[2025 Cape Otway Attraction] Travel Guide for Cape Otway Lightstation (Updated Jul)

Australia’s Great Ocean Road remains a bucket-list drive, with its cliffs, rainforests, and iconic Twelve Apostles. But if you last cruised it in the 1980s, you’ll notice some bittersweet changes. Here’s what’s *not quite the same* today: ### 1. **The Solitude of the Open Road 🛣️** In the ’80s, this route felt like a hidden gem. Fewer tourists meant empty lookout points and quiet beaches. Today, summer brings bumper-to-bumper traffic 🚙💨, crowded parking lots, and selfie sticks at every turn. The magic of having waves or rainforests *all to yourself*? Rare now. ### 2. **Raw, Unmanaged Landscapes 🌿** Decades of erosion and tourism have reshaped the coast. The Twelve Apostles had nine limestone stacks in the ’80s; today, there are eight (one collapsed in 2005). Fences and boardwalks now protect fragile sites like Loch Ard Gorge, replacing the free-roaming access of the past. ### 3. **Quirky, Local Pit Stops 🎪** Gone are many family-run diners and rustic guesthouses. Quaint towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay now buzz with branded coffee chains 🏪, sleek vacation rentals, and souvenir shops hawking mass-produced koala keychains. The road’s original charm—think roadside fruit stands and hand-painted “Crayfish for Sale” signs—has faded. ### 4. **The Thrill of the Unknown 🗺️** Before GPS and Instagram, travelers relied on paper maps and local tips. Discovering hidden coves or waterfalls felt like a personal victory. Now, every secret spot is geotagged 📍, and TikTok influencers swarm “underrated” gems like the Grotto or Mait’s Rest. ### 5. **Wildlife Encounters (Without the Crowds) 🐨** Kangaroos and koalas once appeared unexpectedly along the route. Today, wildlife reserves and guided tours offer controlled experiences (for good reason—habitat protection!). But the joy of spotting a snoozing koala *without* a dozen cameras clicking? Rare. ### 6. **Affordable Adventure 💸** In the ’80s, petrol, fish-and-chips, and motels were cheap. Now, parking at major sites costs up to $15/hour, and coastal Airbnb prices rival Sydney’s. Even the iconic Apollo Bay scallop pie 🥧 has doubled in price! ### 7. **The “End of the Earth” Vibe 🌍** Cell service was nonexistent here in the ’80s, adding to the road’s remote allure. Today, 4G coverage and constant connectivity mean fewer “off-the-grid” moments. ### **How to Reclaim the ’80s Vibe** 🌟 - **Go Off-Season:** Visit in autumn/winter for misty cliffs and empty trails. - **Ditch the Itinerary:** Skip the Apostles at sunrise; explore lesser-known stops like Blanket Bay or Cape Otway Lightstation. - **Support Local:** Eat at pubs with chalkboard menus, not flashy bistros. **The Bottom Line** 🚗💨 While the Great Ocean Road is still stunning, it’s lost some of its wild, untamed soul. Yet, with a little effort, you can still find echoes of its ’80s spirit—just don’t expect to have them all to you

#Capeotway looking back during the year of 1848, where lighthouse deemed important … well maintained building, nice experience.

#Australia must-visit check-in spots Cape Otway Lightstation is located on Australia's famous Great Ocean Road. It is the oldest lighthouse on the Australian continent. Standing on the top of the 90-meter-high tower, you can overlook the wild Southern Ocean. The Lightstation also has a pleasant cafe and is open every day. Accompanied by delicious coffee and sweet homemade scones, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The cafe is located in the original Assistant Lighthouse Keeper's cottage, directly in front of the lighthouse.

The Cape Otway Lightstation is Australia's old and representative lighthouse. It was built in 1848 and is still in use until now. The lighthouse is built on a 80-meter-high seaside cliff facing the intersection of the Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. At the earliest, the criminals from the United Kingdom and the thousands of immigrants from Europe and the Americas spent several months traveling across the ocean to Australia. The Cape Otway was the first they saw. A piece of land, because there was no lighthouse, it caused hundreds of people to die. Later, after several proposals, the lighthouse was built. It is famous because there is a giant lead crystal worth 5 million yuan from the United Kingdom. Lens, there is a telegraph station during the Second World War, a lighthouse man's hut to find the story of the lighthouse keeper and the telegrapher, and you can watch the whales on the lighthouse and get close to the koala in the forest. There are also many artifacts, such as the red-haired Eric anchor, lighthouse and beacon, signal flagpole, weather station, radar lookout and more.

The Great Otway National Park is a rare toll attraction on the Great Ocean Road, with an adult ticket of 19.5 knives. If you don't buy a ticket, you can't see the lighthouse. However, there is a one-time charge at the entrance. There is no extra charge when you enter the park. The entrance is the ticket office and gift shop. There are Chinese materials to take, and the map map is very love. After entering the door, I saw a shipwreck wreck with a CAPE OTWAY.

Cape Otway Lightstation is the southernmost tip of the Great Ocean Road and the oldest lighthouse in Australia's hinterland. The lighthouse needs to be purchased, not cheap, but the interior is actually quite big, except for the lighthouse at the end, as well as cafes and museums for rest. The lighthouse still has guards waiting for it every day, and you can see it when you climb the top of the tower. He will give you a free explanation. What's more interesting is that accommodation is also available here. You can stay in the small house of the lighthouse guardian for one night. When the tourists are scattered, you can enjoy the entire park and enjoy the beautiful sunset.