Sheoak Falls to Sheoak Picnic Area Walk (Great Otway National Park)

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Sheoak Falls to Sheoak Picnic Area Walk (Great Otway National Park)

Experience tall wet forest synonymous with the beautiful Otway Range before meandering through coastal woodland via waterfalls and out to the coastal vistas of the Great Ocean Road at Sheoak Falls. Tackle from either direction with the start from Sheoak Falls involving a few steep climbing sections.

How to get there

Sheoak Falls to Sheoak Picnic Area Walk (Great Otway National Park)

Need to know

Sheoak Falls to Sheoak Picnic Area 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 fires permitted
No camping
No firearms allowed
No horses
No bicycles
No vehicles
No dogs allowed
No drones without a permit

Warnings

Other warnings
Trees may fall take care

Limbs may fall take care

Vehicles
Water hazards
Flash flooding
Terrain hazards
Slippery surface

Uneven ground

Steep track
Animals and pests
Snakes

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.

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.

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.

Lake Elizabeth Campground Upgrades

Lake Elizabeth Campground and the associated campground car park will be closed from: Tuesday 27^th January 2026 to Tuesday 31^st March 2026. We ask visitors to stay clear of the campground and campground carpark which will have signed closures in place.

The closure is for enhancing the camping experience and these renovations have been funded by the Victorian Government’s Victoria’s Great Outdoors program. Victoria’s Great Outdoors is a $106.6 million investment by the Victorian Government into better campgrounds, walking trails, 4WD tracks and visitor facilities across Victoria’s parks and state forests.

All other areas at Lake Elizabeth will remain open, including ablutions, day use areas, walks to and around the lake.

Aire Crossing Campground Closed

The Aire Crossing track and the Aire Crossing campground will be closed from the 12th -16th January 2026 for urgent maintenance works.

The Youngs Creek track will also be closed to prevent access to Aire Crossing campground.

Closure due to Bushfire

Parts of Great Otway National Park that were closed due to fire activity in the area have now reopened. Cape Otway Lighthouse remains closed but may reopen soon.

The following sites have reopened: Maits Rest Rainforest Walk, Cape Otway Lookout Walk, Great Ocean Walk and all associated campgrounds including Blanket Bay Campground, Parker Hill Campground, Aire River East Campground, Aire River West Campgrounds, Elliot Ridge Hike-in Campground, Blanket Bay Hike-in Campground, Cape Otway Hike-in Campground and Aire River Hike-in Campground.

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.

Lake Elizabeth Campground Upgrade Information

Lake Elizabeth Campground and the associated campground car park will be closed from: Tuesday 27^th January 2026 to Tuesday 31^st March 2026. We ask visitors to stay clear of the campground and campground carpark which will have signed closures in place.

As you plan for your holidays please do not attempt to book the Lake Elizabeth campground from Tuesday 27th January - Tuesday 31st March 2026.

The closure is for enhancing the camping experience and these renovations have been funded by the Victorian Government’s Victoria’s Great Outdoors program. Victoria’s Great Outdoors is a $106.6 million investment by the Victorian Government into better campgrounds, walking trails, 4WD tracks and visitor facilities across Victoria’s parks and state forests.

All other areas at Lake Elizabeth will remain open, including ablutions, day use areas, walk to and around the lake.

Aire Crossing Campground Closure 12th-16th January

Aire Crossing Campground, Aire Crossing Track and access from Youngs Creek Track will be closed from the 12th - 16th January 2026 for urgent track maintenance.

Aire River Estuary - River closed

Parks Victoria and GORCAPA local operations are monitoring a closure of the Aire River mouth in the Great Otway National Park.

The Great Ocean Walk on approach to the Aire West campground, and low areas of this campground and estuary will observe high water levels, until such time as the mouth reopens to the sea.

If water levels become unsafe then closures may be required.

Great Ocean Walk destination car parking at the Twelve Apostles visitor center during summer & Peak Visitation periods

During the busy peak visitation period at the Twelve Apostles precinct (from summer through to early autumn including school holidays, public holidays, long weekends & busy peak visitation weekends concluding after Chinese New Year / Easter), due to the sheer volume of visitors onsite, a traffic management program is in place to maximize public safety & ensure visitor experience. If you are planning to park your vehicle at the Twelve Apostles before walking the Great Ocean Walk (or sections of it including section 8) during this period, please communicate this information to onsite traffic control staff at the entrance & they will do their best to accommodate your vehicle in the main carpark. This will avoid your car remaining in the overflow carpark area which needs to be cleared and locked each night. Similarly, if you arrive at the Twelve Apostles to park your car at a time when traffic control are not onsite, or setting up, please park your vehicle in the main carpark area. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!