Colac Otway Shire is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque municipalities in Victoria. It comprises of spectacular coastal areas, lush rainforested hinterlands and beautiful vast open plains with native grasslands and wildflowers.

The Shire hosts some of Australia’s greatest National and State Parks including the Great Otway National Park, Carlisle River State Park, Kawarren Regional Park and Lorne-Angahook State Park, supporting a diverse range of flora and fauna. The Great Otway National Park includes many sites of National and State significance including areas such as the Olangolah Forest and Fauna Reserve, the Aire State Forest and Melba Gully State Park. Our rivers and streams in the hinterland are also highly valued.

The Aire River is identified as a Heritage River while parts of the Gellibrand River and Kennedy’s Creek are representative of significant geological or geomorphological types. The north of the Shire hosts some of the Western District Ramsar Lakes supporting some 67 waterbird species including several rare and threatened waterbirds such as the Great Egret, Australasian Bitten, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern and Whiskered Tern.

The Colac Otway Shire's commitment to environmental management is reflected in the Environment Strategy 2010-2018 and the related Environment Action Plan 2010-2012. Colac Otway Shire's environmental Plans and Strategies can be found here