Surf Coast Walk

Brilliant coastal scenery and bush are yours to experience on the Surf Coast Walk. While the total distance is around 30km, the walk consists of several shorter, easily accessed sections.

Tracks along beaches, cliff tops and in the bush are well marked, guiding you on an incredible journey from Jan Juc, through Anglesea and Aireys Inlet to Moggs Creek and Angahook-Lorne State Park. Among the walk's highlights are the internationally famous Bells Beach, the fascinating Iron Bark basin, rugged Point Addis and the cliff tops of Anglesea. It also passes the Anglesea River, Aireys Inlet lighthouse, the Bark Hut, and the beautiful beach area through Fairhaven. A section includes the rich flora and fauna in the Angahook-Lorne State Park.

There are many access points where you can join or leave the walk. Toilets, drinking water, camping facilities and information boards are located at various intervals.

Note: Surf Coast Walk Track Changes (2009 – 2011)
The iconic Surf Coast Walk currently starts at Jan Juc and runs through to Moggs Creek. Over the next two years it will be redeveloped between Pt Impossible and the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club. There may be construction on some parts of these tracks and some track alignments will change. Many sections of the Surf Coast Walk are described separately as short walks in this ‘Surf Coast Walks’ fact sheet series which may be downloaded above. The Torquay fact sheet includes ‘Jan Juc to Bells Beach’ and ‘Bells Beach to Point Addis’. The Anglesea fact sheet covers ‘Point Addis to Anglesea’ and ‘Anglesea to Aireys Inlet’. ‘Aireys Inlet to Moggs Creek’ is included in the Aireys Inlet fact sheet

Stage 1 - Jan Juc to Bells Beach
4km - 1 hour
Starts at the western end of the Jan Juc car park, accessed off the Great Ocean Road. The track runs along the cliff top, through some heathland and on to the "wave" car park at Bells Beach. The track continues on the coast side of Bells Beach Road to the Bells Beach car park. Steps lead down to Bells Beach.

Stage 2 - Bells Beach to Point Addis
5km - 1.75 hours Access is via either Bones or Jarosite roads from the Great Ocean Road to the Bells Beach car park. Follow the access track from the car park to the beach.
This beautiful section of the walk includes superb coastal and bush scenery. The walk passes Southside beach, heads into the Ironbark Basin where there are the ruins of an old jarosite mine and provides stunning sea views through the bush. The walk continues through the ironbark forest and then heads back to the heathland along the cliff. A hill climb with great views precedes the walk to Point Addis and the car park at the end.

Stage 3 - Point Addis to Anglesea
7km - 2 hoursTurn off the Great Ocean Road into the Point Addis Road and follow it past the Ironbark Basin car park. The walk starts at the western end of the car park and the track descends to the beach. It follows the beach for about 1.5km before climbing inland to the cliff tops and bush around Eumeralla scout camp. Anglesea soon comes into view.

Stage 4 - Anglesea to Aireys Inlet (Boundary Road)
10km - 3 hours
The walking track can be picked up here by entering the parking area immediately next to the river after you cross the Anglesea River on the Great Ocean Road from Geelong.
The walk includes Coogoorah Park, views over the golf course where kangaroos can be seen grazing and beautiful bushland. There is a steep descent into Hutt Gully and an equally steep ascent up the other side. The track follows Gilbert Street to the junction with Boundary Road. Now thereÕs a number of choices to finish off your walk.

Stage 5A - Aireys Inlet (Boundary Road) to Distillery Creek picnic area
2km - 30 minutes. This section leads to the Distillery Creek picnic area within Angahook-Lorne State Park. From here you can do a range of walks through the park.
Stage 5B - Aireys Inlet (Boundary Road) to Moggs Creek picnic area
9km - 3 hours. The walk heads back towards the coast and includes Split Point lighthouse. It passes the graves of two early settlers and can include a diversion to the old Bark Hut, a replica of an early settler's cottage. The walk continues along the beach to Fairhaven. At this point there are two options. You can take the Bridge Road option that climbs through bushland to an open ridge and heathland for panoramic views from the top of the hill. It ends at the Moggs Creek picnic area. The other is to continue along the beach towards Eastern View. The track leaves the beach, crosses the Great Ocean Road and goes up a hill to a lookout. You can then continue on to the Moggs Creek picnic area.

Walk advice:

• Stay on the paths and keep away from cliff edges
• Carry drinking water with you
• Wear strong walking boots or track shoes; thongs and sandals are unsuitable
• Dress for the weather
• Note track markers and where there is a choice of tracks
• Check tide times for before attempting beach sections
• Yellow emergency markers are at beach access points
• Take litter out with you
• Do not use tracks on high fire danger days or Total Fire Bans
• Fires can only be lit in fireplaces provided, never be left unattended, and extinguished properly
• In case of wildfire, go to the nearest road or campsite, or stay on the beach

Walk notes and the free Surf Coast Visitors Map are available from Surf Coast Visitor Information Centres.

