Leif Sorlie of Bendigo with Linda Ball of Apollo Bay and Mackenzie Bock of Karwarren join the Otway Fly team for a busy summer.

As most businesses start to wind down for the summer break, Otway Fly Treetop Adventures is preparing to take it up a gear.

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

In addition to the regular offering of the Treetop Walk and Zip Line Tour, the summer program includes Abseiling, Fairground Fun, music and native animal shows.

"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", say Ms. Allchurch General Manager Otway Fly Treetop Adventures.

Locals and university students studying Outdoor Education have guaranteed summer employment at the Fly. Former Kawarren resident, Mackenzie Bock, 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" says Mackenzie

Operations Manager, Ben Edwards, has been pleased with summer recruitment. "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."

Mr 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.

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

Otway Fly will host Santa Claus this weekend for photos in his "Rainforest Hideaway" between 11am - 2pm. The Fly is open every day except Christmas over the summer period.