Chasing Waterfalls Around Lorne
Tucked behind one of Australia’s most iconic coastlines is a world of ancient rainforest, hidden gorges and cascading waterfalls and we think it’s Lorne’s best kept secret.
Most people come to Lorne for the surf and the sea, and we completely understand why. But if you only stick to the coast, you're missing half the story. Backing onto the magnificent Otway National Park — home to over 500 waterfalls across a landscape of ancient temperate rainforest, towering ferns and moss-covered gorges.
Erskine Falls
If you only have time for one waterfall around Lorne, make it Erskine Falls. Just a ten-minute drive from town and set within the lush greenery of Otway National Park, it’s one of Victoria’s most breathtaking natural sights.
There are two ways to experience Erskine Falls. From the carpark, a paved trail leads to the first lookout in just 15 minutes — a beautiful panoramic view of the waterfall framed by treetops that is well worth the easy stroll. If you’re up for more, continue down over 300 steps to the base of the falls where the water plunges dramatically into the pool below. The steps are a workout on the way back up, but the view from the bottom makes every one of them worth it.
Phantom Falls
Tucked away in the heart of the Great Otway National Park, Phantom Falls is just a ten minute drive from Lorne’s town centre to the Allenvale Mill Carpark where the trail begins. The walk winds through lush eucalypt forest and along the banks of a creek, with the sound of running water keeping you company the whole way.
Both the upper and lower falls are well worth the effort, dramatic and beautiful in equal measure. Pack plenty of water, set aside a good chunk of the day and plan to stay overnight in Lorne so you’re not watching the clock.
Sheoak Falls
Sheoak Falls is a peaceful and rewarding stop that’s easy to work into your day. Park at the Sheoak Falls Carpark — a ten minute drive along the Great Ocean Road from Lorne — and from there it’s a 600 metre walk to the falls along a coastal woodland trail. The 1.2 kilometre return walk includes some steps along the way, so wear comfortable shoes.
The falls themselves drop 15 metres into a beautiful forest-surrounded pool, well worth the walk in. If you’re after a longer outing, continue on to Swallow Cave or start from the Sheoak Picnic Area and follow the 3.6 kilometre trail to the falls instead.
Upper and Lower Kalimna Falls
Lower Kalimna Falls is an easy walk through a valley, surrounded by dense tree ferns and trees. The falls themselves are modest in size but don’t let that put you off, you can climb in behind them and look out through the falling water to a large pool of moss covered rocks below, which is a pretty special experience. The return walk is 6.5 kilometres and takes around two and a half hours.
From there, continue along the path to Upper Kalimna Falls, a series of rolling cascades into the creek that are well worth the extra effort. From Sheoak Picnic Ground the full return walk to the upper falls is 8.5 kilometres, with an estimated time of three and a half hours.
Henderson Falls
Starting from the lower carpark at Sheoak Picnic Area, a gentle track winds past Won Wondah Falls and a magnificent giant eucalypt before arriving at the base of Henderson Falls — a beautiful 8 to 10 metre cascade over a moss-capped cliff face into a small pool below. The 1.8 kilometre walk each way takes one to two hours and is one of the more accessible trails in the area, with only a couple of small rises along the way.
If you can time your visit after rainfall, do it, the falls come alive and the sound through the surrounding fern gully is something else. From here the trail connects to the Canyon Walk, making it a great addition to a longer day out in the area.