Beech Forest Reservation Self-Guided (GPS) Audio Walking Tour, Colac, Australia - History & Rain Forest Air Walking Loop
Places: 12 POIs
Distance: 1.69 mi
Duration: 57m
GPS-guided narration through
Your Smartphone
Tour #487
About this English self-guided 57m walking tour in Colac
Breathe in the pristine scented rain forest air. Take a leisurely stroll and experience:
∎ The fascinating history of rail and timber in the Otway Ranges.
∎ Walk along the Beechy – Crowes Rail tracka fern glade.
∎ See incredible tree sculptures.
∎ Marvel at how steam locomotives were turned around.
∎ Drop into the Beechy Hotel or the Fergusson Nourished for a refreshment.
Need to know:
⌚ Duration - 1.5 hours
♥ Ease - established paths and gentle inclines.
☁ Weather - generally 3 degrees cooler than Melbourne.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.17mi
, Attraction : Photo display and maps
15 Main Rd, Beech Forest VIC 3237, Australia
Beech Forest Visitor Center
Time to stretch your legs, and take a rest break. Wander around the Information and History Centre. To the right side is an engaging photo display covering the history of timber and small gauge rail in the Otways. Also there are great photos of surrounding scenery and local waterfalls.
To the left of the Visitor Center is an impressive iron silhouette, worthy of your close attention. We might ask a Quiz question about this.
Then walk along the concrete path in an easterly direction. To your left you will see a small playground. A bit further back is the original Beech Forest lockup. The door is open. Imagine spending time as a fugitive. Very basic conditions indeed!. Keep walking east, soon you will see your next tour point, the Beechy Hotel.
Grab 30 seconds and get your directional bearings. Click on the 360 degree panoramic video clip below.
To the left of the Visitor Center is an impressive iron silhouette, worthy of your close attention. We might ask a Quiz question about this.
Then walk along the concrete path in an easterly direction. To your left you will see a small playground. A bit further back is the original Beech Forest lockup. The door is open. Imagine spending time as a fugitive. Very basic conditions indeed!. Keep walking east, soon you will see your next tour point, the Beechy Hotel.
Grab 30 seconds and get your directional bearings. Click on the 360 degree panoramic video clip below.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.03mi
, Attraction : Refreshments
Beechy Hotel
Beechy Hotel
The Beechy Hotel is synonymous with the history of the Otways.
The first pub was built in 1888. There is a local myth that J.W. Gardner, who built the Hotel, reputedly constructed the 14-room building using the timber from a single giant mountain ash.
* Through the 1890s Beech Forest became a major timber centre. At one time there were reputedly 29 timber mills in the district.
* In 1902 a narrow gauge railway from Colac reached the town.
* In 1911 the Beech Forest railway was extended to Crowes. At the time it was the longest narrow gauge railway in Victoria. The railway provided transport for local timber (beech myrtle, blackwood and Mountain Ash) were cut down.
* After World War I the town became a major centre for potato production.
* In 1919 a bushfire destroyed the town and the Beechy Hotel. It was rebuilt to the east of the original site. Its was partially damaged by fire in the 1960s
* The railway through Beech Forest closed in 1962.
* Today it is surrounded by pine plantations which sustain the local timber industry.
From the Beechy Hotel, follow the Main rd east, to the chainsaw sculptures.
The first pub was built in 1888. There is a local myth that J.W. Gardner, who built the Hotel, reputedly constructed the 14-room building using the timber from a single giant mountain ash.
* Through the 1890s Beech Forest became a major timber centre. At one time there were reputedly 29 timber mills in the district.
* In 1902 a narrow gauge railway from Colac reached the town.
* In 1911 the Beech Forest railway was extended to Crowes. At the time it was the longest narrow gauge railway in Victoria. The railway provided transport for local timber (beech myrtle, blackwood and Mountain Ash) were cut down.
* After World War I the town became a major centre for potato production.
* In 1919 a bushfire destroyed the town and the Beechy Hotel. It was rebuilt to the east of the original site. Its was partially damaged by fire in the 1960s
* The railway through Beech Forest closed in 1962.
* Today it is surrounded by pine plantations which sustain the local timber industry.
From the Beechy Hotel, follow the Main rd east, to the chainsaw sculptures.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Beech Forest Visitor Center
Place 2
Beechy Hotel
Place 3
Chainsaw Sculptures
Place 4
Southorn Street
Place 5
Train turn around
Place 6
North view
Place 7
Three trees
Place 8
Church of England > Art Gallery
Place 9
Cliff Young
Place 10
Fern Glade
Place 11
Quiz
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided walking tour includes 12 stops, covering top attractions such as Beech Forest Visitor Center, Beechy Hotel, Chainsaw Sculptures, Southorn Street, Train turn around.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Beech Forest Visitor Center (Address: 15 Main Rd, Beech Forest VIC 3237, Australia). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided walking tour designed to be completed on foot through walkable areas and city highlights.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided walking tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you.
+ Is this a walkable tour?
Yes, this tour is fully walkable and designed to follow a comfortable route through pedestrian-friendly areas.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There is one thing that you need - A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour) and comfortable walking shoes! But here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a mobile charger/battery. 2. Bring earphones for the best experience. 3. Bring a bottle of water and dress appropriately according to the weather forecast.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. Just follow the route (cross streets carefully using crosswalks) and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue the from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!