Waterfalls on the Great Ocean Road

Thanks to its varied topography and coastal strip, the entire Great Ocean Road region is naturally conducive to waterfalls. They usually offer a shady respite on a summer day and are accessed on foot through forests where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of wildlife. Watch out for unusual mushrooms, wildflowers, koalas, echidnas, wallabies, and native birds.

The Great Ocean Road's most spectacular waterfalls

From tranquil streams to powerful cascades, experience the magic of waterfalls on our Great Ocean Road tour. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness the beauty of nature.

If you enjoy the sound of rushing blue water and the sensation of mist around you, you will be captivated by the incredible waterfalls in Great Otway National Park and along the Great Ocean Road.

Beauchamp Falls

The magnificent rectangular Beauchamp Falls is about 4km from Beechwood.

An hour and a half of moderate to strenuous walking round trip from the picnic area. The walk goes through a beautiful rowan forest with tall myrtle beech, ebony and dense hazel.

The walking trail becomes steep before the spectacle of waterfalls falling from a rocky ledge into a large pool opens up. Dogs on leads are allowed. It’s located off the Aire Valley Road from Beech Forest Road.

Hopetoun Falls

The trail descends steeply to the valley floor through a clearing of tree ferns to the foot of the waterfalls, which takes approximately 30 minutes of moderate walking out and back. From the car park, you can climb to a viewing platform to watch the powerful water roar into the River Aire. There is also a picnic area next to the car park. Hopetoun Falls is an excellent choice for people of all fitness and skill levels because it is simple to reach the viewing platform.

South of Hopetoun Falls is the picturesque California Redwood Plantation, a must-see in the region. It’s on Binns Road, 26 miles east of Lavers Hill.

Erskine Falls

What could be more mesmerising? Erskine Falls drops beautifully into a green valley filled with ferns, demonstrating the power and beauty of nature in the heart of the Otway Ranges. Erskine Falls in Lorne may be seen from two different angles: eye level and above.

The Erskine amazing waterfall falls 30 metres from a cliff into a fern-covered rainforest. It is full of natural charm and is the most accessible waterfall in the region. It is 150 metres from the car park to the first observation deck, where you can admire the Erskine popular waterfall in all its glory.

For the second act, you must climb over 200 steps into the gorge for a spectacular view of the pool and the beautiful waterfall.

Hopkins Falls

A short stroll from the car park, and you’re at the nearby viewing deck overlooking the 90-meters Hopkins Falls near Warrnambool, ready for a picnic.

Falling 12 metres from dark basalt cliffs, Hopkins Falls is the largest waterfall on the Hopkins River, resembling a curtain. Take the alternative view from the two lookouts overlooking the stunning falls and follow the easy trail to the platform below for postcard-worthy photos. (Don’t miss the camera stands – who needs a selfie stick?) Visiting the magnificent waterfalls to witness their most impressive display is recommended in winter. Watch young eels leaping off the rocks as they migrate in winter.

Warrnambool is fifteen kilometres away from Hopkins Falls. Restrooms and barbeque facilities are above the best-known falls, and the location is well-liked for picnics.

Phantom waterfall

A 90-minute epic trail leads you to a fantastic sight – the 15-metre-high Phantom Falls on the St George River, 2 km from Lorne.

Explore this varied epic trail by hiking up, down, and around. After crossing the St George River and passing an orchard, you’ll head above the river on a road that passes through an area of loose gravel and steep sections, and then you’ll descend to a pond at the foot of the picturesque Phantom Falls.

Stevensons Falls

Stevensons Falls is a 5-minute drive from Barramunga (between Skens Creek and Forest).

The trail starts from the campsite and leads along the Hellibrand River to a day-use area. From here, it crosses the river and continues through the Douglas fir forest before returning to the river. The walk ends with an overlook near the waterfall. There is a large, free camping area in a quiet valley, close to rivers and pine trees, where dogs and campfires are allowed.

Triplet Waterfalls

A one-hour, 2-km moderate loop hike through a charming old-growth rowan forest near Beechwood leads to Triple waterfalls and viewing platforms. On large sections of widened metal walkways, you will see three impressive cascades flowing through shady rainforests, mossy ferns, and tree glades. The walk begins at the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures attraction on the Phillips Trail near Beechwood. The walk starts with a few steep steps, and although it is short, it is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Along the path, some of the large rowan trees are around 200 years old. Following the loop hike back to the parking lot, you reach the location of Mill No. 1, which began functioning in 1909 and worked for more than 20 years. The remains of the steam boiler, overgrown with hazel, are the only evidence today of one of the largest sawmills in the West Otways region.

A small picnic area allows visitors to relax and enjoy the site’s beauty of the waterfalls.

Kalimna Falls

The Upper and Lower waterfalls of Kalimna

The path to Kalimna Falls traces the path of a tramway that was once used to carry timber to Lorne Wharf from the 1890s to the 1920s. It is astonishing how few trees remained standing after the logging.