Girl Seeking Purpose

6 Must Do Hikes with Waterfalls on the Great Ocean Road

in Australia on

Great Ocean Road

If you love hiking and you want to see amazing waterfalls, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife then the Great Ocean Road is the place for you. The options are vast with a large number of hikes and trails to choose from. There are some very brief, albeit steep, walks down to viewing platforms to see stunning waterfalls. There are also a large number of luscious rainforest paths and walks to explore the native flora and fauna. You can also find some more involved full day and multi day hikes to get the blood pumping. If you are really keen to experience all that the Great Ocean Road has to offer then you can also complete the Great Ocean Walk that runs along a large section of the coast.

After our first night camping at the amazing Cumberland River Holiday Park we set off on our journey to hunt some waterfalls. Right around the corner from our campground, literally a two minute drive, was our first of many waterfalls, Sheoak Falls.

1. Sheoak Falls and Swallow Cave

Start / Finish: Sheoak Falls Carpark, off Great Ocean Road

Distance: 2.2km

Time: 1 hr return (10 minutes to Sheoak Falls and 1 hr return to caves)

Difficulty: Easy

Waterfalls

Just breath and take it all in!

Whilst Sheoak Falls was only a very short walk inland from the coastline, it was a lovely way to start our day. The signs at the carpark gave us many options, with varying hiking times. We knew we had lots to see so we decided to go straight to the waterfalls on the most direct route. As we began our walk up the steps the beautiful coastline came into view. The beginning of the track ran alongside the Great Ocean Road and as we got a little higher we already had a reason to take out our cameras. After picking our jaws up off the ground we continued on and began the walk in towards Sheoak.

What started out as a bit of a bush walk, became a little more shaded and cool. We eventually came to the the opening and found ourselves surrounded by rocks, ferns and the sound of wildlife. It wasn’t the biggest of waterfalls, but it was still beautiful nonetheless. We also had the place all to ourselves, giving us ample time to enjoy the gorgeous sounds of trickling water.

2. Erskine Falls and River Walk

Start: Erskine Falls Carpark, Great Otway National Park

Finish: Erskine Falls Carpark / Erskine River Caravan Park

Distance: 7.5km (River Walk) or less than 250 steps down to the falls

Time: Up to 3 hours (30 minutes for the falls only)

Difficulty: Easy

What can I say, this place was a dream. If I’m honest, we actually fell in love with the River Walk component of this walk even more than we did the waterfalls. It’s hard not to fall in love and get lost amongst it when it looks like this…

Rainforest

Not all those who wander are lost.

There were two options to get to these waterfalls. The most popular option was to drive out from Lorne to the Erskine Falls carpark, head down the steep steps to the viewing platform area, and then venture off-road to the foot of the falls. The other option was to hike from the back of Lorne, following along the river, and up the Erskine Falls River Walk to the falls. We had initially planned to take this track but had heard from locals that we may not be able to get all the way through. Concerned about going all the way and not getting to see the star of the show, the waterfalls, we decided to drive out and see what all the fuss was about.

Waterfalls

A little bigger than me!

As we pulled into the carpark we realised everyone else had the same idea. We quickly began our decent down the number of steps to the bottom, towards the viewing platform. We followed all the other people down a track at the side of the platform, leading up closer to the base of the falls. It was truly breath taking how enormous it was and how green and luscious the surroundings were.

This wasn’t the best part. Instead of getting back onto the viewing platform, we decided to wander a little further along the trail in the other direction. We weren’t entirely sure if this was the Erskine River Walk, or how long it would go for but we decided to follow it anyway.

The further we walked along the path the more we realised we were no longer on a coastal adventure and were entering a rainforest wonderland. It almost had a Jurassic Park feeling to it; so many giant ferns, larger than life logs and beautiful slithers of water. We ended up wandering for hours, trailing from the left to the right of the river. The path was well established in some areas and a little less clear in others; which made for all the more fun. We were hopping from rock to rock and all over the fallen trees until we decided we better turn back if we wanted to make it back to our car in time.

Waterfalls

How could you not love this?

3. Maits Rest Rainforest Walk

Start / Finish: Maits Rest carpark, Great Otway National Park

Distance: 800m

Time: 30 – 45 minutes return (depending on photo opportunities)

Difficulty: Very Easy

Welcome to the Great Otway National Park in all it’s glory. This little gem was something we kind of stumbled across on our way to the Cape Otway Lighthouse. It was less of a hike and more of a rainforest walk, as the name would suggest. When we started I had assumed it would be one of the lesser exciting walks in the area. Once we got going though it started evolving into yet another rainforest wonderland. While this walk does not have waterfalls, it is home to some of Australia’s oldest trees and ferns, and is abundantly full of all kinds of colours, smells and sounds. It was absolutely beautiful, and we wandered through here at leisure and in awe.

