The Redwoods

The Redwoods is a planted grove of coast redwoods on a sheltered flat beside the Aire River in Great Otway National Park. Long, straight trunks rise above ferns, with open space between them and a noticeable hush beside the wetter native forest across the river. This is a short wander, not a waymarked hike. You can step from the parking area into the trees and spend a little time looking around. Come if you enjoy huge trees and a quiet change of scene; if you need a substantial walk, this won't fill the afternoon. It works best as part of a waterfall day rather than a long drive for this stop alone.

The approaches are winding, and the road surface depends on which route you take; some access roads are unsealed. Pick your route before setting out and follow it carefully. The small parking area can fill on busy days, so early or late is easier. There is no formed trail through the grove. The ground is mostly flat near the entrance, then turns uneven and can be slippery, especially by the creek. Keep back from the bank, and don't assume a step-free route.

The best view is all around you, rather than from a lookout. From inside the grove, look up through the trunks to the canopy; for a photo that shows their height, keep the bases in frame and include a person for scale. Along the creek, ferns, fallen logs and dark redwood trunks make a different composition. Wet ground is slippery, so don't risk the bank for a picture.

Coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are native to California. The Forests Commission planted this stand on the Aire Valley river flat in 1936 as an experiment. It is an introduced grove set beside the Otways' native wet forest, not an old-growth redwood forest. The original test's precise purpose isn't settled, so the date and the contrast with the surrounding forest are the surest parts of its story.

In 1948, a Forests Commission camp was built beside the plantation for postwar displaced people recruited to work in the Otways' forests. Many came from the Baltic states and other parts of Europe as part of Australia's postwar resettlement program. The huts and communal buildings are gone, but the grove shares this valley with a history of people who came to rebuild lives here.

Picnic tables sit by the grove, making it an easy pause between waterfall stops. Long-drop toilets are across the road, reached by steps or a short rise. Bring your own food and drinking water; there isn't a café or shop at the grove. Pets aren't allowed; assistance dogs are subject to Parks Victoria's entry requirements.