Download Membership Information as PDF
Download Membership Application Form (PDF)

What are the benefits of membership of the OHT?

Our goal is to establish the Otway Hinterland as a ‘must visit’ destination for Victorians within the next five years.

In the coming 12 months we will implement a strategy to promote the hinterland through advertising, promotions and events.  This will include:

• Publication and distribution of 25,000 copies of the OHT brochure.
• Advertising in the What’s On booklet – December / January / February (45,000 copies in January edition).
• Advertisement in the Surf Coast and Otways Official Visitor Guide (20,000 copies + online access).
• Participating as a Regional Event in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (exposure to 350,000 people).
• Promoting the OHT at the Melbourne Good Food and Wine Show (40,000 attendees).
• Promoting the OHT at the Birregurra Festival (15,000 attendees).
• Promoting the OHT through our website.
• Introduction of OHT logo packaging and membership signage.

In addition we will feature in two media campaigns – one funded by Tourism Victoria and the other by Geelong Otway Tourism that target media journalists and increase the exposure of the OHT to a national audience.

What else do I get for my membership fee?

Your annual membership fee gets you:

• Exposure of your business to up to 500,000 new customers over the coming year.
• A matching contribution of more than $500 in the form of grants from local Tourism Authorities and government bodies.
• The opportunity to meet people from your community, to establish business contacts and contribute to the economic vibrancy of the Otway hinterland.

What does membership entail?

The Otway Harvest Trail Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation that is run by its members for the benefit of its members. Its success depends upon the voluntary efforts of its members. Membership of the OHT entails:

• Agreeing to abide by the values and behaviours described in the OHT Philosophy statement.
• Membership of a Local Tourism Authority (Roadside stalls and Provisional Members are exempt from this requirement).
• Location of your business within the geographic confines of the Otway hinterland as defined.
• Preparedness to assist and participate in some way with the activities of the OHT.
• Timely payment of the annual membership fee.

What are the membership categories?

A number of new membership categories have been introduced to broaden our membership base.  However we expect that the majority members would be in the Full member category.

1. Full member – producers, restaurants and café’s who have an established commercial outlet within the OHT area.
2. Associate member – producers whose produce is sold by a third party within the OHT area.
3. Accommodation provider.
4. Roadside stall – producers who sell their produce from self serve roadside stalls.
5. Provisional member – producers who intend to establish an eligible business in the area or who are unable to meet the existing membership criteria, but may qualify after some modification to their business / purchasing practices.
6. Tour guide – guiding companies that promote the region and deliver domestic and international visitors to local producers and attractions.
7. OHT partner – provides formal recognition to businesses situated outside the OHT area who use and promote OHT produce extensively.

What are the membership fees for 2010/11?

Please note that Roadside stalls and Provisional members are exempt from the requirement to hold membership of their local Tourism Body.

What is the Geographical area covered?

The boundary of the Otway hinterland for the purposes of membership of the Otway Harvest Trail is defined as:

Commencing at Bellbrae near the intersection of the Anglesea Road and Great Ocean Road at Bellbrae;

Then proceeding north to the Hendy Main Rd;

Then east and north along the Hendy Main Road to the intersection with the Princes Highway at Mt Moriac;

Then west along the Princes Highway to Irrewarra;

By-passing Colac, then recommencing at Barongarook and proceeding south along the Beech Forest Rd to Ferguson;

Then west along the Colac-Lavers Hill Rd to Lavers Hill;

Then by an imaginary line that joins Lavers Hill to Tanybryn to Benwerrin to the near the intersection of the Anglesea Road and Great Ocean Road at Bellbrae.

All businesses situated on or proximate to the Great Ocean Rd, between Lavers Hill and Bellbrae are ineligible for membership of the Otway Harvest Trail.

How do I apply?

Please complete the attached 2010/11 membership application form and return it with your membership fee to:

Applications must be received no later than 30 July each year to be included in the forthcoming summer brochure.

Tax invoices and receipts will be forwarded once we have received your application form.

Further information?

If you require any further information please contact:

Dinny Goonan (President) on 0438 408 420
Di Schulze (Secretary) on 5288 7399

or see the Otway Harvest Trail "Contact Us" page