Maits Rest

Maits Rest is a beautiful garden of giant ferns and huge old trees, some said to be around 300 years old, nestled amongst the towering myrtle beech trees of the Great Otway National Park. It is named after the area’s first forestry officer, Maitland Bryan, who rested his horses at this spot while on regular patrols from Apollo Bay to Hordern Vale.

Boardwalks and wildlife
A wooden boardwalk has been built over the tree-fern gullies and moss-covered roots of ancient rainforest trees, protecting the delicate ecosystem while providing visitors with unique views of the forest. If you’re lucky, you may run into some of the local inhabitants, including swamp wallabies, koalas, ring-tailed possums and grey kangaroos. Rarely seen, but often heard at night, are the yellow-bellied gliders screaming out as they glide from tree to tree.

How to get there
Maits Rest is located 15 minutes west of Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road.