Fire-affected parks remain closed as others reopen.

Before you leave home, check for park closures and download the VicEmergency app.

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

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

Explore

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

Experience iconic Otway waterfalls such as Won Wondah and Henderson Falls and the lost world of The Canyon on your way to Phantom Falls. You can complete a circuit by continuing down to Allenvale and back to Sheoak Picnic Area along the unsealed road and do the walk in either direction.

How to get there

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

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

Need to know

Sheoak Picnic Area to Phantom Falls Walk (The Canyon) (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 bicycles
  • No vehicles
  • No dogs allowed

Warnings

    • None applicable

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.

Great Otway National Park sites closed due to flash flooding event

Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding has caused significant damage across parts of the eastern Great Otway National Park. 
 
For public safety, the following areas are closed until further notice while assessments and clean-up works are undertaken:​
 
Visitors are advised NOT to visit any sites within the Great Otway National Park between Aireys Inlet and Kennett River while assessments and recovery works continue. 
 
Closures included but are not limited to :


Erskine falls (open only to top lookout)



Roads & Tracks 
Wye Rd
Curtis Track
Godfrey Track
Jamieson Track

Walking tracks
St George
Phantom falls
Lemonade ck
Kalimna
Henderson
Sheoak Falls
Sheoak picnic ground walking Nature Loop
Cumberland
Cumberland Garvey Link
Kalimna Garvey Link
Castle Rock
Cora Lynn
Erskine Falls Walking Track 
Won Wondah
 
Many roads, tracks and visitor facilities are impacted by debris, flooding and unstable conditions.  



The Great Ocean Road has been impacted,
​
 
 
Always follow safety signage and directions from response crews, and do not enter any closed areas.
​
Thank you for your patience and understanding as works are undertaken to make these popular areas safe to visit again.

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 27th January 2026 to Tuesday 31st 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 West - Campground flooding - Sites impacted

  • Sites 17 to 40 at Aire River West campground are impacted by high water.
  • These sites have been impacted by riverine flooding due to a closed river mouth.
  • Even if, or when the river mouth opens, these sites may take some time to dry out. 
  • Sites 1 to 16 at Aire West, Aire East and the GOW hike in camp site are unaffected.

Attachments: Aire West 16 JAN 2026 (1,029KB)

Aire Crossing - CLOSED

Due to EXTREME fire danger, access to Aire Crossing and the campsite is CLOSED.

Do not enter CLOSED areas of National Parks.

National Park Regulations Apply

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 27th January 2026 to Tuesday 31st 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.

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! 

Redwoods and Hopetoun Falls Car Parks Full

The Redwoods (Aire Valley Reserve) and Hopetoun Falls carparks within the Great Otway National Park are consistently full over this busy summer period.

We advise all our visitors to these iconic areas to remain patient and vigilant for all other users of these areas.

Visitors also need to be aware that large log trucks also use the Binns Road as part of their logging operation.

Thank you all for your co-operation and please enjoy these and other areas of the Great Otway National Park. 

Extreme Fire Danger and Total Fire Bans

Important camping and visitor information for
  1. Great Otway National Park
  2. Great Ocean Walk 
  3. Port Campbell National Park and
  4. Bay of Islands Coastal Park
 
• National Parks and State Forests CLOSE during a CATASTROPHIC fire danger rating
• NO FIRES  can not be lit in the open during Total Fire Bans.  No fires are permited along or at Great Ocean Walk campsites.
• Caution and planning should be applied during an EXTREME fire Danger Rating.
 
 
• Camping is only permitted in designated campgrounds in the Great Otway National Park with a valid permit booking.  This includes the Great Ocean Walk.
• Camping or sleeping in vehicles is not permitted in car parks, lookouts or other visitation sites outside of designated campgrounds in any national park.
• There are no campgrounds in Port Campbell National Park or Bay of Islands Coastal Park; overnight stays are not permitted in these parks.  National Park Regulations apply.
• Be prepared for campgrounds, roads and tracks to close at short notice if conditions change.
• Have a clear plan for what you will do if conditions change suddenly, including how you will leave early and where you will go.
• Do not light any campfires or solid fuel barbecues during a Total Fire Ban.
• Stay informed via official emergency and park information channels and follow all instructions from rangers and emergency services.
 

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