Otways Tour

Carisbrook Falls, Sabine Falls Walk

Beauchamp Falls, Hopetoun Falls,

and Sheoak Falls

The four waterfalls are accessible by car and short walking tracks with the exception of the Sabine Falls, which is about 2 hour return walk.

 Carisbrook Falls

                                                                        Beauchamp Falls         

                           

 

Hopetoun Falls                                                               

Track to Sabine Falls (L)  Fungi seen on the way (R)

              Sabin Falls

Last day 

Breakie time (L).  Ocean view from the tourist walk to Sheoak Falls (R)

Sheoak Falls

.. and finally, here is a short video of the visited falls - Otways Tour

 Back to  Erskine & Cora Lynn Valleys Circuit

(Lorne Waterfalls - Walk One)

 Back to Wye Falls Area

Wye Falls Area

Wye River Gorge and Falls

There are two options to the access to the Wye River Gorge and Falls.  Either way you start on the Mount Sabine Road and turn down either the Wye River Road or the Kennett Road.  Both roads can be blocked depending on the season. 

Option One:

Length: 13km  -  Time: 6 hours  -  Type: Return
Max Elevation: 595m  -  Grade: Medium (suitable for bushwalker)

With the Kennett Road access, the walking track leaves the road about 3kms from the Mount Sabine Road junction at 54S 745219E - 5721305N.  Be certain to identify the start of the walking track marked with ribbons on the left side of the road.  The track to the Wye River is clearly marked with ribbons and ends in a rope assisted descent to the river.  PLEASE NOTE:  It is important for you to arrange your own marker here to get out, because it is very easy to miss the turn off.  A tied ribbon in middle of the river (and a gps waypoint) is strongly suggested.  Then, walk up the river through a gorge taking the left fork in the river.  This should not be attempted after heavy rain.  It is a rather scrubby walk so be prepared for nettles, blackberries, creek rock hopping, and fallen trees.  My walking pole was put in good use.  Don't forget to remove your marker before leaving the river to start the climb back up.

Option Two:

Length: 5.9km to 6.3km  -  Time: 4 hours  -  Type: Return
Max Elev: 519m  -  Grade: Medium
Reference Map:  VicMap 1:50k - The Otways & Shipwreck Coast
Book:  Walking The Otways by Geelong Bushwalking Club 2001

With the Wye River Road access, the walking track leaves the road at the junction of the Wye River Road and an old road at 54S 746886E - 5723355N.  It is easy to follow the track, which is marked with ribbons; but, it is also steep and there is no rope assistance to descend into the Wye River Gorge.  On reaching the river, turn right and follow the river as described for the other access track.

Reach the river, then head upstream

 

Moss-covered cliff and fallen trees

Wye River Falls

Cascades

Wye River Gorge and Falls Routes

Quick clips of the Wye River Falls

Sheoak Creek & Lower Cumberland Circuit

Lorne Waterfalls - Walk Three

Lower and Upper Kalimna Falls, and Cumberland Falls 

Length: 15.4km,  Time: 5hours,  Type: Loop

Max Elevation: 295m,  Grade: Easy – Medium

Start and finish at the Sheoak Picnic Area on the Garvey Track, which is a park management track. Follow the Kalimna Falls sign at the east end of the picnic ground.  The Kalimna Falls track crosses the Garvey Track and then you can follow either of the two tracks along either side of Sheoak Creek to the Lower Kalimna Falls (2.9km) and the Upper Kalimna Falls (4.1km), then back track to a link track, which takes you across Little Sheoak Creek back to the Garvey Track.  Then, walk 1.2km east-north-east along The Garvey Track to the Cumberland River turn off.

The path to the Cumberland River is 1.5km and steep at the river end of the track.  At the river, turn right following the track along the Cumberland River about 400m to the falls.  There is a river crossing before reaching the falls.  Then retrace your steps back to the Garvey Track and continue down the track back to the start.  There is an alternative route back to the picnic area on the Castle Rock access track. 

