Railways of the Otway Ranges

Situated in the Victoria's south west, the Otway Ranges rise from the plains to meet the rugged, shipwreck-strewn Bass Strait coastline along the dramatic Great Ocean Road. With abundant rainfall and luscious rainforest containing some of Australia's most spectacular waterfalls, the wild and beautiful Otways contain visual delights like few other regions of Victoria. The magnificent stands of tall timber attracted sawmillers to the district, and before long the Victorian Railways began constructing lines to different parts of the Otways. Some of these were extraordinary in their engineering ingenuity, fascinating in character, and wonderful in scenic beauty. As a result, the timber industry flourished, and the railways were well utilised. 'Railways of the Otway Ranges' explores the Wensleydale, Forrest, Beech Forest and Timboon branch lines, including personal recollections from the era, and a fascinating array of photographs.