Some of Lorne's best waterfall walks start from Sheoak Picnic Area. Trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Sheoak Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls all depart from here. If you want a break from your beachside holiday - or your Great Ocean Road drive - bring a picnic and take a hike.
Sheoak Picnic Area has a pretty good claim to be the waterfall capital of Victoria. Walks from this clearing surrounded by tall rainforest trees lead to at least six waterfalls through some gorgeous rainforest scenery. Some of the trails are along old timber tramway routes from the days when these forests were logged.
The waterfall walks of Sheoak Picnic Area make for a great day out in the Otway hinterland for people staying in nearby Lorne or one of the other seaside townships along the coast. Alternatively, this is a fantastic break from your drive along the Great Ocean Road. Sheoak Picnic Area is well-equipped for families with toilets, a picnic shelter and gas barbecues.
Henderson Falls - 3km return, 1 hour
The Henderson Falls Walk gently climbs from Sheoak Picnic Area, through dense wet forest shadowed by towering eucalypt trees. Finish your journey at the base of Henderson Falls, cascading over a moss-capped cliff face to a small pool below. There's also a short diversion to see Won Wondah Falls.
Kalimna Falls - 8.4km return, 4 hours
See two waterfalls for the price of one on this walk along an old timber tramway used for transporting timber to Lorne Pier from the 1890s-1920s. Wind through a deep valley carved by Sheoak Creek to see Lower Kalimna Falls cascading over an undercut rock ledge before pushing on to Upper Kalimna Falls framed by lush moss-covered trees.
Phantom Falls - 8.6km return, 3 hours
This walk from Sheoak Picnic Area to Phantom Falls is packed with highlights. You'll see Won Wondah Falls, Henderson Falls and the lost world of The Canyon on your way to Phantom Falls. Turn the walk into a circuit by continuing down to Allenvale and back to Sheoak Picnic Area along the unsealed road.
Sheoak Falls - 3.6km one way, 2 hours
Weave your way through the tall wet forest synonymous with the beautiful Otway Ranges along Sheoak Creek. Meander through coastal woodland via waterfalls and out to the coastal vistas of the Great Ocean Road. Sheoak Creek plunges into a tranquil pool at Sheoak Falls before continuing down to the ocean. If you'd prefer not to return to Sheoak Picnic Area via the same route, you can arrange to be picked up at Sheoak Falls Carpark.
Castle Rock - 5km return, 3 hours
Castle Rock Walking Track is in the Great Otway National Park near the town of Lorne. The trail starts at Sheoak Picnic Area and is approximately 5km return (3 hours) weaving uphill through coastal forest to a rocky outcrop with views over Cumberland River and the coast.Things to do
Sheoak Falls
How to get there
Sheoak Picnic Area
When you're there
Need to know
Sheoak Picnic Area
Accessibility
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Kalimna Tramline link walk and Upper Kalimna is closed
The Kalimna Tramline link walk is closed due to damage to a pedestrian bridge. Walkers can still access the Lower Kalimna Waterfall via the Kalimna Falls Walking Track, which starts at Sheoak Picnic Area. Upper Kalimna Falls closed until further notice.Jarosite Headlands Beach Closure
Safety Notice: Jarosite Headlands Beach Closure
Due to recent cliff falls, the beach at the base of Jarosite Headlands is closed to the public.A large amount of rock and debris is still unstable, and further collapses may occur. For your safety, please do not attempt to enter the closed area.Access to Addiscott Beach and Southside Beach remains open. Please consult the map below for the designated closed area.We will provide an update when the area is safe to reopen.
