Great Otway National Park · Forrest, Victoria
Discover Victoria's
Hidden Rainforest Lake
Hidden deep within the Otway Ranges near Forrest, Lake Elizabeth offers one of Victoria's most peaceful and extraordinary nature experiences — ancient rainforest walks, silent canoe adventures and rare platypus spotting in their natural habitat.
~170km
From Melbourne
Full Day
Private Tour
All Year
Available
How This Trip Works
We provide the private transport to and from Lake Elizabeth — door-to-door from your Melbourne accommodation, with your own dedicated driver and vehicle for the day.
The rainforest walk, canopy access, and guided platypus canoe tour at the lake are run by a separate local tour operator (Otway Eco Tours) and are not included in your transport fare. This needs to be booked directly with the tour operator in advance — Adult: $95 · Child (under 18): $60.
We're happy to help you plan your day around your tour booking — but the guided walk and canoe experience itself is a separate booking and payment made directly with the tour operator.
Victoria's Best Kept Secret
One of Australia's Most Extraordinary Hidden Nature Experiences
While millions of visitors travel the Great Ocean Road each year, very few discover what lies hidden in the ancient forests above — a spectacular rainforest lake formed by nature itself, surrounded by towering mountain ash, cool fern gullies and some of the most pristine wilderness in Victoria.
Lake Elizabeth is not a manufactured tourist attraction. There are no gift shops, no entry queues and no tour buses. What you will find is raw, authentic Australian nature at its most peaceful and breathtaking — the kind of experience that overseas visitors dream about and most locals have never even heard of.
This is the perfect journey for couples seeking a romantic escape, photographers chasing extraordinary light and reflections, wildlife enthusiasts hoping to spot wild platypus, and eco-travellers who want to experience Australia beyond the postcard.
The Story Behind the Lake
How Lake Elizabeth Was Born
Lake Elizabeth has one of the most remarkable origin stories of any natural landmark in Victoria. In 1952, an extraordinary period of heavy rainfall saturated the steep slopes of the Otway Ranges above the East Barwon River valley. The saturated hillside gave way in a massive landslide that swept down and completely blocked the river below.
With the river dammed by debris, the valley behind slowly flooded — creating a new lake where forest once stood. The trees that were submerged in the rising waters did not disappear. Their skeletal trunks and branches remain standing to this day, rising hauntingly from the dark still surface of the lake like ancient sentinels frozen in time.
The lake was named after Queen Elizabeth II, whose coronation coincided with the period of the lake's discovery and naming. Today, those drowned ghost trees are one of the most photographed and iconic features of the lake — and a constant reminder of the extraordinary natural forces that created this hidden gem.
Into the Ancient Forest
Guided Rainforest Walk Experience
Before reaching the lake itself, the rainforest walk takes you through one of the most beautiful cool temperate rainforests in Victoria — towering mountain ash, ancient tree ferns and birdsong echoing through the canopy.
This walk is run by a local licensed tour guide (Otway Eco Tours), not by Vammy Taxi Services. It's booked and paid for separately — Adult: $95 · Child (under 18): $60 — and includes your guide for both the rainforest walk and the canoe/platypus tour at the lake.
With a guide: Each tour runs for around 2.5 hours. Start times vary throughout the year — the dawn tour starts at 6:00am in summer and 6:30am for the rest of the year; the dusk tour starts at 7:30pm in summer and begins 30 minutes earlier each month until it reaches a 3:30pm start in winter. Note: tours take a break from mid-July to mid-September during platypus breeding season.
Without a guide: You're welcome to visit Lake Elizabeth independently at any time. The walk from the Lake Elizabeth carpark to the lake is 1km on a well-maintained track — allow 30–45 minutes. The terrain is moderate and can be slippery during wet weather, so sturdy footwear is essential. Your driver will assist with directions and timing.
35–45 Minutes
A comfortable guided walk through ancient rainforest. Easy to moderate difficulty — suitable for most fitness levels.
Ancient Ecosystem
Walk beneath towering mountain ash, through corridors of tree ferns and past moss-covered logs in one of Victoria's most pristine forest environments.
Wildlife & Birdlife
Listen for lyrebirds, crimson rosellas and yellow-tailed black cockatoos. The forest is alive with native wildlife at every turn.
What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes or light hiking boots are strongly recommended. The forest floor can be damp and uneven. A light waterproof jacket is advisable even on clear days — the rainforest creates its own cool microclimate year-round.
The Heart of the Experience
Platypus Spotting
& Canoe Adventure
The centrepiece of the Lake Elizabeth experience is the guided canoe tour across the lake itself. Guests board small canoes or flat-bottomed boats and glide silently across the still, dark water — surrounded on all sides by ancient rainforest, with the haunting silhouettes of drowned trees rising from the surface around them.
Lake Elizabeth is widely regarded as one of the most reliable platypus spotting locations in all of Victoria. These shy, extraordinary creatures are most active at dawn and dusk, and local guides report very high sighting rates during these times. Watching a wild platypus glide silently through the water just metres from your canoe is an experience that stays with visitors for a lifetime.
During dusk tours, glow worms may also appear along the forest edges — adding a magical bioluminescent quality to an already extraordinary experience. The reflections of the forest on the still water, the mist rising from the surface in the early morning and the absolute silence of the surrounding wilderness make this one of the most cinematic natural experiences in Australia.
