AusLeisure

Otway Fly Treetop Adventures is preparing for a busy Christmas holiday season.

The eco-adventure attraction near Beech Forest in the Otway Ranges has put on an additional 12 staff to handle the anticipated increase in visitors seeking a fun day out during their summer holiday.

Otway Fly Marketing Officer Tom Dennis explains "Otway Fly General Manager, Jude Allchurch, is pushing the envelope this summer hosting a variety of activities with broad appeal across all ages."

In addition to the regular offering of the Treetop Walk and Zip Line Tour, the summer program includes abseiling, fairground activities, music and native animal shows.

General Manager Jude Allchurch adds "with the number of extra activities, and up to 130 Zip Line tours per day, it means we have been able to offer a raft of summer employment. We now have 60 staff."

Locals and university students studying Outdoor Education have guaranteed summer employment at the Fly, one example being former Kawarren resident, Mackenzie Bock, who is now leading Zip Line tours after gaining a position in his home turf.

The Bachelor of Outdoor Education student at Latrobe University in Bendigo says "it's fantastic to be able to work within my area of study in an environment that I love.

"The Otway region is an incredible, beautiful place - its great being able to enlighten visitors to the ecology of the rainforest, and give them a wild ride in the process."

Operations Manager Ben Edwards, has been pleased with summer recruitment, adding "we've got locals with great outdoor and guiding skills coming on board. They've either studied outdoor education, or come from a tourism background."

Edwards explained that while it's also good to bring in highly skilled staff from further afield, a lack of suitable accommodation prevents those staff working a season, strengthening the case for appropriately skilled locals.

Allchurch anticipates stronger visitor numbers in 2013 will enable summer employment to continue through to Easter, concluding "2013 is set to be a big year for Otway Fly - we're looking forward to new and exciting additions."

Operated by Merlin Entertainments, the Otway Fly is part of the Great Ocean Road touring route, directly accessible from Phillips Track and is 15 minutes' drive from Lavers Hill, 45 minutes from Apollo Bay and 40 minutes from Colac.

Top image shows the Otway Fly's Zip Line.

For more information go to www.otwayfly.com

18th February 2012 - MERLIN CONFIRMS LIVING AND LEISURE AUSTRALIA TAKEOVER

11th October 2010 - OTWAY FLY ANNOUNCES ZIP LINE ADVENTURE TOUR

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