Event = Great Ocean Walk - Saturday, 25 October 2025
NOTICE TO PARK VISITORSA permitted trail running event will be operating on the Great Ocean Walk trail system on Saturday, 25 October 2025.Event: Great Ocean Trail UltraDate: Saturday, 25 October 2025Time: 5:00 AM - 1:00 AM (20 hours)Route: Apollo Bay to Princetown Recreation Reserve via Great Ocean WalkParticipants: Up to 400 registered runners (100km and 45km events)________________________________________AFFECTED AREAS AND TIMESMorning Activity (Higher Impact Period)• Apollo Bay vicinity: 4:30 AM - 5:30 AM• Blanket Bay Day Use Area: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM• Cape Otway Lightstation Car Park: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM• Aire River West Campground: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AMPeak Activity Period• Castle Cove Lookout: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM• Johanna Beach Day Use Area: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (includes 45km event start)• Parker Access Track/Great Ocean Road: 11:30 AM - 9:00 PMEvening Activity• Princetown Recreation Reserve: 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM (finish line area)• GOW Lookout Car Park (near 12 Apostles): 1:30 PM - midnight________________________________________WHAT TO EXPECTFor Great Ocean Walk Users:• The Great Ocean Walk remains fully open to public use• You may encounter trail runners throughout the day• Participants are required to give way to walkers and be courteous• Event marshals positioned at key locations to assistFacility Access:• All public toilets and facilities remain available• Car parks accessible (brief periods of increased activity expected)• Campground facilities protected - event routes bypass overnight camping areas• Walk-in campsites not affected by event operationsTraffic Considerations:• Minimal road impact - event follows walking trails• Brief activity at Great Ocean Road crossings with marshal supervision• "Event in Progress" signage displayed at key locations________________________________________ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURESParks Victoria confirms the following protective measures are in place:• Mandatory compliance with cinnamon fungus prevention protocols• Leave No Trace principles enforced for all participants• Waste management systems - all event waste removed from parks• Professional medical support and emergency response procedures• Regular monitoring by experienced event management team________________________________________WEATHER AND CONDITIONSThis event is subject to cancellation or modification due to:• South West District Fire danger ratings (Extreme or Catastrophic conditions)• Severe weather warnings• Track closure requirements• Emergency service directionEvent organisers monitor conditions closely and will cancel if necessary to ensure public and participant safety.________________________________________FOR MORE INFORMATIONParks Victoria Information Centre:📞 13 1963Great Ocean Road Coast & Parks Authority (GORCAPA):📞 1300 736 533Event Information:• Website: www.greatoceanultra.comEmergency Services: 000________________________________________This notice will remain in effect until Monday, 27 October 2025Parks Victoria acknowledges the Eastern Maar People as Traditional Owners of these lands and waters and recognises their ongoing connection to Country.Great Ocean Walk Trail Advisory: Echidna & Long-nosed Bandicoot Activity
Important Safety Alert – Great Ocean Walk > Trail ConditionsRecent observations in Great Otway National Park have recorded a significant increase in digging activity by both short-beaked echidnas and long-nosed bandicoots—themselves ecosystem engineers—resulting in numerous diggings and burrows along the entire Great Ocean Walk. These excavations create trip hazards, especially in low-light conditions during dawn and dusk when both species are most active.Safety Recommendations- Remain vigilant for fresh soil disturbances, shallow holes, and uneven ground surfaces.
- Wear sturdy hiking boots with ankle support to reduce injury risk.
- Carry a torch or headlamp for early starts or late finishes to spot potential hazards.
- Echidnas and long-nosed bandicoots are fully protected native wildlife.
- It is illegal to disturb, harass, handle, injure, or remove them—or any part of their habitat—from the wild.
- Do not approach, touch, chase, corner, or attempt to move these animals.
- Keep a respectful distance and allow wildlife to move away naturally.
- If you encounter an injured or orphaned animal, do not intervene directly.
- Echidnas move up to 200 m³ of soil annually through their digging behavior, promoting soil health and biodiversity.
- Long-nosed bandicoots create shallow foraging pits that aid seed germination and nutrient cycling, further enhancing ecosystem function.
Reporting & ContactsFor any wildlife concerns or to report animal incidents or injured wildlife, contactParks Victoria on 131963 or visit theConservation Regulator on 136186 or online at https://www.vic.gov.au/conservation-regulator.Please stay on designated tracks to protect native vegetation and minimize disturbance to habitat.Attachments: GONP Spring 2025 (349KB)
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Aire River East Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)
Seasonal Closure Notification – Aire East Campground
Closure Dates: 1 June – 30 October 2025Aire East Campground will be fully closed over the winter period and into early spring, due to consistently wet ground conditions. The closure is in place to ensure visitor safety, comfort, and to prevent damage to the campground’s grassed surfaces.This closure is in line with Parks Victoria’s commitment to sustainable park management and will remain in effect until 30 October 2025.Camping in closed areas is not permitted under the National Park Regulations 2024.We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to explore alternative camping locations in the region during this time.Closure may be extended if the campground has not dried out. -
Cora Lynn Cascades Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Cora Lynn Cascades Walking Track Closure
Cora Lynn Cascades walking track is currently closed due to damaged infrastructure. Please note this closure will affect you if you plan to walk from Allenvale through to Erskine falls and vice versa. -
Aire River West Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)
Aire River West campground - Flood impacts
Aire River West Campground has been impacted by flooding. Sites 17 to 40 are currently not accessible until the 29th for October. Sites 1 to 16 are unaffected at this time. -
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Maits Rest Carpark- bus access
Maits Rest Carpark is suitable for small coaster buses only. Large buses or coaches are advised to use Melba Gully walk track near Lavers Hill.
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