Zipping through the forest on the Otway Fly

IT'S impossible to resist the urge to yodel like Tarzan as you fly across the treetops of Victoria's own Otway rainforest.

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IT'S impossible to resist the urge to yodel like Tarzan as you fly across the treetops of the Otway rainforest.

Some could mistake it for a blood-curdling wail of terror, but I prefer the jungle man analogy.

Either way, zip-lining at southwest Victoria's Otway Fly is sure to get your blood pumping.

Above the trees
Strapped into a safety harness, we're swooping along a steel cable, suspended 25m above the forest floor, stopping at "cloud stations" along the way to admire the bird's eye view and catch your breath before the next flight.

My niggling acrophobia is put to rest in those exhilarating seconds flying between platforms. I'm too busy enjoying that heady combination of weightlessness and speed.

I'm also putting on a brave face, because I have a squirming 15kg lump of cargo attached to the front of my harness (otherwise known as my six-year-old daughter).

Taller kids can zip along on their own, but my youngest is deemed too short, so, her little harness is hooked up to mine. She has absolutely no fear of heights, winning primary school fame for walking across the top of the tallest monkey bars.

My hitchhiker loves tandem zipping, but there are pros and cons to double-teaming.

On the positive side of the ledger, extra weight from a tandem passenger makes you fly faster along the cable - a boon for adrenalin junkies.

But on negative side, the extra speed makes it harder to time your landing on the platform. I bounced a few times and had to be hauled on to the platform by my thankfully strong guide.

We collect a few bruises along the way, but the thrill of flying across treetops is worth every bump.

The drill
The 3 1/2-hour adventure starts with an extensive safety instruction and demonstration. Before long, we're trussed up in mountain-climber harnesses and helmets, all triple-checked by our guides.

Most visitors to this tourism destination are taking a leisurely stroll on the Otway Fly - a 600m walk through the treetops. These walkers watch with morbid fascination as we walk to the first platform, our harnesses clanking with every step. The kids are loving every minute and, by this stage, the anticipation is killing them.

This zip-line is one of only two of its kind in the world, designed to have minimal impact on the forest. Each "cloud station" is cleverly designed to sit in the giant trees without penetrating the timber, allowing the trees to grow unimpeded.

Once you've made it through the zip-line, leave plenty of time to enjoy the Otway Fly walk. It's a great way to see the forest at a leisurely pace.

Rainforest lodge
At the end of all this activity, we're ready for some rest and relaxation at the Bothfeet walking lodge, a short drive southwest of the Otway Fly.

This Japanese-inspired lodge is pure luxury, tucked away in a rainforest gully only 2km from the rugged Shipwreck Coast. A maximum of 10 guests stay in the lodge, set up as a base for hikers tackling the Great Ocean Walk, a 104km track along Victoria's spectacular west coast from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles.

Designed for hikers of all levels of fitness, the walk weaves through national parks and deserted beaches, with stunning views over pristine marine sanctuaries.

Our hosts, Dana and Gavin Ronan, opened Bothfeet in 2008 to offer super-comfortable hospitality after a day of hiking along the coast. It has several walks, guided or not, as part of the accommodation packages.

We enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal at a giant dining table in the living room, sampling locally made beer and wine before sinking into one of the most comfortable beds you will find on the coast. It's warm enough to leave the sliding glass doors open for the night, letting in the sounds and smells of the bush.

After a hearty breakfast, we take on a cruisy leg of the Great Ocean Walk. Dana packs lunchboxes for our trip, lending us raincoats, because the forecast is for showers, and Gavin drives us to the start of the walk.

But there's no need for wet-weather gear in this glorious sunshine.

We're stopping every few metres to admire native flowers, take photos and soak up magnificent views of the Twelve Apostles. It's a perfect family activity. But all this exercise fires up the appetite.

So, on our way back to Melbourne, we pop in to The Ridge Organic Food Store and Cafe in nearby Beech Forest.

The menu has a hearty, homemade feel that's perfect after a day of hiking along the coast. Make sure you leave room for the amazing cakes and slices.

Stunning views from the north-facing deck stretch all the way to the Western Plains.

From the comfort of the cafe, you can also see the start of the Old Beechy rail trail, a 45km bike track winding through the hills from Beech Forest to Colac, along an historic railway line.

That's our next family adventure.

The writer was a guest of Tourism Victoria.

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