Cumberland River Trail is a 20.5km, grade 3 hike located in the Great Otway National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 6.5 hrs to complete.
Hike summary
The Cumberland River Trail hike takes in the well-known Cumberland Falls, Upper and Lower Kalimna falls. The circuit starts and ends at the Cumberland River Holiday Park and can be undertaken in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. This hike takes in three of The Otway's most spectacular waterfalls.
Cumberland River and Cumberland Falls
This is one of the more beautiful river valleys in the Otways, with dramatic cliffs, and peaceful pools in which to cool off on a hot summer day. It is an easy walk to Jebb's Pool but beyond that to Cumberland Falls there are numerous river crossings and some scrambling over rocks.
Upper and Lower Kalimna Falls
The Kalimna Falls walk follows the route of a timber tramway used for transporting timber to the Lorne Pier between the 1890s and 1920s. Very few trees escaped the logging. The Lower Falls are not large, but you can get behind them and look out through the falling water to the large pool surrounded by mossy logs and rocks. The Upper Falls are a series of cascades viewed from a platform.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 269 m
Min elevation: -25 m
Total climbing: 2535 m
Total descent: -2521 m
Thanks to Kyle Schonewille for contributing this hike
Tips
- Hiking poles useful for river crossings
- There are several low river crossings on the Cumberland River that should not be attempted at high river levels.
- Slippery when wet
Gear you might need
As well as including the Ten Essentials, my planning, food and packing checklists provide an summary of things to consider on your day, overnight and multi-day hikes. Every person and every hike is different, so customise your kit according to your needs. Download your free checklists here >>
Location
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Getting there
From Melbourne by car
Follow the Princes Highway (M1) from Melbourne to Geelong, then take the Great Ocean Road (B100) through Torquay to Lorne. Or follow the Princes Highway (M1) from Melbourne to Geelong to Winchelsea (A1). Then take C151 via Deans Marsh to Lorne. The Cumberland River Holiday Park is located 7.8km past the Lorne Visitors Information Centre, west of Lorne, along the Great Ocean Road.
Public Transport to Lorne
V-line train/coach services depart daily from Melbourne to Geelong and along the Great Ocean Road to Lorne and Apollo Bay. V-line coach services connect along the Great Ocean Road from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell and Warrnambool on Friday all year (extra service during December -January). V-line enquiries - phone 136196. The Cumberland River Holiday Park is located 7.8km past the Lorne Visitors Information Centre, west of Lorne, along the Great Ocean Road.
About the region
Great Otway National Park stretches from Torquay, along the world-famous Great Ocean Road and up through the Otways hinterland. Discover windswept coastlines and breathtaking waterfalls in tall mountain forests, walk the iconic Great Ocean Walk, immerse yourself in the Otway Lightstation's history, or surf some of the best breaks in Australia. Enjoy the great outdoors and explore the wonders of the Great Otway National Park. Great Otway National Park is in southern Victoria, Australia. It covers rugged coastland, beaches and the mountains of the Otway Ranges. Waterfalls dot the park, including the 3 cascades of Triplet Falls. Boardwalks lead through temperate rainforest at Maits Rest. The 1848 Cape Otway Lightstation perches on cliffs overlooking Bass Strait. Great Ocean Walk leads through the park to the Twelve Apostles rock formations.
Gallery
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.
0 Reviews on “Cumberland River Trail (20.5km)”
Terry Shannon
Peter ??
Suzie Sharp Tracky Dax Joelene Gordon-Cooke for when the weather warms up a bit? I don’t feel like getting my feet wet in this weather lol
Stede Nyland lucky we didn’t stop here and just wing it
Tania SmithSmithCass Fitzgerald
This looks amazing! ??
Yes last sat,..it is well signed at all intersections.Easy to follow just download the gpx file first
Tim Dare we should run this
Tracky Dax yeah I think an overnight camp could be on the cards ?
Tracky Dax yeah I think an overnight camp could be on the cards ?
Yesssss
Yesssss