The start                             Lower Kalimna Falls

Upper Kalimna Falls                                Sheoak Creek

 

Cumberland River Track & Falls
 

GPS route on GE

and

 Quick clips of Sheoak Creek and Lower Cumberland Circuit

(Lorne Waterfalls - Walk Three)

Back to Lorne Waterfalls - Walk Two

Erskine & Cora Lynn Valleys Circuit 

(Lorne Waterfalls - Walk One)

Lorne Waterfalls - Walk Two

Henderson Falls, The Canyon, Phantom Falls, and Won Wondah Falls 

Length: 8.15km,  Time: 3hours+,  Type: Return
Grade:  Easy
Maximum elevation:  202m

Start and finish at the Sheoak Picnic Area, which is located at Allenvale Road end, southwest of Lorne.  Follow the signposts to Henderson Falls, then return to the turn off to The Canyon and Phantom Falls.  On the return journey from Phantom Falls, the Won Wondah Falls can be viewed from a viewing platform, which is on a short side track off the main track back to the start.

                                    Henderson Falls

  

 

Wildflowers

                             The Canyon and Phantom Falls                                

Route on GE, and
A 4 minute video YouTube of Lorne Waterfalls - Walk Two 

 Back to  Erskine & Cora Lynn Valleys Circuit

(Lorne Waterfalls - Walk One)

Go to Sheoak Creek & Lower Cumberland Circuit

(Lorne Waterfalls - Walk Three)

Erskine & Cora Lynn Valleys Circuit

Lorne Waterfalls - Walk One
 
Length: 22km
Duration: 6 -7 hours
Grade: Medium
Elevation: 433m
Style: Walking track with many river & creek crossings over stones
Start/Finish: Lorne
Melbourne: 140km
Best time: Late winter & early spring (when the waterfalls flow at their best)

Track & map info: Walks & Waterfalls, Surfcoast Shire.
Topographic map: optional.
Erskine River Track and Cora Lynn Creek Track are well marked.

The walk starts from Kia Ora Caravan Park, which is located opposite to the Lorne Visitor Centre.  The entrance is on Erskine Avenue and there is Parks Victoria signpost showing the 7km length of the Erskine River walking track.

There is no doubt that this track is popular because of the starting point in the Lorne township, the attractive waterfalls and the wild Erskine River and gorge.  The path winds through the Erskine Valley, which is filled with tall trees and ferns.  It follows the river upstream and there are some river crossings.  The track passes The Rapids, Splitter Falls, Straw Falls and finishes at the base of the Erskine Falls, 300m past Straw Falls.  Erskine Falls is one of the highest and most attractive waterfalls in the Otways, Victoria.

After having fun with the camera and a chat with tourists at the Erskine Falls, we had a steep climb up steps, which led to the car park, where there is a signpost to Blanket Leaf Picnic Area.  This is the start of the 3km track, which links the Erskine Valley to the Cora Lynn Valley and saves about 3kms of road walking.  A big thank you.

On reaching the Erskine Falls Rd, cross the road to get to the start of the Cora Lynn Creek Track.  Then, a short gentle descent goes past a hike-in campsite and leads to the Cora Lynn Cascades.  From here, the track goes through a beautiful narrow gorge and the creek that feeds the cascades, is crossed many times before reaching Cora Lynn car park.  After checking out the map from the “Walks & Waterfalls” brochure, we followed the road SSE out to Green Break Tk, turned right and walked down to Allenvale Rd, and then turned left onto Otway St to get back to the start in Lorne.

 Erskine Valley (L)         At the base of Erskine Falls (R)

Cora Lynn Cascades

Erskine & Cora Lynn Valleys Circuit Walk
and
A video YouTube of the waterfalls in the valleys

It was rather a long day to do this two valleys circuit and I would suggest an early start to take it all in especially when days are short.  We ended up having a late dinner at “Chopsticks” restaurant in town.  Wear comfortable walking boots and avoid this walk after heavy rain, when the tracks and rocks become muddy and very slippery.  This walk can be done as an overnight hike using the walk-in campsite, which is located below the Blanket Leaf Picnic Area.  Moreover, with a few hike-in campsites and many other waterfalls walks nearby, it is also possible to have an extended hike of 3 to 4 days in the area.

Lorne Waterfalls - Walk Two

Sheoak Creek and Lower Cumberland Circuit

(Lorne Waterfalls - Walk Three)