellow Robin. It was a tranquil and peaceful stroll. As we returned to the car park, a very noisy group, talking at the top of their voices, were starting the loop. We were thankful to be leaving!

Written 7 April 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Annette I

Bendigo, Australia155 contributions

Just Beautiful

Nov 2020

We stopped here after our accommodation recommended it. Just beautiful and
so tranquil. The walk is so picturesque and with every step the scenery is just
magnificent. Mature ferns, beech and mountain ash that tower above you
and trees covered in moss as well as a stream and an easy walkway. You
could easily spend longer than the 3/4 of an hour that we spent walking around.

Written 15 December 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Corinne V

Perth, Australia213 contributions

The best things in life, really are free!

Oct 2022

What a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of life. No wonder Mait loved to rest here.

A rainforest boardwalk that takes about 30 mins return , on a gentle climb.

There was a slight drizzle when we were there and this added to the magic.

If you are lucky to be the only ones there ( as we were) , the real world seems a million miles away.

Stop, look, listen and enjoy this little piece of paradise!

Written 5 December 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ray

Adelaide, Australia13 contributions

Gorgeous rainforest walk packed with birds!

Feb 2022 • Friends

This is a gorgeous short walk winding through tree ferns and over a couple of creeks. There are informative signs and platforms for viewing interesting trees along the walk. It takes ~30 minutes normally, but as birdwatchers we spent 3 hours there due to the awesome variety of bird life along the trail (yellow robins, rufous fantail, jacky winter). It's particularly lovely after a bit of rain as we experienced.

Written 21 February 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vladvonbounce

Melbourne, Australia364 contributions

Rainforest Sanctuary

Dec 2021

Mait's Rest is very easy to access on the road to Laver's Hill from Apollo Bay. It is a short 20-30 minute walk of about 800metres. The path is easy and winds through beautiful temperate rainforest. It is a lovely place to walk.

Written 31 December 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

1962globetrotter

Lutterworth, UK326 contributions

Delightful half hour

Mar 2023 • Couples

Did not expect much from this minor detour on our way down to the Great Ocean Road, it was just a picnic stop to break the journey. But we spent a delightful hour here doing the circular walk of the forest. It is really well laid out with proper walkways and little information boards, all free to visit. You go right into this ancient forest and get to soak up the peace and nature (if you happen to go at a quiet time, which we were lucky to do). Definitely recommend if passing nearby

Written 3 April 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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