Want to discover Apollo Bay waterfalls? Below is information on the best spots for discovering waterfalls near Apollo Bay in the Great Otway National Park. Walks in the National Park range from easy right through to strenuous so there is something to suit all abilities.
The Great Otway National Park is peppered with stunning waterfalls that are only a short drive away. There’s the cascading Triplet Falls, or, the majestic 30 metre high Hopetoun Falls, whichever waterfall you choose, these big nature experiences will tick all your boxes.
The best place to find waterfalls near Apollo Bay is in the Great Otway National Park. The Great Otways National Park is a cool temperate rainforest and because it has one of the highest rainfalls in the state the waterfalls in the Park flow all year round. Download the digital Otways Walks and Waterfall map below and discover all of the waterfall near Apollo Bay today:
The Otways have an abundance of stunning walks and waterfalls. This map will provide you will all of our secret nature-based experiences. The map has our suggested touring routes for Colac and the Volcainic plains, the Otways walks and waterfalls and the Otway Harvest Trail.
Hopetoun Falls has a viewing platform 20 mertres from the carpark which offers spectacular views of the 30 metre high falls as they crash into the Aire River. Or you can take the steeper walk down to the pool at the base of the falls. The walk starts from the carpark located on the Aire Valley Road 10 minutes from Beech Forest and only a few minutes from the amazing Otway Redwoods forest .
Distance: 1km return | Time: 30 mins | Difficulty: Moderate
Beauchamp Falls crashes over a ledge into a large pool just outside Beech Forest, this 20-metre waterfall rewards a somewhat strenuous walk. To get to the falls, take the walking path from the picnic area, located off the Aire Valley Road. The three-kilometre path is an hour’s walk return, and requires reasonable fitness. The descent to the falls leads to a viewing platform (there is no access to the falls). The path back is steep and has steps that can be slippery when wet. Take care when walking in damp conditions.
Distance: 3km return | Time: 1 hour | Difficulty: Strenuous
Triplet Falls is one of the iconic visitor sites in the Great Otway National Park. Nestled amongst the ancient forests of Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech with large sections of expanded metal boardwalks, you will discover three distinct and impressive cascades flowing through shady rainforests and glades of mossy tree ferns. The walk is quite close to the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures located on Phillips Track near Beech Forest. The walk begins with some sections of steep steps so while it’s not long, it is not suited to people with limited mobility. There are some very large Mountain Ash trees along the track which are estimated to be around 200 years old. Continuing on the loop back to the carpark, you come to the site of Knott’s #1 Mill which operated for more than 20 years from 1909. The remains of a steam boiler overgrown by ferns is now the only evidence of one of the largest timber mills that operated in the West Otways region.
Distance: 2km return | Time: 1 hour | Difficulty: Moderate
Download the Tripet Falls Information Booklet here.
Stevensons Falls is one of the most spectacular and accessible waterfalls in the Otways, and a short walk from a well-equipped campground and picnic area.
An easy day trip or overnight stay, Stevensons Falls in the Otways is well worth a visit with a spectacular waterfall, picnic spot and spacious campground in a scenic valley beside the Gellibrand River. Camp overnight or come for a day visit and enjoy a picnic on the beautiful grounds surrounded by dense forest and the sound of the flowing river nearby
Accessibility information
Most attractions and facilities at the day visitor area are accessible for people in a wheelchair or with mobility needs and are pram friendly. This includes the car park, walkways, toilets and viewing platform.
Stevensons Falls Walk
Stevensons Falls is one of the Otway region’s most accessible and spectacular waterfalls. Starting from the car park, this short walk passes through a stand of large Californian redwood trees which are a remnant of a trial plantation established in the 1980s. From here, the picturesque walk crosses over the Gellibrand River and then continues alongside the river to a viewing platform at the base of the waterfalls.
This easy walk is suitable for everyone and is wheelchair accessible and pram friendly.
The site also has 2 smaller walks: the Redwoods Boardwalk, showcasing the giant Californian redwoods, and the Blue Spruce Walk which runs along the Gellibrand River.
These walks are 1 to 4 hours in duration. 3.4km return. No steps. Gentle hills. Formed track. Limited signage. No experience required.
Stevensons Falls Campground
This pleasant and spacious campground is surrounded by giant Californian redwoods next to the Gellibrand River.
This free campground has 44 designated campsites suitable for tents, as well as wood-fired BBQs, picnic tables and toilets. Visitors can access the waterfalls within a short walk from here.
This site is not suitable for caravans and camper trailers, so if you are visiting the area we recommend staying nearby at Dandos Campground.
For detailed information about the Stevensons Falls please visit the Explore Outdoors Victoria site
Little Aire Falls track takes you through Mountain Ash and rainforests ending at a cantilevered viewing platform with spectacular views over the falls. There are some creek crossings on bridges passing through beautiful fern gullies before reaching the suspended viewing platform. It is a steep climb back up to the carpark. The walk starts from the Triplet Falls carpark located on Phillips Track, just 3km past the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures.
Distance: 5km return | Time: 2 hours | Difficulty: Moderate
Carisbrook Falls is a short and easy walk. It’s only 10 mins from the carpark on an evenly graded path to a lookout over the gorge to the falls which are one of the highest along the Great Ocean Road. They do not drop vertically, however tumble down a sloping rockface – best viewed after heavy rain. The walk starts from the carpark located just off the Great Ocean Road, 12kms east of Apollo Bay.
Distance: 1km return | Time: 20 mins | Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Contact the local experts at the Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre to find out about the best places to go to discover waterfalls near Apollo Bay.
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