Booked separately with Otway Eco Tours — Adult: $95 · Child (under 18): $60, including canoe/boat
Not included in your Vammy Taxi Services transport fare
Dawn and dusk offer the highest platypus sighting rates — 95% success rate year-round
No prior paddling experience needed
Glow worms visible during dusk tours in season
Suitable for all ages and fitness levels (minimum age 5)
After Dark Magic
Glow Worms at Dusk
As daylight fades over Lake Elizabeth, the forest edges begin to glow with a soft blue-green bioluminescence. Glow worms — the larvae of a small fungus gnat — cling to the damp forest walls and create a natural light show that feels almost otherworldly. Dusk tours offer the rare opportunity to experience both wild platypus activity and this magical natural phenomenon in a single visit.
Book a Dusk TourWhy This Experience Stands Apart
Why Overseas Visitors Love Lake Elizabeth
This is not a tick-the-box tourist attraction. It is a genuine, immersive encounter with wild Australia — the kind of experience that defines a trip.
Hidden Local Secret
Away from the tourist crowds — a genuine off-the-beaten-path Victorian experience.
Extraordinary Photography
Ghost trees, misty waters, rainforest reflections and wildlife — every frame is a masterpiece.
Rare Platypus Sightings
One of Victoria's most reliable platypus spotting locations, especially at dawn and dusk.
Fully Private Experience
Your own private vehicle and guide — no shared buses, no strangers, no fixed schedule.
Great Otway National Park
Explore one of Victoria's most spectacular national parks in complete comfort.
Flexible Itinerary
We customise the day around your pace, interests and preferred departure time.
Your Day, Your Pace
Sample Day Trip Itinerary from Melbourne
Every tour is private and fully flexible. The itinerary below is a guide — we adapt to your preferences, pace and interests.
Early Morning
Hotel Pickup from Melbourne
Your private driver collects you from your Melbourne hotel or Airbnb. Sit back and enjoy the scenic drive southwest through the Otway region.
Mid Morning
Arrive Forrest Township
Stop at the charming village of Forrest — a mountain biking and arts hub nestled in the hills. Grab a coffee at a local café before heading into the forest.
Morning
Guided Rainforest Walk
A peaceful 35–45 minute guided walk through ancient cool temperate rainforest, led by a local tour guide (booked separately with Otway Eco Tours, approx. $95 per person). Towering mountain ash, tree ferns and native birdlife surround you at every step.
Late Morning
Arrive at Lake Elizabeth
Reach the lake shore and take in the extraordinary scenery — still dark waters, drowned ghost trees rising from the surface, and dense rainforest on all sides.
Midday
Canoe & Platypus Experience
Your tour guide (booked separately with Otway Eco Tours) leads your canoe across the lake, pointing out platypus activity zones, birdlife and the remarkable submerged forest beneath you.
Afternoon
Wildlife & Photography Time
Free time to explore the lake edge, photograph the scenery and soak in the atmosphere. Glow worms may be visible in shaded areas during dusk visits.
Late Afternoon
Optional Brewery or Café Stop
Visit the famous Forrest Brewing Company for a local craft beer or light meal before beginning the return journey.
Evening
Return to Melbourne
Your private driver returns you comfortably to your Melbourne accommodation. Arrive relaxed with memories of one of Victoria's most extraordinary hidden experiences.
Explore the Region
Nearby Attractions & Experiences
Lake Elizabeth sits within a region rich with natural and cultural experiences. Whether you want to extend your day or combine this tour with other Otway adventures, there is no shortage of extraordinary things to discover nearby.
Combine with Great Ocean Road
Lake Elizabeth and the Great Ocean Road are natural companions. The Otway Ranges sit directly above the coastal road, making it easy to combine both experiences into one extraordinary extended day trip or overnight journey.
View Great Ocean Road TourOther Wildlife Experiences
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit Lake Elizabeth
Lake Elizabeth is beautiful in every season — each offering a completely different atmosphere and experience.
Summer
Dec – Feb
Best platypus activity at dawn. Warm days, cool forest. Ideal for early morning tours.
Autumn
Mar – May
Golden forest colours, misty mornings and atmospheric lake reflections. Peak photography season.
Winter
Jun – Aug
Dramatic mist, moody skies and a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Fewer visitors, more solitude.
Spring
Sep – Nov
Lush new growth, wildflowers and abundant birdlife. The forest is at its most vibrant and alive.
Pro tip: Dawn and dusk are the best times for platypus sightings in all seasons. If possible, plan your canoe experience for early morning or late afternoon for the highest chance of wildlife encounters.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Reserve Your Experience
Enquire About Your Private Tour
Every Lake Elizabeth tour is fully private and tailored to your group. Tell us your preferred dates, group size and any special requirements — we will take care of everything else.
Planning a guided tour experience? We recommend booking your rainforest walk and canoe tour guide directly with Otway Eco Tours first, then we'll arrange your private transport around that timing. If you're visiting independently without a guide, you're welcome to go any time — just let us know your preferred departure.
Send Us Your Enquiry
Fill in your details and we'll get back to you promptly. Or call us directly for an immediate response.
Your Hidden Rainforest Adventure Awaits
Experience Authentic
Australian Wilderness
Lake Elizabeth is the kind of place that changes how you see Australia. Away from the crowds, deep in ancient rainforest, with wild platypus gliding through still dark water — this is the real thing. Let us take you there in complete comfort and privacy.