Walks and Waterfalls
CLOSE TO FORREST
Lake Elizabeth
Distance: 2 km or 4 km. Time: 1 or 2 hours. Difficulty: Easy - Moderate Accessibility: Suitable for prams and wheelchairs Facilities: Toilets, Picnic Ground, Camping Area
Lake Elizabeth is a lovely walk taking you alongside a smaller billabong to the main lake. The extended 2 hour walk loops around the lake. At dawn and at dusk a colony of platypus can be seen from the shoreline, but are best seen on a canoe tour with local guides. Where is Lake Elizabeth?
Stevensons Falls
Distance: 1km or 3kms. Time: 20mins to 1 hour. Difficulty: Easy - Moderate Accessibility: Suitable for prams and wheelchairs* Facilities: Toilets, Picnic Ground, Camping Area
The Stevensons Falls walk can be started from the Stevensons Falls Campground located off the Skenes Creek - Forrest Road at Barramunga, or the shorter walk is available in dry conditions by driving via the second bridge (after the campground), across the ford, to the carpark. The shorter walk begins at the day visitor area where a footbridge crosses the Gellibrand River and heads towards the falls. The walk follows the Gellibrand River upstream to the falls. There are toilet facilities suitable for wheelchair access in the campground. *The walking track best suited for wheelchair and pram access is the shorter walk. The full walk is pram and wheelchair accessible in dry conditions only, when the ford crossing does not involve too much water!
Download Parks Victoria Parknote "Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park - Torquay to Kennett River" which shows the location of Stevensons Falls.
CLOSE TO APOLLO BAY
Maits Rest
The walk at Maits Rest is a great introduction to Victorias tall wet eucalypt forests and rainforests. The forest walk has sections of raised boardwalk, compacted soil and aggregate. Some steep sections lack handrails. There are excellent interpretive signs along the path. Vehicle access to this site is excellent, and the area around the car park is free of obstacles. There are no picnic or toilet facilities. The closest are at Apollo Bay or the Aire River Camping area.
Aire River
The east area of the Aire River campground is an informal grassy area that can also be accessed by caravans. Neither camp area has any designated accessible facilities, but there is more flat ground on the west side than on the east.
Johanna Beach
Campers at Johanna Beach can park adjacent to a campsite, and it is possible to bring a caravan. Access to the toilet is restricted by a narrow path, as is access to the beach. The track to the beach is also very sandy. The camping area is fairly flat overall.
Blanket Bay
Facilities at Blanket Bay include picnic tables, pit and composting toilets and open fire places. There is a designated unisex toilet, with a gravel approach path. The sandy path with uneven stairs leading to the beach is poorly accessible.
CLOSE TO LORNE
Blanket Leaf Picnic Area (and Erskine Falls)
A cool retreat on a hot day, Blanket Leaf Picnic Area has accessible picnic tables, and some shelter. There are toilet facilities near the car park, though the designated accessible facility does not meet all access criteria. Erskine Falls is a short drive (~ 2km) from Blanket Leaf Picnic Area. There is a walk from the car park to the falls, but no facilities at this site. The path up to the falls viewing area is quite steep with uneven steps and a loose gravel surface.
Distillery Creek Picnic Area
This accessibility information refers to the picnic area closest to the toilet facility, which is generally the more accessible of the two areas at Distillery Creek. The ground is generally flat but covered with leaf litter, and has some uneven surfaces. The accessible toilet across the road meets some access criteria. The Distillery Creek Nature Trail shows a diversity of plant life and is reasonably accessible.
Moggs Creek Picnic Area
Moggs Creek Picnic Area is on reasonably flat ground in a natural setting. There are no formal paths around the site. The toilets are across the road from the picnic area. Access to the toilet is restricted by a narrow main door, but otherwise it meets many criteria for access. The Moggs Creek walking circuit leaves from the picnic area and takes about 30 minutes. There is a lookout bay on the Great Ocean Road near this picnic area.
Sheoak Falls Car Park
Sheoak Falls Car Park is a recently constructed car park with a good smooth surface and good circulation. The tracks nearby are not so accessible as they have steep sections and steps. There are no picnic facilities or toilets on site. The nearest facilities are in Lorne.
Sheoak Picnic Area
Sheoak Picnic Area has good picnic facilities including gas and wood barbecues. The surface is rough, and there are no formal paths. There is a designated accessible toilet facility that meets most criteria for access, although the approach is over a loose surface.
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