Map
Last Visited: 08/01/2012
Length (km): 8.5 km
Time (hrs/min): 3 hours
Grade: Easy
Return / Circuit / One-Way / Partial Circuit: Partial Circuit
Region: South-West Victoria
Park: Great Otway National Park
Closest Town: Lorne (approx. 2 km)
Further Details / Source(s): I followed the walk titled “The Canyon Walk” in the second edition of Daywalks Around Melbourne (by Glenn Tempest – available in many bookstores or from Open Spaces Publishing).
Car Access: From Lorne, head west on Allenvale Road. After passing Allenvale Mill Campground, continue 2 km further and park at Sheoak Picnic Area.
The Canyon (aka. Lorne Waterfalls Circuit) is one of the nicest spots I’ve ever visited in the Great Otway National Park. Manoeuvring your way around, over and under its giant moss-covered boulders is undoubtedly what makes this hike so worthwhile. When it comes to waterfalls around Lorne, though, there’s no other hike in the area that will show you this many of them all in one go. So many reasons to take on this relatively easy hike. Especially if you’re the waterfall chasing type.
To get to The Canyon, follow the track at the north side of Sheoak Picnic Area. Crossing Allenvale Road and then Sharps Track, you will find yourself at Wonwondah Falls. There is a viewing platform at the falls but this isn’t the most spectacular of the falls.
Next up is Henderson Falls, which is a short detour from the circuit but easy to find and well worth the visit. My photo will do it far more justice than my words could. This fern lined mossy gully is the perfect spot to have some lunch or just relax and take in the sound of the water and abundant birdlife, before returning to the circuit and continuing on through The Canyon.
The Canyon itself is an incredible site that you’d never guess is hiding away here just outside Lorne. It’s another spot where you’ll just want to sit and take it all in, surrounded by the geological history of this beautiful part of the world.
Henderson Falls
The Canyon
The next stop is Phantom Falls. Unfortunately for us, there was barely a trickle of water here on our last visit. This is no doubt due to Allen Dam, which is situated not far above the falls. We took the track down to the base of the falls anyway, to check out the beautiful amphitheatre. When Phantom Falls is flowing it’s a spectacular sight.
Although the majority of the trip back to the car from Phantom Falls is on dirt roads, there are plenty of interesting sights, wildlife (particularly birdlife), and even an apple orchard to keep you entertained. We spotted Rainbow Lorikeets, Crimson Rosella and Kookaburra’s, just to name a few. The entire walk is very well signed, but bring along a map just in case.
Have you visited The Canyon? If you have any stories, updates or corrections, please let us know by commenting below.
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Hey Neil, Thanks for your great reviews of the Otways. It’s just what we were after before we left last week. Matter of fact your reviews made it hard to decide which to do!
We opted for the Canyon. The three falls were flowing beautifully, especially the Phantom which provided great photo opportunities.
What i would add as an attraction was that once you leave the Phantom, you follow a track which leads to a farmhouse with an apple orchard, cross over the Henderson creek back up to road.
By the way, we stayed at Lake Elizabeth campground which is one of the most beautiful campgrounds i’ve come across.
Hi John,
Thanks for commenting. It’s great to hear that Bushwalking Blog was helpful! Not sure if you’ve heard, but I’m actually co-authoring a book on walks along the Great Ocean Road at the moment.
The Canyon is definitely one of my favourites. I’ll be heading out to do it again soon and I hope I’m lucky enough to find all of the waterfalls flowing, too.
Cheers for the heads up on Lake Elizabeth. I haven’t been there yet myself. Will have to check it out.
All the best.
Neil
I partially walked this today (Mar 19, 2012), but from the opposite direction to you. I started late in the day from Allendale Mill Carpark with the intention to only walk to Phantom Falls (seduced by that fabulous picture on p16 of Wayne Tempest’s guide). However, I was luckier than you in that water was going over the top and it looked pretty good, particularly from the bottom, but nothing like Wayne’s picture – he certainly picked the right day to visit. I then decided to continue on to the Canyon. When I arrived I was confronted by that “hole in the ground” that serves as the entrance at that end. Never having been there before, on my own, and late in the day I decided not to venture down to a place I couldn’t see much of. Having read your report I’m now quite disappointed that I didn’t take the plunge. Still it’ll keep for another day and next time I’ll walk from Sheoaks instead. Just BTW, a number of walks were closed today for “infrastructure upgrades” and a planned controlled burn for the area (which the signs said would close more of the tracks for some period of time). Pity because the bush looked wonderful and I agree about the birdlife – pretty fantastic.
Hey John! I’m glad you got to see the falls with some water! I’ll have to check it out again some other time. It’s a pity about the Canyon though. So beautiful! Thanks for letting us know about the closures and planned burns.
Cheers
Neil