Alternative to the Grampians
 

After driving the Great Ocean Road, my wife and I were originally intending to spend a day and a half in Halls Gap to see Grampians National Park. Due to the large fire that is still raging there, it looks like we'll have to adjust our plans. Does anyone have a suggestion that would be a good alternative and would give us a similar experience? Thanks for your help!

The good news is that the fire is out but the bad news is that a large part of the park is burnt.
How about heading north to Ballarat? There is a lot to see there including Sovereign Hill folk museum which is excellent - they also have a sound and light show in the evening which is also good. Also in Ballarat - the Gold Museum, nice gardens, good art galleries, historical buildings.
You could do a detour to Mt Eccles NP - you can usually see koalas there.

G'day Kkelly,
Marg is right, the Grampians Fire is now under control.
Although there is lots of damage there, with the rain we had some of the burt trees are already shooting new leaves. It's amazing how quick the vegetation recovers.
I gues it all depends on when you had planned visiting.

Marg also suggested Ballarat and I agree wholeheartedly with that.

marg, there has also been a fire at the Mt. Eccles Nat. Park, but I don't know the exacr situation there.

You can see Koalas, close up, at the Ballarat Wildlife park.It's quite a large park and visiting there plus Souvereign Hill & the Gold Museum will easily fill 1 1/2 to 2 days.
Enjoy your visit,
Mike

Hi, in addition to my above message.
I have just found out that the Mt.Eccles Nat. Park is closed until further notice.
Mike

Thanks to everyone for the info. We have decided to stretch our time on the GOR from one night to two. We'll stay in Apollo Bay and then do one night in port Campbell. This will give us a chance to do some of the hikes on the Great Ocean Walk trail. We also intend to try Tower Hill Reserve on the way back. It sounded like there is some opportunity to see a decent amount of wildlife there.

With 2 nights on the GOR you can take the drive through the Ottways which starts or ends in Lorne. It is a lovely detour. We usually do it on our way back to Melb if we aren't going up into the Grampians as you had originally planned. Two nights for the GOR is a much better way to go than one IMHO.
J

Good idea to do the otways, they are lovely. Do the Otway fly thing - it's so cool being up in the trees.