A five-minute drive down the road from Blue Johanna Cottages is beautiful Johanna Beach, renowned for its fishing and surfing but also an ideal spot for dogs to paddle in rock pools, play in the waves or just stretch their legs on the uninterrupted soft sand.

Hidden just off Blue Johanna Road away from the world, are the spectacular Johanna Falls. Getting there is a little challenging but this makes them even more special. Ask Sharon or Helen on how to find them.

Lavers Hill is a small township with general store and eateries.

Just off the Lavers Hill-Colac Road visitors can experience the beauty of  the Triplet Falls. One of the most charming waterfalls in the Otways, they offer a breath taking walk through regenerated forests of myrtle beech, towering gums and lush rainforest gullies. The falls have a well made walking track with a viewing platform overlooking an impressive cascade split into three parts, which gave the falls their name. The track meanders on past Youngs Creek sheltered by tree ferns and continues on through the remains of the once-thriving Knotts Sawmill. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Melba Gully State Park, home of the Big Tree is 3km west of Lavers Hill. This circuit beneath huge rainforest trees and giant tree ferns is transformed at night into an enchanting display lit by millions of glow worms.

For those that are feeling a little adventurous, Blue Johanna Cottages has its own little pocket of glow worms. If you feel like exploring the secrets of its deep ferny gully, bring your gumboots and a torch as it's a little rugged.

For scrumptious gourmet food in a tranquil country setting, why not take a drive to Castle Cove at Glenaire and treat yourself to some lunch or an espresso at the Bend cafe. Doggies are welcome at their outside dining tables. The resident pooches, Jack and Dexter, will make your dogs welcome.

Home to lots of wildlife, especially waterbirds, the Aire River Estuary is a perfect spot for a swim or dangling a line off the wooden bridge to try your luck at catching bream, mullet or trout. Walk the 4WD sand track out to the river mouth on rugged Glenaire Beach to try your hand at surf fishing. Turn off the Great Ocean Road at Hordern Vale.

Apollo Bay is a charming seaside town 40 minutes east of Johanna along the Great Ocean Road. With its sweeping white beaches and rolling green hills, it's the perfect place for taking a relaxing stroll or a safe swim. Dogs are allowed all year round on most of Marengo Beach and they are allowed on the main beach from 30 April until 24 December.

Apollo Bay is very well serviced with restaurants, cafes, takeaways, hotels, butcher shop, pharmacy, health food shop and supermarkets. Visit the local Fish Co-op for the freshest fish you'll ever taste or have a game of golf while watching the fishing boats chug into the harbour with their daily catch.

The Sea Grape cafe allows dogs to dine with their owners at their outside dining tables.

Take a climb to the top of Mariners Lookout, breathtaking by day or night.

A short drive down Barham Valley Road will take you through lush dairy farmland into a valley lined with towering eucalypts. At the end of the road you can follow a walking track (3km return) along the meandering Barham River to the spectacular Mariners Falls. Dogs are allowed on a leash.

Cape Otway Lightstation (the oldest lighthouse on mainland Australia) has blessed ships with a safe passage through the treacherous Bass Strait since 1848.

Guided and self-guided tours are conducted daily between 9am and 5pm. The windswept Port Campbell National Park borders the weathered limestone stacks and formations known as the Twelve Apostles.