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Length: 28.2km
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Duration: 8hrs
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Grade: 4
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Style: Circuit
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Start: Sheoak Falls Carpark
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End: Sheoak Falls Carpark
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Location: The Great Otway National Park
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Closest Town: Lorne
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Distance from CBD: 146km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -38.568846
Longitude: 143.964677
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Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.


2WD Access


4WD Access


Public Transport


Bitumen Road


Gravel Road


Steep Road


Winding Road


Speed Bumps


Vehicle Ford


Entry Fee


Large Car Park


Small Car Park


Accessible Parking


Accessible Toilet


Public Toilets


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Picnic Shelter


Picnic Table


BBQ Facilities


Campfire Pit


Camping Area
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The Great Otway National Park...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.


Concrete Path


Timber Boardwalk


Gravel Path


Sandy Trail


Rough Trail


Undefined Trail


Prams & Strollers


Manual Wheelchair


Motorised Wheelchair


Bicycle Trail


Mountain Bike Trail


Historic Rail Trail


Dog Friendly


Urban Walk


Coast & Beach


Historic Lighthouse


Waterfalls & Lakes


Rainforest Walk


Goldfields & Mining


Heritage Walk


Aboriginal Art


Alpine Region


Alpine Huts


Exposed Ledges


Rock Scrambling


Steep Terrain


Bush Bashing


River Crossings


Scenic Viewpoints


Well Marked


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Fishing Spots


Swimming Spots


Overnight Campsites


Trail Running


Horse Riding
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).
About the Falls
Sheoak Falls
While not falling for a great distance, the water passes over a dark rock face within a natural amphitheatre, making for spectacular viewing.
Swallow Cave Falls
Often referred to as Upper Sheoak Falls as it is really just the Upper part of Sheoak and not a separate waterfall.
Phantom Falls
Spectacular 15m falls along the St Georges River from the Allenvale Road car park.
Henderson Falls
Picturesque, 8- to 10-meter cascade located in a tranquil fern gully.
Won Wondah Falls
Picturesque, 8- to 10-meter cascade located in a tranquil fern gully.
Lower Kalimna Falls
Water trickles from an overhanging rock ledge leaving a large cave behind the falls. A large plunge pool surrounded by rich ferns and mossy rock completes this natural gem.
Upper Kalimna Falls
The falls plunge over an undercut rock ledge into a tranquil fern-fringed pool.
Cumberland Falls
One of the most beautiful river Valleys in the Otways, Cumberland Falls possesses many magnificent attributes.
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.
Tips
- Trail can be muddy and slippery
- Expect fallen trees to scramble over
- Leeches may be present on this hike
Max elevation: 284 m
Min elevation: 15 m
Total climbing: 1220 m
Total descent: -1220 m
Hikes Nearby
16 thoughts on “Lorne Waterfalls Circuit (28.2km)”
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Hiked this route over two days (7.5 hours total) with my 11yo daughter, camping at Sharps Track camp site in Sept ’18. The camp site is rudimentary with no toilet or water available – fires are not permitted – and is 1.3kms along Sharps track from the junction of Sharps track and the track to Won Wondah falls . There are 6 “first in” sites, and it’s a popular car camping site – plan to get there early if you want a designated camp site and allow time for the extra 2.6kms hike in and out. The track to Upper Kalima falls is currently closed due to boardwalk damage. Plenty of water spilling over the rest of the falls at this time of year though. Portaloos are plentiful at Sheoak picnic ground. A great little hike through some beautiful National Park – the Canyon is a particularly spectacular section.
Jenny Chant Dominique Smith Mandy Vistuer when we’re allowed out to play again 🙂
Sally Kenny could be our next weekend away ?
Sally Kenny 28.2kms!!! You might end up carrying me ?
Jenny Chant I’ll pack my expanding stretcher ?
Sally Kenny yeah love it – really want to do the Otways now – but 28kms Grade 4 (that’s 8 hours) would be epic. Plus may be leeches!!!
Dominique Smith the leeches are small down there and leave no trace, well apart from the blood on my work shirt ?
Sally Kenny thanks for the reassurance haha!
Claire Wood
Catherine Elizabeth how good would this be!
Claire Wood Yep! Then we can finish with swim and a gin and tonic back at the farm
I did this circuit as my third hike when i sgarted out, its hard work but awesome.
Zita Garner here’s a challenge for us . One day!
Kaylene Kelly that looks like a great challange? When we are allowed out we should do it!
Zita Garner as long as we’re not too old by then. ?
Kaylene Kelly oh God, we might be??