A romantic getaway in the Otways: simple ways to reconnect

Sometimes the best thing you can do together is step away from everyday life for a little while.

The Otways is made for this. There are quiet forest walks, winding country roads, waterfalls hidden among tree ferns and plenty of beautiful places where you can simply stop and take in the view. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a birthday surprise or just craving some uninterrupted time together, a romantic stay in the Otways doesn’t need a packed itinerary to feel special.

Here are a few of our favourite ways to enjoy an Otways escape for two.

Stay somewhere peaceful and private

The place you choose to stay can shape your entire weekend. For a romantic getaway, it helps to have peace and quite, beautiful surroundings and enough comfort that you’re just as happy staying in as you are going out.

King Parrot Cottages & Event Centre is set on 196 acres of private bushland in the Pennyroyal Valley, approximately 30 minutes inland from Lorne and the Great Ocean Road. It feels wonderfully secluded, while still being close enough for a day exploring the coast, waterfalls and surrounding Otways towns.

Our smaller self-contained cottages, Blackwood and Windmill, are especially well suited to couples. You can wake to the sounds of the bush, enjoy breakfast overlooking the property and spend the evening curled up together in front of the wood fire.

There’s no pressure to rush anywhere. In fact, some couples arrive with plans to explore the whole region and then decide they would rather stay right where they are.

Take a private walk through the bush

One of the loveliest things to do as a couple is also one of the simplest: go for a walk without needing to be anywhere else.

King Parrot has five kilometres of private walking tracks winding through the property. The tracks pass beneath tall eucalypts, through fern gullies and across Aquila Creek, with a seasonal waterfall flowing after good rainfall.

You may spot kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas or some of the many native birds that live here. Our walking tracks are steep and uneven in places, making them best suited to couples who enjoy a more active and adventurous walk.

Pack some water, take your time and leave your phones tucked away for a while. There’s something very grounding about walking side by side in the bush with no distractions.

Explore an Otways waterfall

The Otways is known for its waterfalls, and visiting one together is a beautiful way to spend part of your weekend.

Erskine Falls, near Lorne, is one of the best-known waterfalls in the region, cascading into a fern-filled gully. Further into the Otways, Triplet Falls and Hopetoun Falls are surrounded by ancient forest, moss and tree ferns.

Water levels and track conditions change throughout the year, so it’s always worth checking the Parks Victoria website before setting out. Winter and spring often bring the strongest flows, but every season offers something different.

Spend a slow day in Lorne

From King Parrot, Lorne is approximately a 30-minute drive away, making it easy to combine a peaceful country stay with time by the coast.

Start with coffee or breakfast, wander along the beach and browse the local shops without needing a strict plan. You could enjoy lunch overlooking the water, take a scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road or find a quiet spot to sit together and watch the ocean.

Then, when Lorne becomes busy, you can return to the peace of the Pennyroyal Valley.

Book some time in the sauna

For an especially relaxing afternoon, King Parrot guests can book a private session in our infrared sauna.

After a morning walk or a day exploring the region, the sauna is a lovely way to warm up, unwind and slow everything down. Follow it with an easy dinner in your cottage and an evening in front of the fire, and there’s really no need to go anywhere else.

Cook dinner together

A romantic weekend doesn’t always need a restaurant booking. Sometimes it’s nicer to bring a few favourite ingredients, open a bottle of local wine and cook together in your cottage.

Our cottages are self-contained, giving you the freedom to eat when you feel like it and enjoy the evening entirely at your own pace. Pick up some local produce on your way, put on some music and settle in for the night.

If cooking isn’t part of your idea of relaxation, you can also enjoy a meal in one of the nearby towns before returning to your cottage.

Watch the sunset and the stars

At King Parrot, the views stretch across the Pennyroyal Valley and change constantly with the light and weather. Find a quiet place to watch the sun disappear behind the hills, then step outside again after dark.

Away from the bright lights of town, clear nights can bring beautiful views of the stars. You may hear frogs near the waterways, nocturnal wildlife moving through the bush or simply the quiet of the valley.

It’s a small experience, but often one of the most memorable.

Bring your dog along

If a romantic escape wouldn’t feel complete without your dog, they are welcome at King Parrot too.

Our cottages are dog-friendly, and well-behaved dogs can join you on the property’s walking tracks. Dogs need to remain on lead around the cottages, farm animals and native wildlife, but there is still plenty of space to explore together.

Pack a picnic for two

Bring a picnic filled with your favourite things and find a peaceful place to enjoy it together. With beautiful views across the Pennyroyal Valley, you don’t need an elaborate setup—just a rug, something delicious to share and nowhere else you need to be.

A romantic Otways escape at any time of year

There is no single best season for a romantic stay in the Otways.

Winter brings flowing waterfalls, misty mornings and evenings beside the wood fire. Spring is fresh and green, with wildflowers and active birdlife. Summer is lovely for long evenings, coastal day trips and time by the pool. Autumn brings beautiful light, cooler walking weather and a quieter feeling across the valley.

What matters most is giving yourselves the time to stop.

At King Parrot, you can explore the Otways and Great Ocean Road, or you can do very little at all. Walk through the bush, meet our animals, book the sauna, share a meal and enjoy the rare luxury of having nowhere else you need to be.

Sometimes that is exactly what reconnecting looks like.