4. Triplet Falls

Start / finish: Triplet Falls car park, Great Otway National Park

Distance: 1.8km

Time: 1 hr return

Difficulty: Easy

The trails for the next three waterfalls were true to their name, in the sense that we encountered a lot of rain while on them. It actually made it all the more magical and while on the track we almost completely forgot the sun even existed! The fog made for an interesting drive into the area. Once we were in the density of the rainforest we felt like we were in our own little world listening to the rain droplets falling around us.

Waterfalls

It really was such a beautiful sight

All three of the waterfalls at Triplet Falls were pretty stunning. We couldn’t get as up close and personal with these ones as we had with others as the viewing platform was suspended in the treetops area. It was nice to be at eye level with the running water for a change, especially given how these waterfalls were nestled into the giant ferns and rock formations. We stayed at the viewing platform for some time listening to the gorgeous sounds of the water cascading down the rock face.

Waterfalls

The sound of the water cascading down all three waterfalls was so captivating.

5. Hopetoun Falls

Start / Finish: Hopetoun Falls Carpark, Great Otway National Park

Distance: 20m to viewing platform or 1km to base of falls

Time: 5 minutes to viewing platform or 30 minutes return to base

Difficulty: Medium (steep stairs)

Waterfalls

Doesn’t this just look like a fairytale?

This was another magnificently large waterfall, which again had a sneaky access path beyond the viewing platform. This is a well photographed location on the Great Ocean Road and for good reason. Not only does the waterfall itself have a beautiful radiance, but the surrounding Aire River, moss grown fallen logs and enormous rocks create a fairytale setting.

The only thing to be mindful of when visiting Hopetoun and Beauchamp Falls is the drive in. Most of the other waterfalls and hot spots were accessible on a paved road and were well maintained. The road into Hopetoun Falls and Beauchamp Falls however, is a dirt road with a large number of potholes. We accessed both waterfalls on the same afternoon. While travelling along Beech-Forest Mount Sabine Road, we exited onto Binns Road and then at the fork travelled along Beauchamp Falls Road to Beauchamp Falls and Hopetoun Falls Road to Hopetoun Falls. Keep an eye out for the different forks and try to follow along with google maps as the signage is not as user friendly in this area.

6. Beauchamp Falls

Start / Finish: Picnic area, located off Aire Valley Road from Beech Forest Road

Distance: 3km

Time: 1 – 2 hours returns

Difficulty: Hard (various steps, inclines and descents)

The trail guide verses reality was a little different for the trek to this waterfall. The distance from the campsite to the waterfalls did not seem too far and it looked like it would be another quick walk to a viewing platform. What we did not realise was the number of steps, inclines and descents we would find along the route. The payoff in the end was completely worth it and the scenery along the way was again so luscious with running water, enormous ferns and an abundance of rainforest wildlife.

When we finally reached the falls we were in awe of it’s beauty. There was a path down from the viewing platform onto the rocks and creek bed below. The mist from the falls floated over onto our faces as we drew closer to it. Perched on a log, and then a rock and then another log we took more photos than we had all day.

Waterfalls

Such a secluded little spot thanks to the slightly strenuous walk to get here…

Travel Insurance

No hiking related road trip itinerary would be complete without travel insurance. While you can take every precaution under the sun to ensure the safety and security of yourself and your belongings, you just never know what is going to happen. That is why I always make sure I have adequate travel insurance before I travel or hike anywhere. For my last three long term adventure trips, my preferred travel insurer has been World Nomads.

If you decide to use them for your next trip or hike and you would like to support this blog, then please make your purchase through the below quote link and I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, make sure you read their product disclosure statement and check that it is suitable for your needs before proceeding.

What to Pack

My last piece of advice with regards to hiking on the Great Ocean Road is what you should pack for any of these hikes. If you are only doing a day hike then you really only need snacks, water, and layers for potential weather you may encounter. On an average day hike I usually take the following items;

If you are planning on completing any multi-day hikes while in Victoria then you will need need a lot more gear, specifically designed for overnight hiking. I highly recommend heading over and checking out my post about what to pack for multi-day hikes.

That hiking guide provides you with a detailed packing list for clothing, shelter, food and cooking, as well as safety and emergency gear for any multi-day trek. There is a downloadable checklist as well to use the next time you are packing.

Recommended Reads

If you liked the sound of this post and want to learn more about adventure travel all around the world, then you should definitely check out the Adventure Travel area of the blog.

If you have never solo hiked before, but have been considering it for a while then you should definitely have a look at some of my posts relating to solo hiking:

You can also easily access posts about some of my other favourite hiking destinations around the world: –  

Save it for Later

If you are headed to the Great Ocean Road soon then why not save this guide about the best waterfall hikes on the Great Ocean Road on Pinterest? You can share it to Facebook with friends and family as well. If you have been to New Zealand and know of an incredible hike not included here, then please leave it in the comments section below so I can add it to my list for next time. Let me know if you have any questions!

--Girl Seeking Purpose