We are going on a roadtrip to the coastal town of Lorne on the Great Ocean Road to do some big hikes over 2 days to see (and possibly swim in) the waterfalls! It will be somewhat of a luxury getaway as we won't be doing a pack carry (day packs only), but the days will be long and challenging. We will camp over at a nearby caravan park where there will be free time for relaxing/exploring the town/cards/games/beach/cooking/wave watching/astronomy. We will be doing two hikes on day 1 and a long hike on day 2 which will involve river crossings, approximately 20km each day.
The main routes we will take are:
Day 1A: The Canyon and Phantom Falls (9.5km): The Canyon and Phantom Falls passes several waterfalls including Won Wondah Falls, Henderson Falls, and Phantom Falls, and we will also be walking through The Canyon. This hike is suitable for most people.
Lorne is a beautiful area and offers some stunning hikes within the Otway Forest Park. Countless waterfalls and river crossings, forest ferns – what more could you want? Views? Yes there are some views on offer too, but in all honesty when you have waterfalls, who needs views?
Day 1B: Sheoak and Castle Rock (8.4km): An enjoyable walk through the Great Otway National Park in southern Victoria, located not too far from the town of Lorne. This walk begins and ends from the Sheoak Picnic Area, where parking and public amenities are available. From here you'll follow the Nature Loop trail down to Swallow Cave, Phantom Falls, Sheoak Falls and finally Castle Rock Lookout. The canyon is beautiful under a canopy of ferns.
Day 2: Cumberland River Trail (20.5km): The Cumberland River Trail hike takes in the well-known Cumberland Falls, Upper and Lower Kalimna falls. The circuit starts and ends at the Cumberland River Holiday Park and can be undertaken in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. This hike takes in three of The Otway's most spectacular waterfalls.
Cumberland River and Cumberland Falls: This is one of the more beautiful river valleys in the Otways, with dramatic cliffs, and peaceful pools in which to cool off on a hot summer day. It is an easy walk to Jebb's Pool but beyond that to Cumberland Falls there are numerous river crossings and some scrambling over rocks.
Upper and Lower Kalimna Falls: The Kalimna Falls walk follows the route of a timber tramway used for transporting timber to the Lorne Pier between the 1890s and 1920s. Very few trees escaped the logging. The Lower Falls are not large, but you can get behind them and look out through the falling water to the large pool surrounded by mossy logs and rocks. The Upper Falls are a series of cascades viewed from a platform.
I am also open to suggestions on variations and additions (+/-) to the trip plan/hiking routes.
We will split petrol costs and camping fee will be around $15-$20 for the night (yet to be confirmed).
Camping and hiking equipment can be hired from the clubrooms at Tuesday night's meeting subject to availability (pack for this trip as if you would for an overnight hike, being fully self-sufficient).
Hiking poles and gaiters are strongly reccommended for river crossings, and a good level of fitness will be required for these hikes.
Cheers to a great trip!
PS: Also, if there are any budding bushwalking leaders who would like to get a taste of what it takes to lead a hike, I am open to providing shadowing opportunities if you'd like to get a feel for trip leading. Email me for further information :)