Aireys Inlet - From Distillery Creek Picnic Ground

Currawong Falls(strenuous)
Starts: Distillery Creek picnic area Distance: 12km Time: 4-5 hours return
The Long Circuit walk passes a swamp rich in bird life, and a small fern gully. The Currawong Falls are at their best in winter and spring. Fine views of the surrounding country,
Ironbark Gorge(strenuous)
Starts: Distillery Creek picnic ground, Distance: 4.5km Time: 2 hours return
The walk traverses stands of ironbark and sandy heathland, best seen in spring when in flower. The top of the gorge offers a panoramic view. Continue into a ferny valley and follow Distillery Creek back to the picnic ground.
Nature Trail(Easy)
Starts: Distillery Creek picnic ground Distance: 1.5km return Time: 30 minutes
You can discover the forest's secrets by following an easy and informative self-guided trail with on-site interpretation signs.

Aireys Inlet - From Moggs Creek Picnic Ground

Moggs Creek Picnic Area (strenuous)
Starts: Distillery Creek picnic area Distance: 5.2km one way Time: 2.5 hours
Follow the track to Painkalac Dam, then take the access track to Moggs Creek and follow it to the picnic area.
Mogg Creek Circuit(easy)
Starts: Moggs Creek picnic ground Distance: 1.8km Time: 30 minutes
An interesting walk that follows the creek down through the valley and climbs to a vantage point over its fern-lined banks, before returning to the picnic area.
Ocean View (moderate)
Starts: Moggs Creek picnic ground Distance: 2.2km Time: 1 hour return
This pleasant forest walk offers spectacular coastal views and kangaroo sightings.

Erskine Falls

Erskine Falls Lookout(easy/moderate)
Start: Erskine Falls car park
Distance: 150 metres to first lookout; 350 metres to lower lookout. Time: 15 or 30 minutes return
It is an easy 150-metre walk to the first lookout where you get a good view of the 30-metre cascade as the Erskine River plunges into a rocky, tree-fern fringed pool. If you wish, you can descend into the valley for a closer look from the lower viewing platform. There are more than 200 steps and the return walk can be a little strenuous.

Sheoak Falls Carpark

Sheoak Falls (moderate)
Starts: Sheoak Falls car park, off Great Ocean Road Distance: 3km Time: 40 minutes return About 3km south of Lorne, Sheoak Falls is signposted off the Great Ocean Road. (The car park is just past the bridge over Sheoak Creek..) The walk provides spectacular views of the ocean from above the Great Ocean Road. There is a long section of boardwalk that provides views over the rocky coast. The walk then heads inland through a steep-sided valley to the base of the natural amphitheatre of Sheoak Falls. For a longer walk, the trail continues on to Swallow Cave and beyond. Sheoak Self-guided Walk (easy) Starts: Sheoak Picnic area Distance: 1.5km Time: 40 minutes return This short interpreted walk has signs explaining the forests features. It passes through tree-fern gullies along a track overlooking the lush forest valley. The walk is undulating and well signposted. Sheoak picnic area-Sheoak Falls-Castle Rock(strenuous)
Starts: Sheoak picnic area Distance: 7km Time: 3 hours return Follow the track along Sheoak Creek to Swallow Cave, where swallows nest among the rock crevices in spring. Continue to the 15-metre cascade and deep pool of Sheoak Falls. Return up to the Castle Rock track junction. Turn left and continue to Castle Rock lookout. Return to Sheoak picnic area along Sheoak and Garvey tracks.
Sheoak-Kalimna Falls-Garvey Track (moderate)
Starts: Sheoak picnic area Distance: 8km Time: 4 hours return This gentle walk follows the route of an old timber tramway. Some of the original tramway sleepers can still be seen. From the Sheoak picnic area, the track continues to Lower Kalimna Falls and then to the dense tree ferns of Upper Kalimna Falls. The return is via Garvey Track.
Sheoak-The Canyon-Phantom Falls (strenuous)
Starts: Sheoak picnic area Distance: 8.6km Time: 4.5 hours return Takes in Won Wondah and Henderson falls and includes a walk between the eight-metre walls of The Canyon. It continues along Henderson Track to Phantom Falls, then along the St George River to the Allenvale car park and back to the Sheoak picnic area along the road.

Safe walking tips

Sudden and extreme weather changes are common in the Otways, so carry practical all-weather clothing and remember that your mobile phone may be out of range.

Wear sturdy footwear with a good tread.

• In summer, wear a hat and use sunscreen.
• Always carry water, food, matches and a torch. For big walks, take a map and compass.
• Walking tracks may involve uneven and slippery surfaces, water crossings and rock-hopping. Do no attempt Sheoak Falls, Cumberland Falls, Erksine Falls and Cora Lyn walks when water levels are high.
• Respect the environment and stay on marked paths. Take note of signs and landmarks.
• Tell someone of your intended walk location and estimated time of return.

Lorne Visitor Information Centre in Mountjoy Parade has detailed information on the waterfalls, including maps, and the latest road and weather conditions. Park information: Parks Victoria 13 19 63 or Visit the Parks Vic Website website

Surf Coast Walks