Guide to Maits Rest Rainforest Walk

Travellers come to Maits Rest to experience the quieter side of the Otways. Unlike some longer or steeper hikes in the park, this one is accessible and family-friendly, yet still feels remote and wild once you’re under the dense canopy. The boardwalk and gravel track make it easy to navigate, while the towering beech trees, thick undergrowth, and filtered light create that storybook rainforest atmosphere. 

The walk is also home to fascinating wildlife, from tiny fungi and mosses to more elusive locals like swamp wallabies, birdlife, and at night, glow worms lighting up the banks like little fairy lights. For many, it’s also about that sense of perspective, standing under a tree that’s been alive since before European settlement is a humbling experience you don’t get every day. 

How long should I spend at the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk?

The circuit itself only takes around 30–40 minutes to complete at a gentle pace, but most people end up spending longer than expected. It’s the sort of place where you find yourself stopping often for photos or just to soak in the stillness. If you’re a keen photographer or enjoy wildlife spotting, you could easily stretch your visit to two hours or more. 

Because it’s short and accessible, Maits Rest also works perfectly as a stretch-your-legs stop between Apollo Bay and Lavers Hill, which makes for a memorable but straightforward break on a longer driving day. 

Is Otway National Park a rainforest?

Yes, parts of the Great Otway National Park are classified as cool temperate rainforest, and Maits Rest is one of the most accessible examples. These rainforest pockets thrive in the moist, sheltered valleys of the Otways, where ancient myrtle beech trees dominate the canopy and provide the cool, damp conditions needed for mosses, fungi, ferns, and rare species like the Otway Black Snail. 

Other nearby rainforest spots include Melba Gully (another great place for glow worms) and the Aire Valley, but Maits Rest stands out because it’s short, easy, and close to Apollo Bay, making it an effortless add-on to any Great Ocean Road itinerary. 

How to get to the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk

From Melbourne, it’s about a 3-hour, 15-minute drive (230 km) via the M1 to Geelong, then following the Great Ocean Road (B100) through Torquay, Lorne, and Apollo Bay. Maits Rest is signposted about 17 km west of Apollo Bay, heading towards Lavers Hill. 

If you’re already in Apollo Bay, it’s a quick 15-minute drive west along the Great Ocean Road. Look for the clearly marked roadside car park on your left, and the walk starts right there. 

Best time to visit the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk

Maits Rest is beautiful all year, but the experience shifts with the seasons. Spring and autumn (September–November and March–May) bring mild temperatures, lush greenery, and fewer crowds. Winter is arguably the most atmospheric time, with mist weaving through the trees and the forest floor damp and fragrant. In summer, the dense canopy offers cool relief from the heat, though you’ll likely share the boardwalk with a few more visitors. 

In terms of time of day, early mornings and late afternoons are the sweet spots. The light is softer for photos, the trail is quieter, and you’ve got a better chance of spotting wildlife. If glow worms are on your list, you’ll need to return after dark. Be sure to bring a torch for the walk-in, but remember to switch it off when viewing them. 

Weather at the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk

Thanks to its sheltered spot in the Otways, Maits Rest enjoys a cool, moist climate year-round. Expect winter temperatures of 6–12°C, often with mist or drizzle, and summer highs between 14–25°C, which feel cooler under the canopy. Weather can change quickly, so pack a light jacket and good shoes for damp ground, even in summer.