Shiney Eye Circuit in Great Otway National Park

Great Otway National Park, VIC

Shiney Eye Circuit

Heathland flowers and Anglesea views, with a steep finish

Length
9.3km
Time
3.5hr
Elev. change
78m
Difficulty
Moderate
  • Loop
  • Dogs allowed
  • High point 117 m

Hear the audio tour

Shiney Eye Circuit: Heathland and Ridge Views

Overview

About Shiney Eye Circuit

Why go

  • Heathland flowers and orchids in season
  • Southwest views toward Anglesea from Ridge View

Heads up

  • A long, steep climb near the finish
  • Track conditions can worsen after rain

Map & elevation

The route

Loading the Great Otway map
Full map
Elevation39–117 m
TrailheadForest Road at Shiney Eye Track-38.36482, 144.20070
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Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

From the Great Ocean Road and Forest Road roundabout, continue about 2 km along Forest Road to Shiney Eye Track. Park along Forest Road or Shiney Eye Track near the junction.

Safety

Some slopes are steep, including a long climb near the end. Tracks may be poor after rain, and winter water can cross Shiney Eye Track.

3 active Great Otway alerts

  • ClosureWye Road closed after storm and flood damageWye Road is closed until further notice because recent storm and flood damage requires road maintenance and repair works; plan around the closure.Official details
  • ClosureLorne-area walking trails closed after flood damageSome walking trails near Lorne are closed for public safety after the January 2026 flash floods washed away or severely damaged bridges and walkways.Official details
See all 3 alerts
A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone
Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Great Otway Tour Guide

Your drive to Shiney Eye Circuit, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Great Otway National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

See the Great Otway audio tour

Recorded for this trailhead

Shiney Eye Circuit: Heathland and Ridge Views
0:00 / 0:24
“The Forest Road start for Shiney Eye Circuit is coming up. Choose this three-and-a-half-hour loop for open heath, light eucalyptus woodland and views toward Anglesea from Ridge View Track.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Great Otway Tour Guide.

More stories near here in the app

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  • 252 audio storiesacross Great Otway’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
  • Wildlife heatmapsfor Koala, Grey Kangaroo, Echidna, and 13 more
  • Works offlinemaps, 83 trails, 79 places, and audio download before you lose signal
  • CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
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Trail guide

Hiking Shiney Eye Circuit

The circuitThis moderate loop crosses open Anglesea heath and light eucalyptus woodland.

This moderate loop crosses open Anglesea heath and light eucalyptus woodland. A published walk description gives it as 9.3 km (5.8 mi) and about 3.5 hours; the connected track line measures about 7.4 km, so treat the exact mileage as approximate and allow the longer time. From Forest Road, follow Shiney Eye briefly, turn onto Dusty Miller, and use Powerline and Ridge View tracks. A short Pipeline and Powerline section rejoins Ridge View before Shiney Eye returns to the start.

Views and footingRidge View opens south and southwest toward Anglesea.

Ridge View opens south and southwest toward Anglesea. There is a short steep descent on the way out and a long, steep climb near the end. The route is mostly through bush tracks, with sections that can be poor after rain.

Heathland flowersGrass-trees, fringe-myrtle, bluebells, daisies and purple-flag grow along the heathland…

Grass-trees, fringe-myrtle, bluebells, daisies and purple-flag grow along the heathland sections. Common Heath is especially showy in winter, fringe-myrtle flowers in late spring, and orchids appear at different times of year, including Fringed Hare Orchids in autumn and Large Duck Orchids in spring. Blooming is seasonal, so none is guaranteed on a particular visit.

Wildlife and accessBlue-winged Parrots and Black-faced Woodswallows are often seen in the area; White-throated…

Blue-winged Parrots and Black-faced Woodswallows are often seen in the area; White-throated Treecreepers and Spotted Pardalotes may be heard. Dogs are allowed on leash. In winter, water can cross Shiney Eye Track; that and the steep finish make this a poor-weather-sensitive walk.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Great Otway

All Great Otway wildlife maps

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Great Otway. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Keep exploring

Near Shiney Eye Circuit

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Trails that start nearby

Places near the trailhead

Parkwolf’s Great Otway ranking

Top-rated trails in Great Otway

All 83 trails
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