Walks and Waterfalls

Waterfalls

If you love bush walking then you will love the Otways. With stunning scenery, thunderous waterfalls and ever changing moods. It is always spectacular.

Winter -  best time to see waterfalls especially after heavy rain.
Spring - a great time to see wild flowers and the wattles in bloom.
Summer  - fantastic for picnicing and swimming.
Autumn  - glorious!

Equipment & Safety: The weather can change rapidly so, prepare for the worst but, expect the best!

• It is recommended you have appropriate foot wear and clothing.
• Your mobile phone maybe out of range
• Always carry water, food, matches and a torch as well as a map and compass on longer walks
• Note if there is a total fire ban prior to your walk
• Please respect the environment, stick to the paths and pay attention to signage
  
• Always inform someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Most of the tracks are dirt and after rain they can get slippery. Check the conditions before you go.
  

All times and distances are approximate.

Beauchamp Falls

Off the Aire Valley Road from Beech Forest Road. The walking track from the picnic area winds down to cool, temperate rainforest surrounding Deppeler Creek. The magnificent falls plunge into a fern-fringed pool.

• Distance: 3km return
• Time: 90 Minutes return
• Difficulty: Easy

Carisbrook Falls

These falls are west of Kennett River, 14km from Apollo Bay towards Lorne. The falls are a 1km return walk from the car park beside Carisbrook Creek bridge; on the Great Ocean Road, seven km west of Kennett River.  

• Distance: 1.5km return
• Time: 30 minutes return
• Difficulty: Easy 

Cora Lyn Cascades

The cascades can be accessed from Blanket Leaf picnic ground, off Erskine Falls Road, a few kilometres from Lorne.

• Distance: 4km return
• Time: 90 Minute return
• Difficulty: Easy

Erskine Falls

A short drive out of Lorne on Erskine Falls Road. They are one of the most popular falls in the Otways and easily accessible. A five-minute walk from the car park brings you to an overlook of the falls, cascading 30 metres into a beautiful tree fern gully. You also can take steps down to the Erskine River to view the falls from below.
Experienced walkers can follow the river from Erksine Falls to Lorne. The 7.5km one-way walk takes about three hours and passes Straw Falls and Splitter Falls. It should not be attempted when water levels are high.

• Time: 10 Minutes return
• Distance: 500m
• Difficulty: Easy

Hopetoun Falls

Off the Aire Valley Road, near Beech Forest. You can hear the roar of the falls pounding into the Aire River as you arrive in the car park. There is also a view from here. There is a steep path, passing through a glade of tree ferns, to the foot of the falls.

Don't forget to notice the Californian Redwoods at the Aire Valley picnic and camping reserve.

• Time: 45 Minutes return
• Distance: 1km return
• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Mariners Falls

Drive to the end of the Barham River Road out of Apollo Bay. The walk follows the Barham River valley with a number of creek crossings, no bridges.  

• Distance: 3km return
• Time: 60 minutes return
• Difficulty: Easy

Sheoak Falls

The falles can be accessed from the Great Ocean Road, near Lorne. Views of the falls are possible within a 10-minute walk from the car park. While not falling for a great distance, the water passes over a dark rock face within a natural amphitheatre, it's spectacular!  

• Distance: 1 km return
• Time: 60 Minutes return
• Difficulty: Easy

Stevensons Falls

Turn off the Skenes Creek-Colac Road at Barramunga. Named after a pioneer of the area, these falls and the surrounding river flats of the Gellibrand River provide a delightful setting. There is a camping ground at the northern end of the park and a picnic area closer to the waterfall, with toilets, barbecues and tables. 

• Time: 90 Minutes return
• Distance: 2 km return
• Difficulty: Easy

Triplet Falls

Accessed from the Colac-Lavers Hill Road. Triplet Falls are are well worth a visit with its broad triply-divided cascade is set in a rainforest of stately myrtle beech trees. Youngs Creek flows to the falls from Weeaproinah, the wettest place in Victoria!

Choose from two short walks that take in the falls: 

• Distance: 900m return
• Time: 40 minutes return
• Difficulty: Moderate, includes the Triplet Falls Heritage Trail, with a series of panels providing information about the forest and sawmilling history of the area.
  

• Distance: 450m loop
• Time: 20 minutes return
• Difficulty: Easy

Walks

Maits Rest Rainforest Walk

• Time: 30 Minutes return
  
• Difficulty: Easy
  

Marriners Lookout

• Distance: 500m
• Time: 20 minutes return
• Difficulty: Moderate 

Wye River Heritage Walk

• Time: 1.5 Hours [Loop]
• Difficulty: Easy

Great Ocean Walk - Stage 1

• Distance: 32km
• Time: 3 Days
• Difficulty: Moderate

Elliott River Walks

Shelly Beach

• Distance: 4.2Km
• Time: 2 hours return
• Difficulty: Moderate

Shelley Beach Loop

• Distance: 1.7km
  
• Time: 40 minutes
  
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Three Creeks Loop

• Distance: 3km
• Time: 90 minutes
• Difficulty: Moderate