Castle Rock Walk (Great Otway National Park)

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Castle Rock Walk (Great Otway National Park)

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.

How to get there

Castle Rock Walk (Great Otway National Park)

Facilities

Carpark

Need to know

Castle Rock Walk (Great Otway National Park)

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

No dogs, cats, pets allowed
No bicycles
No vehicles

Warnings

Water hazards
Drop off
Terrain hazards
Steep track

Uneven ground
Animals and pests
Snakes
Other warnings
Limbs may fall take care

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

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.

Garvey Track Closed until further notice.

Garvey track will remain closed until further notice. Major road works are due to occur when conditions are suitable.

Cora Lynn Campground Closure

This campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees.

Upper Kalimna Walking Trail Closed

Walking trail to Upper Kalimna Falls closed until further notice due to storm damage. Lower Falls remain open.

Kalimna Tramline Trail Closed

This walking track 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.

Curtis Track Closed

Curtis Track is currently closed due to hazardous conditions. Conditions continue to be monitored and assessed.

Youngs Creek track closure

This track is closed due to roadworks

Delayneys Track Closed

Delayneys Track is closed until further notice.

Toilet Closed Urquhart's Bluff

Toilets are closed due to scheduled maintenance and repairs, No toilet access and hand wash or water availability

Toilet Closed Urquhart's Bluff

Toilets are closed due to scheduled maintenance and repairs, No toilet access and hand wash or water availability

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.

Melba Gully - Large bus access

Melba Gully Walk Track and picnic area is accessible for large coaches. Toilet facilities are available on site

Lifejackets Required For Rock Fishers from March 1, 2022

A two-year trial of new laws that require rock fishers to wear a lifejacket at high-risk locations will commence on 1 March 2022.

For Great Otway National Park this includes:

Artillery Rocks, west of Lorne
The rock platform opposite Sheoak Falls, south of Lorne

This factsheet includes maps of the affected areas.

Fines apply if you don’t wear a lifejacket at these sites.

To find out more, visit Victorian Fisheries Authority

No All-Abilities Toilet at Sheoak Picnic Area

No all-abilities toilet access at Sheoak Picnic Area. Portable toilets temporarily in use.

Blanket Bay - Bush Rats

Following the success of our fox and feral cat management programmes population numbers of Rattus fuscipes have grown again in the Blanket Bay campground area of the Great Otway National Park.

The combination of less predators and conducive weather conditions has allowed a population to return that campers at Blanket Bay should be cautious of.

The Bush rat has some specific features that can help you distinguish it from similar rats.

· It has pointed head and rounded ears.

· Its tail is smaller than the rat's body.

· Another key feature is their front teeth - they are chisel-shaped with hard yellow enamel.

These native rodents are known to scavenge on campers’ food, gnawing through tents to get to uncontained foodstuffs.

Native bush Rats are protected wildlife in the National Park and may form part of your camping experience while camping at Blanket Bay.

Attachments: Native vs Non-Native FS (779KB)

Great Ocean Walk - Wet and Muddy conditions

As a result of ongoing rain in the Great Otway National Park over autumn and through winter 2023, conditions of the track on the day 1 and day 2 sections of the Great Ocean Walk are advised to be very wet and muddy.

The Elliot Road section of walk is particularly unfavourable, and heavy conditions are anticipated to be ongoing until late Spring 2023.

South West District Weather forecast

Attachments: GOW May 2023 (540KB)