Great Ocean Road Wildlife
As much a wildlife trail as a drive — koalas in the gums at Cape Otway and Kennett River, kangaroos at Anglesea, winter whales, and birds and glow-worms in the Otways.
Great Ocean Road Wildlife
The Great Ocean Road is as much a wildlife trail as a scenic drive. Wild koalas doze in the gums at Cape Otway and Kennett River, kangaroos graze the Anglesea golf course, whales cruise the west coast in winter, and the Otways teem with birds, echidnas and, after dark, glow-worms. Here’s what to look for, and where.
Coast & Otway Wildlife
Koalas
Wild koalas at Cape Otway (Lighthouse Road) and Kennett River, between Lorne and Apollo Bay.
Kangaroos
Resident kangaroos on the Anglesea golf course and across coastal reserves at dawn and dusk.
Whales
Southern right whales off Warrnambool (Logans Beach) in winter and spring — sightings vary.
Birds & Glow-Worms
King parrots at Kennett River, seabirds on the coast, and glow-worms in the Otway gullies after dark.
Wildlife Tips
- Look up in the manna gums at Cape Otway for wild koalas
- Kennett River is reliable for koalas and king parrots — don’t feed the birds
- Whales are seasonal (roughly May–Oct) off Warrnambool — sightings vary
- Drive slowly at dawn and dusk — wildlife crosses coast and Otway roads
- Keep your distance and never feed wild animals
- For seals and marine life, see wildlife & koala spotting
Wildlife — FAQ
Where can you see koalas on the Great Ocean Road?
Wild koalas are often seen in the manna gums at Cape Otway (along Lighthouse Road) and at Kennett River, between Lorne and Apollo Bay, which is also famous for wild king parrots. See Apollo Bay & Cape Otway.
When can you see whales on the Great Ocean Road?
Southern right whales visit the west coast in winter and spring (roughly May–October), notably at Logans Beach near Warrnambool, where a viewing platform overlooks a nursery. Sightings vary.
What other wildlife lives along the coast?
Kangaroos (famously on the Anglesea golf course), echidnas, wallabies, fur seals at Marengo near Apollo Bay, and rich birdlife including king parrots, cockatoos and seabirds.
Where can you see kangaroos?
The Anglesea golf course near Torquay is well known for its resident kangaroos, and they’re common in reserves and at dawn and dusk along the coast and in the Otways.
How should you view wildlife responsibly?
Keep your distance, never feed wild animals (including the Kennett River parrots), drive slowly at dawn and dusk, and watch for wildlife on the road, especially in the Otways.
The Great Ocean Road, Planned Around You
The Twelve Apostles, the surf coast, the Otway rainforest and the wildlife — with the driving and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
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