Waterfalls in the Great Ocean Road

Discover the high number of waterfalls in the narrow valleys of the Otway Ranges, from the impressive sheer drop of Erskine Falls to rushing cascades and secluded falls over fern-fringed pools.

Most are found in the forested hinterland behind Lorne and Apollo Bay, making these towns a perfect base for scenic forest drives and relaxing walks and picnics.

Further details of the region’s waterfalls and the Otways Walks and Waterfalls handout are available from the Lorne and Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centres.

Aireys Inlet

• Currawong Falls
  A moderate, 4-hour 12-kilometre return walk from the Distillery Creek picnic ground. The Currawong Falls are at their best in the winter and spring and the site offers fine views of the surrounding countryside.

Lorne

• Cora Lynn Cascades
  A 4-kilometre, 90-minute strenuous return walk from Blanket Leaf picnic ground, off Erskine Falls Road. The beautiful Cora Lyn Cascades flow over a series of exposed shale ledges.
• Cumberland Falls
  A strenuous 6-kilometre return walk along the Cumberland River to the beautiful Cumberland cascades. The walk takes about 2.5 hours and access is from Cumberland River Reserve, off the Great Ocean Road, west of Lorne.
• Erskine Falls
  An 8.5 kilometre drive from Lorne on the Erskine Falls Road, this is one of the most popular falls in the Otways. An easy walk brings you to an overlook of the falls cascading 30 metres into a beautiful fern gully. Moderate walk down steps to base of falls.
• Phantom Falls
  Moderate 2.5-kilometre, 90-minute return walk to spectacular falls along the St Georges River from the Allenvale Road car park, 2 kilometres out of Lorne.
• Sheoak Falls
  Moderate 1-kilometre return walk to the falls from the car park, 3 kilometres south of Lorne, off the Great Ocean Road. Takes about an hour but there is a falls view within 10 minutes walk of the car park. While not falling for a great distance, the water passes over a dark rock face within a natural amphitheatre, making for spectacular viewing.
• Upper and Lower Kalimna Falls
  Moderate 8-kilometre return walk from the Sheoak picnic ground, off Allendale Road. Approximately 3.5 hours return. Tall rainforest trees and dense tree ferns fringe the falls.

Otways

• Triplet Falls – Beech Forest
  A moderate 1 hour return loop walk. Located 20 minutes east of Lavers Hill, this magnificent waterfall is reached via the Lavers Hill-Beech Forest Road. A 1.8 kilometre return walk takes in the falls, three broad cascades set in a ferny rainforest of stately Myrtle Beech trees, and includes the historic Knotts No. 1 Timber Mill site. Toilets and picnic tables.
• Beauchamp Falls – Beech Forest
  Moderate 1 hour return walk from the picnic area. The walk passes through magnificent mountain ash forests, with large myrtle beech, blackwood and thick ferns. The track becomes steep before opening to the spectacle of the falls crashing over a ledge into a large pool. Dogs on lead. Located off the Aire Valley Road from Beech Forest Road.
• Hopetoun Falls – Beech Forest
  Viewing platform at the car park offers a view of the roaring water as it pounds into the Aire River. Alternatively take a 30-minute return moderate walk to the falls. The path is steep to the valley floor where it passes through a glade of tree ferns to the foot of the falls. The Aire Valley is a short distance south, offering a beautiful area with a backdrop of towering Californian Redwoods. Located 26 kilometres east of Lavers Hill off Aire Valley Road.
• Carisbrook Falls – near Cape Patton
  An easy 15-minute return walk along a well-constructed 750-metre moderate grade track leads to a scenic view of the falls. No access to base of falls. The walk begins at the Carisbrook Creek Bridge on the Great Ocean Road, 7 kilometres west of Kennett River or 14 kilometres from Apollo Bay.
• Sabine Falls – Tanbryn
  A 1.5-hour moderate to difficult return walk. Off Skenes Creek-Forest Road, turn into Sunnyside Road at the Sabine Picnic Ground sign. Follow the signs for a further 4 kilometres until you come to the picnic ground. A magnificent walk through lush rainforest, crossing two creeks with huge stepping stones, finishing with a spectacular display of a cascading waterfall, thundering down in three sections. Waterfalls can be limited in summer.
• Stevenson Falls – Barramunga
  An easy 1-hour return walk. Located at Barramunga off the Skenes Creek-Forrest Road, take a 7-kilometre drive down a dirt road to the camping area. Turn right and park at the boom gate. A hardened surface walking track (approximately 20 minutes) takes you to another picnic ground beside the Gellibrand River. Cross the river and follow the track to the falls (10 minutes). The final section of track to the falls can be slippery after rain. During dry weather you can drive to the second picnic ground for a shorter walk (turn left as you enter camping area). Do not attempt to cross the river after heavy rain or in peak flows. Toilets, picnic tables and wood fireplaces.

Apollo Bay

• Marriners Falls
  An easy to moderate, 40-minute return walk. Located at the end of the Barham River Road, with a large car park. You will cross over large stepping stones at 4 creek crossings and view Magnificent tree ferns, lichens and mosses, with a close view of the falls.
  Note: Track is subject to flooding at times, take care after rain.