Otways Hikes

What You’ll Discover When Hiking The Otways

If waterfalls are your thing, you’re in luck when it comes to hiking the Otways (who isn’t mesmerized by water tumbling or cascading down through a stunning bush setting?!). The Otways is home to magnificent waterfalls that flow all year round including:

• Hopetoun Falls – A 1km moderate level walk (return) that takes approximately 30 minutes taking you to a viewing platform where you can see these spectacular falls or you can continue, on a steeper walk that takes you to the base of the falls.
• Beauchamp falls – The 3km (return) walk to this 20-metre high waterfall is considered strenuous and takes around an hour so is suitable for those with a reasonable physical ability & fitness level. There is no access to the falls however there is a viewing platform where you will be able to see them.
• Triplet falls – These falls are one of the most iconic sites in the Otways. It is a 2km moderate level walk that takes approximately 1 hour to complete and on the way, you’ll pass Mountain Ash trees (estimated to be 200 years old)
• Stevenson Falls – You have two options to see these falls — a 500m return short walk (20min) or a 4.6km return long walk (1.5hr). Both walks are an easy level and on the longer walk, you’ll spot Douglas Fir trees before coming to a viewing platform to view the falls.
• Little Aire Falls – A 5km (return) moderate level walk that takes 2 hours. The walk passes Mountain Ash trees and fern gullies before arriving at the cantilevered viewing platform where you can view these spectacular falls.
• Carisbrook Falls – The walk to these falls (one of the highest along the Great Ocean Road) is an easy to moderate level walk that takes approximately 20 min (1km return). There is also a lookout that is only a 10-minute walk from the car park.

Hiking the Otways, you’ll also discover the local wildlife (e.g. kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and echidnas), one of Australia’s youngest volcanoes — Red Rock (download the Red Rock Lakes & Craters Brochure), Lake Elizabeth, magnificent Californian Redwood trees and you can even take a treetop walk 30 metres above the ground.

Overnight Hikes in the Otways

The best overnight hike in the Otways is the Great Ocean Walk. It is a one-way long-distance walk that is 100km long between Apollo Bay and the 12 Apostles — it can be done over 8 days or in smaller sections and you can camp or stay in comfortable accommodation along the way. Our Otways Walks & Waterfalls Guide contains useful information on hiking the Otways. You can download and print a copy to take along with you.

Find Out More About Hiking Otways Today