An easy two-hour drive west of Melbourne you’ll discover Lorne wedged between the unforgiving swells of Bass Strait and the scenic slopes and valleys of Great Otway National Park.
A hive of activity in the warmer months, the Great Otway National Park which surrounds the quaint seaside town shines through winter and spring - when the falls and cascades are in full flow.
Discover 20-odd waterfalls tucked away within 20 minutes of town - some hidden down a short stretch of steps, while others demand a short hike through the cool temperate rainforest and fern-laden gullies of the Otway hinterland.
To get you started, her are my top 5 waterfall wanders:
Erskine Falls
Meander down a short stretch of steps to see Erskine Falls cascading 30 metres into the deep gully below. Alternatively, start at Blanket Leaf Picnic Ground and follow the creek to the falls.
Start: Erskine Falls Carpark or Blanket Leaf Picnic Ground
Grade: easy and moderate
Upper and Lower Kalimna Falls
Wind through a deep creek valley as you trace an old timber railway to the cascades of Lower Kalimna Falls. Push on a little further to discover Upper Kalimna Falls.
Start: Sheoak Picnic Ground
Grade: moderate
Henderson Falls
Climb through dense wet forest shadowed by towering eucalypt trees before ending your journey at the base of Henderson Falls, where crystal-clear water cascades over a moss-capped cliff face to a small pool below.
Start: Sheoak Picnic Ground
Grade: moderate
Sheoak Falls
Weaves through the coastal woodland at the mouth of the Sheoak River and up through wet rainforest to the hidden cascades of Sheoak Falls. Keep your eyes open for kangaroos, wallabies and colourful birds.
Start: Sheoak Picnic Ground
Grade: moderate
Cora Lynn Falls
Journey through dense wet forest, past tall eucalypts and shady tree ferns to see the falls cascade down a series of exposed shale ledges framed by lush ferns and mosses.
Start: Sheoak Picnic Ground
Grade: difficult
