Lorne Waterfalls Circuit (28.2km), Great Otway National Park, Victoria

Lorne Waterfalls Circuit is a 28.2km, grade 4 hike located in the Great Otway National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 8 hrs to complete.

Length: 28.2km

Duration: 8 hrs

Grade: 4

Style: Circuit

Start: Sheoak Falls Carpark

End: Sheoak Falls Carpark

Location: Great Otway National Park

Closest town: Lorne

Victoria

From state capital: 146km

Longitude: 143.964677

Latitude: -38.568846

Hike summary

The Great Otway National Park is a spectacular area of native forest, and there are plenty of opportunities to get closer to nature with walking tracks and trails in the area, many leading to spectacular crashing waterfalls.

This Lorne Waterfalls Circuit commences at the Sheoak Falls Carpark and visits eight waterfalls within the bushland surrounding Lorne. This circuit can be taken in any direction and there are in fact a number of possible starting points for you to consider.

Note: There are no official campsites along this route so it will be a long and tiring day-hike. Ensure you leave early enough in order the complete the circuit. If planning as an overnight hike, consider your start points so that you can access nearby campsites.

Along this circuit you will visit Sheoak Falls, Swallow Cave Falls, Phantom Falls, Henderson Falls, Won Wondah Falls, Lower Kalimna Falls, Upper Kalimna Falls and Cumberland Falls before returning to the trail-head via Castle Rock (an optional 1.5km side trip).

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 28200 m
Max elevation: 284 m
Min elevation: 15 m
Total climbing: 1220 m
Total descent: -1220 m

Download file: Lorne-Waterfall-Circuit.gpx

Trail Features

Rough Trail
Waterfalls
Rainforest
River Crossings
Scenic Viewpoints
Untreated Water
Swimming Spots
Overnight Campsites

Tips

Trail can be muddy and slippery
Expect fallen trees to scramble over
Leeches may be present on this hike

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

Access Conditions

2WD Access
Bitumen Road
Winding Road
Large Car Park

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 Sheoak Falls carpark is located 5.7km past the Lorne Visitors Information Centre, 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 Sheoak Falls carpark is located 5.7km past the Lorne Visitors Information Centre, along the Great Ocean Road.

Get directions

Let someone know before you go

It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.

Weather

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

If you have any great photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.

Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.

Upload photos

Hikes you might like

Let someone know before you go. Register your trip intentions here. Your trip intentions will be emailed to your emergency contact.

Suggest an edit

Does this hike info need updating? maybe the route, features or access conditions have changed? Suggest an edit here.

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.

Preparing to Hike | Hiking Safety | Hiking Skills | Hike Navigation | Hacks and Tips